The best haircuts FOR EVERY FACE SHAPE

  • 12 Feb - 18 Feb, 2022
  • Mag The Weekly
  • Beauty

A PSA from all of us who have learned the hard way: Haircuts are not one-size-fits-all. Pinpointing your individual face shape isn’t only helpful when it comes to mastering makeup techniques or finding the perfect pair of sunglasses; it’s also a major factor in the quest for the most flattering haircut. Your face is your most important feature. Your hair is there to add to the beauty, not to do its own thing. Like makeup, hair is a great tool to help play up your best features, or minimise the ones we want to downplay. When planning your next chop, keep these expert-approved tips in mind for your most successful trip yet. Not sure where to start? Determining your face shape is as easy as looking in the mirror. First, decide which part of your face is the widest, then compare it with the width of your jaw. Next, compare the length and width of your face to determine your face shape. Ahead, a roadmap to your most flattering cut.

Round: Long layers

Generally symmetrical, round faces usually have the same width and length with a rounded jawline and chin. As such, the most flattering hairstyles for round faces are those that deliver an elongated appearance to the face, creating a more oval look. It’s best to keep hair longer, ideally past your collarbone, if you can. Round faces should typically stick to one-length hair and avoid round cuts and too many layers. Curly hair has a tendency to be rounded, so those with curly hair and a round face should stay away from rounded cuts, as it will warp their face shape.


Oval: Chin-length bob

If you have an oval-shaped face – it’s equally as wide as it is long – you’ve won the hairstyle jackpot. The most versatile of the face shapes, oval faces can pull off anything.

While this face shape has endless flattering options due to its coveted symmetry – we love a chin-length bob – keep this in mind: A very long face should avoid a super short crop, as it may elongate the face more.


Heart: Bangs, lob and pixie cuts

Heart-shaped faces are visually similar to round faces, but typically have a larger forehead or a slightly narrower chin. Because of this wider forehead, a heart-shaped face is the perfect face for bangs.

If you’re not ready for some fringe, a long bob (aka lob) is also a popular choice for this face shape; however, be sure strands fall below the jawline, as a chin-length cut will create a wider appearance around the chin. Another option: Pixie cuts that are shorter in the back and on the sides can elongate the face and add lift to the top of the head.


Oblong: Side-swept bangs and tousled bob

Comparable to square-shaped faces, rectangular or oblong faces still have angular features, but are longer in length. As such, styles that are fuller around the cheekbones, such as side-swept bangs, help to distract from the length and add symmetry.

For a rectangular face, we like a soft, layered cut because it can enhance the cheekbones while disguising the corners of the face. A tousled bob also works well on this face shape, and you can play with some volume. Adding texture to the hair, either via layers, waves or styling products, will help to add width to the face and make it appear more symmetrical.


Square: Soft layers

Like a round face shape, those with square shapes generally share a proportionate forehead, jaw and cheekbone, but often have a more angular jawline. To counteract the sharp angles of the face, focus on soft, layered styles. Long layers will help lengthen the face and a layered, tousled style will help soften the face.


Diamond: Curtain bangs, lob and long layers

If you have a small, pointed chin and wider cheekbones, it’s likely you have a diamond face shape. For this shape, we recommend keeping the face as open as possible and accentuating the cheekbones. Styles for diamond face shapes should keep the balance in your overall look, not outweigh it. Our suggestion: A long bob with a side part and side-swept bangs.

Diamond-shaped faces can pull off curtain bangs well because there is generally more space on the forehead and they complement the shape of the chin. Those with this face shape should not be afraid of playing with long layers, either, for a polished finish.

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