Introduction
Embarking on a hairstyle transformation for the new year can be both thrilling and daunting. The key to a stunning and flattering haircut lies not only in your hair’s texture and density but also in understanding your face shape.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of seven distinct face shapes—oval, round, square, heart, long, diamond, and pear—exploring the hairstyles that complement and those that may not be the best fit.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
Before we dive into specific hairstyles, let’s identify your face shape. There are seven main types: oval, round, square, heart, long, diamond, and pear.
To determine your face shape, pull your hair back, snap a straight-on selfie without makeup, and carefully examine your hairline, width, length, and jawline. Draw a line on the photo to outline your face, and let’s explore the best and least recommended hairstyles for each type.
1. Oval Face Shape
Also known as Egg-shaped Face
The oval face shape is versatile due to its well-balanced and proportionate structure. With a slightly narrower jawline and a gently rounded hairline, individuals with oval faces can experiment with various hairstyles. The oval or egg-shaped face type can pull off most hairstyles very well as it has no prominent points or angles. Some celebrities you may recognize with an oval face include actress Kim Tae Hee and K-pop Idols – Yoona of Girls’ Generation, and Lee Naeun of April.
Best Hair Styles
Emphasize your lovely face shape with upstyles, high ponytails, or long layered haircuts with a subtle S-curl perm at the ends. Medium-length hair with light waves or chic bobs also complements oval faces. For a cute image, consider shortcuts with a baby perm or setting perm.
Unrecommended Hair Styles
When styling an oval face shape, avoid heavy bangs, as this could make your face appear shorter. Most hairstyles will suit such face types, so it would be better to focus on other features like hair texture, neck length, and body type.
2. Round Face Shape
Round faces, characterized by equal width and length, often convey a cute and youthful image. This face shape may make you look chubby due to the round face shape. However, certain hairstyles can elongate the face and create an oval appearance. Celebrities of this face shape includes Minah (Girls’ day), Uie (Afterschool) and Actress Kim Da-Mi.
Best Hair Styles
Your mission: elongate and slim. Leaving a little piece of hair untucked on one side of your face is a simple way to achieve this. Adding perm at the roots can cover the roundness and make your face look slimmer. Long hair suits round face shapes best. Elongate your face with long waves, layered cuts, and high ponytails.
Unrecommended Hair Styles
Round faces may look wide and flat when styled incorrectly. Avoid thick bangs and hiding your face behind too much hair, as it may make your face look even shorter. Also avoid short hair above your chin as it will highlight the roundness of your face.
3. Square Face Shape
Square faces boast a wide forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, creating a luxurious and moody image. The strong jawline and prominent cheekbone are the prominent features of square face shapes. The key is to enhance these features without overwhelming the face. Celebrities with a square face includes Actress Jung Yumi, Song Hye Gyo and Han Hyo-joo.
Best Hair Styles
Enhance the luxurious image of square faces with long hair featuring soft, loose curls. Grace perm or Elizabeth Perm can add a lovely image to its elegance. Upstyles that naturally pull out the side hair and tie your hair into one can also complement square faces.
Unrecommended Hair Styles
Avoid overly bright hair colours. Instead, choose natural colours that suit your personal tone. It is recommended to avoid hairstyles with curly waves, thick bangs, and blunt cuts as they may detract from the luxurious image.
4. Long Face Shape
Also known as Oblong Face Shape
Similar to oval faces but longer, long faces require hairstyles that add width rather than length. This face shape can look classy and chic, but it can easily give a strong and sharp impression. Remember that long-faced shapes can make you look older than you are.
Best Hair Styles
Opt for bangs, whether see-through or thick, to reduce the length of the face. Add waves, S-curl perms, or C-curl perms for volume. Medium-length or short hair works best for oblong faces.
Unrecommended Hair Styles
Avoid long, straight hair that emphasizes the length of your face. Long hair might elongate your face too much, so tread carefully.
5. Heart Face Shape
Wider at the hairline and temples and tapering down to a narrow chin, heart face shapes are known for their prominent cheekbones. It is a typical face shape that makes the face look smaller, with a relatively wider forehead and narrows down into the jawline. This face shape can either be emphasized or balanced with the right choice of hairstyle. Celebrities with this face shape include Actress Go Youn Jung and K-pop Idols Sana (Twice), Suzy (Miss-A) and Kang Mina (Gugudan).
Best Hair Styles
Accentuate your tapered face shape with bun upstyles or high ponytails. To balance it out, go for wavy hairstyles with waves starting from the height of your ears. Shoulder-length hair, C-curl perms, or wavy perms at chin length work well for heart-shaped faces. If you are searching for colour recommendations, light colored bleaches are also recommended, especially colours close to your skin tone, to reduce the colour contrast.
