Have you ever considered your face shape when choosing a cut or style for your hair? Ultimately, we can have any hair cut we want – and I’m all for that. Our hair reflects our personalities and for most of us, if we love our hair, we feel amazing!
At college we are taught that there are 7 basic face shapes and the style of hair that best suits that shape. I have outlined them here as well as some fun tips on what to consider when choosing a style for your unique face shape.
If you are considering a change but unsure if it would suit your own face shape, I hope this blog will help. But also, if you read this and think “but I have a pixie, a bob or long hair and this blog says my face shape suits a different style” – don’t worry. Be you, be happy – there is no right or wrong answer because we are all different – experience has taught me never to be limited by what I learned at college!
The 7 basic face shapes are described as: oval, round, square, diamond, heart, pear and oblong. Now you might be thinking that’s great, but which one do I have? Well, grab a mirror and read on as I describe each one.
OVAL
The oval face shape is longer than wide, with a jaw that is narrower than the cheekbones. Because the oval shaped face is so proportional, this face shape looks good with about any hair style. Any length of cut looks great! Add layers near the cheekbones, lips, or chin to accentuate that feature. So jealous of you guys xxx.
ROUND
The round face shape is a wide hairline and fullness below the cheekbones.
These face shapes look great with longer hair that lengthens the face. Long layers are the most flattering for this face shape, where short layers can accentuate the roundness of the face. Side sweeping fringe can also add length to a round face.
SQUARE
The square face shape is a wide hairline and jawline. The square shaped face needs height on top and narrowness at the sides. Deep side parting, texture, and a soft fringe helps balance the square face shape. Longer length looks great with their more angular and powerful jawline. This face shape is not one for straight lines.
DIAMOND
The diamond face shape is a narrow chin and forehead with wide cheekbones. Hair styles that work best with this face shape have narrower sides and fullness at the chin.
A bob is a great haircut for this face shape. This face shape can also look fab with straight fringe to shorten the face. Also try tucking your hair behind your ears to accentuate your prominent cheekbones!
HEART
This face shape is a wider forehead and narrower chin.
Adding side swept fringe to this style helps disguise the width of the forehead. Keeping the style fuller around the jaw helps to add weight to the narrower chin.
PEAR
The pear face shape, which is also sometimes called a triangular face, is a small or narrow forehead and a larger jawline. Longer styles can help disguise the prominence of the jawline. When considering a shorter hair cut add volume to the top in order to add fullness to the top of the face.
OBLONG
This face shape is a very long and narrow bone structure. Longer hair pulls the face down making it appear even longer. An oblong face can benefit from a shorter style or adding shorter layers. Adding curls and body can make the face appear wider as well.
Well, those are the 7 shapes. Did you work out which one is you? I’m a square, I could say that’s why I wear my hair long – but actually, I just like it that way! Last year I introduce a full fringe which defiantly looks better on me when I wear my hair up and much softer.
With love
Samantha