The most important element of a great hairstyle is that it has to "fit" the person wearing it, like an article of clothing. Not so much like a hat or a glove, but with regard to the visual impact the style has on the proportions of the face and even the body. Small people can't always carry big hair, for example. With regard to facial shapes, a long narrow face looks even longer when hair is long, straight, flat, and parted in the middle.

Hair texture is also a factor to keep in mind when choosing a cut that flatters your face shape. When reading the guidelines for various facial shapes, consider your personal experience with the amount of volume your hair has when it has been cut in different ways. A chin length bob that is not layered, for example, will look very different on thick curly hair as compared to fine, straight hair. The facial shapes galleries include a variety of hair textures, and it is interesting to compare cuts that are very similar on straight and curly hair. Also note that each facial shape has suggestions for color placement.

The facial shape galleries contain photographs of models and celebrities corresponding to each shape. It is interesting to observe how celebrities sometimes break the rules, and sometimes this works really well; and other times it doesn't. This is one important take home message: Characteristics of appearance that don't follow with the conventional ideal of beauty don't necessarily make someone less beautiful, and it is possible to capitalize on aspects of "unconventional beauty" to create signature looks. The most important thing is finding a style that makes you feel the most comfortable with the image you project to the world. You may also find yourself identifying with more than one facial shape. My advice is to take suggestions that feel true to you, and reject those that don't.

I will continue to add to these galleries over time, and if you have a suggestion, let me know. Excerpts for this section are taken from http://www.visual-makeover.com/face.htm, and from an advanced class in foil placement from Schwarzkopf Professional.