How are you wearing your hair these days? Are you thinking about a change? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
There’s power in a pair of shears.
In other words, a fabulous haircut can unleash the true potential of your natural curls, giving you the volume, bounce and definition you desire — with minimal effort. But in order to make it work for you, it’s important to consider cuts that will best flatter your unique face shape. Read on for tips:
The versatile oval
Celebrity hairstylist Richard Grant, whose clientele includes Holly Robinson Peete and Tawny Cypress, says any style will suit an oval face shape — from long lengths to short dos. And speaking of short hair, no one does a TWA (teeny weeny Afro) like Lupita Nyong’o. “I love the off-centered part along with the height that adds to this beautiful texture queen,” Grant says.
Can’t go wrong with oblong
Grant likens an oblong face to an oval because of its versatility. “It can work with most styles, long or short. It just depends [on] whether you want to take away from the length of the face or keep it,” he says. If you’re trying to shorten the length of your face, you might consider a curly cut that delivers major volume — with a fabulous fringe — as seen on Tracee Ellis Ross. To accentuate the lovely length of your face, go shorter.
Ravishing round
Round faces give serious symmetry. Bring out its beauty with a centered part, as pictured on Quinta Brunson. Grant advises against any extra volume to avoid making an already rounded, proportioned face shape appear wider. “I love the balance in this look, and that the ends are [not too] thick,” he says.
Striking square
For square-faced sisters, Grant suggests maintaining a rounded shape for your curls, similar to Tessa Thompson’s haircut, to balance out the square angles of the face. A layered look or a curly bob can have a similar effect. Don’t hesitate to go shorter if you want to accentuate your prominent jawline.
Related: The Shortcut to Juicy, Poppin' Curls
Related: Beautiful Natural-Textured Wigs From Black-Owned Companies
Follow your “heart”
When styling hair for a heart-shaped face, consider framing it by adding width to the chin, Grant says. To do this, he suggests opting for medium-length curly hairstyles, as seen on Taraji P. Henson. But if you’d rather show off the narrowness of your chin, rocking a shorter length is another great option.
Dazzling diamond
A crown full of coils is always a look. Take Jenifer Lewis’ rounded Afro, for instance. As Grant points out, this style softens the angular lines of a diamond-shaped face, thus accentuating the fullness in the cheeks. “I love how we have embraced natural hair that is worn on red carpets,” he adds.
Don’t know your face shape? Or maybe you’re not ready to fully commit to a curly cut.
Consider experimenting with wigs that come pre-layered or have a specific cut you want to try. For a more customized look, bring a wig to the salon and consult with a pro, who can suggest which cuts will best suit your face shape — and which ones won’t. If possible, choose textures that closely resemble your own to get a realistic idea of how your natural hair will look with a particular cut.
For more information, visit aarp.org.
How are you wearing your hair these days? Are you thinking about a change? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
