We all know the pain of a terrible haircut – the reliance on hairgrips, the reluntance to wear your ‘do down, the fraught six months until it grows out.
However one thing that will help avoid a newfound need for a hat is knowing what style will suit your face shape.
Celebrity hairdresser Asgar Saboo has compiled a handy guide to point you in the right direction (and help you narrow down what to ask for next time you’re in the salon).
And as the preferred stylist of Cindy Crawford and Eva Longoria, you know you’re in expert hands with these tips.
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If you’re an oval
“An oval face has long been known as the most desired face shape in the beauty industry, and it is probably the most versatile when choosing a haircut. An oval face is longer than it is wide, with not much jutting definition around the cheekbones and a slightly wider forehead than chin,” says Saboo.
How to wear your hair: A centre parting on the crown of the head is a great look for the oval shape as it keeps the face symmetrical. Adding texture using layers and waves helps to prevent long hair adding too much length to the face. Volume to the hair can also be added by also using a good stronghold hairspray or salt spray to give extra texture.
If you’re a square
“The characteristics of a square face are that the sides will be straight and the face will be nearly as wide as it is long. The jawline is defined, with only a minimal curve, therefore a square face shape requires haircuts, styles and makeup that will help to soften the strong angles,” says Saboo.
How to wear your hair: Wavy ends are a perfect style for a square face. especially from the ears down, which helps obscure any harshness within the jawline. Use a large round brush to smooth hair, then spritz on a wave spray to fix it into place. A square face can also pull off a tousled look, by running and shaking fingers through the hair with a styling cream to emphasise layers and soften angles.
If you’re long
“When it comes to haircuts for long face shapes, the aim is to balance out proportions. This is to soften the angles and make the face look rounder and more oval in shape. A long face shouldn’t go for hairstyles that are overly harsh,” says Saboo.
How to wear your hair: Fringes are great at shortening face length, with soft curls and waves in longer hair also helping to lift facial features. Upping the volume of the hair at the sides will give the illusion of a shorter face. The grown-out fringe is the most on-trend this summer and the most flattering cut for a long face. Having long fringe sections cut to hang just below the cheeks will really balance out features, and flicking them away from your face with straighteners will soften the finished look even more. Tip: Avoid adding volume at the crown of the head as the last thing you want to do for a long face is add extra height.
If you’re round
“The characteristics of a round face is that it’s just about – if not the same – in width as it is in length with no major corners at the jaw. The perfect hairstyle for a round face should make your face appear longer and more oval-shaped, which is exactly what chest-length hair does,” says Saboo.
How to wear your hair: Long layers, highlights, side fringes, partings and a bit of texture will help to break up the width of a round face. Even updos can make your face look longer, and some face-framing strands will help to soften it. Tip: Avoid blunt fringes and one-length cuts as these styles will only accentuate the width of the face and make it look rounder. Keeping a little hair out in front of the ear on one side of the face will make the face look asymmetrical, which will help break its shape up.
If you’re a heart
“The characteristics of a heart-shape face is that it is widest in the middle where the cheeks are, along with a pointed chin. A heart shape face could also be a broad forehead that narrows at the bottom where the chin and jawline are,” says Saboo.
How to wear your hair: Choosing a style that will create volume around the bottom of the face will balance out features. The cut should not be too long as this will drag the facial features down. Creating loose waves around the bottom of the face will help to create volume and not look overly styled. Much like the long face shape, the heart needs to avoid adding height to the hair as this will give the appearance of a longer and narrower chin. A heart shape face is one of the most desired shapes as cheek bones are more prominent, which should be emphasised.
Images: Getty
