Why it works: The smooth ringlets that surround Hilson's face work wonders to frame an oval face shape, and the soft side-swept bang keeps the style from looking boxy.
To keep humidity at bay and prevent ringlets like Hilson's from frizzing up, apply humidity-fighting gel to the underneath layers of your hair first. Then, layer by layer work your way up to the outer most layer of hair. This technique will prevent curls from looking poufy. Also, try defining your curls with an iron to get this polished look by taking one-and-a-half inch sections of hair and wrapping them around a one-inch wide curling iron. Then, spritz with flexible hold hairspray.
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Square: Maria Menounos
The style: Billowing Curls
Why it works: Menounos' loose waves soften the features and edges of her square face, and the swept-back volume at the crown makes her face appear less boxy. Her curls also fall below her jaw line, which take attention away from that area, and lengthen her entire face, says Ouidad.
To create billowing curls like Menounos' try roller setting your hair by applying large hot rollers to the entire head. Allow them to cool and set and finish by finger combing waves to soften the curls. Finish by misting with flexible hold hairspray.
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Square: Denise Richards
The style: Tousled waves
Why it works: Richard's long, wavy hair helps to elongate angular features, and the center-part puts the focus on the middle of the face as opposed to the sharper angled jaw, say Ouidad.
If you don't have naturally wavy hair and don't want to mess with a curling iron, apply mousse to damp hair at night, twist hair into a very tight bun, sleep and remove your bun in the AM to reveal soft waves.
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Heart: Taylor Swift
The style: Side-swept ringlets
Why it works: Swift's curls that sweep softly over the forehead create balance by narrowing the prominent area, while long tendrils kept to one side lessen the volume around her cheeks, making a heart face appear less arrow-shaped, says Ouidad.
Swift's curls always look so great because they are well hydrated. Knowing how to properly shampoo your hair has a lot to do with how healthy it is. Lack of shampooing (believe it or not) can cause dryness and dehydration, says Ouidad, but generally you don't have to use shampoo every time you shower. She suggests shampooing based on your curl type: loose curls should shampoo two to three times a week, tight curls one to two times per week, and kinky curls once a week.
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Heart: Ashley Greene
The style: Long, layered loose waves
Why it works: Green's long layers around the face create a more oval shape by narrowing her forehead (a prominent feature on heart shapes). Her loose waves also create an overall softer look on a shape that can look more defined and structured in the chin area.
To smooth out layers around your face, blow dry them straight using a large, round natural bristle brush while aiming the heat down the hair shaft. Once the layers are dry and straight, Ouidad suggests using a small amount of pomade to "smooth, coat and seal" your hair in order to keep it frizz-free. Finish by simply pinning back the rest of your waves into a half-up style like Greene's.
There is a reoccurring dream that haunts the hair-psyche of women across this great land. We believe that women of all textures and types, at one point or another, have curly hair fantasies -- ones of perfectly formed, frizz-free ringlets delicately dancing on their heads. Not to worry, this is natural, as curly hairstyles are playful and sexy. There is however something you should know before turning this fantasy into reality: not all curly hairstyles look great on all face shapes. That's why we went on a mission to find you the curly style that will complement the unique angles of your bone structure. Skip ahead to see the best styles for your face now.
You see, we know you've had visions of yourself strutting down the street -- Manolo-clad -- to the jazzy saxophone stylings of the "Sex and the City" theme song, as your volume-full ringlets effortlessly bounce to the tune. Okay, maybe our imaginations just got Carried away (pun intended), but still, we know we're not the only ones lusting after Big (sorry, we'll stop with the puns now), sexy curls. Cut to real life, where styling your curly hair can be a royal pain. Achieving perfect curls can sometimes feel like the quest for the Holy Grail. Which is why we went to "Curl Queen," aka celebrity hairstylist Ouidad, to find out how to achieve gorgeous curls. She recommends before you even pick up an iron, to use her tried and true technique: the rake and shake. What is the "rake and shake" you ask? It's Ouidad's signature styling method that, "strategically sets your unique curl pattern into place," giving you beautiful curls every time you style, she says. Here is the method in easy-to-follow steps. Oh, and if you're not a curly girl, it will still bring out any bit of texture or movement your hair does have, then you can enhance it further with an iron:
1. Gently squeeze excess water from your wet hair by blotting with a towel -- don't rub or you'll create frizz.
2. Comb through a leave-in conditioning spray to moisturize curls.
3. Divide hair into four sections.
4. For each section, rub a small amount of styling product between your hands, separate fingers on one hand like a "rake" and rake through from roots to ends, spreading the styling gel through the section.
5. When you reach the ends, gently "shake" hair back and forth to create wave or curl, then drop the section. Continue until all sections are gelled, raked and shaked.
6. Diffuse hair or let it air dry.
Now that you know how to bring out your natural curl pattern, determine your face shape by looking in the mirror at your hair and chin line. Draw a few dots on the mirror with eyeliner around the perimeter of your face to help you see the shape --then decide if it is round, oval, square or heart. Then check out the curly hairstyles that are best for your unique face shape.
