The Best Haircut for Your Face Shape

Find a flattering haircut that works with your face shape! Here, get advice on choosing the best hairstyle for your face. 

You know how the same pair of pants can look super cute on your friend but not so flattering on your body? That goes for hairstyles as well: A style that looks great on someone else might not work for you. The trick to finding your own best style is to find a cut that flatters and balances your features. I asked my hairstylist, Danielle Lopreore, of the Fred Segal Salon in Santa Monica, Calif., for her advice on choosing the best hairstyle for particular face shapes:
If you have a square face and a strong jaw, like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Demi Moore, try to avoid severe, straight-across bangs that will make your face look even boxier. Short pixie cuts and chin-length bobs will also accentuate a square face. Instead, try wearing your hair shoulder length or longer (notice how these ladies all have long hair). Also, if you part it on the side, or wear an asymmetric, side-swept fringe, you'll soften the angles of your face.

If your face is round, like Jennifer Hudson’s and Drew Barrymore’s, wear your hair in layers around your face to create angles. Ask your stylist to cut the layers to accentuate your cheekbones. If you already have layers, try using a curling iron or blow-dryer to sweep the layers away from your face just above your cheekbones to make the cheekbones look sharper. Avoid a hair length above your shoulders, which will make your face look rounder. If you have bangs, wear them longer and wispier at the sides of your forehead to give the illusion of a narrower face. If you have a heart-shaped face, like Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Campbell, and Eva Longoria, create volume around your chin by using a blow dryer to make layers fuller or to add waves in the lower half of your hair. Avoid having too many curls or too much volume in the upper part of your hair. If your face is long, like Sarah Jessica Parker’s and Ashlee Simpson’s, avoid wearing your hair straight and past your shoulders, which can make your face look even longer. Keep your hair near or above your shoulders, and, to balance the length of your face, add soft waves for some body.

Beauty Bonus from Dr. Jessica Wu

 

Jessica's Tips & Tricks Don't throw out your bronzer! The other day I tried a new blush and realized that it was much too pink — I looked like I had a fever. Unfortunately, I was running late and didn't have enough time to wash my face and start over. The solution: I toned down the pink with some earth-toned bronzer that was left over from the summer.