Short hairstyles can’t be beat for no-fuss everyday wear, but finding a style to flatter the round face can be a challenge. Women with round faces want a hairstyle that adds height at the top and creates the illusion of length to balance out the roundness of the face. Since curls tend to add fullness to the hairstyle, it is especially important to get a haircut with just the right length, shape, and texture to slim, rather than accentuate, a round face. In spite of the challenges, there are several short curly haircuts for round faces.
One important consideration for a round face is the length of the haircut. “Short” hair can be anything from ultra-short pixie styles to the long bob style that rests below the jaw line but still off the shoulders. Jaw-length cuts should be avoided since they will draw attention to the round jaw line. However, the long bob, cut slightly below the jaw line, will add the visual illusion of length to the face without accentuating roundness. Ultra-short hair styles can also work if they add height and visual interest to the top of the style, rather than the sides.
The shape of the hairstyle is just as important as the length. Short curly haircuts for round faces should be cut fairly close on the sides to avoid adding additional fullness. Blunt or round haircuts will accentuate roundness and should be avoided. Longer bangs that frame the face can draw attention upwards towards the eyes and away from the jaw line. Styles that incorporate spikes or curls at the top also draw the attention upward.
Another consideration is the texture of the hairstyle. Soft waves that frame the face tend to be more flattering than tight curls. Wispy, messy-styled ends draw less attention to the jaw line than sharp, blunt cut edges. Extremely tight curls can be relaxed by using a large-barrel curling iron, and cutting in layers is helpful to reduce fullness and create a flattering shape and texture.
When considering short curly haircuts for round faces, there are a few styles that should nearly always be avoided. Round bobs, particularly jaw-length bobs, will make the face appear even more round. Similarly, curly hair that is blunt-cut to one length will tend to take on an unflattering triangle shape. Finally, any style that adds fullness at the sides, including tight curls, will make the face appear wider and should be avoided.