Who nose best?

Last week we talked about different head shapes and profiles in relation to choosing a flattering hairstyle. While on the subject of profiles, I wanted to include a bit about nose shapes as an additional consideration. Then I will discuss other special considerations to keep in mind when deciding what haircut to get and how to style your hair.

Closely allied to any profile analysis, in fact a very important part of such, is the shape of the nose which must be considered both in profile and in full face.

Turned Up Nose
This type of nose is usually small and accompanied by a straight profile. To overcome this, the hair should be swept back off the face at the sides, lengthening the line from the nose to the ear. Top hair is given a forward movement to minimize the appearance of the turned-up nose.

Prominent Nose
A hooked nose, a large nose, or a pointed nose, all come under this classification. Plan to draw as much attention as possible away from these features. To minimize the prominence of the nose, bring the hair forward at the forehead with softness around the face.

Crooked Nose
To minimize the conscious crooked nose, style the hair in an off center manner which will attract away from the nose.

Flat Nose
A wide, flat nose tends to broaden the face. In order to minimize this effect, the hair should be drawn away from the face. A hairstyle with a middle part (and double curled bangs) will draw attention away from the nose.

Besides your nose, you may have some of these other special features:

Plump with Short Neck
Aim: To create illusion of length.
Correct Hairstyle: For the forehead, use forward bangs. Style the crown high to lend the illusion of length. Waved-in sides create a slender effect. A smooth head-hugging napeline emphasizes slenderness from the back and side view. Avoid hairstyles that give fullness to the nape area.

Long, Thin Neck
Aim: To minimize the appearance of a long neck.
Correct Hairstyle: Cover the neck (with soft waves or curls). Avoid styling the hair up from the back of the neck. Keep the nape hair long.

Thin Features
Aim: To minimize thinness of facial features and neck length.
Correct hairstyle: A high, soft crownline, with the sides lifted up and out from the hairline and brushed loosely forward onto the cheeks, will create a softening effect for the face, and develop a soft, fluffy effect at the forehead. keep the nape hair long and full to offset the long, thin neck.

Uneven Features
Aim: To minimize the imperfect features.
Correct Hairstyle: Uneven features can be minimized by selection of the proper hairstyle. For example, a soft effect over protruding features, there by creating evenness on both sides of the face.

African American Features
Follow styling rules that relate to each particular shape.

Styling the hair for women. It may be accompanied by one of two different methods of hair straightening or relaxing.
Chemically relaxed. The hair should be wet set with rollers and pin curls. It is then dried and combed out in the usual manner.
Thermal straighted (pressed). Use large barrel curls or curl with thermal (marcel) irons. T hen comb the hair into a suitable style.

Oriental Features
Follow hairstyling rules that relate to the particular face shape.

For women, the oriental hairstyle is very versatile in that it may be combed into a side-upward movement, or into a loose fluffy page-boy style. This is achieved by following the hair outward or inward.

Next week, I'll finish this series with a discussion on eyes and styling for those who wear glasses.

Heads Up! Show me that Profile!

Last week I introduced the various facial types: Oval, Round, Square, Pear, Oblong, Diamond and Heart-Shape. In addition, I gave a description of the facial contour, to help you identify which face shape you have. As well, as what to aim for in your hairstyle to create balance and proportion to your face. Besides face type, there are two other factors to consider when choosing a hairstyle to ensure it flatters you. I will discuss those two points today: Profiles and Head Shapes. Next week, I'll address specific concerns that you may have.

The shape of one's head has just as many variations as the rest of one's physical features. Again the oval is considered the perfect shape. Your objective is to choose a hairstyle that will produce this shape by skilfully shaping and arranging the hair. For example, where there is flatness, the volume of the hair should be adjusted to fill the area. The complete outside shape of your hairstyle may be fashioned into many patterns and designs as long as the head shape has been ovalized.

The attached illustration (lower half) depicts the six head shapes. The heavy lines on the diagram outline the actual shape of the head, and the shaded areas (above the head) indicate where volume is required. In case you can't read the writing on the picture: the top row, right to left, are perfect shape, narrow head, flat crown. Then the bottom row, right to left are pointed head, flat top, small head. Again, the head shapes are as follows:

Head Shapes:
1) The perfect head shape (oval)
2) Narrow head, flat back.
3) The flat crown.
4) The pointed head shape, hollow nape.
5) The flat top.
6) Small head

The four profiles are described below and are illustrated on the attached diagram (upper half):

1) Straight: Usually, all hairstyles are becoming to the straight or normal profile. A normal profile is neither concave nor convex. It contains neither a prominent protrusion nor a receding feature.

2) Concave-Prominent Chin: A close hair arrangement or bangs over the forehead minimizes the bulginess of the forehead. The hair at the sides and nape of the neck can be dressed in soft waves or (for ladies) soft curls to soften the features.

3) Convex-Receding Forehead, Prominent Nose, And Receding Chin: Bangs (or curl) should be placed forward on the forehead to conceal the receding forehead and irregular hairline. The hair at the sides and nape of the neck should be dressed close to the head to give it perfect balance.

4) Low Forehead, Protruding Chin: To create the illusion of height to a low forehead and length to the face, the hair should be dressed high on the top of the head with bangs (or curls) on the forehead. An upsweet movement in the temple area with soft hair arrangement over the jawline will soften the sharpness of the chin.

Hopefully with these descriptions of profiles, head shapes [and last week] facial shapes you are able to identify which haircut/hairstyle would be most flattering to you!

Next week I'll address specific considerations including: nose shapes, uneven features, short/long necks, ethnic features. Then I'll conclude this series with a discussion on eyes (wide or close set) and flattering glasses.

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.