Summer’s the time to start fresh with trendy hairstyles designed for your face shape and unique features.
By Kristianna Nichols
The season’s warmer weather brings on a sense of adventure... why not go with that feeling and modify your look for the months ahead? The best place to start is with your hair. Changing your cut with a simple style that is low-maintenance and touchable for this season can make a world of difference. While you’re at it, try finding a style that more perfectly fits your face size and shape. Whether your head is oval, long, round, rectangular, or heart-shaped, there is an ideal cut for you. Here are five that will help shape your hairstyling successes this summer.
OVAL
The oval face shape is the most versatile. Several different styles and lengths will work. The layered cut is the best... it features your cheekbones and draws attention to the lips. In this example, Maura’s sultry blond highlights and honey lowlights help bring out a style that is layer-cut from the chin down for softness and textured for control. A flat iron was used to straighten, and smoothing cream applied to control fly-aways. The side-swept bangs are the perfect way to add drama to this look.
Oval no-no’s: Never wear your hair short and spiked; the height gives the illusion of length.
RECTANGULAR
A rectangular face can be a showstopper if the cut is right, as Cari’s highly textured ’do most definitely is. This face shape can pull off the more dramatic styles. Her short and textured locks highlight an incredible jawline while also framing the cheekbones to add width to her face. Her violet-toned warm brown base color features chunky vibrant-red highlights. The layers are short in back, long and “piecy” on the sides, and her bangs are short and textured. Thinning shears were used to reduce hair bulk.
Rectangular no-no’s: Stay away from blunt cuts; one-length bobs make the face appear even more square.
LONG & DELICATE
If you have a long, thin face, you need the illusion of width. Heather’s chin-length bob does the trick. In addition to honey highlights and warm chestnut lowlights, this style is softened with a razor cut and texturized close to the ends for added movement. The side-swept bangs cover a long forehead and draw attention to the eyes. Bangs of any type will add fullness and frame the lower part of a long face.
Long no-no’s: Stay away from extremely long hair with no bangs or extremely short hair; either will make your face look longer and thinner.
ROUND
Several tricks are at work in giving Aimee’s round face the illusion of being shaped more like Heather’s. The off-center part slenderizes a round face. Her up-do also makes her face appear narrower and draws attention upward, putting Aimee’s gorgeous eyes and smile in the spotlight. Long, textured layers create a free-flowing, below-the-shoulder style that can either be pinned up or left cascading down to elongate the look.
Round no-no’s: Avoid chin-grazing bobs of any variety or style; they only widen the round face.
Summer offers us the opportunity to enjoy life and look fantastic while spending less time primping and more time playing. To get ready for your sun-n-fun season, take a good look at your face shape, hair type, and best features, and then consult a hairstyling professional. He or she can help make your summer easy and unforgettable. Have a great one!
CREDITS
Models: Maura Buck, Heather Herbsleb, Caroline Hodge, Cari Robertson, and Aimee Sutton
Hair & Makeup: Michelle Prince, Show of Hands Salon, Asheville, NC
Location & Accessories: Regina Lauffer, A Show of Hands owner, Asheville, NC
Photography: Kristianna Nichols
Photographic assistant: Kathy Soule
Kristianna Nichols is one of the country’s new beauty experts. She is a former Mrs. America, NFL cheerleader, professional model and commercial actress. Kristianna has had her own TV talk show and was a popular entertainment reporter for the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis before moving to Vail, Colorado. She has hosted many TV shows, from Mainstreet USA to On The Move. She is the president and CEO of Noble Tress beauty company and the inventor of “Kristianna’s Crown.”
HEART-SHAPED
The heart-shaped face is notable for being wide at the forehead and increasingly narrow at the jawline and chin. We enhanced Caroline’s soft, romantic beauty by employing a simple swooping bang, which draws attention to her cheekbones and “doe eyes.” To slenderize the upper face area, her thick, wavy locks are layered, with texturized ends and platinum highlights. The off-center bun adds fullness to the lower chin area.
Heart-shaped no-no’s: Stay away from blunt cuts and heavy bangs; they only add to this face shape’s pointy appearance.
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