The Right Cut For Your Face Shape

Lord knows I've always been a huge fan of Halle Berry's signature pixie but (as most of us can agree on) just because she makes it look so darn good doesn't mean that it will look quite as stellar on me. Why? Two words, face shape.  Whether or not a cut looks drab or fab has everything to do with face shape. While it's great to be inspired by celebrity styles (they're pretty much my go-to trend setters) it's important to remember that their looks are customized just for THEM. So when choosing a new look you should keep the same thing in mind; What's the best style to flatter YOU? Here are a few notes to help you pinpoint your face shape as well as some style suggestions to compliment each:

But How Do I Even Know What My Face Shape Is?
Determining your specific face shape can be tricky (we all think we're perfectly symmetrical) so here are some tips to help get you started.  Once you've taken this action you'll have a better idea of what shape your are and what styles work best on you.
 

• Pull your hair back in a tight pony tail so you can get a good look at your face, stand in front of a large mirror and trace the outline of your face with a dry erase marker or lipstick will suffice. 
• Sometimes it helps to get an objective opinion from a friend or co-worker
• Measure your face (the most accurate way if your still unsure about your shape)

1. Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones. Write down the measurement on a piece of paper.
2. Measure across your jaw line from the widest point to the widest point. Write down the measurement.
3. Measure across your forehead at the widest point. Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline. Write down the measurement.
4. Measure from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin.

Now That You Have An Idea, Let's Put A Label On It...

• You are an Oval if: Length is equal to one and a half times the width.
• You are a Round if: Your face is as wide as it is long. This may vary a little but generally the measurement is pretty close. 
• You are an Oblong if: Your face is longer than it is wide (longer than one and a half times the width, that's a oval shape, remember?).
• You are a Heart if: Your face is narrow at jaw line, wide at cheekbones/and or forehead.
• You are a Triangle if: Your face is narrower at the temples and is wider at the jaw bone.
• You are a Diamond if: Your face is widest at cheekbones, and if narrow forehead and jaw line of about equal widths.
• You are a Square if: Your face is about as wide as it is long. 

Sometimes I'm Not The Best At Explaining...

(So here are some pictures to give you a better idea)

  

The Oval Face Shape

The oval-shaped face is only slightly narrower at the jaw line than at the temples, with a gently rounded hairline. The oval can wear the widest variety of hair styles of any of the face shapes. Just about any hair style can jive with this facial structure. Your “perfect” (many people believe that oval face shapes are the most perfect because they are the most symmetrical) features allow you to wear a wider range of hair styles so have fun and experiment. Have you ever noticed that most models have oval face shapes? Models experiment all the time and so should you!

Celebrity with Oval face shape: Jennifer Aniston, Megan Fox 

The Oblong Face Shape

The oblong shaped face is long and slender. The width at the forehead and bottom of cheekbones should be similar with sometimes a narrow chin. You definitely want to try short to medium hair lengths with this face shape, too much length will make your face appear even longer. Layers really work great with this face shape along with fullness on the sides of your face. The major objective for any hair cut or style with an oblong face shape it to soften it. 
Celebrity with oblong face shape: Giselle, Liv Tyler

The Round Face Shape

The round shaped face is full-looking face with a round chin and hairline. Widest point is at the cheeks and ears on women with this shape. If this is your face shape you will want to try styles with a little more fullness and height at the crown for balance. Try an off center part and a hair cut that is longer than chin length, the object it to make you face appear longer and narrower. 

Celebrities with a round face:Kelly Clarkson, Isabella Rosellini

The Square Face Shape

A square-shaped face is characterized by a strong, square jaw line and usually an equally square hairline. If you have a square face shape you’ll want to try short-to-medium length hair, especially with wave or roundness around the face. Wispy bangs will soften your angular square face. Off-center parts with height at the crown will also  look great on you. Try to soften the square look of your face with layers around the face as well. 

Celebrities with a square face: Heidi Klum, Demi Moore, Paris Hilton

The Heart Face Shape

The heart-shaped face is wide at the temples and hairline, narrowing to a small delicate chin. If you have this shape try side-parted hair styles or swept-forward layers around the upper face, with gently wispy bangs. A chin length style, like a "stack" or a bob hairstyle works beautifully on your face shape; This creates a balanced look by giving fullness where you need it. Try to stay away from hair styles with too much height at the crown. Too much height at the crown will give the appearance of a longer and even narrower chin. 

Celebrities with a heart face: Jennifer-love-Hewitt, Reese Witherspoon

The Triangular Face Shape

The triangular-shaped face is the reverse of the heart-shape  with a dominant jaw line and narrowing at the cheek bone and temples.

If you have a triangular-shaped face try shorter hair that balances your prominent jaw line. Hair styles that are full at the temples and taper at the jaw are perfect for triangular shapes. Off center parts and wedges  look amazing  on you, too. Try to avoid too much height at the crown. 

A celebrity with a triangular-shaped face: Rebecca Romijn

The Diamond Face Shape

The diamond-shaped face is a cross between heart and a dramatic oval face shape. A diamond face is widest at the cheekbones, and narrow equally at the forehead and jaw line. A diamond face is balanced and dramatic. If this is your shape almost everything works with your face (as long as you are a true diamond face shape...definitely the most misread of the face shapes). You can wear shorter hair styles, however, if you are a dramatic diamond, you need to leave weight in the back nape area. This will create more balance between your dramatic cheekbones and more delicate chin line.

Celebrities with diamond-shaped faces: Madonna

So if you learn anything from this post (hopefully you do) just know that everything is about balance. The goal here is to create the illusion of perfect symmetry. Since no one is perfectly symmetrical our best bet is to fake it (maybe you know a little something about this...lol).

......Finally, you know your face shape!!!! Hopefully with this knowledge you can choose an hair cut or style that is appropriate and complimentary to your specific look. Good luck ladies :)