No matter your face shape, there will be cuts that look best on you. (Except for this style which looks great on almost everyone). Here's a quick guide of what to look for and what to avoid for five different face shapes.
Oval Face Shapes
The oval face is the most versatile face. You can pull off almost any look -- short or long, straight or wavy. Considering choosing your best facial feature and highlighting it with your haircut. If you have gorgeous bone structure, consider an angular bob that shows off your chin. Great eyes? Blunt or side-swept bangs are a great bet.Styles that are flattering and stylish: Chin-skimming bobs, blunt bangs, long, beachy waves (think California surfer girl).
Avoid: Short layers that add height on top of your head. This will make your face appear long. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut. You'll look like a pyramid. For more information, check out this photo gallery of best hairstyles for oval face shapes.
Celebs who share your face shape: Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Jada Pinkett Smith
Tools you can't live without: A great curling iron and flatiron to create waves and straighten your sleek locks.
Long or "Oblong" Face Shapes
Ahhh, the long face shape. The perfect haircut for us is one that doesn't drag down the face, yet adds width.Styles that are flattering: Brow-skimming bangs (I plan to never go without them again). Chin-length bobs are also ideal for us because they create the illusion of width. Curls and waves work well because they also add width.
Be careful with long hair -- too long can drag down the face. Long layers work best with pieces hitting at the nose, the chin and the collarbone. Consider a v-shaped style, where the length is mainly in the back, while the sides and front of your hair appear shorter. Also, consider adding wave or curls to the hair by letting hair airdry (find out how, here).
For more information, check out this photo gallery of best hairstyles for long face shapes.
Avoid: Stay away from extremely long or short cuts.
Celebs who share your face shape: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashlee Simpson, Giselle Bundchen
Styling tools you can't live without: A great volumizer. My favorite is Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, I also love the hairspray Big Sexy Hair Flip it Over Full and Wild.
Round Face Shapes
Your goal is to create less volume around the face. You also want to minimize the appearance of roundness.Styles that are flattering and stylish: Try cuts that fall just below the chin. Soft, graduated layers are a great bet because they make your face appear slimmer and tend to remove bulk and weight from the sides. Consider wispy and tapered ends. These de-emphasize the roundness of your face. Bangs are flattering, but keep them long or sideswept.
Avoid: One-length, blunt cuts if you have short hair. Curly, short hair is also a no-no. These only emphasize your roundness. For more information, check out this photo gallery of best hairstyles for round face shapes.
Celebs who share your face shape: Fergie, Kate Bosworth, Oprah Winfrey, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Tools you need: A great Boar's Hair brush to keep hair tame.
Square Face Shapes
If you have a square face, you'll want to play down your strong, angular jaw. Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, do this brilliantly. You can also get away with short, spiky cuts and long, sleek styles with layers that start at the jawline and continue downward.Avoid: One-length bobs (especially chin-length) and blunt-cut bangs. These will make your face look even more square. For more information, check out this photo gallery of best hairstyles for square face shapes.
Celebs who share your face shape: Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie, Isabella Rosellini and Rosario Dawson
Heart Face Shapes
Your pointy chin tends to be the focal point of your face. Draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones instead with sideswept bangs (like Reese Witherspoon pictured here), brow-grazing fringe, a strong part and hair that falls at or below your jawline. Have short hair? Keep top layers soft and long. Long hair? Go for long layers that graze your cheekbones.Avoid: Short, blunt-cut bangs and harsh, choppy layers.
Celebs who share your face shape: Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez, Rachel Bilson, Reese Witherspoon, Ziyi Zhang
Want more photos of hairstyles? Check out our extensive gallery of hairstyles. You'll find:
