This scene may be familiar: you notice a celebrity sporting a fabulous new haircut, which sends you straight to the salon to have your hair styled the same way. The stylist snips away happily and, voila— a little star factor has you looking like a million bucks. The next scene may be familiar also: you awake the next morning to the realization that you can’t duplicate that fresh-from-the-salon look, and what’s worse, the hairstyle doesn’t flatter you after all!

We’ve all had a traumatizing haircut at some point in our lives. If it’s of a shorter length, we have to endure a painstaking length of time before it grows back. We try to disguise the flaws by using trendy hair accessories. We wonder how a haircut could look so good on someone else and look so horrible on us. But a lot of the time, it boils down to one thing: the hairstyle just does not suit our face shape!

Most women know that a great haircut can make a big difference. It flatters our features and can give our confidence boost. But as you may have experienced, not all the hairstyles we fancy will work well for us. The key is in knowing your face shape, so you can decide which haircut is right for you.

To find out what your face shape is, pull your hair back with a big hair clip that has a snug hold, and take a good look. You should see one of the following: oval, square, rectangle, inverted triangle, or round. You might want to trace the outline of your face on the mirror with lipstick, so you can more clearly see the shape.

Square

If you have a square-shaped face, you most likely have a strong jaw line. It's all about softening those strong edges. Any length hairstyle will work as long as you add shorter pieces to frame the face. Ask your stylist for a cut with graduated layers, razored ends, or long piece-y bangs. Another way to add some softness is to accentuate the style with feminine hair accessories. Avoid "sharp" cuts, like angled bobs or blunt-cut bang. These only emphasize an already-broad forehead and chin.

Oval

If you have an oval-shaped face, then thank your lucky stars, because it means you have even proportions. This shape is very versatile and does not need to rely on a hairstyle to add softness or balance. Your best cut? Virtually anything goes! However, if your face tends to be on the long side, try adding long bangs to visually shorten the distance from the forehead to the chin. Complete the look by putting on a sophisticated headband just over your bangs for a feminine look.

Round

If you have a round-shaped face, you probably have full cheeks. These can conceal your bone structure, making your face lack definition. Go for styles with face-framing layers and choppy bangs to create an illusion of cheekbones. Avoid very short cuts and cuts with a lot of volume on the sides, as these only emphasize fullness.

Rectangle

If your face is rectangle-shaped, it is likely that you have a long, narrow face with a strong forehead and jaw. The key is to shorten the length of your face and to soften the strong edges. Try adding some bangs or soft waves. Avoid extremely long or short haircuts as these only add length to your face.

Inverted Triangle

This face shape has a wide forehead, high cheekbones and a narrow chin. Your best cut is a bob that is longer in front because it frames the jaw line, giving it a roundness that will soften the shape. You can also try a soft fringe that covers the forehead or loose waves. Avoid styles with height on the top and middle parts, as these can emphasize the forehead.