In Hair and Face Shape, we discussed how to determine your face shape via measurements and once those measurements are obtained, how to determine which loose hair will make you look fabulous.   But what about braids, cornrows, dreadlocks and other structured styles?  How does face shape play a role in determine which braid or cornrow set will look best on you?

First let's determine your face shape...
To find out the shape of your face, measure it with a tape measure or ruler. You will take the following measurements.

• Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones. Write down the measurement on a piece of paper.

• Measure across your jaw line from the widest point to the widest point. Write down the measurement.

• Measure across your forehead at the widest point. Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline. Write down the measurement.

• Measure from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin.

BRAIDS HAIR STYLES FOR THE OVAL FACE SHAPE
Ovals are known as the "ideal" face shape because it offers the most versatility.  Where the shape is ideal, other factors such as wearing glasses, your face profile, the size and shape of your nose for example should also be taken into consideration when choosing a hair style.

Where the shape is ideal, this doesn't mean that a non-oval face shape results in an uglier or less attractive person.  What it does mean is that you're far more susceptible to bad hair styling and understanding this will hopefully encourage you to choose hair styles that mimic the Oval while maximizing your particular face shapes best features.

You know you have an Oval face shape if the length of your face is equal to one and a half times width.

BEST BRAIDS HAIR STYLES
Virtually all braided hair styles will work on people with this face shape.

BEST HAIR STYLES
Most any hair shape looks good on you. Your "ideal" features allow you to wear more styles than any other face shape. Have you ever noticed the majority of models fall into this shape? Have you noticed how many different hair styles they can wear?

You can wear short, medium and long hair styles.

Your face shape is well "balanced" or in even proportion.

You will look best when styling your hair off your face.

Most oval face shapes can wear slicked-backed looks as well.



BRAIDS HAIR STYLES FOR THE ROUND FACE SHAPE
Full-looking face with a round chin and round hairline. Widest point is at the cheeks and ears.  Your face is as wide as it is long...sorta like a circle.  Get it, circle, round. Your measurements may vary a little but will generally be close.

BEST BRAIDS HAIR STYLES
HEIGHT HEIGHT HEIGHT!  We need to slim those chubby cheeks so styles that add height will give the appearance of a narrower, thinner face. 

Updos and asymmetrical designs will also help to minimize roundies.

You should also try waves and curl sets that frame your face as they will help to give the illusion of balance and narrowing as well.

Try a variety of styles
Hair styles with fullness and height at the crown. Off center parts. Short hair styles with a swept-back direction or hair styles that are longer than chin length. By layering the top to achieve fullness and keeping the rest of the cut relatively close to the face, your face shape will appear longer and narrower.

Styles to Avoid
Chin length hair with a rounded line that mirrors face’s circular shape.

Center parts.

Short-short crops, straight "chopped" bangs.

Fullness at side of ears.

A rounded haircut ending at the chin will certainly add weight to your face shape. Because the widest part of your face is at the cheeks and ears, you need to avoid having the fullness of the cut here as it will make your face appear wider.