To 'Do or Not to 'Do-Choose your Hairdo wisely!

If you have watched a style program, such as "What Not To Wear" (both the US and UK versions) or "How do I Look?" on the Style network, you know that the makeover process goes beyond wardrobe and accessories to include hair & make-up. Though I'm not a cosmetologist, as part of my fashion background I do know what physical features are taken into consideration by the pros. So I thought I would do some articles to discuss how your hairstyle and even glasses can visually create proportion to your face and ensure your appearance best suits you as an individual.

I will discuss the three key components for a flattering hairstyle: Facial type, profiles, and head shapes. Then I will touch on more specific physical attributes such as eyes, neck, nose and ethnic facial features in relation to creating balance in your appearance through hairstyling choices. Make-up is an additional tool that can help you create balance in your facial appearance-that will be discussed in another series later on.

Let's begin by presenting the different facial types. Facial types are determined by the position and prominence of the facial bones. There are seven facial types: oval, round, square, oblong, pear shape, heart shape, and diamond. To recognize each facial type and consequently choose the best hairstyle to frame your face, here are the outstanding characteristics of each:

Oval Face
The oval type is generally accepted as the perfect face. The contour and proportions of the oval face form the basis for modifying all other facial types.
Facial Contour: The oval face is about one and half times longer than its width across the brow; the forehead is slightly wider than the chin.
Any style can be worn as there are no features to minimize.

Round Facial Type
Facial Contour : Round hairline and round chinline.
Aim: To create the illusion of length to the face.
For instance, arranging the hair on top of the head and dressed over the ears and part of the cheeks with bangs to one side, will help to minimize the roundness of the face.

Square Facial Type
Facial Contour: Straight hairline and square jawline.
Aim: to create the illusion of length and offset the squareness of the features.
The problems of the square facial type are similar to those of the round. The style should lift off the forehead and come forward at the sides (and jaw), to create the illusion of narrowness and softness in the face.

Pear-Shape Facial Type
Facial Contour: Narrow forehead, wide jawline and chinline.
Aim: To create the illusion of width in the forehead.
Keep the hair dressed fairly full and high. Partially cover the forehead with a fringe of waved hair. For women, the hair should be worn with a semi-curl or soft-wave effect over the lower jawline. This arrangement will add apparent width to the forehead.

Oblong Facial Type:
Facial Contour: Long, narrow face with hallow cheeks.
Aim: To make the face appear shorter and wider.
The hair should be styled fairly close to the top of the head with a fringe of bangs (or curls), combined with fullness at the sides. The length of the face will appear reduced.

Diamond Facial Type
Facial Contour: Narrow forehead, extreme width through the cheekbones, and narrow chin.
Aim: To reduce the width across the cheekbone line.
Increasing the fullness across the forehead (and at the jawline), while keeping the hair close to the head at the cheekbone line will help to create the illusion of ovalness to the face.

Heart-Shape Facial Type
Facial Contour: Wide forehead and narrow chinline.
Aim: To decrease the width of the forehead and increase the width in the lower part of the face.
To reduce the width of the forehead, a hairstyle with a center part with bangs rolled up or a style slanted to one side is recommended. Women, add width and softness at the jawline.