How to Choose a Hairstyle - What's the Best Hairstyle for You?

Growing up around a beauty shop, I've learned a lot about how to choose a hairstyle. I've been amazed many times in the difference a simple haircut made to a person's appearance. Often a person wouldn't be recognizable when they left with their new hairstyle. So how to choose the best hairstyle for you? There are a few factors to keep in mind when deciding on a new haircut if you want the best hairstyle that will make you look your best.

First take into consideration the condition of your hair itself. Do you have damaged hair? You will need to cut it above any of the damaged ends. If it has damage all over, choose a hairstyle that won't require lots of heat appliances and products that will only increase the damage to your hair.

Another thing to consider when learning how to choose a hairstyle is your hair type. Is it curly, wavy or straight? Thin, thick or medium?

Work with your hair type, not against it if you want the best hairstyle for you. In other words, if your hair is naturally curly, don't choose a blunt cut or a hairstyle that will require you to straighten it daily. And vice versa for straight hair. Also, if you hair is thin, don't expect long, flowing locks. Keep thin hair shoulder length at the longest.

Along the same lines, an important consideration when deciding on the best hairstyle is time. How much time can you spare every day on your hair? How much time do you want to spend every day?

You may actually have the time to work on your hair each day, but don't want to spend your time doing it. If you know that a hairstyle will require lots of daily maintenance and you're a blowdry and brush it type of girl, choose a different hairstyle no matter how cute it would look on you.

Facial features are the next thing to consider when you choose a hairstyle for yourself. Different haircuits are suitable for each person, depending on face shape and facial features. Here are some examples to get you started choosing the best hairstyle for you:

Is your face long or rectangular? If so, choose a hairstyle that will help to widen the face.

Do this with bangs and/or  fullness at the sides. The best bangs length for a long face is just above the eyebrows.

You can add fullness with a curly hairstyle or wavy styles. Don't choose a hairstyle with short layers on top. This will add height and make your face appear even longer.

One of the best hairstyle lengths for a long face is just at the chin. This makes your face appear wider.

A long hairstyle for a long face is not a good idea. But if you must have a long hairstyle, make sure it has lots of body.

Round faces need hairstyles that make the face appear longer. So, no bangs and no body on the sides! You can help accomplish this with layering on the sides to make the hair have less fullness.

A haircut that falls just about the jawline is one of the best hairstyles for you. Try to add body to the top of the head to make your face appear longer and less wide.

A square face is similar to an oval face shape, but with sharper features throughout the jawline. Bangs are good for square faces as long as they aren't blunt cut straight across, just like long faces. Try wispy or choppy bangs.

Adding volume, especially at the chin area, will soften features and help your face appear wider. Curly hair looks good on a square face because it helps soften sharp features. Spiky layers work the same way.

Like people with long faces, don't choose a really long hairstyle as it will only emphasize the length of your face and make it appear longer. And don't choose a hairstyle that stops at the jaw. This will just emphasize your square face shape.

Do you have a heart face? You will know by looking at the relation of your forehead to your chin. If your forehead is noticeably wide and you have a narrower than average chin, you have a heart shaped face.

If your face is heart shaped, the best hairstyle for you will add width to your chin and take focus away from the chin. Do this with haircuts that flip up at the jawline and curly hairstyles.

Emphasize one of your other facial features, such as your eyes. If you like bangs, use side bangs to emphasize your eyes. Avoid blunt cut bangs if you have a heart shaped face.

Congratulations if you have an oval face! Oval shaped faces can get away with any type of hair style. Just be sure to take into consideration the factors mentioned above when you choose a hairstyle- the condition of your hair, its thickness, its texture, and how much time you want to spend styling your hair.

If you follow these general guidelines on how to choose a hairstyle, you should end up with the best hairstyle suited to your personality, schedule, hair type, and face shape every time!