Georgie Kennett
Considering Concepts of Beauty in Hair
Hair Styles Relating to Face Shape
Round
The ROUND Shape Face is characterized by a wide hairline and fullness below the cheekbones. The client may be overweight and the neck may appear short. These faces look very good with a geometric or linear style. Add height, when possible, and long, wispy side areas to make the cheeks look narrow. Comb hair close to the head on the side and at the nape.
Oval
As its name implies, the OVAL Shape Face is longer than wide, with a jaw that's narrower than the cheekbones. Because the oval shaped face has no dominant areas and is so proportional, this face looks good with just about any hairstyle, length or texture.
Heart
The HEART Shape Face is characterized by a wide forehead and a narrower chin. Bring some hair onto the forehead to disguise its width. Keep hair close to the head at the eyes but make it slightly full around the jaw, and below and in front of the earlobes.
Square
The SQUARE Shape Face is characterized by a wide hairline and jaw. Square shaped faces need height on top and narrowness at the sides. Comb the hair off the forehead to add height to the face. Curly texture and wisps of hair around the face break the wide, straight lines common to the square face.
Why is this so important? Simply put, if the wrong hairstyle is created for the wrong face shape, the result is a disaster. In fact, even if a well executed, well cut hairstyle is performed on the wrong face shape, the result is still a disaster. Why again you ask? Because hairstyles are predominately about shape and geometry. It's all about putting the perfect frame around a person's face to balance and bring perspective to the overall shape.
The shape must:
Minimize non pleasing attributes.
Promote and compliment positive ones.
(2015). Relating face shape to Hairstyle | wigs.com - the wig ExpertsTM. [online]. Available from: http://www.wigs.com/look-learn/relating-face-shape-to-hairstyle [Accessed 27 October 2015].
The best hair cut and hairstyles for round, full face shapes are those that add height. High upstyles are a great way to trick the eye into adding height to a hairstyle. Adele works this look brilliantly with her trademark high beehive style. When thinking about the best haircut for a full face you need to add soft layers on top to add texture and width around the cheekbones. If you’re opting to cut your hair short and you have a round face, consider a graduated bob that begins at the nape and rests to a point under the chin like Kelly Clarkson. This will really create the illusion of length and a side swept long fringe can also be very flattering to a round face shape.
The best hair cuts and hairstyles for an oval shaped face could be one of many Having 'the perfect face shape' means that style possibilities are almost endless and you really are able to experiment with a variety of haircuts and hairstyles that will flatter and suit the features.
The one rule with creating the best hairstyles and haircuts for an oval face shape is to avoid styles that bring the hair too much onto the face and covers up the perfect face shape. Thick cut fringes and any cut or hairstyle that brings the hair forward will add weight to the face.
Christina Ricci is a great example of someone with an inverted triangular face shape whilst Marilyn Monroe and Kourtney Kardashian are proud wearers of a widow’s peak.
The best hair cut and hair style for those with a heart face shape is a short bob, which looks fantastic with curly or wavy hair just under the cheekbones to create width at the narrow jawline. Fringes are a great way to balance out a heart or triangular face shape, especially if you have a widow’s peak and you’re not one who wants to showcase it. With heart face shapes, avoid hairstyles with added height or any hairstyle that is too slicked back as you should try concentrating volume around your jawline to balance out your features.
The square face indicates the appearance of strength and power, like Demi Moore who wears her hair very long and straight, emphasizing her square strong jaw with length or an upstyle being key.
However, most people want to make the best out of their face shapes and hair cuts so the best hair cut and hairstyle for a square face shape is any that adds softness to the style. Fringes that are low to the eyebrows and cut with longer length at the sides really help to balance out a square face shape. Hairstyles with waves and curls, particularly around the jaw help to detract from this angular face shape.
When it comes to the best haircuts for long faces and long hair, use a blunt thick fringe to break the length of the face up. Kate Beckinsale’s fringe is a good example of how to break up a long face shape.
When styling your long hair, the best hairstyles for long hair and long face shapes, take note from Sarah Jessica Parker and add width with an upstyle at the mid section of the crown or to one side. The width of this style will help balance out a long face shape. If you have a long face shape, it’s advisable to avoid a centre parting hairstyle as the eye is drawn down the longest part of the face, again making your face appear longer in length.
Long Face
Round Face
Heart Face
Oval Face
Square Face
My Model
My model Laura has a heart shaped face, I will take this into consideration when designing the hair as it is best to keep the fringe area down or pinned around the face as with all the hair pulled back it can look too harsh on the face.