Prominent Profiles, Unbalanced Features and Hairstyles
You know the general shape of your face, but you worry that the hairstyle you love
on your favorite actress won't look the same on you. The truth is, it probably won't look
exactly the same, because we're all different. Even though we can categorize facial
shapes and give general suggestions on style options, each individual has his or her own
personal quirks. We all have our "best" features, and many of us have a "problem area"
that we need to address when choosing a style. Here are some common issues and suggestions for minimizing them:
Problem Profiles:
Prominent Nose: When dealing with a prominent nose, you can
minimize the severity of the profile by choosing a style that includes
fringe/bangs and pulls back from the face on the sides of the head. Avoid
curls in favor of curves, and keep the lines simple. Shorter, blunt cut styles tend to work best.
Prominent Chin: This is similar to the prominent nose in that it adds a
sharp angle to the profile of the head. The solution is also similar. Again
you want to use fringe/bangs if possible and keep the lines simpler. With
the prominent chin, longer is better. Try to keep the style at least neck or
shoulder-length and consider layered ends and softer curves as opposed to curl.
Flat Features: Sometimes the problem isn't a feature that juts forward, but rather
that the profile appears too flat. Choose a style that pulls the hair back from the face
and add volume along the top and back to add depth to the profile. A short layered, or
graduated cut styled with additional volume can have the desired effect.
Unbalanced Features:
High or Low Forehead: When dealing with a high forehead, it's generally good to
consider fringe/bangs styled forward onto the face in the style you choose, to minimize
the amount of forehead visible. Conversely, individuals with a low forehead will find that
by styling the hair away from the face - either backward or to the sides - will produce a flattering look.
Close-Set or Wide-Set Eyes: An individual with close-set eyes can feel they have
eyes that are too small. By styling the hair forward on the sides of the face, you can
decrease this appearance and make the face look more normally proportioned.
However, when dealing with wide-set eyes avoid volume on the sides of the hairstyle and
keep the hair away from the face. Keeping the style off the face increases the amount of
skin visible on the outer sides of the eyes and makes the balance seem in proportion,
but adding volume on the sides would only make the eyes appear wider.
Small or Large Mouth: When a person has a small mouth and wants to maximize its
appearance, he or she should consider a shorter, blunt cut (possible the angled bob) to
draw the line of the face inward and make the jaw seem less wide and more balanced
with the mouth. A wide mouth, on the other hand, is flattered by longer sweeping styles
that avoid crowding the face, but still act as a "frame" for the face as a whole.
Most importantly, when dealing with what you consider to be a "problem feature" is
to remember to emphasize your good features. As long as you're bringing attention to
the things you feel are most flattering about you, you can rest assured that fewer folks
will notice those features you find less appealing.
