Stylist shares best haircuts that flatter your face shape - and ones that don't

It's widely acknowledged that a change in hairstyle can significantly alter one's appearance. However, certain styles may not suit all face shapes.

For those seeking a dramatic transformation, a new hairdo or colour can make a world of difference. To know which ones work best for you, a hairstylist has revealed the most flattering haircut for each face shape and offered advice on which styles to avoid.

Gwenda Harmon, a hairstylist at PowerYourCurls, has provided a guide to the best hairstyles for different face shapes. Below she explains what people with a round, oval, diamond, rectangle and square face shapes should consider.

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Heart-shaped face:

Heart-shaped faces typically feature a prominent forehead and a slightly pointed chin. For this face shape, Harmon advised against short bangs or excessive short layering. She also warned against blunt bangs and chin-length bobs, as these could accentuate the wider top half of the face.

To make a heart-shaped face more proportional, Harmon suggested strategic cuts like pixie cuts that complement the jaw and temples. Instead of blunt bangs, she recommended wispy, side-swept, or longer bangs. "Long and side-swept bangs will narrow the width of the forehead," Harmon explained.

Round face:

For those with a round face, often referred to as a 'baby face', Harmon recommends longer layers and side-swept bangs. She cautioned: "Short and blunt bangs will make it rounder, which will not be ideal because it makes the face wider".

A blunt bob and centre parting should be avoided by those with a round face as these styles can accentuate the face's roundness. Harmon explained: "It will focus on the width of your cheeks and face than create an ideal elongated face."

She recommends creating a side parting in your hair to introduce asymmetry and a flattering angle to the face. To counteract the roundness of the face, Harmon advises choosing side-swept bangs over blunt or straight ones, as they help create the illusion of an elongated face.

Long or wavy locks can also lend a softening effect. She said: "It will make the face look glamorous and like side-swept bangs, it will not focus on the roundness; instead create an elongated and flattering angle of the face."

Diamond face:

For those with a diamond face shape, which is characterised by a narrow jawline, chin or forehead, and pointed cheeks, Harmon emphasised the importance of hair parting. She said: "What will make it unflattering is to part your hair in the middle.

"It isn't good for the shape because it would add more length. Since it is elongated and nice, chances are it won't make it flattering to look at. Pixie cuts will not work with diamond-shaped faces as it will make the face look longer. Volume should be under the jawline since the goal here is to minimise the pointed shape."

Heavy rounded bangs are also not recommended for diamond face shapes. While pixie cuts may elongate the face, bangs could create the illusion of a smaller face. Harmon remarked: "It will make the chin look narrower, one of the most flattering parts of the face".

She recommends opting for layered and chin-length cuts as they will "provide volume to the hair and layered cuts will give texture, providing the illusion of width in the area of the face that needs it." The hairstylist added: "You can also add a nice wave or curl for extra volume".

Side-swept bangs can also complement this face shape. Harmon suggested: "It will highlight one's cheekbones and show a more oval-shaped face.

Oval face:

For those with an oval face shape, which is considered highly versatile, Harmon notes that both long and short layers are suitable. The length of each cut can be attractive near the chin, lips, or cheekbones, but certain styles may not complement this shape.

While a pixie cut might appear to be a perfect match, adding volume at the top with spiky accents for a 'messy' look can give the impression of longer hair. Any hair length can flatter an oval face, but excessive volume at the sides is discouraged.

Harmon commented: "It will make the face seem wider and disrupt the natural balance of the proportions of your face". Instead, she suggests shaping bangs into curved lines or opting for a low ponytail with longer hair to achieve an elegant look.

She explained: "It will help frame the eyes and add more softness to the face. If not, you can finish it with a light hairspray and hold them in place. You may also tease your hair at the crown before putting on a ponytail and cover the flyaways with a spray". She further advised that individuals with an oval face shape could introduce layers along the cheekbones to achieve a more balanced facial proportion.

Rectangle face:

Rectangle faces have a strong and angular jawline but are slightly similar to oval faces. Straight and long haircuts are preferred for this face shape. Harmon said: "Growing your hair straight and long will drag you down because it lacks style and volume.

"If you choose to cut your bangs in a horizontal line, it will appear shorter and it will put more focus on the shape of the face rather than balancing it. It will focus on the width of your cheeks and face than create an ideal elongated face."

Centre parts will make the length of your face prominent and make the jawline more noticeable. Instead of straight hair, afro or naturally curly hair is a smart hairstyle choice or even considering a perm.

Harmon explained: "Curls and kinky hair tend to grow outward instead of downward. It will focus on the width of your cheeks and face than create an ideal elongated face. This soft and sophisticated texture will balance out the elongated face shape."

If you're not a fan of curls, she recommended side-swept bangs to achieve a more flattering facial angle. She explained: "If the bangs are placed at the side, they create a diagonal line that will help soften the face.

This will bring focus to the eyes and balance out the strong jawline of a rectangular-shaped face. For those who prefer straight hair, Harmon advised opting for multiple layers. "Layers will add balanced facial features. The layers can frame the face and add movement, which will break up the length of your face," she said.

Square face:

A square-shaped face, identified by its strong cheekbones and pronounced jawline, can be photogenic because their angular features capture light well. But they can present a challenge when choosing the right hairstyle. However, stylist Harmon offers several tips for those seeking to complement their angular features.

She cautions against certain styles, like straight-across bangs and sleek hair, as they don't help to soften distinct features and may emphasise sharp angles. Harmon explicitly advised: "Avoid short bangs because it will not do any good for your face. It will make them boxy-looking."

Instead, she suggests that choppy bangs and ponytails can help disrupt the face's angularity. Actress Olivia Wilde popularised this hairstyle, adding a certain softness to the face. In addition, long bangs are also favourable for square faces, with Harmon noting: "Adding waves or making it long breaking will make the jawline less prominent."