Fashion + Beauty

Sunday, December 6, 2009

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The Best and Worst Hairstyles for Your Face Shape

Why oh why didn’t this article exist when I was younger?! It would have saved me the embarrassment of those thick bangs in my 10th grade picture or stopped me from wearing that awful updo to prom (one of these would have been so much prettier).

At least now I know better (and I will never again wear this style). But what about you? Do you know what hairstyle best suits your face? Check out the pics below to find out.




Round face: the best
Simple lines with as little volume at the sides as possible, like this simple mid-length bob, are the best choice for round faces. Ginnifer Goodwin gets it right.











Round face: the worst
This center part emphasizes a full forehead, and the volume at the sides widens the cheeks. Clarkson would look much slimmer with volume at the crown and sleek sides.










Square face: the best
The most famous square face in the world knows to keep the hair soft and flowing, with volume only at the crown. While hair should be sleek, it shouldn't hug the face and flatten its contours.










Square face: the worst
Heavy bangs typically exaggerate a square face shape. Pulling the rest of the hair back makes Jessica Alba's face look even more square, flat and ungraceful.











Oval face: the best
When you're blessed with a symmetrical oval face, you should show it off. Halle Berry's simple feminine updo lets her face do the talking.










Oval face: the worst
Compared with her simple updo, this tousled, face-hugging style with a lot going on manages to make even one of the world's most beautiful oval faces look ordinary.






Heart face: the best
A heart-shaped face like Christina Ricci's can look like a work of art with the right hairstyle like this simple bob. Keep the bangs narrow (width-wise) in order to minimize a broad forehead. Length should be chin-length or longer with no volume on the sides.









Heart face: the worst
Heart-shaped faces should avoid styles that emphasize a bare forehead and open up at the sides, emphasizing the width of the face. All you see here is Ricci's forehead. We think Christina should stick with the bangs.









Diamond face: the best
A diamond face is an oval with angles. Almost any style works for this shape, but soft draping bangs and gentle sweeping lines are great for countering the shape's sharp angles. This bob is one of Rihanna's best looks.









Diamond face: the worst
Diamond shapes should stick with graceful, flowing styles that avoid volume at the top and sides. This look is all top volume, which gives Rihanna a bit of a "Conehead" look.








Oblong face: the best
The oblong shape is possibly the most challenging face shape to style. Kelly Rowland gets it right with long side-swept bangs and volume at the sides, which together work to create the illusion of facial fullness while minimizing face length.









Oblong face: the worst
While bangs can work for oblong shapes, they should be soft and preferably angled to help create the illusion of roundness. Stick-straight bangs with stick-straight sides just flatten and further elongate Liv Tyler's face in this photo.












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From the Community…

Comments 11-20 of 354
  • Deborah's Avatar
    Posted by Deborah Tue May 19, 2009 8:54am PDT

    The bun pulled back from an oval face may be attractive if you've got an adorable face, but else works if you're a bit plain?

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  • Susan's Avatar
    Posted by Susan Tue May 19, 2009 9:44am PDT

    I have to completely disagree on the square face with strong bangs being a bad thing. I think a heavy bang balances out a wide or square jaw, and also draws attention away from too much squareness at the jaw by creating a focal point (the bangs, which lead right to the eyes). That's actually the perfect style for a square face!

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  • None's Avatar
    Posted by None Tue May 19, 2009 10:07am PDT

    this doesn't apply to everything if you go with short hair for a round face, that's bad!

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  • mort1837's Avatar
    Posted by mort1837 Tue May 19, 2009 12:49pm PDT

    what about heart shaped faces? I know bangs are out with my deep widow's peak, but what other styles are there?

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  • Red's Avatar
    Posted by Red Tue May 19, 2009 1:23pm PDT

    Umm where are the tips for the heart and the long oval shaped face??

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  • Marie's Avatar
    Posted by Marie Tue May 19, 2009 1:32pm PDT

    yeah its nice but plz show more hair styles for round faces

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  • Rebecca W's Avatar
    Posted by Rebecca W Tue May 19, 2009 4:20pm PDT

    So I guess round and square faces are the only ones that exist. I got really excited when I saw this article. Then I read it and became unreasonably pissed...lol. Such is life...

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  • heartspokes's Avatar
    Posted by heartspokes Tue May 19, 2009 6:57pm PDT

    could u suggest another hairstyle for a big head&round face

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  • jesus' girl's Avatar
    Posted by jesus' girl Tue May 19, 2009 7:16pm PDT

    ya i have a square face and i almost always wear it up in a ponytail u can ask any of my friends how many times they have seen me with my hair down and i can almost promise that they could only say like 2 so is it good for a square face to have it in a ponytail all the time

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  • william's Avatar
    Posted by william Tue May 19, 2009 9:06pm PDT

    if you keep continuing with the topic it says heart shape faces should have a side part with bangs and at least be chin length or longer with some layering to the jaw line to balance out the face

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