For those unfamiliar with “hair contouring,” this TikTok-trendy term is gaining traction on social media. Expert hair stylists have revealed the secrets of this technique to accentuate and/ or slim down facial features with clever color and cutting methods. Hair contouring, much like its makeup counterpart, provides a subtle way to enhance one’s features. The technique employs hair color and cutting techniques to achieve intentional and strategic placements.
We reached out to expert hair stylists for four hair contouring hacks and tips to try if you’re in need of a fall hair refresh. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites and Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles.
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How To Contour Your Face With Your Haircut And Coloring
Step 1. Determine Your Face Shape
To highlight your favorite aspects of your face and features like eyes and cheekbones, Abdullah says it’s vital to first determine your face shape (you can also get a second opinion from your stylist!) Generally, she says that there are 5 different face shapes— oval, heart, square, round and long— and plenty of hairstyles to highlight your best assets.
When it comes to determining your shape, she notes that the goal is always emphasizing or creating symmetry. When looking at someone’s face, Abdullah says she “tries to choose a haircut that gives the illusion” that they have a perfectly symmetrical oval-shaped face. “That means playing with bangs, lengths and parts to give just the right effect that can minimize a tall forehead or wide cheekbones.” Alternately, she adds, if there are parts of the face that the person wishes to emphasize, “that can be done too, so it’s not just minimizing.”
2. Get Face-Framing Layers
An effective way to contour your face using your hair alone is getting face-framing layers like Jennifer Aniston has above. Rivera says that layers can work for every face shape and add interest and movement to otherwise fine, flat, and/ or dull tresses. Wispy and shaggy layers can especially offer "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair," she notes.
If you struggle with thinning hair or hair loss in particular, Rivera says that "an added choice" for anyone with long hair is to "shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture while "adding subtle layers to soften."
3. Use Strategic Hair Coloring And Highlights
Rivera notes that the right highlights and color for your skin tone can "add texture to your hair, making it look fuller as well." She adds that changing your color over 40 especially is a "terrific option for adding depth and dimension to fine hair."
If you really want to contour your face, she says that highlights (like on Sarah Jessica Parker) are worth considering if you don't want to change up your haircut. "There are so many enticing shades to work with nowadays when it comes to selecting a hair color at any age," she says.
"Keep in mind that darker shades tend to sharpen features and can also generate shadows which can distract from the features that mature women may want to accentuate," she points out. "Highlights area always a great option to consider. However, it’s important to consult with a salon professional to ensure that the correct shade is selected to match the skin tone and to avoid the look of being washed out."
4. Consider Symmetry-Promoting Curtain Bangs
Another flattering touch to a great face-framing haircut is wispy curtain bangs, Abdullah says. This cut, as seen on January Jones, requires longer fringe parted down the center, and "flatters just about any face at any age," according to Abdullah. These bangs, she explains, "neatly frame the face while drawing attention away from serious aging signs."
Rivera adds that these bangs can "also detract from the appearance of fine or limp hair and can add dimension to a style." She also notes that they "can be styled in a variety of ways" to contour hair, which can lead to the hair appearing fuller."
Overall, our experts suggest that keeping in mind these four helpful tips could be beneficial before you head to the salon for a new fall haircut or color, especially if you're new to the idea of hair contouring and would like to give it a try!
