Life & Beauty Weekly

Forget about Botox or plastic surgery. If you’re looking for a quick fix for your face, try a new haircut to complement your face shape.

“A haircut is a fun, commitment-free way to transform your look, whether it’s for a new job, a new season or just because you’re tired of the hairstyle you’ve been sporting for years,” says Chantel Simmons, hair editor at The Kit and a beauty expert on “The Marilyn Denis Show.” “If you get a versatile cut, you’ll be able to style it in several ways, so there’s really no risk in hating your cut. And if by some chance things go horribly wrong, it’s just hair! It will grow out in a month.”

Of course, getting the right haircut is crucial to truly transforming your look. One of the keys is to select the right cut for your face. Here, Simmons gives recommendations for every facial shape.

Round (Cameron Diaz, Charlize Theron, Michelle Williams)
“An even bob will give definition to your jawline,” says Simmons. “You can go short or long, but make your layers fairly even for the best effect. A pixie cut also looks amazing on round faces because it really makes your cheekbones pop -- think Michelle Williams and Ginnifer Goodwin. To soften the look, ask for long, side-swept bangs that you can tuck behind your ears.”

Angular (Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner)
“Make sure your layers are long -- never above the jawline,” advises Simmons. “This will help soften a hard jaw and look super-pretty and flattering. Long hair is your best bet because square jawlines look great offset by super-feminine, retro updos -- think pincurls gathered at the nape of the neck -- or super-sleek ponytails.”

Heart (Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lopez)
“Long styles look amazing on heart-shape faces,” says Simmons. “Like JLo, you can part your hair in the middle and let long, loose waves frame your face, or get light layers if you have straight hair, which will really highlight your cheekbones.”

Long (Lisa Rinna, Joy Behar)
“Oval faces look great with long, sleek cuts because oval faces are the most forgiving and complement most hairstyles,” says Simmons. “If you want to shorten the look of your face, give lots of volume and body to your hair -- try big, thick waves or curls, like Julia Roberts. For a shorter cut, try a long bob with layers, which will give you versatility to wear it polished or mussed up.”

For Anyone: Bangs
Another face-brightening look that works for any face shape: bangs! “There’s a style of bang for every face shape,” says Simmons.

Women with round faces should opt for a heavy bang that starts at the crown and is cut straight across, above the eyebrows, while women with heart-shaped faces should go for a side-swept bang -- think Katie Holmes, Jennifer Aniston or Reese Witherspoon. Those with oval-shaped faces should opt for a deep side part with side-swept bangs, while women with square faces should keep their bangs long and angle them down at the sides to blend into the rest of their hair, softening the jawline.

“Get your stylist’s recommendation on bangs,” advises Simmons. “And remember, bangs in the summer with heat and humidity can be harder to manage, but are still doable -- especially if you have the ability to work them into a side braid or pin them back when you want them off your forehead.”