hair therapy: great hairstyles for square, diamond and oblong face shapes

square face shapes:

you have a square face if it is as long as it is wide. typical for this face shape is a wide jaw and hairline.

most stylish and flattering hairstyles: try styles that soften your strong, angular jaw. texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, will do this amazingly. you can also get away with long, sleek styles with layers that start at the jawline and continue downward.

avoid: short spiky cuts, one-length bobs (especially chin-length) and blunt-cut bangs. straight lines aren't the best as these will make your face look even more square.

celebs with square face shapes: Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie and Hilary Swank.







diamond face shapes:

diamond face shapes are a cross between heart and oval. if you are a true diamond, you’ll be able to wear almost any style. the goal is always to create more of an oval shape to the face and to lift the features by framing the face.




most stylish and flattering hairstyles: while just about any style will work for you, remember that when choosing a short style, some extreme diamond shapes will want to maintain fullness in the back near the nape of the neck to balance out the cheekbones and narrow chin. try hairstyles with lots of fringes, chaotic yet sexy and defined curls, chin-length bobs and shoulder length cuts with feathered edges.









avoid: any style that hides your dramatic features.

celebs with diamond faces: Katherine Hepburn, Linda Evangelista and Sophia Loren





oblong/rectangle face shapes: long and thin, often with a chin that tends to look pointed. there is very little difference in width between the top, middle or bottom of your face but it is more rounded than the square face. the goal should be to add width and fullness to the sides of the face and around the eyes, cheekbones and ears.

most stylish and flattering hairstyles: brow-skimming bangs and chin-length bobs (they create the illusion of width), but be sure your stylist cuts the hair a bit shorter in the back so it doesn't look boring. curls and waves work well because they add width to the face. if you want to wear it long (like SJP) it can have a drag-down effect on the face. long layers work best with pieces hitting at the nose, the chin and the collarbone. consider a v-shaped style where the length is mainly in the back, while the sides and front of your hair appear shorter. also, consider adding wave or curls to the hair.






avoid: stay away from the extremes. don't go too much longer than the collarbone and avoid a skull-capping super short cut. anything that elongates your face such as tight barrel curls directly on top of the head are also a no-no.

celebs who share your face shape: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashlee Simpson, Liv Tyler, Giselle Bundchen



xo

photos: google images, getty images