Ask any stylist how to ensure you’ll be happy with your haircut, and they’ll all tell you the same thing: come in with a clear idea of what you want. It sounds simple, but at a time when our social media feeds are flooded with trendy haircuts to choose from (Bobs! Bangs! Butterfly cuts! And those are just the ones that start a B!), coming up with a response can feel anything but. If you’re feeling confused — and potentially tempted to try one of those buzzy, but impossible-to-style mushroom cuts — here’s how to make your decision easy: opt for the best haircut for your face shape.
Broadly speaking, faces can be categorized into seven basic shapes — oval, round, square, diamond, heart-shaped, oblong, and pear — which are determined by your bone structure, how your facial fat is distributed, and the way you move your muscles when you smile, frown, etc. While any haircut can look great on anyone, certain haircuts compliment certain face shapes better than others.
“It’s important to consider your face shape when choosing a haircut because you want it to accentuate your best features,” Jacelyn Bautista, a stylist at NYC The Team Hair Salon, tells POPSUGAR. “It’s also a way to balance out your features.”
That said, while working with your face shape can certainly help determine which haircut will be the most flattering, it isn’t the only way to compliment your features — or leave you with a style that makes you feel like the best and most beautiful version of yourself.
“I am from the school of thought that it doesn’t always have to be a thing,” says celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh. “As a general rule, face shapes and haircuts can help frame the face, but sometimes those rules are broken because of the client’s individuality and personal style. . . I believe it’s possible for anyone to wear anything.”
If you’re interested in learning how to find out your face shape — and, most importantly, the best haircuts for different face shapes — you’ll find answers ahead. That way, next time you find yourself in the salon being asked, “So what are we doing today?” you’ll be armed and ready with an answer.
