Going to the hair salon can be intimidating, especially if you aren't sure what you really want. At the same time we all want to look our best, at any time or at any occasion, so it's important to get the right hair style, one that will compliment your facial structure and give you the best appearance possible. Hence, you need to acknowledge that everyone has different face shapes and not every hairstyle is suitable for every face shape. This is a brief guide to the ideal hairstyles for the different face shapes.

 
How to Identify Your Face Shape

Look at the following face shapes and find your best match. Bear in mind that your face may not be an exact match to any single shape, but it will resemble one shape more than the others.

 Oval face (picture 1)

This is the most flexible face type, and you are lucky if you are a match.  The oval face can accommodate many different hair styles. You can have short wavy hair that brings attention to your jaw line or you can have long wavy hair. Both these styles suit the oval face shape. The main thing to remember is to not choose hairstyles that hang over your face or eyes, or that just hide your beautifully-shaped face.

 Round face (picture 2)

Soft, choppy styles such as layers cut around the cheeks work better for round faces than pin-straight, flat or sleek styles do. Layers that fall around the cheekbones will shade them and cause the face to look narrower.

 Square face (picture 3)

This is one of the most popular face shapes that can really pull off long hair styles, drawing attention away from strong angular jaw lines. However, you must avoid dull bobs, especially one that sit at chin length with straight heavy bangs, as this will emphasise your jaw line and the squareness of your face.

 Heart face (picture 4)

This is a face type that is quite unknown by many, who fail to realize that they have a heart-shaped face. The heart shape is great for short bobs that flick in under your neck. However, avoid short, full hairstyles like slicked back looks that emphasize your upper face, and short styles with heavy straight-across bangs that create an upside down triangular shape.

Triangular face (picture 5)

Layered hairstyles will help balance and soften your prominent jaw line. Styles with layers that taper at the jaw line can also be flattering. Avoid any hairstyle which will draw too much attention to your chin area such as straight, solid bob cuts.

Diamond shape (picture 6)

Choose hairstyles that add width at the chin area such as chin-length bob cuts or shoulder-length wispy kicked out looks. Styles that tuck in behind the ears also work well to show off a wonderful cheek bone structure. Hairstyles with straight across bangs will also work to shorten long faces, as will side parts.

Long face (picture 7)

The solution for a long face is to make it look shorter. This can be achieved by wispy, see-through bangs and chin-length cuts. Longer, shapeless styles and straight bobs serve only to further elongate. If your chin is pointy, make sure your hair doesn't curve in towards it. Cited: The hairstyler.com. 2009.

To identify your face shape, click here for demonstrations.

 

Sources:

• Visual-makeover.com  
• Hubpages
• The hairstyler
• Short-hair-style
• Ezinearticles

Last Updated: 15 November 2011

by Zanele Matshotyana