Have you ever wondered what type of hairstyle or updo will best compliment your face shape? Have you ever tried to guess the shape of your face?
There are lots of suggestions on how to figure out your shape. These include everything from outlining your face shape on a mirror with lipstick or eyeliner, to draping it with a towel and asking others to help you guess the shape. Not so easy, right? And who can tell what shape was actually drawn on the mirror? But, there is actually a scientific way to determine your face shape.
To find out the shape of your face, measure it with a tape measure or ruler and take the following measurements.
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.
Oval Face – Length equal to one and a half times width.
Round Face – Your face is as wide as it is long. This may vary a little but generally the measurement is close.
Oblong – Longer than it is wide.
Heart – Narrow at jaw line, wide at cheekbones/and or forehead.
Square – your face is about as wide as it is long.
Diamond – Widest at cheekbones, narrow forehead and jaw line of approximately equal widths.
Now that you know the shape of your face, which hairstyle looks best with which face shape?
Oval Shaped Face
Oval faces are considered the ideal facial shape. You can pull off a variety of hair styles. Your features are well balanced and almost every style can be achieved to look great on an oval face.
Updos for Oval faces: Almost anything is possible for oval faces. Your hair looks great pulled off your face. Bangs will accent your eyes.
Avoid:
- Wearing too much hair in your face.
- You want to show off those perfectly proportioned features!
Round Shaped Face
Round shaped faces tend to be round at the cheeks and have a circular form. Your face is heaviest near the ears and gradually curves upward and downward. Your goal is to slim your face.
Updos for Round faces: Any hair style that adds focus to your crown works best. A French twist with curls piled on top looks very nice. As long as you have a focal point such as curls on top or tussled bangs to the side, this will draw attention away from the roundness of your face. Use off center parts, as this will draw the eye to one side of the face and throw off the roundness
Avoid:
- Slick back styles without hair touching your face.
- Do not add width around the sides of your face, this will make the face appear to be wider than normal.
- Straight, flat bangs will only shorten your face. Try tussled or side bangs
Heart Shaped Face
The forehead is the widest part of the face, then it narrows gradually to the chin, which is slightly pointed. Your goal should be to diminish your forehead width and create more width to your small jaw line.
Updos for Heart Shaped faces: When choosing an updo for your facial type, keep these key elements in mind. You want to make your forehead appear less wide and jaw line less tiny to achieve a balanced face. If you have shoulder length hair or shorter, opt to wear your hair half up/ half down with fullness focused on the down part. Have bangs and wisps on your face. Side parting so you avoid pointing out your small chin if that is the case. This will also bring more balance to your forehead width
Avoid:
- Pulling all your back into a slick style.
- Height at the crown will only attract more attention from your diminishing jaw line.
Oblong/Rectangle
Long and thin, often with a chin that tends to look pointed. There is very little difference in width between the top, middle or bottom of your face but it is more rounded than the square face. Your goal should be to add width and fullness to the sides of the face and around the eyes, cheekbones and ears.
Updos for Oblong/Rectangle faces: Since you want to make your face appear to be shorter, updos work well on you. You can try hair styles with slick back looks. When styling updos, if a part is involved, part to the side. A hairpiece or ornament to hold bangs back looks very nice and takes away from the “square look” of your face. Try fuller hair styles such as piled up curls or 1/2 up 1/2 down styles. Bangs are nice and will shorten your face.
Avoid:
- Hair Styles that elongate your face such as tight barrel curls directly on top of the head.
- Avoid wisps they will make face appear to be longer.
- Center parts will bring attention to the middle of your face and make it appear to be longer
Square Shaped Face
Characterized by an angular jaw and square brow, with jaw and brow being nearly the same width. Your goal should be to soften the sharp angle of your jaw line and minimize your squared-off brow.
Updos for Oval faces: Almost anything is possible for oval faces. Your hair looks great pulled off your face. Bangs will accent your eyes.
Avoid:
- Wearing too much hair in your face.
- You want to show off those perfectly proportioned features!
Check out all of our different hairstyles and simply practice and have fun with your “fabulous do”!
Prom Hairdo Mom