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 5 different face shapes.
Photo Galleries
Check out photos of flattering hairstyles for round, square, oval, long and heart-shaped faces.
Photos: Round faces
Photos: Square faces
Photos: Oval faces
Photos: Long faces
Photos: Heart faces
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.
Photo gallery of 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. Photo gallery of square face shapes
Celebs who share your face shape: Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie, Isabella Rosellini and Rosario Dawson
Oval Face Shapes
The oval face is the most versatile face. You can pull off almost any look -- short or long, straight or wavy. But for the most flattering look on you, consider your best feature and highlight 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: sophisticated bobs, bangs, long, beachy waves (think California surfer girl).
Avoid: Short layers that add height on top of your head. Aside from being dated, short layers can make your face appear long. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut. You'll look like a pyramid. If you have curly hair, short hair is generally a no-no (see "10 Secrets to Styling Curly Hair"). Try shoulder-length or longer to weigh down curls.
Photo gallery of 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. Gwyneth Paltrow's shoulder-length bob is very flattering on a long face. Just make sure your stylist cuts the hair a bit shorter in the back so it doesn't look boring. Curls and waves work well because they add width to the face.
Be careful with long hair -- hair that is too long like Demi Moore's 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 (find out how, here).
Photo gallery of long face shapes
Avoid: Stay away from the extremes. Don't go longer than the collarbone and avoid a skull-capping super short cut, like this one.
Celebs who share your face shape: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashlee Simpson, Liv Tyler, Giselle Bundchen
Styling tools you can't live without: A great volumizer. My favorite is Bumble and Bumble Holding Spray, I also love the hairspray Big Sexy Hair Flip it Over Full and Wild.
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 Paris Hilton 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.
Photo gallery of heart face shapes
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:
