See if this sounds familiar: You have spectacular curly hair that everyone admires, but you’d prefer it to be straight. Or maybe it’s the opposite. Your sleek, straight hair is the envy of everyone who spends hours wielding flatirons and styling products, but you find it totally boring and crave a little more body. Or maybe you have a round face and you wish it looked a little longer—while those with long faces often want exactly the opposite.
Such are life’s little ironies: We always want what we don’t have. This is especially true when it comes to our hair. We want it to be blonder, darker, longer, wavier, thicker, straighter—anything other than the way it currently appears. But rather than fighting what nature gave us, why not learn to make the most of it? The right haircut can do exactly that. Just as certain cuts can emphasize or soften different face shapes—round, long, square, oval, heart-shaped, and everything in between—they can also help create balance and highlight your favorite features.
Of course, there’s no single haircut that works for every round face—and words like never or always do not serve us when it comes to the very nuanced world of beauty. After all, hair texture, density, personal style, and individual features should all come into play. That’s why consulting an experienced stylist who can tailor a cut specifically to you is key. Still, it can be helpful to know a few general guidelines.
Here, Eduardo Sánchez of Maison Eduardo Sánchez
Here, Eduardo Sánchez of Maison Eduardo Sánchez and Quique Sánchez of Espacio Q share the haircuts they recommend most often for round faces—and the styling tricks that can help visually elongate and balance your features. A midi haircut with long layers
According to Eduardo, a good place to start is with “any cut that visually elongates the facial features.” Thus, he says framing the face is always smart, and he recommends “layered cuts with long layers that fall at the front, between the nose and the mouth,” which can help create balance and dimension.
Length matters too. Ideally, Eduardo recommends something between very short and very long. “For round faces, I don’t recommend styles that are too short, but styles that are too long aren’t flattering either,” he explains. Of course, these are guidelines rather than hard-and-fast rules. The right length ultimately depends on your individual features, hair texture, and the overall effect you want to achieve.
Long—but not too long
Long hair and round faces can absolutely work together. “Long hair paired with curtain-style bangs and plenty of movement at the ends is perfect for slimming down very round features, as it visually elongates the face,” explains Quique. The key is length and movement. Rather than extra long hair, think of a cut that falls somewhere below the collarbone, with enough layering or movement to keep it from feeling heavy.
Consider the myth debunked: Long hair can be
Consider the myth debunked: Long hair can be a very flattering choice for round faces. Side-swept bangs
If bangs are on your wish list, Eduardo recommends going side-swept rather than straight across the middle part. The asymmetry can help visually lengthen and balance a round face. Longer side-swept bangs also offer plenty of versatility: They work just as well with your hair down as they do with ponytails, buns, and other updos.
Those with curly hair should pay particular attention to the length and placement of their layers. “Be very careful with layered cuts. Make sure the layers are long and that the final length reaches at least to the shoulders,” Eduardo advises. A pixie or bixie
Short hair isn’t necessarily off-limits for round faces. The trick is choosing a cut that creates length and dimension in the right places.
“For example, a pixie or bixie in which the sides, sideburns, and bangs are slightly longer usually works,” says Quique. “Just be sure to leave enough length to style them to the side.”
That extra length around the face makes all the difference. “Having the sideburns and bangs longer than the rest of the hair helps create the illusion of a more elongated face,” he explains.
A soft lob Another flattering option
A soft lob
Another flattering option is a sleek, shoulder-length cut with subtle layers—also known as a soft lob. It can be worn straight or styled with barely-there waves for a little extra movement. The key, according to both experts, is avoiding too much width around the face. Eduardo just advises being cautious with cuts featuring very blunt, straight lines, such as squared versions of the bob, which can emphasize roundness.
And don’t underestimate the power of your part. For those looking to visually elongate a round face, Sánchez favors a side part over a center part. “By parting it to the side, you achieve more volume on top and, furthermore, it better balances the facial features.” It’s a tiny styling change that can make a surprisingly big difference. Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about?
We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Source: www.vogue.com
