Let's talk locks: Shape up — picking the right hairstyle

When choosing a new 'do, there's one crucial factor that should never be overlooked: your face shape. It's important to choose a hairstyle that flatters it and compliments you from all angles.

I recently sat down with a senior stylist and Bumble and Bumble network educator from Cutting Loose Salon on Main Street to get the low-down on flattering haircuts for all face shapes. Everyone is unique in their own way, but there are really only about six basic face shapes that most of us fall under: oval, oblong, square, heart, pear and round.

People with oval faces are lucky, because they have an ideal face shape for most styles. It's evenly proportioned, so it works great for anyone with long, medium or even chin-length cuts. Oval faces can also carry shorter cuts and bangs, so don't rule those out completely.

Oblong shapes have a smaller chin, so think about a cut that has width on the sides and not a lot of height on top. If you have a pointy chin, steer clear of bangs, as they will only emphasis this fact.

Square faces can become very boxy if not paired with the proper cut. They need a style with height on top, length on the bottom and a length below the chin is ideal. Have your stylist add some face-framing layers to help slim down the sides of your face as well. Olivia Wilde’s side-swept fringe softens her features and makes her face seem a bit more feminine.

Heart-shaped faces have wider foreheads and a narrow jaw. Bangs are a great option to conceal the width of the forehead, and keeping length below the chin will help add fullness around the jaw. If you have a shorter cut (shorter than chin-length), bangs are a must!

With a pear-shaped face, find a cut that helps keep the focus off the jaw line. Again, bangs are a great option, and finding a length that helps elongate the chin area will keep the focus away from the jaw line.

With a round face, there is lots of width through the cheeks and chin. Long layers help draw the attention away from the width of the face. Having some height around the crown area will also draw the eye upward, and a side-swept bang will keep the look soft and pretty. But don't be afraid to bring back the pixie! Emily Browning had the right idea when she channeled Mia Farrow's iconic look.

Remember, this is YOUR haircut. It's still all about you. These are merely guidelines, so don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and suggest something new to your stylist. The sexiest hairstyle is the one you wear with confidence!