Hair Cuts for Every Face Shape

 No matter your face shape, there will be certain cuts that are most flattering. (Except for "The Perfect Haircut," which looks great on almost everyone). Here's a quick guide of what to look for and what to avoid for 5 different face shapes:
•Round faces
•Square faces
•Oval faces
•Long faces
•Heart-shaped faces
 
Round Face Shapes
Typically, if you have a round face, you want to make your face appear longer and leaner and less round. To do this, create less volume around the face.

Styles that are flattering and stylish: Try cuts that fall just below the chin like the long bob hairstyle. Soft, graduated layers like the ones found in this shoulder-length hairstyles gallery are a great bet because they make your face appear slimmer and tend to remove bulk and weight from the sides. Consider wispy and tapered ends like Rihanna's bob hairstyle. The wisps de-emphasize the roundness of your face. Bang hairstyles are flattering, but keep them long or side-swept.
Avoid: One-length, blunt cuts such as the classic bob hairstyle if you have short hair. Curly, short hair is also a no-no. Grow your curls out to shoulder-length or beyond or flat iron them (see "How to use a flat-iron").
Celebs who share your face shape: Fergie, Kate Bosworth, Oprah Winfrey, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Tools you need: A great boar's hair brush to keep hair tame.


Square Face Shapes

If you have a square face, you'll want to play down your strong, angular jaw. Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, does this brilliantly. You can also get away with short, spiky cuts and long, sleek styles with layers that start at the jawline and continue downward.
Avoid: One-length bob hairstyles (especially chin-length) and blunt-cut bang hairstyles. These will highlight your angular features rather than downplay them.
Celebs who share your face shape: Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie, Isabella Rosellini and Rosario Dawson


Oval Face Shapes


The oval face is the most versatile shape. You can pull off almost any look: short or long, straight or wavy or even one of the funkier, edgier hairstyles. To find your most flattering style, consider your best feature and highlight it with your hair cut. 

If you have gorgeous bone structure, consider an angular bob that shows off your chin. Great eyes? Blunt or side-swept bangs are a great bet.
Styles that are flattering and stylish: sophisticated bobs, bangs, long, beachy waves (think California surfer girl).
Avoid: Short layers that add height on top of your head. Aside from being dated, short layers can make your face appear long. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut. You'll look like a pyramid. If you have curly hair, short hair is generally a no-no (see "10 Secrets to Styling Curly Hair"). Try shoulder-length or longer to weigh down curls.
Celebs who share your face shape: Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Jada Pinkett Smith
Tools you can't live without: A great curling iron and a flat iron to create waves and straighten your sleek locks.


Long or "Oblong" Face Shapes


Ahhh, the long face shape. The perfect haircut for us is one that doesn't drag down the face, yet adds width.

Styles that are flattering: Brow-skimming bangs (I plan to never go without them again). Chin-length bobs are also ideal for us because they create the illusion of width. Gwyneth Paltrow's long bob is very flattering on a long face. Just make sure your stylist cuts the hair a bit shorter in the back so it doesn't look boring. Curls and waves work well because they add width to the face.


Be careful with long hair: Hair that is too long like Megan Fox's can drag down the face. Long layers work best with pieces hitting at the nose, the chin and the collarbone. Consider a v-shaped style where the length is mainly in the back, while the sides and front of your hair appear shorter. Also consider adding wave or curls to the hair (find out how, here).
Avoid: Stay away from the extremes. Don't go longer than the collarbone and avoid a skull-capping pixie cut, like these pixie hairstyles.
Celebs who share your face shape: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashlee Simpson, Liv Tyler, Giselle Bundchen.
Styling tools you can't live without: A great volumizer. My favorite is Bumble and Bumble Holding Spray, I also love the hairspray Big Sexy Hair Flip it Over Full and Wild.


Heart Face Shapes

Your pointy chin tends to be the focal point of your face. Draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones instead with side-swept bangs (like Paris Hilton pictured here), brow-grazing fringe, a strong part and hair that falls at or below your jawline. Short hair tends to look great on you, especially the pixie hairstyle. Keep top layers soft and long. Long hair? Go for long layers that graze your cheek bones.
Avoid: Short, blunt-cut bangs and harsh, choppy layers.
Celebs who share your face shape: Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez, Rachel Bilson, Reese Witherspoon, Ziyi Zhang.