These Quick 30-Second Tests Help You Determine If Long or Short Hair Suit You Best

Have you ever wondered if long or short hair suits you best? For many women, the decision of whether to maintain their hair long or chop it short can feel like a never-ending battle. You might be tempted by a fresh cut but worried it won’t flatter you

We all ponder on this age-old question every time our hair grows an inch longer. If you’re clueless on which hair length suits you best, there’s actually a definitive answer to this.

Try out these six easy hacks that can tell your ideal hair length in just 30 seconds.

By the end of this test, you’ll know whether to book a trim or enthusiastically share this knowledge with a friend who’s also on the fence!

The 2.25-Inch Golden Rule For Ideal Hair Length

You don’t have to rely on a professional stylist to discover the ideal hair length for your face. The 2.25-Inch Golden Rule, developed by Giles Robinson, the International Training Director of Color Wow and a Senior Stylist at John Frieda Salons UK, offers a simple and effective method.

This golden rule, centred around angles, serves as a fool-proof guide for hairstylists to customise cuts and ensure the length enhances the face shape.

All you need is a ruler and a pencil to follow the four easy steps of The 2.25-inch (5.5cm) Rule.

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• Step 1: Prepare a ruler and a pen.
• Step 2: Position the ruler vertically below your earlobe.
• Step 3: Place the pen at your chin.
• Step 4: Finally, compare the distance between your earlobe and the pen.

If the distance between the ruler and the pen is greater than 5.7cm (2.25 inches), you’re more suited for a long hairstyle. However, if the distance is less than 5.7 cm (2.25 inches), short hair is the way to go.

The 0.47-Centimeter Rule

This second method is a little simpler compared to the first as you will not need a pen for it. Here are the steps:

• Step 1: Measure the width of your forehead, followed by the width of your shoulders.
• Step 2: Divide the first measurement by the second

If the result is greater than 0.47cm, short hair is likely a better fit for you. But if it is less than 0.47 cm, you should look great with long hair.

Easy peasy, right?

Consider Hair Volume

The idea that girls only look good with long hair is a tired trope we’ve been carrying on our shoulders since…well, forever! But, in our modern world, confidence and a killer haircut reign supreme, regardless of length.

However, if you’re contemplating maintaining your long locks or embarking on a hair-growing journey, you’d want to consider your hair volume first.

If your hair is on the thinner side, having long hair tends to make your face appear larger. In this case, going for short hair can add volume and make your face look smaller and more voluminous.

Alternatively, if you’re fortunate to have naturally thick and straight hair, consider spicing things up by adding subtle waves or opting for a perm. This not only introduces a hint of style to your hair but also accentuates your facial features, providing a lifted and chic effect.

Consider K-pop idol Jisoo here; although her hair may appear somewhat flat, the added waves at the bottom provide dimension and volume, giving her locks a much livelier and more vibrant appearance.

Face Shape and Contour

Having long luscious locks can move your visual focus down, which means that it highlights your jawline and chin. So, if you have a strong jawline you might love rocking long locks.

Korean actress-singer Suzy Bae has been known to experiment with both long and short hairstyles, showcasing how different lengths can accentuate various facial features. Her transitions between long locks and shorter styles have highlighted her strong jawline and emphasised her captivating eyes and eyebrows, providing a visual demonstration of how hair length can complement different face shapes.

Her press conference look was on point – her jawline looks prominent with those soft curls!

On the contrary, for those with gorgeous eyebrows and eyes, short hair can be a great way to emphasise those features as you’ll have a more upward visual focus.

Short hair can also be a good choice for square or round faces, as styles with texture can help soften and modify those shapes. Long faces and round faces can benefit from long hair with loose waves or curls, adding a touch of sweetness and softness.

Facial Features

Facial features heavily influence the choice between long and short hair. Delicate features often benefit from the framing and softening effects of short hair, which can visually narrow the face.

Conversely, strong or prominent features are complemented by long hair, adding balance and softness to the overall appearance. Whether straight or curly, long hair can create harmony, while short styles can enhance the charm of delicate features.

Park Shin Hye, star of television series like Stairway to Heaven and Tree of Heaven, can rock both straight and curly hair – complementing her features even more.

Her ability to effortlessly switch between various styles serves as a testament to the impact of hairstyles on accentuating facial features.

Head and Body Ratio

Consider your head-to-body ratio when choosing hair length. For petite women or those with shorter torsos, long hair may visually weigh down your silhouette, shortening the appearance of your legs.

Opting for short or medium hair that falls around the shoulders creates a more slimming effect, drawing the eye upward and making you appear taller.

Though Korean star IU is generally tall, you can see how long hair gives off the impression that her torso looks shorter while giving her a longer leg appearance.

But with short hair, she looks more balanced, with her proportions appearing harmonised, particularly enhancing her overall stature.

Head and Shoulder Ratio

The width of your shoulders in relation to your head is another important factor. Ideally, your shoulders should be approximately twice as wide as your head.

If your shoulders are wider, opt for styles that visually narrow them, such as shoulder-length hair with textured waves at the ends.

Conversely, narrow shoulders can be accentuated with short, straight hair, achieving a more balanced head-to-shoulder proportion.

Head Shape

A rounder head shape is quite versatile when it comes to hair length. While a flatter head shape may benefit from shorter styles to avoid weighing down your entire look.

Opting for short or medium-short hair with layers or curls can enhance volume and roundness, providing a more three-dimensional appearance.

Take South Korean actress, Kim Go-eun, as an example. The left image, styled for an ad, gives off a very monotone appearance with long hair.

However, with shoulder-length hair and bangs, she exudes a fresh look that complements her overall features well.

Height as a Guide

Finally, if you’re still unsure about which hair length suits you, consider your height.

Research suggests that the ideal hair length is around one-third of your height. You can measure and see if it aligns with your proportions.

In fact, shorter hair on petite individuals can make them look lively and cute, emphasising their neck and shoulders, which helps create a more balanced appearance.

Take the 1.57m Soyeon from K-pop group (G)I-DLE, for instance. While she looks great in both hairstyles, sporting a shorter ‘do helps make the petite idol look more proportionate and accentuate her body shape and facial features.

Feel free to experiment with these methods and find the perfect hair length that suits you best. After all, your hair is your canvas, and you have the freedom to choose the style that makes you feel confident and beautiful!

Remember, these are just guidelines! Ultimately, the best hairstyle is the one that makes you feel confident and beautiful. So don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.