Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success Advice for a round face Question: I have a big and round face. At the moment, I have long black hair, and I was thinking of cutting it to shoulder-length. Do you think that it is a good idea? With what hairstyle would I look good in? What length would make my face look smaller? Melody Answer: Dear Melody, You are on the right track to consider cutting your hair to shoulder length or just above. While one would think that long, long hair would create the needed vertical to cut the roundness of a face, it just does not work that way. Instead, overly long hair emphasizes roundness. The idea is to create an angular look. Ideally, you should have some height at the crown of your head. (The crown is the very top of the head, just toward the back.) Be clear on the location of your crown because if you add height or volume at the top near the forehead, you accentuate the round again. A side part also works well for round faces. Align the part with the center of one eye, choosing which side of your face you want to accentuate. The part does not have to be exactly straight or appear as a rigid line. It can angle back, etc. Bangs are also important for round faces. The trick is not to get them too short or too heavy. To use hairdresser terms, go for piece-like bangs with spaces in between. When there are spaces in between bangs, glimpses of the top of the forehead peak through, helping to give your face the vertical line it needs. It’s best if bangs taper down on the sides, touching your eyebrows or just below. Your choice of earrings and necklines also play a role in how round your face will appear. In Casual Power, I list earring shapes that best coordinate with each face shape. V-necks or open blouses will look best on you. A tight turtleneck will work against a round face, making it appear rounder. Mock turtles or cowl necklines will flatter you more. Makeup application can also make a significant difference for you. Again in Casual Power, there is a makeup section that tells how to shade heavy cheeks or jowls (those usually accompany a round face). Shading tricks can make all the difference! Lastly, round faces are gorgeous! While we (I have one, too!) need to work on creating a vertical for the real beauty to show, just know that some of the world’s most beautiful women have round faces or a definite roundness to their cheeks, etc. And the Chinese face readers say that large faces have a great destiny with a long life! How about that? Best of luck to you, Sherry Maysonave Also see: How much makeup should I wear at work? Ask your image questions Personal Power: A case study from 'Casual Power'