Bob Hairstyles - The Perfect Bob Haircut for Your Face Shape

Filed under: Cuts & Style, Hair

Teri Hatcher and Keira Knightley exchanged their long locks for bob haircuts. Photos: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images | Eric Ryan/Getty Images

Bob hairstyles have been making news recently, with actresses Teri Hatcher and Kiera Knightley both chopping their hair into short, cheek-grazing bob haircuts. Sure, short hairstyles like these look gorgeous on celebrities, but what about you?

When it comes to the best bob haircut for your face, do you go wavy, sleek, pixie or long? Layers or no layers? Bangs or no bangs? While bobs are extremely versatile, sometimes the slightest variation can make or break your look. Get it right and you

Naomi Watts rocks a shorter, blunter bob with bangs at the premiere of "Salt." Photo: Getty Images

can have a chic, edgy style. Get it wrong though, and you could wind up looking like your mother-in-law whose haircut hasn't changed in 20 years.

To find out how to get the perfect bob, we consulted with top stylist, Rodrigo Padilla from Sally Hershberger Downtown. He says just a few simple snips based on your face shape can give you the most flattering and most modern bob. Here's how:

Round Face:
Usually women with round faces are terrified at the thought of cutting their hair shorter! However, a longer bob can be very flattering on a round face, as long as you find the right shape.

A below-the-chin bob is best to help lengthen the face, but avoid layers around the sides, as they will only accentuate the fullness of the cheekbones. If you want bangs, go for a choppy rendition that will cut the roundness of the face and create a slimming look and then sweep them off to the side. Blunt bangs will only make the face look more round.

When styling, the bob can be worn with a little texture or blown dry with a flat paddle brush -- don't use a round brush and create a "bubble" look. If it's texture you're looking for, use a strong spray wax. Tousle your hair, turn your head upside down and blast the spray for great piece-y ends. For a more refined look, apply a light gel to the ends before you blow dry, then finish with a medium-hold hairspray to tame any fly-aways.

Steal the Look: Consider a longer bob like Naomi Watts or Kate Bosworth.

Scarlett Johansson does sexy bedhead with her bob at Comic-Con.Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Oval Face:
If your face is longer than it is wide, you have plenty of options with a bob's length and texture. Depending on your preference, lifestyle and the thickness of your hair, you can pull of a long, medium, short or even a pixie-length bob. An oval face can really rock any shape so have fun with it!

Regardless of the type of bob you go with, add some layers. This will help bring movement and texture to your locks, and you can still wear it sleek or slightly messy. You can also add short bangs, long bangs or no bangs. The key is to keep your look fresh! By experimenting with different styling products, like a texture spray and a pomade, you can create a variety of looks.

Steal the Look: Get inspiration from Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley and Agyness Deyn with their edgy bobs.

Mena Suvari works a wavy, bob haircut. Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Square Face:
Women with a square face have a square jaw and their face is generally as wide as it is long. This bob should be on the longer side to soften the hard edges of the jaw line, and it can be achieved by layering around the face. Bangs generally don't work for this face shape.

To offset the harsh jaw line when styling, go for an off-center part and make sure your layers are soft with plenty of texture. A texture spray will be your best friend - it can give you great control without being heavy or greasy.

Steal the Look: Sandra Bullock rocked the long, layered bob as did Mena Suvari before her pixie.

Jennifer Love Hewitt's shows off her new bob hair cut at a launch party in Beverly Hills, CA. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com

Heart-Shaped Face:
If your face is wider at the forehead and cheekbones and narrower at the jaw, go for a bob that is chin length or longer. It's important to add layers to soften your face shape, and avoid height on top of the crown which would only make your face appear wider at the top. Any type of a bangs look great, especially blunt bangs.

When styling, go for a natural or blow dried sleek look, and don't use a round brush on the crown. Instead, use a flat, paddle brush or tousle lightly as drying to add soft waves.

Steal the Look: Jennifer Love Hewitt looks great with her curly bob, so do Christina Ricci, Katie Holmes and Nicole Richie.

Not quite ready to ditch your long locks for a jaw-grazing cut? Learn how to create a faux bob!

Bob Hairstyles - The Perfect Bob Haircut for Your Face Shape originally appeared on StyleList on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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