Short Hairstyles to Suit Everyone

Short hairstyle that suits the face shape — Photo: Litvinov/Shutterstock

How to choose the right short hairstyle for your face shape.

Emma Watson is among the celebrities who have traded their long locks for a stylish pixie haircut. Miss Watson revealed that after wrapping up the final filming for the last Harry Potter movie, she desired a change. She had contemplated cutting her long hair for some time, and once it was done, she expressed feeling liberated. She announced her decision on Facebook.

There isn't a woman out there who hasn't, at some point, considered chopping off her long hair. After one bad hair day after another, many of us find ourselves scheduling appointments with our hairdressers. However, upon arrival, most of us back out and settle for "the usual" – just trimming our split ends. The truth is, many of us aspire to be bold and embrace a short look like Emma Watson's, but when the time comes, we fear it won't suit us.

Here's the good news: no one should fear getting a short haircut because there's a short hairstyle that will complement everyone. It boils down to finding the right short haircut to flatter the shape of your face. One caveat is that if you have long, thick, curly hair, it can be challenging to manage in a short style and might be better suited for a shoulder-length cut. Opting for a shorter hairstyle with this hair type isn't worth the effort, especially when even a slight drizzle can turn it into a frizzy mess.

Oval Face

The oval face shape is perhaps the most versatile for pulling off any short hairstyle. A pixie cut will accentuate your cheekbones and eyes, while a long angular bob will provide the perfect frame for your face. However, heavy bangs and hairstyles that fall onto your face should be avoided, as they can obscure the shape of your face and give the appearance of added weight.

Round Face

If your face is round, opt for a layered hairstyle that frames your face, finishing just below your jawline. Along with the cut, a sweeping fringe can help your face appear thinner and define your cheekbones. Avoid one-length blunt haircuts, as they can enhance the roundness of your face.

Woman who is trying to find out what her face shape is — Photo: Maroke/Getty Images via Canva

Long Face

A chin-length bob is ideal for creating the illusion of width for individuals with long faces. Styling fullness at the sides of the face helps to balance out its length. However, it's important to steer clear of hairstyles that are long and parted in the middle, as they can elongate the face further.

Square Face

Tousled, textured bobs work wonders for softening the edges of a square-shaped face. This style helps to diminish the appearance of an angular jawline. Avoid cuts that end precisely at the jawline, as they can accentuate the square shape. Instead, opt for a haircut that either ends above or below the jawline.

Heart Face

Women with heart-shaped faces often boast amazing cheekbones as a natural feature. To highlight them, consider a chin-length bob with a playful fringe. This style adds fullness around the jawline, where it's most needed. If your chin is very narrow, steer clear of extremely short hairstyles that are top-heavy.

Click here for photos of short hairstyles.