pear

A pear face shape usually has a forehead that is narrow and a jaw that is the widest area of the face. When I think of pear I instantly think of Kelly Osbourne. She has the purest form of a pear shape. She's a great example since she's done so much with her hair over the past few years.

Kelly proves that you can do long, medium or short with her face shape. She's lucky in regards to having a nice neck that also helps with all that but really I believe that even if you have an angular jaw that you shouldn't hind behind your hair. Pear shapes can absolutely wear longer lengths but having some hair frame the face helps with softening the jaw as well as helps leave some hair at the face when you have one of those days where you need to pull your hair up. Bobs or lobs are cute and so in style right now but I think it's important to leave some fringe to softly drape the forehead. 

Minnie Driver is another face that comes to mind for a pear shape. She has worn her hair pretty long and textured throughout the years and it works for her because of that very actively textured hair that softens her features.  

Always know that no matter what face shape there is always a way to constructively achieve a hairstyle that balanced and suits your wants. 

oblong (rectangle)

An oblong face is similar to a square face shape but differs in how long and narrow it is. The jawline is like a square with it being wide and almost horizontal and the hairline is curved. 

Angelina is a prime example of an oblong shape. Her face shape is very long and even though her jawline isn't necessarily horizontal you can see that the sides are completely vertical making it seem to be oblong. Oblong faces are beautiful, I mean, just look at her. Generally, oblong shapes want fullness on the sides to create the illusion making the face wider. What can you do to give yourself fullness on the sides? Just put some big waves or curls or just blow it out with volume concentrated on the sides of your face. You can see Angelina's hair is brushed back exposing her forehead which often will make this shape appear to me even longer with that forehead out however with all the volume she has on the sides it balances everything out! It works! 

This lovely lady, Hilary Swank, is another example. She has had many hairstyles over the years. Another "do" for oblong shapes is simply adding some long fringe. In the above photo of Hilary you can see that the long fringe shortens the appearance of her face. Now take a look at her below and you can see the difference of the face without the fringe. Doesn't her face look so much longer?! It's crazy how much something as minor as fringe can completely change your appearance.  

As I've said before, I'll say it again, if you have an oblong/rectangular face shape it doesn't mean you're limited to certain hairstyles. It's just about creating those shapes within your hair that will flatter you. I love showing you all of these examples of faces shapes! Do you have an oblong face shape? Do you have any comments or tips on how you like to style your hair? 

square

Square faces are usually short and wide with straight lines. The jawline is the most dominant on square faces. Emily Deschanel has a pretty square face. Typically square faces need height on the top and narrowness on the sides but I don't aways agree with that. I believe  if you have a square face texture is key. If you look at a lot of celebrities like Emily Deschanel most of them with a square-shaped face have curls or wavy hair. This helps to complement the shape rather than bring attention to it. Any hard lines or extremely straight hair will really bring that jawline out. 

Oliva Wilde is another celebrity that jumps out at me with a square shaped face. She's one that has had many different styles, some great and some I really don't like. For example when she had some bangs added. In the photo on the left she has her hair styled straight with the bangs which, in my opinion does not flatter her face at all. Her fringe create a parallel line with her jaw which really brings her jaw forward, however the photo on the right with the texture/wavy curls added into her length gives her jaw line a softer appearance almost making her face seem oval! 

 

In spite of having a square-shaped face it in no way means you can't do short lengths like a fun bob! If I had a person sit in my chair and ask for a bob with that shaped face I would just recommend to do a softer looking bob, one that graduates in the back and gradually becomes longer in the front. So like an inverted bob like most of us know it as. Same deal with going to a pixie cut. As long as you get a cut that has more layers around the face that dissolve that hard jawline. It can be done as long as it's done in complimentary way. 

If you have a square face shape consider yourself blessed! That angular jawline is beautiful and a lot of the most famous faces are square and are so photogenic! Some other celebrities with the square face shape are Gwyneth Paltrow & Keira Knightly!

Do you have a square face? If so, do you have any challenges or any tips with how you like to wear your hair? 

oval

If you have an oval face shape, LUCKY you! The oval shape has no dominant areas. It looks very balanced and because of that, oval faces can pull off any hairstyle. Even though oval faces can pull off anything I think shorter hair suits ovals the best. Whenever I see a celebrity with an oval face that has had long hair forever and goes to a chin length bob or a pixie cut I get all giddy. It's the best seeing that. When ovals bring the length of their hair up higher it shows off that beautiful shape and brings out their features. 

Elizabeth Olsen is gorgeous and my favorite out of the Olsen sisters. Those twins are old news! She has the perfect oval shape and photo above really shows it off. She's one of those gals that I would kill to see go shorter, as simple as a chin length bob. Sassy yet classy. 

Charlize Theron is another example. She's done it all! Charlize has a pure oval face. This girl really takes advantage of it and changes her hairstyles often (love her for it!). Most people, all shapes and sizes even other oval faces have a hard time pulling off a short haircut like the photo above yet Charlize does it with no difficulty what so ever! 

Kaley Cuoco Sweeting from the Big Bang Theory recently went shorter and boy does she look hot! 

There are so many graceful oval faces out in the world. As hairstylist we strive to help other face shapes transform into an oval shape. Although I've showed different examples of celebrities that have gone from long to short it's not for everyone. Of course a lot of us are uncomfortable with going shorter. Some feel like their hair is what makes them a women or makes them feel feminine. And it should! There are plenty of ovals that stay long, like Jennifer Aniston! The point is that ovals have the luxury to be able to basically do whatever their hearts desire. 

In case you are wondering I consider myself oval/heart shaped! Do you have an oval face shape and if so, do you have fun with different hairstyles??