eBeautyDaily - The Beauty Blog

Hairstyles and Face Shapes

by Christina Jones on June 2nd, 2006

First things first, this graphic comes from a very helpful page at New Zealand’s Style Studio. Check it out there, and all of the other great information that goes with it.

If you were ever a little unsure exactly what shape your face is, try this, and then keep reading to learn about hairstyles that will flatter your face shape!

How to discover your face shape:

Using a flexible tape measure, make the following measurements and write down the results:

1. Across your forehead at the widest place, about half way between your eyebrows and your hairline
2. Across your cheeks from the edge of one cheekbone to the edge of the other
3. Around your jawline, between where it’s widest on each side
4. From our top hairline to the tip of your chin

Compare those numbers. The face shapes are:
Round: Approximately as wide as it is long
Oval: Greater length than width
Long: Length is 1½ times the width
Heart-shaped: Wide at the forehead and cheeks and more narrow at the jaw. Often has a pointed chin.
Square: Equally wide at the forehead, cheeks and jaw
Diamond: Wide at the cheeks and more narrow at the jaw and forehead

Then what?

Now there’s a decision as to whether you’d like to camouflage your face’s shape, or allow it to be what it is. Some hair stylists recommend hairstyles that will lengthen a round face, for example, or widen a long one. But if you like the shape of your face, why hide it? This is a personal decision, and your thoughts can be shared with your hair stylist.

Some general tips:

• A short or cropped style will help a short neck to look longer, as will long hair piled up
• Hair close around the face will help camouflage a double chin
• A short cut will look good on a person with a well-formed neck, delicate features, firm jaw, and / or a well-shaped head. Those features will show to advantage when they’re not shadowed or covered by hair
• Long hair will look good on a person with very healthy, shiny hair, and if it’s cut in an up-to-date style and doesn’t fall below the cleavage.
• Layered cuts can soften facial features
• A chin-length cut of straight hair will look good on a long face, as will curls and waves, but not styles which pile the hair up
• A short, wispy cut will look good on a round face
• A short, spiky cut will look good on a square face, as will any sleek style that extends below the jawline

This good bit of reference was snagged from a press release from Salon Cabochon in Sacramento, CA - if you are in the area, be sure and check them out!

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POSTED IN: Beauty, Hair Care