As a stylist, one of the most important aspects of your job is to create hairstyles that enhance your clients' natural features. Understanding how to tailor haircuts and styles to different face shapes can significantly impact the overall look and confidence of your clients. Here’s a guide to hair styling for various face shapes, ensuring each client leaves your salon looking their best.
Identifying Face Shapes
Before recommending a hairstyle, it's essential to identify the client's face shape. The main face shapes are:
- Oval
- Round
- Square
- Heart
- Diamond
- Oblong/Rectangular
Image by: Tracy Do. PermanentPretty.com
Styling for Oval Face Shapes
Characteristics:
- The length of the face is about 1.5 times the width.
- Forehead is slightly wider than the chin.
- Rounded jawline.
Best Styles:
- Versatility: Oval faces can carry off most hairstyles. Experiment with different lengths and textures.
- Layers: Soft layers around the face enhance the natural shape without adding too much volume.
- Bob Cuts: Both short and long bobs work well, especially with some face-framing layers.
Styling for Round Face Shapes
Characteristics:
- Face width and length are nearly equal.
- Full cheeks and a rounded chin.
Best Styles:
- Length: Longer hairstyles elongate the face, making it appear slimmer.
- Volume at the Crown: Adding volume at the top of the head creates an illusion of length.
- Side-Swept Bangs: These break up the roundness and add angles to the face.
- Layered Cuts: Long layers that start below the chin help to slim down the face.
Styling for Square Face Shapes
Characteristics:
- Forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are about the same width.
- Strong, angular jawline.
Best Styles:
- Softening Edges: Soft, wavy styles soften the strong angles of a square face.
- Layered Bob: A layered bob that ends just below the jawline helps to round out the face.
- Side Parts: Side parts and side-swept bangs draw attention away from the jawline.
- Volume at the Crown: Adding height at the top of the head elongates the face.
Styling for Heart Face Shapes
Characteristics:
- Wide forehead and cheekbones.
- Narrow, pointed chin.
Best Styles:
- Balancing Width: Styles that balance the width of the forehead with the narrowness of the chin.
- Chin-Length Cuts: Bobs and other cuts that add volume around the chin area.
- Side-Swept Bangs: These soften the forehead and draw attention away from a pointed chin.
- Long Layers: Long layers help to add fullness around the jawline.
Styling for Diamond Face Shapes
Characteristics:
- Narrow forehead and jawline.
- Broad cheekbones.
Best Styles:
- Volume at the Top and Bottom: Styles that add volume to the forehead and chin areas, balancing the broad cheekbones.
- Chin-Length Bobs: These add fullness to the narrow jawline.
- Side Parts: Side parts and side-swept bangs soften the angles of a diamond face.
- Textured Layers: Soft, textured layers reduce the emphasis on the cheekbones.
Styling for Oblong/Rectangular Face Shapes
Characteristics:
- Longer than it is wide.
- Straight cheek line.
Best Styles:
- Short to Medium Lengths: Avoid long, straight hair that can elongate the face further.
- Volume and Waves: Adding volume, curls, or waves at the sides of the face creates width.
- Blunt Bangs: Straight across bangs can shorten the length of the face.
- Chin-Length Bobs: These create the illusion of a shorter, more balanced face.
General Tips for All Face Shapes
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Consultation is Key:
- Always start with a thorough consultation to understand the client's preferences, lifestyle, and hair type.
- Use visual aids, such as pictures or digital apps, to help clients visualize potential styles.
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Texture Matters:
- Consider the natural texture of the hair. Some styles may require more maintenance or specific hair types to achieve the desired look.
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Color Accents:
- Use highlights, lowlights, and other coloring techniques to enhance the overall style and complement the client's skin tone and face shape.
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Maintenance Advice:
- Provide clients with tips on maintaining their new style at home. Recommend products and tools that will help them keep their hair looking its best between salon visits.
The relationship between hair styling and face shapes is crucial for creating flattering and personalized looks for clients. By tailoring hairstyles to enhance each client's natural features, you can ensure they leave your salon feeling confident and satisfied. Keep these guidelines in mind during consultations and styling sessions to achieve the best results for every face shape.
