It turns out that the key to a perfect haircut is twofold. First, examine your facial shape, and then select a cut that complements the texture of your hair.
While it’s exciting to experiment and try something new, there’s much to be said about a traditional, pleasing shape. Consider it your home base—the look you’ll return to again and again.
Do you need additional information? How do you determine the form of your face? What about your skin tone? We sent our pressing queries to renowned hairstylists George Papanikolas of Andy LeCompte Salon and Lorna Pollack of Kinloch Salon. Continue reading to discover more about selecting your ideal haircut.
GET TO KNOW THE EXPERT
- George Papanikolas is a Matrix Brand Ambassador and hairdresser who works at the Andy Lecompte Salon in Los Angeles and the Rita Hazan Salon in New York.
- Lorna Pollack works at Kincloch Salon in Brooklyn, New York.
The Six Most Common Face Shapes
Your forehead, cheeks, and jaw are usually the deciding criteria.
- Oval: The length of your face is usually greater than the breadth, with the forehead being the broadest feature of your face. According to Papanikolas, this form is often regarded as the most ideal facial shape.
- Square: A virtually one-to-one length-to-width ratio, equal lengths horizontally and vertically, a firm angled jaw, and a minimum curvature at the chin.
- Round: The length to width ratio is almost equal. The features are soft and rounded, with flatter cheekbones, and the cheeks are the broadest section of the face. Like a square face form, but with softer angles.
- Heart: An inverted triangle-shaped pointed chin with a larger forehead and thinner chin.
- When the breadth of the forehead, cheeks, and jawline are approximately the same, or when the distance from forehead to chin is slightly greater than the distance from ear to ear.
- Diamond features high cheekbones, a pointed chin, and a smaller forehead.
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Your Best Haircut For Your Face Shape
When it comes to the actual cut, both experts agree that there isn’t necessarily one correct way to proceed, but rather a few attractive and common recommendations to enhance features and, as Pollack puts it, “direct the focus away from other aspects of the face.””
You may, however, deviate from the regulations. You’re not swearing anything here. She believes it’s all about finding your balance.
Long layers, shoulder-length waves, full fringe, layered bob, or a side-swept pixie are the most attractive styles for oval face types, according to Papanikolas. Pollack like a bold square bob that draws attention to your sharp jawline.
Softening the edges around the forehead and strong jawlines is important for square facial types, thus wavy shags with wispy fringe, soft side-swept bangs, or long layers with fringe work best. Create softer angles if you want something shorter than an asymmetrical fringe, according to Papanikolas.
Pollack recommends pairing round face types with a long bob, which draws the eyes down to visibly extend the face. According to Papanikolas, round features look best with haircuts that extend the face, such as long straight hair, long voluminous waves, shaggy bobs, and swoopy bangs with clipped sides.
What You Need To Remember
Heart shapes look best with chin-length bobs with bangs or blunt bangs and wavy layers. Pollack believes that soft angles in the front that begin below the face help balance out the longer forehead. According to Papanikolas, the idea here is to maintain the bangs tight in order to give the illusion of less breadth at the top.
Square face forms adopt a similar approach to oblong/rectangle face shapes. Layers, volume, and side-swept or feathery fringe soften sharp edges and powerful jawlines. Long layers and angles give the hair movement and structure.
Diamond shapes may flaunt their high cheekbones by wearing their hair short or long with face-framing layers. This form is also enhanced with added bangs that touch around the cheekbone.
Bring in photos of how you want your hair to appear. This ensures that the picture in your brain corresponds to the image in your stylist’s head, and together you may adjust the appearance to a style that flatters your characteristics.
Texture Application
Pollack believes that hair texture and type are important factors in determining your best style. She believes it is critical to understand what your hair is capable of doing naturally and what you are prepared to do to preserve a desired appearance.
Both texture and volume are crucial to consider since they help give breadth and height to your hair, but Papanikolas advises that they might be your “biggest enemy” if you’re attempting to extend your face.
For example, if you have a round face and medium texture, Pollack recommends avoiding round designs that enhance your features. Choose designs that draw attention away from your jawline and toward your neck and collar bone. If you want a shorter appearance, keep the sides short so they don’t add to the roundness of your cheeks and forehead, she suggests. “Adding height and fullness to the top to raise the eyes.”
Taking Hair Type into Consideration
Fine: Thin hair, in general, should have the least amount of layering, so keep it blunt and short. “My preference is a blunt bob with minimum texture and layers to keep your length strong,” Pollack explains.
Pollack thinks that a range of lengths is feasible here. Adding layers or texture is good for assisting with movement and weight reduction.
Thick: Hairstyles might differ based on texture or kind. Long layers aid with weight reduction, debulking density, and day-to-day style, so you can get away with a lot of layering.
