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Muzaffer Topal is an educator with 25 years of training on platform, at trade shows and through appearances on television and in print media. He has trained more than 3500 hairstylists over his career and today, based in Palm Beach, FL, he continues to offer tips for salon success.

Recently, he shared some consultation considerations for determining the right cut based on face shape:

"Hairdresser and client must discuss certain details," Topal says. "It's important to understand how the client wants their hair to appear--as a focal point or as something that blends into their overall look.  In other words, how daring do they want to be or do they prefer a more conservative look.   Also discuss life style, consider their coloring and certainly their personality.  Then you will evaluate the face shape and determine the best cut for each client."

Round shaped face: This face usually has a soft and balanced look. If the person is not happy with their round facial shape, and wants to have a more a narrow/oval look, then they may prefer a cut which gives volume. This way the emphasis will be more on the hair than the face. Cuts that have front strokes will make your face thinner. 

Square shaped face: This type of face has more of a sharp look but it’s also a balanced shape. If you don’t want to change the square shape  the best hair cut will be a square cut. But if you want to soften then you should consider rounder styles. 

Oblong shaped face: If you have a oblong / rectangular face and want it to look shorter, the chin level hair cut would be ideal. This hair cut will give the face a more balanced look. 

Oval shaped face: If they have an oval face,  this type of face will adhere to many different styles of haircuts. If you want to add a bit of length to the face you would have to prefer a long hair style, or get volume upwards which would give you a more rectangular look. I would recommend angled bangs for this type of face. 

Reverse-triangle shaped face: With this type of face it is easy to make changes and apply different haircuts. It is also ideal for make-up. If you want your face to stand out more, consider short hair styles by adding more volume upwards. But if you want to give your face a softer and balanced look, then you should choose a haircut that creates more volume on the back of the neck, and less volume upwards (towards the top of your head).        

Triangle shaped face: The ideal cut is having short sideburns and adding more volume upwards with square shaped cuts.

Diamond shaped face: Almost any style haircut will go with this face shape. Long, short, straight, wavy would work fine for a diamond-shape face.

 

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