A Cut Above the Rest

Nothing wows a crowd like a killer haircut. But according to Oprah.com, not just any old cut will do; different face shapes need different cuts to accentuate or hide features. Stylist John Barrett gives some expert tips below—which can "narrow a jawline, plump up cheeks, add 'bones' and subtract years!"—so you can finally find your tressy soulmate.

If you have a defined jawline ...
TRY: Layered hair, gently angled along the cheekbones, from eyes to chin. Blunt edges and severe bangs are a no-no, since they conflict with a strong jaw. AVOID: "Curtain" hair that hangs down the face. This obscures the contours of the cheeks, which makes the face look boxy.

If you have a soft jawline or a square-ish face ...
TRY: Face-framing layers, feathered away from the face with a round-brush. Women tend to style their hair close to their face, Barrett says, "but that actually draws attention to the area." Try a few shorter layers at the crown to create extra height on top. AVOID: Blunt, bottom-heavy cuts (think: triangle) which drag your face down.

If you have a wide face, high forehead ...
TRY: Shorter, layered curls. "These light, springy curls are so flattering," Barrett said. "I cut just enough layers to really bring them out." No matter how short you go, make sure you keep some length in the back and around the ears. AVOID: Straight styles, which draw attention to the face, especially to lines around eyes and mouth.

If you have a long face ...
TRY: Medium-length hair with graduated layers. Barrett says the overall length is crucial—hair that's too far below the collarbone makes your face look even longer. Long layers throughout add fullness, though, so try velcro rollers for extra body. AVOID: All-one-length hair, stick-straight hair, or bangs that hit above the brows. They all make your face look longer and, together, are an "unforgiving" combination.

If you have a round, full face ...
TRY: Strong bangs and graduated layers. Make sure they cover the forehead, falling just beneath the brows and below the temples, to make cheekbones look chiseled. Barrett says graduated layers bring a heart shape to the face, and straight strands counterbalance the curves of a round face. AVOID: Short layers on the top and sides will create too much volume and amplify the fullness of the face.

Posted in Expert Advice , Hair