Hairstyles for Heavy-Set Women (2)

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Face Particulars

The faces associated with these two body types can be as varied and different as snowflakes. However, there are some common traits that are more often found in the faces of these body types. The two most commonly seen are what we refer to as "balanced" faces and "close-set" faces. The differences are clearly defined.

A "balanced" face may be overweight, but the features appear proportioned. Apart from expected "plump areas" (such as the cheeks, chin, neck, and between the brows), the features don't seem overly disproportionate to the rest of the face. The balanced face is more often seen on women with pear-shaped bodies, where the extra weight is distributed more evenly over the skeletal frame and is only heavier in the lower body.

We can see two examples of the “balanced” face in overweight women by looking at these photos of Kathy Bates and Margo Martindale. In the first photo of Ms. Bates, we see the perfect example of how a short hairstyle can be unsuitable for even a heavy woman with a balanced face. The absence of a fringe leaves her face appearing too long, and the prominence of her forehead makes the upper half of her head look bulging.

Kathy Bates with short hair — Kathy Bates - Photo: Tinseltown/Shutterstock

Kathy Bates with medium length hair — Kathy Bates - Photo: s_bukley/Shutterstock

Margo Martindale hairstyle — Margo Martindale - Photo: Tinseltown/Shutterstock

In the second photo of Ms. Bates, along with the photo of Ms. Martindale, we see balanced hairstyles that compliment the faces and make the women look slimmer. While offering flattering waves and balance, the lines of the styles are primarily vertical and very attractive for these ladies.

A "close-set" face is one where the extra weight appears to crowd the facial features. The face often appears round and may be doughy, and the features may appear plumped or swollen. The closely-set face is often found sitting atop an apple-shaped body, and such women may be "top-heavy" and are often petite in stature, and therefore lack vertical focus from the start.

The photos here of Nikki Blonsky show examples of a classic "apple" type. She is of petite stature and her weight is concentrated in her torso.

Nikki Blonsky hair — Nikki Blonsky - Photo: s_bukley/Shutterstock

Nikki Blonsky with long curly hair — Nikki Blonsky - Photo: s_bukley/Shutterstock

The photos of Ms. Blonsky show how the body appears different with a subtle shift in hairstyle. With her hair pulled back from her face and styled with low volume, you can see how much rounder and plumper her face appears. Yet, in the second photo, with her hair styled with a little vertical volume and vertical lines, and some framing of the face, the hair gives an overall slimmer impression.

Rules for Hair:

The bottom line is simply this: you should keep balance in mind when choosing your hairstyle. For pear-shaped women, keep an eye on balance and consider whether your face is balanced or if you need to adapt a style to compensate (see the graphic). For apple-shaped women, be aware that your height can exaggerate your size and avoid styles that will make your head look too big or too small. A medium-volume, moderate-length style is often exactly what the stylist ordered.

Speaking of stylists, don’t hesitate to ask yours for his or her advice when you’re ready for a change in your look.

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