Picking A Hairstyle

Here are some basic rules that work on everyone. Here, you'll be able to find the perfect haircut for you.

The Most-Flattering Haircut on Everyone

I was struck a couple years ago by a passage in my favorite beauty bible, 'Confessions of a Beauty Editor'. The writer, Linda Wells, stated that almost everyone at Allure Magazine where she works has shoulder-length hair. Turns out shoulder-length is universally the most flattering length. Think about it: No matter how tall or short you are, no matter how fat or narrow your face is, no matter how frizzy or curly your locks, you will look good in shoulder-length hair.

Who Can, and Can't, Go Long?

Long hair generally means below the shoulders. Women who generally shouldn't go long are super-short people (you'll forever look age 12) and women with long, narrow faces (like me, wahhh). Women who look fabulous in long cuts tend to be thin and have oval or square faces. That said, anyone with hair below their breasts is committing a huge beauty faux pas and as their friend, you might gently encourage them to see a stylist. 

There is One Long Cut That's Universally Flattering

The 'v-cut' is long in the back and shorter along the sides. This cut works because the length is in the back and not around the face. Lip and chin-grazing layers on the side add to the sexy allure.

The Basic Dos and Don'ts For Short Hair

Short hair comes in a variety of lengths. In order to figure out which length works for you, consider your best and worst assets and your height. Super short hair on very tall women can look too masculine or it can look very powerful (depending on how you see it). Short hair on women with round faces can make the round face appear fuller. If you have a round face, grow your hair longer than your chin. If you have a pointy chin, avoid hair that falls right at the chin. If you have great eyes, consider short hair with side-swept bangs that hit right at the eye.