How do you decide the best cut for you? For starters, ask your stylist to help you determine your face shape. Your lifestyle, personality, profession, and the amount of time you want to spend on your hair also are considerations.

After you’ve determined your face shape, consider the following:

• Oval shaped faces have many choices. This is the face shape we all wish for. Oval shapes can wear short to long hair, although very long hair will elongate the face even more.

• Round shaped faces appear short and wide. With this face shape, avoid styles with width and volume on the sides, which will make the face look rounder and wider. It’s best to add volume at the top to lengthen the face or add long wispy layers to elongate the face. Round face shapes should avoid wearing a fringe, but if you choose to wear a fringe, a textured wispy fringe would be a better option.

• Square shaped faces have little width at the cheeks and a strong jaw line. One should avoid cuts that will add width at the jaw line; cuts that lengthen and narrow the sides of the face are better. Also, wisps of hair around the face will soften the jaw line. A fringe will shorten a square face shape, and the angular lines will stand out more. Short hair with height on the top can look wonderful on square face shapes.

• Oblong or rectangle shapes are long and narrow with width on the sides. Avoid height at the top, as it will elongate the face even more. Adding volume at the sides would be a better option. Also, extremely short hair should be avoided, as it will look harsh and masculine. A fringe will shorten an oblong face. Avoid flat, long, straight hair; long hair can be worn but with lots of layers, which will soften the face.

• Pear shaped faces have a narrow forehead and a wider jaw or jaw line. Width at the jaw line should be avoided, but volume should be added above the jaw line and in the forehead area. Wispy, curly hair can soften the angular area of the face. Long hair also can be worn past the jaw line. Graduated haircuts also can look great on pear shaped faces.

• Diamond shaped faces are long and angular. The width is at the cheekbones, with a very narrow forehead. Avoid fullness at the cheekbones, as this will make the face look wider. Instead, add volume at the chin. Also, adding height at the top will elongate the face even more. Classic bobs work really well, since it adds width at the chin. A “wispy” fringe also shortens a longer face.

• Heart shaped or triangular faces have a narrow or pointed chin, while the forehead is wide. There should be little or no volume at the top; volume should be added at the chin to balance a heart shaped face. Avoid too short hair, unless there’s fullness at the nape. Longer hair with layers at the chin works really well with this face shape. Curls also can soften an angular face shape. TPW