Whether you’re going for a total makeover or just a little trim, one thing is certain—your next haircut has to flatter your face. The wrong cut can make you look older, heavier, or just plain awkward. But when you get it right, a fabulous new haircut can take years off and amp up your confidence like nothing else.

The secret to scoring a haircut you’ll absolutely love? Choosing a style that accentuates your best features while balancing your unique face shape. When you know what to ask your stylist, it’s easier than you think.

This guide will help you find your dream haircut. Keep reading to find out how!

Identifying Your Face Shape

The first step on the road to perfect hair is understanding your facial structure. Here’s a quick guide on how to tell:

• An oval face shape has a forehead slightly wider than the curved chin. The face is longer than wide, with no major protruding areas.
• A round face shape features a face nearly equal in length and width. The widest part is at the cheeks, with a rounded jaw and minimal definition.
• The forehead, cheeks, and jawline are approximately the same width for a square face shape. An angular jaw with sharp edges defines this shape, which has little to no curve along its length.
• With a heart-shaped face, the forehead is the widest part. The chin is pointed while the jawline remains narrower, complemented by higher, fuller cheekbones.
• Those with a long or oblong face will find it longer than wide. The forehead, cheeks, and jawline maintain about the same width, with minimal curving at the edges.

Grab a mirror and look at that gorgeous mug until you determine your primary face shape. Or better yet, ask your stylist—most are pros at face shape analysis.

Choosing the Right Haircut for Your Face

Once you know your face shape, you’re ready to find the absolute best, most flattering haircut to bring out your unique beauty.

Oval Face Shape

Women with this versatile face shape can basically pull off any hairstyle, from short and chic to long and lush. Ask your stylist to keep the hair around the forehead and cheekbones to maintain balance. Flattering options include lengthy, flowing styles like mermaid waves or straight looks, medium-length shags or layered cuts, chic lobs and bobs, either blunt or with subtle layers, or cute pixies for the super daring.

Round Face Shape

To slim and elongate, go for styles with height at the crown, asymmetric lines, and side-swept bangs. Haircuts for round faces include lobs, shags, pixie cuts, and long layers, all of which look great. Specifically, try long layers that hit around the cheekbones and jaw, side-parted styles to create an asymmetric look, tousled waves or curls for texture, or short, spiked pixie cuts for a trendy, edgy vibe.

Heart-Shaped Face

Focus hair volume at the jawline with chin-grazing cuts like lobs and layered bobs. Wispy bangs also work to minimize a wide forehead and bring out gorgeous cheekbones. Consider shoulder-length cuts with layers framing the face, shaggy styles with fullness at the nape, side-swept bangs to draw attention to the eyes or cheeks, or long, tousled beachy waves for a softer look.

Square Face Shape

Soft hairstyles like beach waves, side-swept bangs, and long layers that hit below the chin help counteract strong jawlines. Avoid boxy, geometric cuts. Great options include tousled looks with lots of movement, long layers with a side or middle part. soft, wispy bangs to downplay the jawline, or curls or waves to add curvature.

Long or Oblong Face Shape

The goal here is to create hairstyles that add width and volume. Go for short to medium styles with fullness at the cheekbones and layers around the chin. Blunt, medium-length bobs are perfect. Other choices that can work include short, face-framing layers around the forehead or cheeks, mid-length styles with waves or curls for the body, bangs to shorten the overall appearance, or lobs with lots of layers for movement and shape.

Deciding on a Haircut Beyond Face Shape

Your face shape is the biggest factor, but it’s also important to take other things into consideration when choosing your most flattering hairstyle. Here are some other key things to discuss with your stylist:

• Hair Texture and Volume: If you have stick-straight, fine hair, avoid styles with too many layers or pieces around the face, as they can look sparse. More coarse, full hair? Embrace layers, texture, and movement.
• Styling Routine: How much time and effort you’re willing to put in matters. Ask for a cut that works with your lifestyle—low-maintenance styles for the time-pressed versus looks that need daily heat-styling.
• Personal Style: Are you more edgy and fashion-forward, or prefer a clean, classic look? Factor your vibe into cut options if you want flattering results.
• Favorite Features: Do you love your attractive shoulders? Choose a cut that’s shorter in the back to show them off. Stunning eyes? Maybe go for flirty bangs to highlight them.

Ask for the Ideal Haircut Consultation

Here’s the thing—finding a true “perfect” haircut is part art, part science. The only way to nail it is by taking the time to consult with your stylist. When you book a hair consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Your face shape and goals for accentuating or balancing certain areas.
• Troubleshooting problem areas like a heavy jawline or wide forehead.
• Hair texture, volume, thickness, whether it’s colored or bleached, and any preferences for specific hair products.
• Ideal hair length, and if you want bangs or layers.
• How much time you are willing to spend on daily styling
• Your personal style preferences for edgy vs. classic looks.
• Favorite features you want to highlight.

And don’t be afraid to bring inspirational pictures! Having visuals smooths the consultation process and helps get stylists on the same page.

You might even ask your stylist to sketch or digitally mock up a few different looks before making the final cut. That way, you can tweak as needed for the truly perfect haircut suited just for you.

Grab those face shape charts, prepare your inspiration pictures, and head to the salon—because the hairstyle of your dreams is just a snip away at Coterie 17 Salon & Spa in Trenton, NJ! And who knows? You may just discover a whole new level of skincare confidence along with it. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.