High Forehead Hairstyle

Long hairstyle for a high forehead
Photo: Thomas Foldes/Shutterstock
Q: I have a very high forehead, with my hairline sitting slightly behind the sides of my forehead. As a result, my forehead protrudes when viewed from the side. The texture of my hair is fine, but I have a lot of it, and it has a very slight natural wave.
 
What should I do? I have tried short hair (just below my ears), but that makes my head look disproportionately large. When I grow it out to one length with light layers at the bottom, the side profile looks unflattering due to the flat hair on top and sides contrasting with my protruding forehead.
 
Do you have any advice? I permed my hair for 15 years and am now wearing it natural, which I prefer. However, I miss the body and volume that a fuller wave used to give. Help!
 
A: In the situation you describe, the key is finding a hairstyle that helps to mask the imbalance between your forehead and the rest of your features while adding volume to the sides to create a more oval, balanced appearance, both from the front and in profile.
 
A style with bangs would soften the height and prominence of your forehead. Because your hair is fine, avoid thick blunt bangs, as they would steal too much hair density from the rest of the style. Opt instead for wispy bangs, curtain bangs, or soft side-swept bangs. These break up the forehead line while leaving enough hair to build width elsewhere.
 
To address the side profile, ask your stylist for soft, face-framing layers that begin around the cheekbones, along with subtle crown layering. Adding volume at the crown balances the forward projection of a prominent forehead, and this prevents the flat-on-top look you described.
 
For styling, you can build fullness without chemical treatments:
 
• Volumizing: Use a lightweight root-lifting mousse, a large round brush, or large Velcro rollers. Focus on the crown and sides.
 
• Enhancing Natural Wave: Encourage your natural wave by applying a lightweight curl mousse or sea-salt spray to damp hair. Then dry with a diffuser attachment.
 
If heat styling and volumizing products still leave you missing your former wave, you could consider a modern body wave on extra-large rods. However, keep in mind that chemical treatments like perms on fine hair can loosen quickly and cause breakage over time.
 
If you decide to go for a perm, consult an experienced stylist to ensure your hair's integrity is preserved. However, the best option is to stick to non-chemical styling methods to keep your hair healthy.
 
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See also:
 
Dealing with specific facial features
 
What hairstyle with bangs won't make me look younger?
 
What haircut would suit a long forehead and a large nose?