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The Best Hair Style for Your Face Shape
by Cathy Jacobs
Knowing your facial shape is the key to finding your perfect hairstyle! Jellybean helps you define your face shape, and identify the hair styles that will work best for you.
TO FIND YOUR FACE SHAPE:
Pull hair back and secure so hair is totally off face.
Stand about one foot back from a mirror and look straight into it. Or, use a picture of yourself facing straight into the camera with your hairline showing.
Outline your face with lipstick on the mirror, on transparent paper or on the photo itself.
Now look at your face shape in the mirror or the photo. At first there may appear to be more than one shape. Though your face may not be an exact match of any single shape, it will more closely resemble one shape over all other shapes. Pick the shape most closely resembling your own (find the different shapes below) and read the paragraph for that shape to find your best hairstyles.
OVAL SHAPED FACE
(Even proportions; length is about one and a half times width)
Oval is considered by many to be the loveliest and most versatile face shape since nearly every hair style looks great on this face. Hair pulled back shows off the oval face the most. People with an oval face shape can get away with a cropped short pixie cut, so go for it if you love short hair! In long styles, a great classic look is a center or side part with hair touching shoulders. Short-layered looks with longer curls in front and a cropped back (at the nape of the neck) focus on the beauty of the oval face.
ROUND SHAPED FACE
(Round hairline and chin line; wide face; usually round cheeks)
If you have a round face shape, the goal with styling hair is to slim the face. Hair below the chin line should be worn with a face-lengthening center part. For hair above the chin line, wear an off-center part to "interrupt" the roundness. Creating volume at the top of your head and keeping your forehead bare will also slim the face. It's best to avoid short and sleeked-back hairstyles. In shorter styles, you are best seen with hair brushed away from the face, building extra volume at the top of head to narrow the roundness of your features. Though bangs shorten the face and straight-falling bangs or wisps should be avoided, you can wear curly, tousled side bangs. Wear longer styles closer to the face to give length. Decrease the volume at the sides and ear area. An ideal length for your hair is beyond the chin or just above it. A side part works well. Keeping hair off the face at the cheek area is also recommended.
SQUARE FACE
(Straight hairline; angular jaw; wide face)
Your hairstyle should work to soften the sharp angle of your jawline and minimize a squared-off brow look. Hairstyles that emphasize the cheekbones mid-line of the face are most flattering, so short layers (cut into longer hair) that swing foreward onto cheekbones will look great. Bangs and waves at the temple also soften the square of your face. Hair length is best about one inch below the chin, or extending to shoulder length, to reduce and soften the squareness of your jaw. Hair worn on the forehead is always perfect for you, as long as it is wispy or fringed. Never wear straight bangs. Hair turned under at the bottom also will narrow the width of the jaw. Styles in loose curls and waves add extra dimension to the square face in a good way. Styles that round out your hair can decrease the appearance of a square face shape, so adding curl, angled or wispy bangs, and a few wisps on the cheek area will all help. A cut that allows for some height is also a good idea. Wear a side part as opposed to a center part.
RECTANGLE/OBLONG SHAPED FACE
(Long and thin face with rounded chin and jawline; chin might appear pointed
Shoulder length styles look great on a rectangle shaped face. So do updos! Soft wispy bangs or straight-falling bangs will shorten a high forehead and look flattering. Layers work great with this face shape too, as they will add softness to the straight lines in your face. You may also be able to wear slicked-straight-back styles. Avoid very long hair, which will drag down your face. Center parts are okay if your hair is shoulder length or shorter. Otherwise, go with a side part. This shape benefits from a low side part, with a sweep of hair brushed across the forehead and secured with a cute barrette, jeweled comb or butterfly clip.
HEART SHAPED FACE
(An upside down triangle face; narrow jawline; wider at eye line)
If this is your face shape, you'll want a hairstyle that gives the illusion of a narrower forehead and fuller jaw line. If you want bangs, wear them full and curly if possible. Wear a side part with soft three-quarter bangs swept over one side to balance your forehead width. Any styles you wear should be fuller at the top than at the jaw line. Upswept at the sides and off the forehead is a flirty look for you that play up your best features. A medium length to mid-neck is your best length. Fullness at the bottom, with hair directed forward onto the cheeks gives you the appearance of a wider chin. Curls or loose waves, shaped from the ears down, also add fullness to the chin area. Decrease volume at the top of head and at the sides. Wisps on the jaw area or wavy bangs can help give a wider, rounder appearance that evens out face. Avoid styles that cling closely to your face, mirroring the heart shape.
What's Related
Coloring Your Hair
Fabulous Curls
Hiding Flaws With Concealer
Beautiful Brows
About the Author:
Cathy Jacob is the owner and editor of Myjellybean.com, an outstanding Web community that has a large and loyal following among tween and teen girls in North America and worldwide. Our mission is to be a girl's "best friend" on the Internet. Fresh daily features include beauty, horoscopes, quizzes, advice, embarrassing moments, games, chat boards, music, celebrities, fitness, e-cards and more. Myjellybean.com is all about encouraging girls to be themselves, explore their universe and have fun along the way.
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