Embracing a short hairstyle can be incredibly liberating and stylish, especially when you know how to choose a cut that beautifully complements your face shape. For those with a lovely round face, the secret lies in creating angles, adding height, and incorporating soft layers to elongate the face and highlight your best features. Forget the myth that short hair isn’t for round faces—it absolutely is, and we’re here to prove it with a guide to the most modern and flattering short styles.
This article will dive into a curated selection of chic, contemporary short hairstyles perfect for round faces. We’ll explore everything from edgy pixies to sophisticated bobs, providing detailed styling tips, product recommendations, and advice to make your new look last. Get ready to find your next signature short haircut and step out with confidence!
The Textured Pixie Cut
The pixie cut is a timeless classic that can be incredibly flattering for round faces when done right. The key is texture and height. A modern pixie often features longer pieces on top, allowing for versatility and the creation of volume, which helps to elongate the face.
Suitable Hair Length and Texture
This style works best on short hair, obviously, but the beauty is in its adaptability. It’s fantastic for fine to medium hair textures, as the layers can add significant volume. Wavy or slightly curly hair can also be beautifully incorporated, adding natural texture to the cut.
Styling Method and Technique
Achieving the perfect textured pixie involves strategic styling. Start with damp hair and apply a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray. Blow-dry your hair using your fingers to lift the roots and direct the hair upwards and forwards, creating height and movement. Once dry, use a small amount of styling paste or wax to define individual pieces, creating that coveted messy-chic look. Focus on lifting the hair at the crown.
Recommended Hair Tools and Products
- Tools A good quality blow dryer with a nozzle attachment, a vent brush for root lift, and your fingers are your primary tools.
- Products Volumizing mousse, sea salt spray for texture, light-hold styling paste or wax, and a flexible-hold hairspray.
Tips to Make the Hairstyle Last Longer
To keep your pixie looking fresh, consider sleeping on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction. In the morning, a quick spritz of dry shampoo can refresh roots and add volume. Re-apply a small amount of styling paste to redefine your look.
The Asymmetrical Bob
An asymmetrical bob is a fantastic choice for round faces because the varying lengths create strong diagonal lines that break up the roundness, adding an edgy and sophisticated touch. One side is noticeably longer than the other, drawing the eye vertically.
Suitable Hair Length and Texture
This style is ideal for short to medium-short hair. It works beautifully on straight or slightly wavy hair, as the clean lines are essential to the cut’s impact. If you have curlier hair, be prepared for more styling to maintain the desired sleekness.
Styling Method and Technique
For a sleek asymmetrical bob, apply a smoothing serum or heat protectant to damp hair. Using a paddle brush or round brush, blow-dry your hair section by section, directing it downwards and slightly inwards to create a polished finish. Pay extra attention to the longer side, ensuring it’s smooth and frames your face elegantly. A flat iron can be used for extra sleekness, especially around the ends.
Recommended Hair Tools and Products
- Tools A paddle brush or medium round brush, a flat iron (optional), and a blow dryer.
- Products Heat protectant spray, smoothing serum, light-to-medium hold hairspray, and shine spray.
Tips to Make the Hairstyle Last Longer
To preserve the sleekness, wrap your hair in a silk scarf before sleeping. Dry shampoo can extend the time between washes, and a quick touch-up with a flat iron in the morning can revive the style.
The Shaggy Bob with Bangs
The shaggy bob is all about layers, texture, and movement. When paired with soft, wispy bangs, it becomes an incredibly flattering option for round faces. The layers create volume at the crown and sides, while the bangs gently frame the forehead without adding width.
Suitable Hair Length and Texture
This style works best on short to shoulder-length hair. It’s particularly fantastic for wavy and curly hair textures, as it enhances natural movement. Straight hair can also achieve this look with the right layering and texturizing products.
Styling Method and Technique
To style a shaggy bob, aim for effortless volume and texture. Apply a texturizing mousse or spray to damp hair. Scrunch your hair as you diffuse-dry it for natural waves, or blow-dry with a round brush, lifting at the roots and flicking the ends outwards for a lived-in look. Style your bangs by blow-drying them forward with a small brush, sweeping them gently to the side or parting them slightly. Finish with a texturizing spray for definition.
