The 'Do' For You
by Kate Wicker in Just me on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 6:00 AM
Most of us have days when our hair won’t cooperate, but if every day is a bad hair day or if we find that the only style we’re ever sporting is a bumpy ponytail, it may be time for an update.
Vanity is wasteful, to be sure, and we have far more to offer the world than our skin or a stylish do. Yet, God, the Author of Beauty, created women to be the lovely crown of creation. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a good haircut to help you feel feminine and to show off for your dearly beloved. And if you’re anything like me and find yourself knee-deep in diapers, a good haircut can sometimes do wonders to just make you feel human.
Are you in a haircut rut? If you’re ready to spruce up your look but aren’t sure how to get started, you’ve come to the right place.
I recently pinned down my own stylist (whom I shamefully only visit about twice a year) and asked her to share some tips on finding the right cut. One factor that really can make or break your hairstyle is your face shape, according to Noel O’Neel, professional stylist, colorist, and cosmetologist. Women of all face shapes are uniquely beautiful and while you should never let your facial features pigeon hole you, there are ways to make the best of your natural bone structure.
“The main face shapes are heart, round, square, and long,” O’Neel explains. “It’s so important to find the right stylist who is willing to sit down with you and have a proper consultation about you and your face shape. The right cut will make you look and feel more confident. Your hair is the number one accessory that you wear every day. It’s worth putting in the time and effort to make it count.”
To determine your shape, compare the face’s length with its width or fullness. A round face, for example, is almost as wide as it is long whereas a heart-shaped face narrows at the jawline. Defining face shapes can be somewhat subjective, so a hair professional is a great resource to help you identify your closest match.
But to get you started, we’ve put together a guide that covers the main facial shapes, what hairstyles work best, and the ones you may want to avoid. I’ve included celebrities that share each face shape simply as a visual guide.
Round (Think Charlotte Church)
Round is one of the most common face shapes. It’s distinguished by round, curved lines. “Someone who has round face shape, especially if they tend to carry weight in the upper body and face area, really needs some structured lines to help break up their face shape,” says O’Neel. “Think straight-across bangs, blunt bobs that end just below the jaw line - anything to help elongate the face.”
Shaggy, uneven cuts complement round faces well, but you may want to avoid rounded, chin-length styles that match your face’s circular shape. Off-center parts, shorter hairstyles, or hair that is longer than chin-length are all good choices for women with round faces. Uneven, wispy bangs also work well.
Heart (Think Reese Witherspoon)
Heart-shaped faces have fullness in their brow bones and cheekbones, but the face gets slimmer towards the chin. “A slender heart shape can pull off just about any look,” says O’Neel. “They can be daring and go for a pixie cut.”
Women with delicate chins look great with hair that gets fuller around the jawline. Shoulder-length hair with a wispy, choppy look works well, too. The only cut you may want to avoid is a top-heavy one since your brow line is already more prominent.
Square (Think Minnie Driver)
The width of a square face is noticeably more than two-thirds of the length. Square-shaped faces also have predominant cheekbones and jaw lines. “When I have a client who has a very square jawline, I would suggest we stay below the jawline in length. We can put layers in to soften the look, or try an inverted bob that will come in around the face, giving the illusion of a more rounded, softer jaw line.”
Fullness in the crown can also make the face appear longer. Uneven wispiness is a flattering style for the square face as well, but you probably want to steer clear of bob with bangs, a wedge cut, or any mushroom-like do.
Long/Oval (Think Eva Mendes)
An oval face is the shape of the egg, and according to Noel, longer cuts with lots of soft layers around the face may complement your structure the best.
Obviously, face shape is only one factor to consider in the quest for a great cut. You’ll want to consider other factors like your favorite features. For instance, if you love your eyes, then you want a style that will accentuate them. Your lifestyle also impacts your hairstyle. I remember making the bogus decision to get a style that required hot rollers after I’d had a baby. I was lucky to get a daily shower much less add curls to my locks. These days I sport a longer, layered bob that requires very little styling. It makes me feel feminine and pretty without requiring a ten-step process to look presentable.
Another set of factors you’ll want to consider when choosing everything from your haircut to your wardrobe is your overall fashion profile. Most women fall into one of four groups:
The Romantic
This is the girly-girl woman (this would be my middle daughter who wants to wear her Sunday best every day along with an assortment of jewelry). The Romantic gravitates toward frills, ribbons, or floral prints. If this sounds like you, consider a soft cut that includes curls or waves.
The Classic Beauty
Expect a classic woman to don pearls and a more timeless, tailored look. Considering a friend of my husband’s used to say I reminded him of a First Lady, I’m thinking I may lean toward this category, although I enjoy a bohemian look, too (or maybe that’s just the unwashed hair and stubbly legs). A classic woman wears subtle, sophisticated makeup that is coordinated with a simple tasteful hairstyle like a clean-cut bob.
The Drama Queen
The dramatic woman is always cutting-edge. These trendsetters want the latest look. Bring on the shaggy bangs! A dramatic lady will wash her hair, style it, and then do it all over again to achieve the look she wants. (Um, how does a drama queen squeeze in those multiple stylings in between mediating sibling feuds and removing high chair crud?) Dramatics love to experiment with different hairstyles and don’t mind making a statement with their hair or clothing.
The Natural Beauty
This is the woman who is very casual and natural. They want “wash-and-wear” hair that takes very little time to style (don’t we all?). The best hairstyles for natural beauties are quick, easy, and uncomplicated dos - usually short or very long hair that can easily be pulled back.
Most women are a combo of fashion types. I’d say I was a mix of classic and natural (classic for date nights and Mass and natural for everyday living). Knowing your fashion style and likes and dislikes can help you and your hairstylist determine the best hairstyle and avoid a nightmare cut.
—Senior writer Kate Wicker brushed her hair after writing this article. Visit her blog at KateWicker.com
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