Slimming Haircut

Slimming haircut for a woman with a round face
Photo: Ranta Images/Shutterstock
Q: What is a slimming haircut? I'm overweight with a round face and my hair is straight and just past shoulder length. A friend told me that I could look slimmer with the right haircut. Should I cut my hair short or grow it longer to achieve a slimming effect?
 
A: The basic rules of creating a hairstyle for a round face are all about creating vertical emphasis to convert the visual appearance of a "round" shape to an "oval." This means the hair should have volume in the top section and possibly length at the bottom, with minimal volume at the sides of the head.
 
This could mean a short hairstyle with volume along the top of the head and tapered layering along the sides. It could mean a layered style with the top layers given subtle lift and a gentle inward bend along the sides to help the hair lie close to the cheeks. Or, it could be a classic shag or wolf cut with high volume at the crown and soft layers that draw the eye up and down.
 
Since your hair is straight and just past shoulder length, you already have a good foundation. You don't necessarily need to cut your hair short or grow it dramatically longer. In fact, shoulder-length or collarbone-length hair (especially a long bob ) creates an ideal vertical frame that instantly lengthens the neck. If you like your current length, you may only need to adjust the shape and layering.
 

Elements to Avoid:

Hairstyle-elements to avoid when you have a round face
 
• Blunt cuts at the chin or jaw: Cutting straight across at the widest part of your face or jawline acts like a highlighter for width.
 
• Heavy, straight-across bangs: These chop the face in half horizontally, shortening the forehead and widening the cheeks.
 
• Excessive side volume: Avoid wide, horizontal volume or curls that expand outward around the cheeks.
 

Elements to Add:

Hairstyle-elements to add when you have a round face
 
• Long, Face-Framing Layers: Ask for layers that start below the chin. This creates movement while maintaining a clean, downward vertical line.
 
• Strategic Parting: A deep side part or a slightly off-center part breaks up symmetry and adds height at the crown. If you prefer a center part, pair it with curtain bangs or wispy, side-swept bangs that taper down past the cheekbones to create soft diagonal lines.
 
• Internal Texturizing: Ask your stylist to remove weight from the interior of your hair rather than adding short exterior layers, allowing your straight hair to lie sleek against the sides of your face.
 
If you are feeling adventurous, don't rule out short hair! A very short hairstyle with textured height on top and tightly tapered sides can visually lengthen a face even more than long hair. The key is to keep height on top, avoid a uniform helmet shape, and make sure the sides stay close to the head.
 
You have plenty of room to experiment. Whether you choose to refine your current length into a sleek lob or crop it into a bold short style, focus on crown height and soft vertical framing to achieve a slimming effect.
 
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See also:
 
Slimming hairstyles
 
Hairstyles for the heavyset woman
 
What should I look for in a hairstyle to make my face look less fat?