The secret to choosing the right haircut for you is understanding your face shape. The proper cut has the ability to enhance your natural features. I have created a simple guide for you to identify your face shape, enabling you to choose a cut that will enhance your unique contours, highlight your natural beauty, and give your confidence a boost.
Oval face shapes have balanced proportions, slightly wider cheekbones, and gently rounded jawline. Oval faces are considered to be versatile, and can generally wear a wide range of styles. Almost any type of haircut will look awesome and flattering, from blunt bobs, to shoulder-length cuts, pixie cuts, as well as long layers.
Round face shapes have equal width and height, full cheeks, and soft angles. Round faces benefit from styles that add height and volume, such as a deep side part or a high ponytail. To help elongate the face, add long layers that fall below the chin. Side-swept bangs, or asymmetrical cuts, add angles and give off an illusion of structure to the face. Round shape faces should avoid chin-length bobs or cuts that add volume to the cheeks, as they can make the face appear wider.
Square face shapes are defined by a strong jawline, wide forehead, and angular lines. Square faces can be softened by hairstyles with soft, wispy bangs, long layers, or side-swept bangs. Soft layering, that starts below the jawline, will help to soften sharp angles on the face. Side parts, curtain bangs, or wavy shags all bring balance to the face. Stay away from blunt bangs and one- length bobs that emphasize squareness.
Heart face shapes have wider foreheads, high cheekbones, and narrow chins. Hairstyles such as lobs and bobs, with deep side parts and loose waves, best balance out the heart-shaped face. Chin-length bobs, with wavy layers, and side-swept bangs are so flattering, because they are able to balance out the wider forehead. A long bob helps fill out the lower part of the face. Be careful to avoid styles that add volume to the top of the head, which can accentuate the forehead.
Diamond face shapes have narrow foreheads and chins, and are widest at the cheekbones. Side-swept bangs, long hair and lobs are all flattering cuts for diamond faces. Side-parted styles, layered cuts, and chin-length bobs help to soften the faces’ strong angles. Curtain or wispy bangs can help to balance the cheekbones. Stay away from styles that add too much volume at the sides, as they tend to exaggerate width at the cheeks.
Long/oblong face shapes are faces that are longer than their width, and have a narrow width throughout the length of the face. Bangs are a great way to visually shorten this face shape. Curls, waves and chin-length layers add width, fullness and depth to the face. It is best to avoid long, straight hair with no layers, as this cut tends to elongate the face even more.
Sari Friedbauer is the owner of Sari’s Wigs, located in Teaneck. Sari is a licensed cosmetologist and certified wig maker. Sari is available for consults and can be reached via text at (201) 694-5319.
