How to choose the right haircut based on face shape

Introduction

A great haircut can be the whole shebang. It's kind of like putting on a suit that's just been tailored for you. That is basically what your hair does: if a good cut comes together, you are over the moon. However the catch is that what will work for that person may not be good for you since face shapes vary in all of us just as to how haircuts flatter us.

So, how do you find your ideal cut that's really going to bring out the best for your face shape? No problem; I have that all covered! You are oval, round, square, heart, or diamond-and there is a flattering style waiting for you to shine in.

Let's get down to business and find that perfect match!

1. Identify Your Face Shape

Now, before some hairstyle ideas come your way, let's first determine what kind of face shape you have. There are five face shapes to choose from: oval, round, square, heart, and diamond. If you're not even sure what face shape you belong to, here's a quick way to find out:

Stand in front of the mirror. Tuck back your hair from your face. What do you see? Is your hairline quite short, or does it hang fairly low and quite far forward? Are your jaws deep and heavy, or are your cheeks quite prominent? Inspect the whole outline of the front of your face: does it look more like a circle, a triangle, or a rectangle? Trace out the outline of your face in the mirror with lipstick or with an erasable marker, and step back to see what shape you get.

Now that you have a hint of what your face shape is, you are one step closer to your dream haircut. Let's get down to business with each of them!

2. The Oval Face Shape: The Ultimate Haircut Playground

If you are oval-shaped, then you basically won the lottery in regards to versatility. Basically, it just means that an oval face shape is balanced, slightly longer than it is wide, with no particularly sharp edges. It is also that face shape that can pretty much pull off any haircut ever.

Best Hairstyles for Oval Face Shapes:

Long Layers: For long locks, soft face-framing layers will simply make your proportions perfect. Whether beachy wave or sleek and straight, layers give movement to your mane without overwhelming the features.

Pixie Cut: This one is for the bold, only it helps define your jawline and cheekbones. Playing around with some textures, choppy or feathered adds a bit of an edge to your look.

Blunt Bob: A blunt bob cutting straight across the shoulders is classy and spectacularly chic on an oval face. Do it with a middle part for old-school charm or a deep side part for drama.

Pro Tip: Because your face is so well-balanced, you can really go wild on bangs or asymmetry or even edgy shaved styles - oval faces are perhaps the most adaptable canvas!

3. Round Face Shape: Utilize Haircut To Frame Your Curves

A round face shape is classified by having a strong cheek and a face that's almost as wide as it is long. You pretty much want to create the illusion of length and give more definition to your face when getting a haircut.

Best Hairstyles for Round Faces:

Long and layered: Hair will stretch your face, where long hair adds length to it, and layered hair creates movement and angles that give the illusion of something which does not exist. A side-swept fringe breaks up the roundness of the face and adds depth to your face.

Shaggy Lob: This is a long bob that is choppy and shaggy. It is absolutely fabulous on a round face. This gives the face some definition and makes it more oval-shaped-like because of the length.

The asymmetrical bob: Go for bold with an asymmetrical bob! It creates sharp angles that somehow makes your face slim and draws away from its width due to one side being longer than the other.

Pro Tip: Avoid blunt, One-Length cuts. Such cuts often make your face look rounder. Make sure to add some vertical lines and structure to your face instead. 

4. The Square Face Shape: Soften Those Angles

Sharp angles on your jawline and large forehead, so you can go for a cut that will round out the harsh features, flatten your strong bone structure.

Best haircut for square-shaped face:

Soft wispy layers: The trick for softening the hard lines of that square face is by going soft on those loose layers that graze against your face. This is going to soften up that angle of the jaw, lift it up, and draw people's attention towards your nose.

Curtain Bangs: People must have curtain bangs if they have a square face. This curtain veil takes away the hard look of the forehead and then leaves focus on cheekbones, having a particular eye shape.

Long Bob with Deep Side Part: Work the diagonal line on your square face by allowing for a longer bob that hits just below the chin, then adding in a deep side part. Add soft layers or curls for motion.

Pro tip: Steer clear of blunt bangs or jaw-sitting cuts-these are only going to draw attention to those angles. You want softness and flow!

5. Heart Face Shape: Counterbalance a Wider Forehead

A heart face is wide at the forehead and cheek bones but narrower and pointed at the chin. You will want to find a style that balances the width of your hair at the top part of your face with minimalizing narrowness on the bottom part of your face.

Recommended Styles for Heart Faces:

Side-swept bangs work amazingly on heart-shaped faces. You'll be drawing attention away from that wide forehead, and your bangs will do their best in balancing the face shape. Bonus: they are über flirty and very fashion-forward.

Wavy Lob: A long bob that hits right around the chin with loose waves works well. The bottom length and volume of your hair will add fullness at the jawline to round out the narrow chin.

Pixie cut and a volume top: Adding volume at the crown side is adventurous but also useful in balancing your brow bone if you have a slightly wide forehead. The rear face has finish with a soft effect, bringing all the attention to your jaw line as well as cheek bones.

Pro Tip: Do not try cuts that include too much volume at the crown of your head; it makes your forehead too big. Go instead for the volume at the chin level to balance.

6. The Diamond Face Shape: Accentuate Your Definitions

You've got a narrow forehead and chin; angularly prominent cheekbones. The cheekbones should be accented without diverting the attention away from the cheeks from the forehead or chin.

Best Faces for Diamond:

Chin-Length Bob: A classic chin-length bob will bring forward the cheekbones, balanced by the overall shape of your face. Soft layers everywhere will add some movement and dimension.

Deep Side Part: This deep side part will really break up the narrowness of the forehead line, providing a much more symmetrical face. Pair this style with soft waves or curls for a glamorous allure.

Textured Lob: Longer, edgy bobs will look fabulous with some texture waves or soft curls; this will soften the angles of your face and add volume round the jawline to help you catch up better balance with your narrower features.

Pro Tip: Avoid cuts at your cheekbones. The reason for that is the fact that a lengthened face profile, along with those cuts, makes you wider-not a good thing, as you would rather opt for cuts that stretch and balance your face features.

7. General Haircut Tips for All Face Shapes

First off, your haircut has to work for your face shape. But you can almost guarantee that there's always going to be some general advice that fits the bill no matter what.

Try texture: Waves, curls, shaggy layers-whatever texture creates depth. A one-length cut can get really lifeless, but texture brings life to your hairstyle.

Consider Your Hair Type: All hair types-whether straight, wavy, curly, thick, fine, and so on-will greatly affect how a haircut will work for you. Consult your stylist on how to choose a cut that not only works well with your face shape but also complements your hair texture as well.

Communicate With Your Stylist: Tell your stylist what you like and dislike. They can lead you to the right way according to their professional expertise keeping your hair type, face shape, and personal style in mind.

Conclusion: Your Face Shape, Your Rules!

Ultimately, your haircut should reflect you. With these guidelines, you'll have a better shot at finding something that fits. Don't be afraid to break some of these rules, though, if a certain style makes you look and feel like you are the best version of yourself. Confidence is the most attractive thing you can wear, and the perfect haircut should make you feel like you are the best version of yourself.

So next time you sit on that chair in the salon, reminding you of your face shape, that sets you prepared for that walk out with some stylistic haircut styled and chiseled to perfection to YOU.