It’s easy to change the shape of your hair – not so much that of your face. That’s why it’s best to work from the starting point of your face shape when deciding on the most flattering hairstyle for you.
Oval Face
Your face is: Almost perfectly balanced and proportioned. Your hairline is nicely curved and your jawline is only a little narrower than your temples.
Your best styles: Are pretty much anything. Your face shape is the most versatile of all and can carry off anything – even a completely slicked back ponytail. With your features, it’s tempting and easy to keep hair simple but try not to get stuck in a rut. A side-parted ‘do is always a fresh look, as the hair sweeping across your forehead will give your features a mini makeover.
Celebrity face shape sisters: Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba.
Heart Face
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Your face is: Wide at the top, tapering down to a small, sometimes pointy chin. Often cheekbones are often a signature feature.
Your best styles: A fringe works wonders on rebalancing your facial features. If you want a blunt fringe, go for a narrow one, as this will allow your hair to frame your face in the most flattering way – however, don’t go so narrow that your hair hides your cheekbones. Alternatively, a light side-swept fringe will be enough to create the illusion of less forehead – and a side part will also make a wide forehead seem less so. Hair that is chin-length or longer is ideal; avoid anything too short, is this will only accentuate a small chin.
Celebrity face shape sisters: Reese Witherspoon, Christina Ricci.
Long Face
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Your face is: Sleek and slender. You have a high forehead and a strong or pronounced chin.
Your best styles: Bob-style cuts tend to repropotion a long face, by lifting features up. Generally, long hair is a no-no, as it can pull your features down even more. However, it’s more an issue when hair is lean. You can get away with length if you also have volume as this helps round your features out – so try anything from teasing texture into hair to crafting curls and waves.
Celebrity face shape sisters: Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker.
Square Face
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Your face is: Strong at the jawline, which is usually matched by a similarly straight hairline.
Your best styles: Are all about body. Height at the crown will visually soften the top of your head, while layers, loose waves or rambling curls will have an overall diffusing effect. Wispy fringes can also work in such a way – alternatively style hair forward to take the edges off a severe square shape. Avoid short styles, which can be too harsh – go for long bobs to beyond.
Celebrity face shape sisters: Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore
Round Face
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Your face is: Quite full, with the cheeks being the widest point.
Your best styles: Anything that will extend the look of your face. Think body at the crown, and a length that is at least shoulder-scraping. Side parts also work well because this brings hair forward over the face, slicing off some of the roundness. A side-swept fringe can also work well to camouflage a full forehead.
Celebrity face shape sisters: Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst
Related posts:
- I have no idea what to do with my hair. It’s long and I’m leaving it to grow for the moment, until I work out what to do with it. Please give me some ideas.
- How to … Work a Fringe
- I have a round face and have had my hair long for ages. I really want to cut it but don’t know what would look good. Any suggestions?
- “You’re having a spectacularly good hair day.”
- How to … Do Really Really Short Hair







Love this story! Reese’s look is a little out of date though - although granted that has been her best look ever. Why she had to go and chop her hair off I don’t know. She just looks a bit mumsy now. Gwyneth on the other hand - that chop was the best thing she could have done. She looks hot!
Comment by Bea — June 30, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
OMG I love Charlize Theron! She’s so gorgeous!
Comment by Annie — June 30, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
I love jessica alba! but her face shape *as strange as this sounds* seems to have changed due to her weight loss or puppy fat coming off?
shes got quite a strong jaw these days…not so much of a round face.
Comment by jadore — July 27, 2008 @ 10:26 pm