How to Choose a Hairstyle for Your Face

When choosing the right hairstyle for your face shape, you must consider the texture of your hair and the specific contours of your face equally. While hairstyles for men and women vary from Paris to Portugal, fashion-forward trendsetters are looking for exceptional and easy to maintain hairstyles to unleash a little gorgeous and tame their manes. Use these steps to choose the right hairstyle for your face before you visit the beauty salon for a new cut, trim or makeover.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• measuring tape

1. Measure your face shape before choosing a hairstyle. You will need two measurements to determine whether your face is round, oval, long, full, or square. First, take a ruler and measure the length of your face from the tip of your chin to the top of your forehead. Divide this number by three. Measure your face from your chin to the bridge of your nose. This is your second number.

2. Compare the numbers from your face measuring session to choose a hairstyle for your face. If the second number is larger than the first, you have a long face. In round faces, the second number is smaller than the first number. If the first and second numbers are equal, you have an oval face.

3. Use a celebrity hairstyle as inspiration. Long and thin faces, similar to superstar Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Model Mogul Tyra Banks, can wear bob and chin-length hairstyles. Women with round or oval faces, like celebrated bombshell actress Marilyn Monroe, can wear sharply angled layers and hairstyles full in the crown to decrease the width of their faces. Square faces, like celebrity diva Jessica Simpson and retro-queen Dita Von Teese, can wear layers that frame the face and hit below the chin.

4. Select your hairstylist wisely. Now that you have determined the right hairstyle for your face, find a stylist who can translate your ideal image into a reality. Some stylists may need a visual clue for a new hairstyle or a makeover session. Bring a photo from a magazine to explain the new haircut for your face clearly.

5. Consider your lifestyle. A short hairstyle that is wash and wear is easier to maintain than a 45-minute blowout. Finding a low-maintenance haircut without the use of 15 products, ceramic irons, curlers and weekly trips to the hair salon is important when choosing a hairstyle for your face.

Tips & Warnings

• Women with long faces should avoid angular, very long or extremely short hairstyles.

Resources

• to select the right hairstyle for your face
• Celebrity-Inspired Hairstyles for Face Shapes

[eac913]

on 10/4/2009 Terrific and informative article. I never quite knew exactly what constituted a long or round or oval face. Now I know. 5*

[ladyofthelake]

on 9/30/2009 These are great ideas and will help lots of women. Thank You for the information. Rec. and 5*

[ramblin62]

on 9/23/2009 Already have a hair appoint coming up, so this helps a lot. Now I finally know how to determine what shape my face really is! TX!

[georgemaris]

on 9/23/2009 Fab u lous

[e-Rambler]

on 9/15/2009 Interesting and informative article. Thanks, I learned something new today! 5*s