The right haircut for your face shape!

Have you looked at yourself in a mirror lately? Never forget your image as first impression is a critical factor when it comes to employers’ hiring decisions. In today’s highly competitive job market, it’s important to look your best when you are interviewed for a position, and that includes your hair.

Hair is one of the best weapons we have in presenting our best selves. The right haircut, hairstyle and hair colour can provide us with more confidence and the right allure to land that new job.

Celebrity hair stylist Wendy Illes has some things to consider when going for the right “interview look”:

When trying to determine a proper hairstyle, consider what type job you are going after... corporate, commercial, artistic, etc. Find the look that feels right for you and corresponds to the job you are searching for. Go for a more conservative look if you’re applying for a position at a law firm versus more daring looks for work at a music label.

Have your hair looking fresh and clean, don't hide under your hair. If you have a fringe be sure it has been trimmed to a fresh length to show eye contact. Nothing is more distractive than someone who keeps touching their hair, so wear a comfortable style to avoid this.

Whether you prefer your hair short, long, tied back or attached hair (extensions), it’s important that you find the right style for your face shape to set off your facial features to their best advantage.

In order to select the best style, get started by figuring out your face shape. Tie your hair back, look into the mirror and trace the outline of your face with a lipstick on the mirror, stand back and there you have it, the outline of your face shape. This is a guideline to help choose what cuts and styles are best suited to your personal facial frame.

Here are a variety of shapes to choose from with the best corresponding cuts to consider (plus some well known celebrities with these face types):

Oval

Most hairstyles work for you. Your face shape is well balanced and an even proportion. You can wear short medium or long hair. You will look best by wearing hair off your face. Most oval shapes support the slick back hairdos perfectly. Celebrities with oval faces include Cindy Crawford, Sharon Stone, Uma Thurman, Julia Roberts and Elle Macpherson.

Rectangular or Oblong

Layers work well with this type of face as they add softness to the structured lines. Try side parts, the longer the face the more off center the parting should be. Avoid hair with too much length as this will make the face appear even longer. Shorter and medium length cuts will add volume to the sides and a soft wispy bang will help shorten the appearance of the length of the face. Celebrities with rectangular/oblong faces includ Stephanie Seymour, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Janet Jackson.

Square

If you have straight hair you may wish to consider a soft body wave to achieve a balance to the straight features of your face or ask for soft razored graduation around the faceline that will frame your face or feather the ends of hair to avoid hard heavy ends or in the case of a Demi Moore, her center part and long straight hair gives length to the otherwise square shape. Celebrities with square faces include Kirsten Scott Thomas and Sandra Bullock, as well as Demi Moore.

Round

Center parts or just off-center are good possibilities for this facial type, along with hairstyles that are longer than chin length. Avoid chin length cuts and bowl shaped hairdos. The widest part of your face runs from ear to ear so stay away from too much volume in these areas. Celebrities with round faces include Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, and Renee Zellweger.

Heart-shaped

The chin length bob is the winner for this facial type, as it adds the width needed in the chin area Avoid too much height at crown which will only make the chin more pointed and small. Celebrities with heart-shaped faces include Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Juliette Binoche.

Triangular

The reverse of heart. The wedge cut is perfect as it adds width to the temple and eye areas. Celebrities with a triangular face include Kathy Ireland.

Diamond

Close to oval with a touch of heart. This shape is well balanced and will allow you to experiment with a variety of styles. Celebrities with diamond-shaped faces include Sophia Lauren.

Consider also your body shape when choosing your next hairstyle or cut.

Thin tall women … can just about wear any style, just avoid the big volume look as all that hair will look top heavy on a slim figure.

Full figures ... Avoid wide styles or too much side volume. Layers work well with graduation around faceline to add length. Height on the crown works also giving length to your silhouette.

Short women ... long hair will shorten you even more, sleeker cuts and layers work better.

If in doubt … Stay with a one length bob just clearing the shoulders. This is always elegant for any occasion and looks marvelous tied back in a low pony tail or swept easily up in a French twist or chignon. Thin hair looks thicker, curly hair is more manageable as the one length weighs the curl down to a more attractive wave, and thick hair just looks glorious. Concentrate on condition, colour reflect and shine and you are ready to conquer all job offers.

Finally, no matter what cut or style you choose, remember to keep hair looking healthy.

Conditioning is essential for well groomed, shiny hair (brands I like include Loreal, Wella, Pantene, Clairol and Tresemme). Also, hair colouring can cover a multitude of sins including camouflage dryness, add shine, cover unwanted gray, and add youthfulness to skin tones. If your budget allows seek a professional for this. If your budget is more in keeping with home hair color try Feria, Garnier Nutrisse and Clairol “Natural Instincts” brands.

Australian born and bred Wendy Iles is one of the most sought after international hairstylists. She has styled hair for Penelope Cruz, Chloe Sevigny, Marion Cotillard, Dita Von Tesse, and others. Her first book "Archive: A Book About Hair" (Printkultur April 2008) is out now. For more info visit www.wendyiles.com