How to Get the Right Hairstyle to Suit your Face Shape

There are seven different face shapes, as depicted in the photo of various celebrities to the left, and they include:



Oval Face Shape - The oval face shape, as shown in the celebrity photo of Charlize Theron to the left, is the "ideal" face shape. This face shape is balanced from top to bottom and it is one and a half times long as it is wide. Another example of a celebrity with an oval face shape is Heidi Klum.

With this face shape, you can generally get away with any hairstyle and it will still suit the shape of your face.



Square Face Shape - The square face shape, as shown in the celebrity photo of Angelina Jolie to the left, is wide across the forehead and generally has a more horizontal hairline with an angular and defined jaw line. Another example of a celebrity with a square face shape is Gwyneth Paltrow.

With this face shape the hairstyles that looks best are those with soft layering around the face and stay away from hard angles such as with blunt cut bangs. Waves generally work well with this face shape while more flat ironed sleek looks generally just make the face shape look harder.



Diamond Face Shape - The diamond face shape, as shown in the celebrity photo of Jennifer Lopez above, features a narrower forehead and jaw line, along with wide and high cheekbones. Antoher example of a celebrity with a diamond face shape is Cher.

With this face shape most hairstyles will work just as with the oval face shape, but in general it looks better with the hair pulled off the face to open up the forehead. I would stay away from long side-swept bangs.

Oblong Face Shape - The oblong face shape, as shown in the celebrity photo of Sarah Jessica Parker above, features a long face and squared off chin. Another example of a celebrity with an oblong face shape is Jennifer Aniston.

With this face shape the hairstyles that looks best are those with bangs which tend to visually shorten the face. Bobs that are cut to the chin line will not only shorten the face but generally look better with this face shape. Longer cuts will also work, but it's important again to have bangs covering the forehead to give the visual effect of shortening the face.

Heart Face Shape - The heart face shape, as shown in the celebrity photo of Reese Witherspoon above, features a forehead which is the widest part of the face, and gradually narrows in to a pointed chin. Another example of a celebrity with a heart face shape is Rihanna.

With this face shape the hairstyle that looks best is a longer fringe parted in the middle since it will narrow the forehead. I would stay away from layers that come into the face around the chin area because this will accentuate the pointed chin.

Round Face Shape - The round face shape, as shown in the celebrity photo of Kirsten Dunst above, features a large curved forehead with a rounded chin and full cheeks, along with a face that has very few angles. Another celebrity with a round face shape is Mandy Moore.

With this face shape the hairstyles that look best are those with layers that start at the cheeks and graduate into a longer haircut. If you are going to cut your hair into a bob make sure that it is shorter in the back and longer in the front and that the front come down to just below the chin. Stay away from short bangs with this face shape because it will make the face look shorter, but long side swept bangs that connect to the layering around your face can look good with this face shape.



Triangle Face Shape - The triangular face shape, as shown in the celebrity photo of Kate Hudson above, features a forehead which is the narrowest part of the face and a chin that gradually widens to an angular wide jawline. Another example of a celebrity with a triangular face shape is Queen Latifah.

With this face shape the hairstyles that look best are those with longer hair and longer layers starting at the jaw line. Stay away with bangs for this face shape because it's only going to make the forehead look more narrow.

While these are general tips based on face shapes, every situation is different. Also, people can sometimes be a combination of different face shapes. If you need advice on your specific situation, feel free to email me a photo with your situation to emily@emilyroop.com.