Unrecommended Hair Styles
Avoid forcing a middle part and skip short bangs or straight hair, as they can make your chin look even narrower. Instead, part your hair slightly off-center to whichever side your hair naturally falls over.
6. Diamond Face Shape
Diamond faces have a forehead and jawline of equal width, with the widest part at the cheekbones. Narrow at the chin and forehead, widest at the cheekbones. This face shape is common among people who have small faces and a sharp chin. Hairstyles should aim to soften the features and distract from the cheekbones. Celebrities with diamond face shape includes Gain (Brown Eyed Girls) and Jeon Soyeon (G-idle).
Best Hair Styles
Softening features is key. Choose middle-length layered hair, thick wavy hair, or short textured lobs. Build perm, thick wave perms, and chin-length hippie perm work well. If you have long hair, keep chin-length side-swept bangs with long layers to cover up your cheekbones.
Unrecommended Hair Styles
Avoid heavy, rounded bangs and straight-across bangs, as they accentuate the widest part of your face.
7. Pear Face Shape
Pear-shaped faces feature a narrower forehead than the chin, with a shaded jawline and cheek. The pear-shaped face has no cheek fat so it can be seen as a face type with a shaded cheek and chin. This face type looks slim. The goal is to create a lively and voluminous look. Celebrities like Actress Jung Eun-Chae, Chun Woo-Hee, and K-pop Dancer & choreographer Monika (PROWDMON) will be your hair spiration here.
Best Hair Styles
For a lively look, opt for a center part with natural waves on the side hair. Short hair with see-through bangs and layered cuts add volume. Long hair with thick, loose curls or low ponytails with long side bangs also work. Keeping long side bangs is an important style to keep if you wish to soften the cheekbones. Shortcuts can accelerate the features and give them a sophisticated look.
Unrecommended Hair Styles
Avoid sleek, blunt hairstyles that emphasize your narrow forehead. Long, straight hair can highlight the cheekbones and chin. Straight bangs that fully cover your forehead are not recommended.
Summary
Characteristics of Face Shapes
Oval: The most ideal face type is one in which there are no angled parts in the face.
Round: Almost as wide as it is tall, with wide cheekbones, a soft jawline, and short facial features.
Square: The ratio of the forehead to the chin is the same, and the face looks square overall.
Diamond: Widest at the cheekbones, and more narrow at the forehead and chin.
Heart: Wider forehead and cheekbones, but with a narrow chin.
Long: The center of the face is long, so the width of the face looks narrow.
Pear: Slightly narrow forehead, wide angled cheekbones, and jawlines.
Recommended Hairstyles
Oval Face Shape
- Upstyles, high ponytails, and long layered haircuts with S-curl perms.
- Medium-length hair with light waves or chic bobs.
- Short cuts with a baby perm or setting perm for a cute image.
Round Face Shape
- Long waves without bangs or straight hair with a clear forehead.
- Layered cuts to counteract the round image.
- High ponytails for a slimmer face illusion.
Square Face Shape
- Long hair with soft, loose curls.
- Grace perm or Elizabeth perm for an elegant feel.
- Upstyles that naturally pull out side hair for a slim face appearance.
Long Face Shape
- Bangs, whether see-through or thick, to reduce face length.
- Waves, S-curl perms, or C-curl perms for added volume.
- Medium-length or short hair to maintain a balanced look.
Heart Face Shape
- Upstyles and high ponytails to accentuate the face shape.
- Wavy hairstyles with waves starting from the height of the ears.
- Shoulder-length hair with C-curl or wavy perms for a balanced look.
Diamond Face Shape
- Middle-length layered hair, thick wavy hair, or short cuts.
- Chin-length side-swept bangs with long layers.
- Build perm, thick wave perms, and chin-length hippie perms.
Pear Face Shape
- Center-parted part with naturally waved side hair.
- Short, layered cut with see-through bangs.
- Long hair with thick, loose curls or a low ponytail with side bangs.
Conclusion
Understanding your face shape is crucial to choosing the perfect hairstyle. By embracing the unique characteristics of each face shape and selecting hairstyles that enhance your features, you can achieve a look that reflects your personality and style.
Remember, it’s not about flaws, but about celebrating your individuality and expressing it through your hair. Use this guide as a tool to empower your choices and bring out the best in your appearance.
Looking for salons to transform your hair? Visit our Protrim Hair Salon’s branches at Ngee Ann City and JEM (Jurong) to start your 2024 with the trendiest hair.
Want to consult with our stylists? Make a reservation through our app or through WhatsApp now. Our app is available both on Andriod (Playstore) and iOS (App Store).
