The perfect hair cut and colour for your face shape

When it comes to choosing a fresh haircut and colour, your face shape is one of the most important factors to consider, according to an article by Preview. After all, every shape is different and what looks good on one person, may look completely different on another.

So instead of blindly following the latest trends, why not choose a style that will expertly frame and balance your face while showcasing your best features for a flattering, complementary look?

And while anyone with any face shape can of course choose whichever style they please, if you’re searching for a look that will naturally suit your face shape, look no further.

HEART

Image source: @reesewitherspoon

A heart-shaped face is one with high, prominent cheekbones. It will typically have a larger, wider forehead, rounded cheeks and a pronounced chin.

Below, hair expert, Henri Calayag of Henri Calayag Salon, explains how heart-shaped beauties can get the best hair look.

Cut: A layered bob with a cropped pixie cut or a soft fringe, Calayag says, will do “wonders to show off a delicate bone structure.”

Colour: It’s best to opt for a lighter base colour than your natural shade, with a generous helping of chunky highlights. This will stop you from looking too harsh. Ombré is one shade that works great for long hair, with the tips lighter than the roots.

BD recommends: Clairol Hair Dye.

OVAL

Image source: @badgalriri

An oval face shape means you have a narrow forehead, wide cheekbones and a smooth jawline. If you have an oval face, your face is longer than it is wide and your jaw is soft without any sharp angles or points.

Having an already balanced face shape, below are the looks Louis Phillip Kee of Louis Phillip Kee Salon recommends.

Cut: According to Kee, oval faces are the most versatile shape: almost any style or cut will look great. However, no matter the length of your hair, you will look best with layers near the cheekbones, lips or chin. The pixie cut is one style that frames an oval face and looks perfect with spiked bangs. Long, layered locks, bouncy bobs and choppy crops are all excellent options because oval faces are perfectly balanced.

Colour: You can add dimension to your style using high and low lowlights mixed in with the base colour. To further enhance your look, go for a light wash of brightness to frame the face.

BD recommends: JUSTICE Professional Colour.

SQUARE

Image source: @billiepiper

If you have a square-shaped face, you have a small face with a wide forehead and a wide jaw. Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw will be the same width, but your jaw will have sharp angles to it.

According to Lourd Ramos of Creations by Lourd Ramos Salon, below are the looks you have to try.

Cut: To give the face a nice silhouette, try chin-length cuts or sharp-edged bobs above the jaw. Super short hair also looks great, as long as you have a longer fringe to frame the eyes and forehead. Ramos also advised that slanted, feathered bangs perfectly frame the face, jaw, cheeks and ears.

Colour: Avoid dark shades as they sharpen angles even more. Instead, opt for highlighting, with slices of lightness on top to frame the face and create depth.

BD recommends: Schwarzkopf LIVE Colour.

RECTANGLE

Image source: @gisele

A rectangle face is actually a mix of two different other shapes - a hybrid of the oval and square shaped face. It means elongated cheeks with a wide forehead and jawline. Rectangular face shapes feature a square jaw and a face that's longer than it is wide.

The secrets to flattering this shape, according to Jude Hipolito and Rose Velasco of Juro Salon Exclusif, are simple.

Cut: To make the face appear shorter and wider, go for a fringe combined with fullness on the sides. For short styles, it’s better to have a chin-length bob softly layered or curled on the sides with a nice side-swept fringe.

Colour: Avoid stripey, solid highlights, as these further elongate the rectangular face shape. The perfect colour for rectangle face shapes is “ombré hair beginning with dark roots, mid-part colour, and graduating to lighter colored ends lessens the look of an elongated face shape.”

BD recommends: Garnier Nutrisse.

ROUND

Image source: @selenagomez

Like a square-shaped face with softer angles, a round-shaped face means the sides of your face curve slightly outward instead of being straight. Your chin is rounded, and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face.

Jing Monis of Jing Monis Salon, says this face shape is more versatile than many people think.

Cut: It’s best to allow the chin to be the focal point of your look. Soften the shape of long hair using layers that start from the chin, or a chin-length bob with side-swept bangs. Those with fine hair should add squared layers, while those with thick hair should texturise more to avoid too much volume.

Colour: To give the illusion of a longer, oval face, try dip-dyed or ombré hair styled in a middle part. 

BD recommends: L’Oréal Paris Préférence Wild Ombrés.