How to Choose a Hairstyle

When you're looking for a new hairstyle to try, your hair texture, features, and face shape should all factor into your decision. You may covet your friend's pixie cut or your sister's cascade of beachy waves, but what style will look best on you? Whether your hair is coarse or fine, curly or straight, there's a style for you out there that will make heads turn. Keep reading if you want to know how to find it.

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   Choose a cut that will compliment your face shape. Generally, a good rule to follow is that you want your hair to be in opposition to the shape of your face. For instance, if you have a square face, you should balance your sharp angles with soft layers or waves.
• Determine your face shape. Knowing your face shape can help you make confident and informed decisions about which hairstyle to choose. To figure it out, pull or comb your hair completely away from your face. Stand in front of a mirror so that you can see your face straight-on, and not at an angle. Use a tube of lipstick, the corner of a cube of cold butter or anything else that's easily washable, and trace around the edges of your face in the mirror.
• Round faces are characterized by smoothly curved lines and a round chin. The forehead and chin are both a bit wide, with slightly wider cheekbones. Try hairstyles that fall just below the chin, like the long bob, or soft, adapted layers that are shoulder length. Avoid one length, blunt cuts like the classic bob.
• Square faces feature a wide, angular jaw, wide cheekbones, and a broad forehead. Experiment with curls, or long, sleek cuts with layers that begin from the jawline and downward. Steer clear from blunt-cut bangs and one-length bob hairstyles which highlight your angular jaw rather than downplay it.
• Oval faces are similar in proportion to round faces, but more elongated. The chin and the forehead should be about the same width, with slightly wider cheekbones and smooth lines going down to the chin. An oval face shape can usually sustain any sort of haircut. Find your best feature and highlight it with your hairstyle. Great bone structure? Consider an angular bob that complements your chin. Gorgeous eyes? Blunt or side-swept bangs will draw attention there.
• Heart-shaped faces are defined primarily by a pointy, narrow chin and a wide forehead. The cheekbones can be about the same width as the forehead or slightly wider. Draw attention away from the chin with side swept bangs or brow-skimming bangs. A short fast cut is also a good choice. Avoid choppy layers that hit at the chin.
• Triangular faces are the exact opposite of heart-shaped faces - a broad, angular jaw narrows to a small forehead. Short haircuts with a lot of volume are ideal for triangular faces. You can also choose a long cut, as long as it hits at your collarbone or lower.
• Diamond faces feature broad cheekbones, set off by a narrow chin and forehead. Try to create width at the forehead with bangs, and balance it out with layers that start at the chin.
• Long faces maintain the same proportion throughout - the forehead, cheekbones and chin share about the same narrow width. Brow-skimming, side swept bangs or chin-length bobs are ideal for creating the illusion of width. Curls and waves also work well when adding width. Keep haircuts short, never long because they tend to drag down the face. Pass up extreme styles and cuts that are longer than the collarbone.
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   Pick a style that works with your hair's texture. Hair comes in a variety of textures - from limp and silky thin hair to frizzy and bouncy coarse hair - and you should style yours accordingly. For instance, a short and choppy fast cut that works on straight, thin hair won't look good on someone with thick and curly hair. Here are some general guidelines.
   • If you have thin hair with a silky texture, avoid wearing it in a long, blunt style that can make you look childish. Instead, favor volume-creating layers and try a shorter cut that hits at your shoulders or above. Never blunt cut bangs, and opt instead for a side swept look.
   • If you have thick, coarse hair with natural curl or wave, don't cut it too short - you'll end up with "Christmas tree" hair that's full and bushy at the bottom before tapering up to the head. Hair that's prone to frizz usually needs a little length to weigh it down. Consider cuts that start at the chin or below, and go longer if your hair is frizzier.
   • If your hair is of medium thickness with a "normal" texture, you can elect a short or long style.
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   Play up your strengths. A good haircut should direct attention to the things you like about yourself. Ultimately a haircut should make you feel confident and attractive, so use it to your advantage.
   • For instance, if you love the length of your neck, try a short haircut or a high updo.
   • To draw attention to your eyes, get brow-skimming bangs.
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   Cover flaws. The right haircut can help you hide or downplay features you don't like.
   • If you have wide ears, avoid a cut that's too short as well as severe ponytails and buns (or, for men, wear the sides a little longer to create the illusion of comparable width around the ears).
   • If you have a broad, deep forehead, you can cover it up with bangs.
   • If you dislike the length of your neck, hide it with long layers.
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   Think about maintenance. Consider how much time you're willing to put into your hairstyle every day.
   • If you don't like spending more than 5 minutes, then you might not be happy with several layers that have to be straightened or curled each day.
   • Remember that for a short look, you'll have to get another hair cut every 3 or 4 weeks to maintain the length.
   • Longer hair, on the other hand, can go up to 6 to 8 weeks without a trim, but special attention must be paid to avoiding split ends and heat damage.
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   Add some color (optional). Coloring your hair can be extremely high-maintenance, but it can also help even out your skin tone and improve your look. Selecting the right shade and tone can be tricky, so consult your stylist about which color would look best on you.
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   Put it all together. Now that you've evaluated face shape, hair texture, facial features and maintenance, choose a hairstyle that will work for you on all points.
   • Find a compromise. For instance, if you've found a really great cut that you think would look great on your square face but you're worried about wearing thin hair long, ask your stylist if there's any way to add some volume. He or she will be happy to work with you and design the right