Recommended Hair Tools and Products
- Tools Diffuser attachment for your blow dryer (for wavy/curly hair), small round brush, and your fingers.
- Products Texturizing mousse, sea salt spray, dry shampoo for volume, and a flexible-hold hairspray.
Tips to Make the Hairstyle Last Longer
Refresh your shaggy bob with a spritz of texturizing spray or dry shampoo on non-wash days. A quick tousle with your fingers can revive the layers. Avoid over-brushing to maintain the natural, undone look.
The Graduated Bob
A graduated bob, also known as an A-line bob, is characterized by its stacked layers at the back that gradually get longer towards the front. This creates a beautiful angle that elongates the neck and jawline, making it an excellent choice for round faces. The clean lines and sharp angles provide a slimming effect.
Suitable Hair Length and Texture
This style is best suited for short to medium-short hair. It looks incredibly polished on straight hair, where the precise angles can be fully appreciated. Wavy hair can work, but may require more effort to maintain the sleek silhouette.
Styling Method and Technique
Achieving a sleek graduated bob involves careful blow-drying. Apply a smoothing cream and heat protectant to damp hair. Using a round brush, blow-dry your hair section by section, directing the hair downwards and under, following the angle of the cut. Pay special attention to the back to ensure the stacked layers are smooth and voluminous. A flat iron can be used on the longer front pieces for extra sleekness.
Recommended Hair Tools and Products
- Tools Medium round brush, blow dryer, and a flat iron (optional).
- Products Smoothing cream, heat protectant, shine spray, and a medium-hold hairspray.
Tips to Make the Hairstyle Last Longer
Maintain the shape by sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Use a dry shampoo for roots and a light smoothing serum on the ends to refresh the style between washes. Regular trims are crucial to keep the graduated shape sharp.
Styling Dos and Don’ts for Round Faces
Do’s
- Add Volume at the Crown Creating height on top helps to elongate the face, making it appear less round.
- Incorporate Asymmetry Diagonal lines and uneven lengths break up the roundness.
- Opt for Side-Swept Bangs These draw attention across the face rather than straight across, which can emphasize width.
- Choose Layers Face-framing layers that start below the chin can soften the jawline and add definition.
- Embrace Texture Waves and curls can add softness and dimension, balancing the face shape.
Don’ts
- Avoid Blunt Bangs Straight-across bangs can make a round face appear wider and shorter.
- Steer Clear of Chin-Length Bobs without Layers A blunt bob that ends right at the chin can highlight the widest part of a round face.
- Limit Excessive Volume at the Sides Too much width at the sides can make the face appear even rounder.
- Don’t Do Center Parts on Flat Hair A flat, center part can emphasize symmetry and roundness.
Hair Care and Maintenance Tips
Keeping your short style looking its best requires consistent care and maintenance. Here are some essential tips:
- Regular Trims Short hairstyles require more frequent trims (every 4-6 weeks) to maintain their shape and prevent split ends.
- Invest in Quality Products Use shampoos and conditioners suited for your hair type (volumizing, color-safe, moisturizing).
- Heat Protection Always use a heat protectant spray before using blow dryers, flat irons, or curling wands.
- Scalp Health A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. Use gentle shampoos and consider a scalp treatment if needed.
- Deep Conditioning Even short hair benefits from a weekly deep conditioning treatment to keep it soft and shiny.
- Protect at Night Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can reduce frizz and preserve your style.
Key Takeaways
Choosing a modern short hairstyle for a round face is all about strategic styling elements. Focus on cuts that:
- Create height and volume at the crown.
- Introduce asymmetry or diagonal lines.
- Feature soft, face-framing layers.
- Incorporate side-swept or wispy bangs.
By understanding these principles, you can confidently select a short cut that not only flatters your beautiful round face but also expresses your unique style.
Embrace the versatility and chic appeal of short hair. With the right cut and a little styling know-how, you’ll discover a look that makes you feel empowered and absolutely gorgeous.