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Consider the Maintenance
Finding a style that fits your lifestyle is essential. Pollack suggests having a haircut every 3-4 months. If you see your hairdresser every 6-8 months, she wouldn’t advocate going for a high-maintenance look.
Both experts agree that shorter haircuts, such as a pixie or blunt fringe, are more high-maintenance and need more care than a lengthy layered hairstyle. Longer hair and a feathery fringe are more forgiving and can be stretched out, according to Papanikolas.
Consider what you are willing to accomplish at home to keep the ideal appearance and style. “What products you may require to create your style and how frequently you are willing to visit the salon to maintain the look,” Pollack explains.
While large cuts are best left to the stylist, and there are guidelines for how frequently you should get a haircut, there are a few things you can do at home to keep a given style or length. It is feasible to cut your own bangs and trim split ends. Just retain a steady hand and move on with confidence.
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Other factors to consider:
Styling and care are critical, especially if you are going against your natural texture, according to Papanikolas.
Questions that both experts recommend you ask yourself include:
- How frequently are you prepared to attend the salon to keep your desired appearance?
- In terms of items, what are you prepared to do at home? Heat fashion? What about wash and go?
- If you have naturally wavy hair, are you prepared to blow-dry and flat iron it once you cut it into a bob?
- On days when you don’t style it, is the cut still adaptable with your natural texture?
These are significant factors, according to Papanikolas, unless you plan on constantly styling your hair.
Cut, Texture, and Forehead Length of Bangs
The discussion seems to have gone on indefinitely, but bangs are a huge issue, okay? Fans applaud the periphery, while detractors recall childhood photographs and ill-advised at-home cuts. While we don’t encourage impulsive bangs, (Yes, the temptation does hit us every now and again. As in, every fall!) It’s critical to recognize that some styles function better depending on your facial shape.
Oval: Sharp
- Side Swept Round
- Wispy fringe on a square
- Side Swept Fringe in Diamond
- Side-swept rectangle with feathery fringe
- The heart is blunt and thin.
If you have a longer forehead and want to draw attention away from it, bangs may be your greatest friend, since they may cover a large forehead. Pollack believes that a stylish brutal bang will do the trick. (Though huge brows are completely in.) As the owner of one, I’ve come to appreciate the extra space.)
Short foreheads look better with a soft, side-swept fringe, which Papanikolas claims adds length or creates the illusion of length. “If your forehead is smaller, I would recommend keeping things light and soft so the bangs do not fully take over your face, thereby making your face seem smaller,” Pollack adds.
Before choosing on a bang, consider your hair structure and patterns, such as cowlicks. Pollack advises that if your hair is unruly with strong growth patterns in the front, bangs may require extra attention on a regular basis when it comes to heat styling/products. (I can attest to this.) As someone with a heavy cowlick, bangs proved more of a headache than the breezy elegant makeover I was hoping for.)
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Papanikolas only recommends blunt bangs to customers with straight hair since they are time-consuming to maintain, whereas side-swept bangs are more forgiving and adaptable.
Another factor to consider is how frequently you’re willing to get your hair cut. Pollack advises leaving it to the experts. She recommends going to the salon every few weeks to maintain the appropriate fringe length.
Depending on how quickly your hair grows, growing out bangs can be a lengthy procedure. If you choose a fringe and afterwards regretted it, try to be patient. Instead, consider hair supplements, growth products, or a charming hair item (such as 90’s style barrettes) to divert attention.
Going Short: Dos and Don’ts
Do: Choose a cut and style that complements your texture and facial shape.
Don’t: Get a short haircut believing it won’t need style.
Do: Experiment with texture. Because it’s short, it doesn’t have to be one straight style all the time, according to Papanikolas. Short hair allows you to experiment with different texture and wave products. “I enjoy Biolage R.A.W. Texturizing Styling Spray ($5), which creates a mild texture with a clean feel,” he says.
Don’t: Simply wash and go. It works for long hair, but Papanikolas advises that it might make those with short hair appear like “an animal on your head.”
Have a good time! According to Papanikolas, short hair is a fantastic time to be daring and experiment with color.
A Universally Appealing Look
If there is a universally pleasing haircut, it always appears to feature soft layers.
Pollock proposes a bob, which can be readily adjusted to match everyone’s face, from bangs to texture and length. A shoulder-length cut with delicate layers, according to Papanikolas, flatters the majority of persons and facial types. “It’s one of those cuts where you really can’t go wrong,” he explains.
Alternatively, Pollack recommends a lengthy layered haircut as a wonderful method to liven up your hair if you aren’t “ready to make a huge chop.”” Furthermore, the addition of angles in the front, which may vary in length, readily works for every particular face shape.
