Use Your Face Shape To Decide On The Perfect Hair

The shape of your face holds the key to getting the ideal hairstyle for you 

A person’s hair can be used to express their style and their personality, easily reflecting the type of person they are and (whether they like it or not) how others will perceive them. While this may sounds extreme it is nonetheless important to find your perfect hair style for you and your lifestyle.

When deciding on a new hairstyle or reassessing the one you already have, many people look to celebrity trends or the latest looks as their inspiration. Sure, this is always helpful and should be considered as a great guide, but it is important to remember that what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another.

We have all heard about how a person’s body type should dictate their wardrobe choices, well it is no different when it comes to hairstyles. It's all about the face shapes and balancing proportions.  The significance of the shape of a face can be quite significant as it really can determine if a hairstyle will look good on a person or not, dictating the symmetry of the face and hair and able to emphasise different features of the face and body.

So when talking about the shape of a face, what is being referred to is the outer line of the face and the location of the features.  What areas are larger or dominate over others? Are you eyes large and brow heavy or is it your jaw that is more predominant? These factors should be considered when working out what your face shape is, of course you can always ask your hairdresser to recommend styles that would suit you, your lifestyle and your face shape then choose one of their suggestions, yet there is a failsafe method that will give you a definite answer regarding your face shape.

Using either a tape measure or ruler, take down the following measurements of your face:

1. Measure across the top of your cheekbones
2. Measure across jaw line from the widest point to the widest point
3. Measure across forehead at the widest point which you will find will generally be halfway between the eyebrows and hairline
4. Measure from the tip of the hairline to the bottom of the chin

When looking at these results, compare them to the criteria below to determine what face shape you have.

Oval Face

An oval face will have a measured length that is relatively 1.5 times of the measurement of their faces width, creating a balanced oval shape. Other features include higher cheekbones and a chin and forehead of similar width. 

Listed as one of the more preferable face shapes due to its adaptability to most hair styles, the balanced oval is fairly open to whatever style you like, however some hairdressers do recommend oval faces avoid heavy fringes as it may ‘weigh down’ the face, looking top heavy.  On the flip side, slicking the hair back from the face is very attractive on an oval shape due to the balanced hairline. 

Celebrity Oval Faces: Jennifer Anniston, Cameron Diaz, Elle MachPherson, Uma Thurman, Tyra Banks

Round Face

Measurements will be fairly similar across and along the face, creating a round or circle shape. Standout features may also be fuller cheeks and a soft jaw line.

When it comes to hairstyles, the round face can be quite adaptable but there are a few styles that may not suit. Basically anything that adds volume to the sides of the hair is best avoided, minimizing the fullness of the face, while height and fullness at the crown of the head is ideal as it adds length to the head. Off centre parts are also highly attractive on a round face.

When it is a question of length, a round face can really work any length with layering crucial. Avoid heavy layering around the face or lengths that cut off bluntly at the jaw as this will only add to the roundness of the face.

Celebrity Round Faces: Christina Ricci, Drew Barrymore and Kate Winslet

Heart Face

As the name suggests, the widest point on a heart face is the cheeks and extends to the forehead with a narrow chin that tapers in. While the heart is a very attractive shape, choosing a hairstyle should be considered carefully with the emphasis being on reducing the forehead and maximize the chin. Chin length or longer styles work well by adding width and balance the face as do fringes of any kind.

It is short, cropped styles that focus on the upper face and have height at the crown of the head that should be avoided as this will only further emphasise the broadness of the forehead.

Celebrity Heart Faces: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Claudia Schiffer and Katie Holmes,

Square Face

Measurements will reflect evenness across both width and length with forehead, cheeks and jaw all recording similar numbers with a standout features being a strong jaw line. 

When it comes to a square face, the focus of the hairstyle should be to soften the edges of the face, minimize the hardness of the jaw line. As a result soft curls and volume are ideal, along with layering, wave or roundness around the face. Additionally, fringes are great at softening a face – but maybe opt for a softer fringe rather than a blunt line. Height at the crown is a great option as it will add symmetry without adding angles.

The recent trend of the hard cut bob is a great example of what would not work on a square face as it would only add to the edges of the persons face. Instead a layered bob would be better suited, softening the edges of the face while still encapsulating that great bob look.  

Celebrity Square Faces: Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rosario Dawson and Angelina Jolie

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