The shape of you
Ready to find your perfect hairstyle? Here’s how to choose cuts that flatter your face shape.
Ready to find your perfect hairstyle? Here’s how to choose cuts that flatter your face shape.
PHOTO Salina Galvan
Before heading to the salon for your favourite celebrity’s haircut, take a moment to consider which style will suit you best. Understanding your face shape can make a world of difference to which hairstyle works for you – and help you avoid that dreaded post-fringe regret. If you’re unsure about your face shape, grab an eyebrow pencil – or similar – that wipes off easily, trace the outline of your face in the bathroom mirror, step back, and voilà!
Square = Minimal cheekbones, wide chin, square jawline.
Round = Curved edges, round chin, full cheekbones.
Heart = more length than width, wide forehead, narrow jawline.
Oval = pronounced cheekbones, soft curved chin, narrow jawline.
Square Shape
Square
Nice and soft chin-to-collarbone layers will soften a strong jaw. A side parting with side-swept bangs will minimise a wide forehead. If your hair is wavy or curly, a middle parting with a few short layers that fall over your forehead and softly around your face work well. Any length that ends at the jawline is going to emphasise the width of your face.
Round Shape
Round
A blunt straight across fringe will enhance your cheekbones while a deep side parting will emphasise your bone structure. A shoulder-dusting length for straight hair is most flattering, or wavy hair can be slightly longer to mid-back. Consider long layers as these elongate your face shape.
Heart Shape
Heart
Thinking of going short? Heart-shaped faces are perfect for the pixie cut. Curly wavy hair? To balance the forehead width, encourage fullness around the shoulders with layers.
Oval Shape
Oval
Heavy shaping around the face with layers, starting just below the eyes will make your face look fuller. If hair is long, avoid all one length.
A cut above the rest
Meet Sam Henry, UNO’s new haircare expert, here to answer all your burning questions
Meet Sam Henry, UNO’s new haircare expert, here to answer all your burning questions.
Words Hayley Barnett | Photos Salina Galvan
Sam Henry knows a thing or two about hair. She’s been in the hairdressing biz for more than 25 years, owns Shine Hair Co in Maungatapu and has just recently opened her gorgeous new salon, Studio May, in Ōmokoroa.
Aimed at the discerning client who likes to keep on top of their hair game when it comes to style and care, Sam says Studio May aims to provide cutting-edge service in a relaxed, modern environment.
Here, Sam sits down with UNO to provide the answers to all those questions you’ve been dying to ask.
UNO: What’s the best way to restore damaged hair?
Sam: Our hair gets a constant beating from the sun’s UV rays, as well as combing and brushing daily, not to mention colouring and the use of heated tools. It’s no wonder 91 percent of Kiwi women have damaged hair! Unlike skin, our hair cannot repair itself. When the outside layer loses its lipids (the natural protective layer) the cuticle (inside the hair) becomes more exposed, resulting in flyaways and fragile locks. This is sometimes why your colour/toner fades quickly. There's nothing left for the colour to hold on to. You need a product that rebuilds the bonds inside the cortex, along with Omega-9 on the outside, to recreate a protective barrier for the cuticle. This is where you see that healthy shine. Ultimate Repair by Wella Professional smoothes hair and reduces frizz for up to 72 hours.
Do you really need to shampoo twice?
Have you ever shampooed your hair and wondered why it’s not lathering
up much? The first shampoo removes surface dust, dirt, styling product
and sweat. The second shampoo gets right into your hair shaft and deeply cleanses, now that all the build-up has been removed. Always follow through with a conditioner. Squeeze out excess water and apply your conditioner to the length only. For best results, leave on for up to three minutes, then rinse. Remember, shampooing without conditioning is like cleansing your face without moisturising. It’s a no from me!
Why is it so important to use heat protection?
In a nutshell, if heat protection is not used, your colour can “shift”, meaning blonde hair will go brassy and grey hair will go yellow. The cuticle becomes damaged and any weak spots in your hair shaft will break. It doesn’t matter if you’re drying your hair straight from the shower or you’re just doing a touch-up with the straightener – heat protection should be used every time. Wella Luxe Oil Serum is great for medium to thick hair and can be used both to protect it and give it shine. For finer hair, Wella Thermal Image is a light spray, protecting hair from up to 220°C heat. For our blonde babes, the Wella Luxblonde Bi-Phase is
a violet-coloured spray which prevents brassiness, as violet counteracts yellow tones.
Does a cold water rinse really make your hair shinier?
Yes and no. The cold water will smooth down the cuticle of your hair, giving it a glossy, sleek look as opposed to a frizzy, flyaway, dull look. However, your hair has no living cells and doesn’t react to cold or heat. Use serums to hydrate and smooth the cuticle and be sure to gently dry hair with a towel rather than vigorously rubbing it.