Different types of haircuts for womens

No matter your face shape - round, oval, square, heart or long - there will be haircuts that look best on you and a few that aren't flattering (unless you're an oval, in which case you look good in practically everything).

The key to a flattering hairstyle is one that creates the illusion that you have a perfectly oval face. There are cuts that help make a round face appear longer, a long face appear wider, a square jaw appear softer and large foreheads and double chins basically disappear.

It's not magic, it's just finding the right haircut.

There are other things to consider when choosing a style, like hair texture, your personality, your lifestyle and even your body type.

How to Figure Out Your Face Shape

Before you venture further into this gallery, you need to know your face shape. It's likely you have an idea of what yours is.

Does Face Shape Really Matter?

If you don't have an obvious face shape, than your face shape may not really matter in choosing a flattering hairstyle. This gallery is most helpful to women with obvious round, square, long or heart-shaped faces. Women with oval faces tend to look fine in everything and should focus on other factors in choosing a hairstyle, like hair texture and their body shape.

Photos of the Most Flattering Hairstyles by Face Shape

Now the fun begins. You can explore the photos of your best and worst hairstyles. Jump to your face shape below and see what will look good on you:

• Round faces
• Square faces
• Oval faces
• Long faces
• Heart-shaped faces

But first, let's talk about the most flattering styles by face shape, starting with rule No. 1: How to play down your worst features and highlight your best ones.

Play Down the "Bad, " Highlight the Good

With so many hairstyles to choose from that suit your face shape, where should you begin?

The basic rule of finding a great haircut for your face shape is never highlight your problem spot, and try to create the illusion that you have an oval face.

If you have a long, thin face, you should not wear hair long. Why? Long hair tends to drag a long face down.

Other examples:

• Round face? Avoid short curly or wavy hair that makes your round face appear rounder. The better option would be a cut that hits below the chin or longer. Learn more in this gallery of the best and worst cuts for round faces.
• If you have a square face, you may want to play down your strong, angular jaw. Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, does this brilliantly. See this photo gallery of best and worst haircuts for square face shapes for other great styles for you.
• Oval faces tend to look good in everything, but their faces can appear long, so think twice before adding height on top of the head in the form of a trendy, ginormous donut bun, a teased updo or a spiky short cut. And always consider your hair texture. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut or risk looking like a pyramid. See what works and doesn't in this photo gallery of best and worst cuts for oval faces.
• Heart-shaped faces tend to come with pointy chins (think Reese Witherspoon). Draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones instead. See examples in this photo gallery of best and worst cuts for heart-shaped faces.
• Long-faced girls should avoid long hair but can get away with it if it's cut in long layers that hit at the cheekbones and the chin. Long, wavy hair also looks good on because the waves add width to the sides of a long face (get inspired with these photos). There's nothing sexier than just-out-of-the-ocean waves. Here's how to give yourself those coveted beachy waves. Good luck.

Which Trendy Cuts Work Best on Your Face Shape?

The good news is most of us can get away with the trendy hairstyles of the moment. The Top 21 Hairstyle Trends tend to look great on all face shapes. Bobs do. Shoulder-length cuts really do. Bangs do. Long hair does. Even the pixie works on most face shapes.

The Haircut That is Flattering on Everyone

One style, the so-called "Perfect Haircut, " looks great on pretty much everyone. This perfect cut falls between the chin and shoulders, and it looks good wavy, curled, air-dried or blow-dried straight.

You, too, can have this perfect haircut because it looks good on all face shapes.

Who Can Wear Short Hair - And Who Shouldn't

Short hair tends to suit all face shapes, although each face shape has issues to consider when going short. Round faces, for example, can look rounder with the wrong short cut, but some short haircuts can look simply amazing. And you typically want to avoid short cuts if you have super curly hair, unless you get a great cut.

Is It Time You Got Bangs?

Bangs can make a boring cut edgy. They can take years off a face and they bring attention to the eyes. They are flattering on almost all face shapes.

Your goal is to get bangs that make your (insert your face shape here) appear more oval. So, for example, if you have a square face, you should avoid wide, heavy blunt bangs, which only create more angles on your already angular face. You should have your blunt bangs longer on the sides to soften the look. Bangs are really more an issue of hair texture than face shape. Curly hair doesn't work well cut above the eyes, so bangs are usually a no-no. Super wavy hair requires bangs that are long and side-swept unless you like the dated-I'm-stuck-in-the-80s-look.

Hair Texture: As Important as Face Shape

Your hair texture is as important as your face shape when it comes to choosing the perfect haircut. There are six basic hair textures (fine, straight, wavy, coarse, curly and frizzy) and with each one comes a slew of rules such as "curly hair doesn't look great short" and "fine hair doesn't look great long."

Six Things to Consider When Getting a New Haircut

Face shape is just one of six things to consider when getting a new haircut. Your personality, lifestyle and hair texture are all just as important. So are your wishes for your hair. The worst thing you can do is get a haircut that suits your face shape beautifully but doesn't feel like you.

Why Your Body Type Matters When Picking a Haircut

When considering a new haircut, you may want to consider your body type. Tall women with straight hair and boyish figures could look like pinheads with a pixie haircut. If you are cute and petite, you may want to avoid super long hair which can dwarf a tiny body. You risk appearing like one of those pageant kids. You know the ones - the 8-year-olds with extensions?

That said, never let anyone shame you into not getting a haircut that you really, really want just because it's considered by the beauty industry to be unflattering on your body type. No stylist, friend, partner or parent should ever make you feel bad for being tall, skinny, overweight or whatever.

Beauty rules that put women in a box suck. Stuff like women of a certain age should cut off their hair and dye their gray hair. No and no. As long as your hair is healthy, you can wear it long and gray.