The Perfect Hairstyle
Did you know that any great look consists of three
basic elements, the perfect haircut suitable for your
facial shape, the proper styling products and the
right makeup to go with the desired hairstyle. The
style of your hair basically depends on the shape
of your face. Therefore if you want to have the hairstyle
that your favourite film star has then it is not necessary
that the same hairstyle will suit you. Therefore before
deciding on any hairstyle/haircut always determine
the shape of your face. Here's how you will do it:
Pull your hair back with an elastic band or headband
so all you see is your face. Stand close to a well-lit
mirror and, with a dampened bar of soap, slowly trace
your facial outline onto the mirror. The outline on
the mirror will reflect your face shape, which will
be one of the following.
Round
Description: A large,
curved forehead with a rounded chin. The face looks
full and has very few angles. Cheekbones are clearly
wider than brow bone and jaw line. Widest point is
at the cheeks and ears.
Most complimentary styles:
Hairstyles with fullness and height at the
crown will draw attention upward giving you a longer
face shape. Also try short hairstyles with a swept-back
direction or hairstyles that are longer than chin
length. By layering the top to achieve fullness and
keeping the rest of the cut relatively close to the
face, your face shape will appear longer and narrower.
An off centre part is best with fullness and height
at the crown.
Avoid: Avoid slick
back styles without hair touching your face. Do not
add width around the sides of your face, this will
make the face appear to be wider than normal. As long
as you have a focal point such as curls on top this
will draw attention away from the roundness of your
face. Also avoid chin length hair with rounded lines.
These rounded styles will only make your face appear
to be even more round. Avoid short cuts since it will
only make your face appear to be heavier than normal.
Oval
Description: Oval is
a perfectly balanced face; the top half balances the
bottom half. Those who have oval face are extremely
lucky coz they can flaunt almost all hairstyle.
Most complimentary styles:
Hairstyles that are short, medium and long suit you
since your face shape is well-balanced. You look best
when styling hair off you face. If you have curly
hair, a short cut looks most chic.
Avoid: Covering up your "perfect" features
with heavy bangs, or too forward-directed styles.
Also avoid too much hair on your face, as it will
cover the perfectly proportioned face.
Heart
Description: Heart
shape face has a wide forehead and a narrow chin line.
Therefore hairstyles should be such that will decrease
the width of the forehead and increase the width of
the lower part of the face.
Most Complimentary styles:
A chin length bob is most complimentary on your face
shape. Bobs tend to be fuller at the bottom, which
is what you would want if you were trying to bring
width to your thin jawbone. You should always go for
side-parted hairstyles.
Avoid: Short, full
styles that emphasize upper face. Avoid too much height
at the crown since it gives the appearance of a long
and narrow chin. Avoid slicked-back looks for it will
only draw more attention to the shape of your face.
Oblong/Rectangle
Description: Oblong
shape is long and narrow with hollow cheeks. There
is very little difference in width between the top,
middle or bottom of your face but it is more rounded
than the square face. Your goal should be to add width
and fullness to the sides of the face and around the
eyes, cheekbones and ears.
Most Complimentary style:
Short to medium lengths with fullness at the sides
of your face and at your eyes and cheeks, is perfect
for you. You can also try soft and wispy bangs since
it will shorten the appearance of the length. Layer
works great with your face structure, as they will
add softness to the straight lines in your face. Always
have side parting to throw off the balance of your
face.
Avoid: Too much hair length will make your
face look longer. Avoid centre parts since it will
bring attention to the middle of your face and make
it appear to be longer.
Triangle
Description: Jaw line
is significantly wider than brow bone. Your goal should
be to narrow the chin and widen the forehead.
Most Complimentary style:
Chin length or longer cuts are best for you. Go for
styles that are full at the temples and taper at the
jaw. Off centre parts. Shags and Wedge cuts look great.
Try tucking hair behind your ears as this will draw
attention to your eyes and add width in this area.
Avoid: Long, full hairstyles
that draw attention to jaw line. Avoid Centre parts
since it will bring attention to the middle of your
face and make it appear to be longer.
Diamond
Description: Cheekbone
is clearly wider than forehead and jaw line. Your
aim should be to reduce the width around the cheekbone
line.
Most Complimentary style:
If you are a true diamond then most of the hairstyles
look good on your face. You can wear shorter styles,
however if you are a dramatic diamond shape you need
to leave weight in the back nape area like a heart
shaped face. This will achieve more balance between
your dramatic cheekbones and more delicate chin line.
Avoid: Avoid hairstyles
that lift away from cheeks or move back from the hairline.
Square
Description: A square
shaped face has a straight hairline and a square jaw
line. Therefore you have to create an illusion of
length. Your goal should be to soften the sharp angle
of jaw line and minimize your squared-off brow.
Most Complimentary style: Haircuts that emphasize
your cheekbones at mid-line of the face are most flattering.
Go for side-parts. Bangs and waves at the temple will
soften the square shape of your face. Wear hair coming
forward onto the face to reduce the square feature
of the face. Hair length is best about 1-1/2" below
the chin. Height in crown will create illusion of
length.
Avoid: Long straight style that accentuate
square jawbone. Also avoid linear straight bangs and
centre-parts.
  |
![](/images/blank_spacer.gif"){kind=spacer}