Women with oval-shaped faces are lucky, since this is possibly the most versatile face shape. Almost any hairstyle can work to complement an oval face shape, but there are some that are better than others. Likewise, there are some hairstyles that can spell disaster for your oval-shaped face. Follow this guide to choose which hairstyle will best suit your oval face.
Do You Have an Oval Face?
Finding your face shape requires nothing more than a basic measuring tape or ruler. Measure your forehead, your cheekbones, and your jawline at their widest points. Next, measure the length of your face with the "cross shape method," which involves measuring your entire face from ear to ear and then the length from the top of your forehead to the tip of your chin. Find the ratio of width to length; it should be either 1 to 1, 1 to 2, or 1 to 1 1/2. You have an oval-shaped face if your length equals 1 and 1/2 times your width. Some celebrities with an oval-shaped face include Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Disastrous Looks for Oval Faces
Just because you have a versatile face shape, that does not mean you're guaranteed to look perfect in every hairstyle. Some general looks to avoid include:
- Dated hairstyles more than a decade old. These can add age to your face without you doing a thing!
- Hairstyles that fight your natural texture. If you have curly hair, find a way to make it work for you instead of straightening it. The same goes for stick-straight hair. Save time, money, and effort by finding a good style that flatters your face and works with what you have naturally.
- Out of context hairstyles. Don't go punk if your a soccer mom. Don't get a matronly cut if your a young professional. Find a style that suits your natural beauty but also expresses a little piece of who you are in life.
Lots of celebrities with oval faces can offer beautiful examples of great hairstyles to try for yourself. Style experts consulted by Allure magazine decoded some of these looks so you can capture them for your own look:
- Jessica Alba's long, tousled locks add more roundness to her oval-shaped face, giving her a more feminine feel. Use long, layered hair and loose waves to copy this look for yourself.
- To break up the length of Liv Tyler's face, she sports classic bangs with curved sides to frame the eyes.
- If you have lots of hair to work with, like Kate Middleton, get her long-layered look to frame your oval face. Just be careful of overstyling this look or adding too much volume to the crown.
- Looking for something shorter? Emily Blunt's shaggy bob haircut is perfect for an oval face. Ask for an A-line bob with choppy ends, leaving your hair thicker around the jawline to fill in the space where your face is the narrowest.
Using these guidelines, consult with your hair stylist to determine which option will work best with your own hair texture and weight.
References:
About Beauty. Hairstyles for Oval Faces: The 20 Most Flattering Cuts
Allure. The 10 Sexiest Haircuts for Oval Faces
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