Have you ever seen a haircut that you absolutely loved on somebody else, had the exact same thing done to your own hair, and were disappointed with the results? If so, then there’s a good chance that the person you first saw the cut on had a different shaped face than you. Unfortunately, not everybody can rock the same hairstyles, which is why knowing your face shape can be a great start to choosing the haircut that’s most flattering on you.

What’s Your Face Shape?

Most people fall into one of five face shape categories:

• heart-shaped
• square
• oval
• round
• diamond

Of course, determining which category you fall into is sometimes easier said than done. One of the most accurate, quick, and reliable ways to determine your face shape is to stand in front of a stationary mirror, pull your hair back, and use a tube of lipstick or dry-erase marker to draw an outline of your face. From there, you can step back and analyze the outline. Specifically, note where your face has its widest point, whether it’s longer or rounder, and the shape of your jaw and forehead. This should help you determine which category you best fall into.

For example, if your jaw comes to a point and you have a broader forehead, then you probably have a heart-shaped face.

Hair Styles and Face Shapes

Once you know your face shape, it’s much easier to choose a haircut or hairstyle that will be flattering. Below are a few recommendations based on face shape:

• Round: The goal for a round face shape is to lengthen it or heighten it. This can be done above or below the cheek bone, which is usually the widest part. To create length below, hair should be at least a few inches below the chin line with long layers blown inward to frame the face. To heighten it, shorter choppy layers work well as does “tucking” the hair behind the ear on one or both sides. A side part is great.
• Oval: The best styles for oval-shaped faces are blunt bangs and edgier cuts, such as shorter styles, which help to frame the face.
• Square: A square-shaped face has sharp angles that can be unfeminine; long styles and layers that start at the jaw line help to soften its appearance.
• Heart: Framing the face closes it. Layers should begin at the point where the face narrows downward. This creates movement that visually widens the chin. Blowing the layers outward rather than inward is important.
• Diamond: Any cut with bangs will help soften the angles of a diamond-shaped face, as can a cut with face-framing.

Basically, all of these cuts and styles are about downplaying the less attractive features of the face shape and highlighting the most flattering aspects.

Asking for a Flattering Cut

Of course, knowing what you want and communicating what you want with your hairstylist are two different things. The key to getting what you want is knowing and speaking the lingo; for example, if you want to keep as much of your length as possible, tell your stylist that you’d like a “dust cut” rather than a trim. A dust cut refers to simply cutting off dead ends, whereas a trim could mean cutting a couple inches off. Furthermore, be sure to bring in lots of pictures of the hairstyle you want, especially if they’re on models or people with the same face shape as you. This will help give your stylist a better idea of what you’re asking for and lead you to better results. These tips will help you get a great new hairstyle for your face shape and let you look your very best.