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Get the best hair for your body type

Terry Ritcey, director of education and celebrity hair stylist for Redken Canada, gave us the 4-1-1 on the most flattering hairdos for your body. Get the right look for your shape and find out which celebs are flaunting their curves with the perfect hairstyle.

By Maria Barillaro

For pear-shaped women, like Alicia Keys, Terry suggests a voluminous 'do to add fullness to your upper body. "The last thing you want is for the head to look small," Terry says. "Styles that would suit would be something a little longer, at least lower-chin to shoulder length. Something that moves and has a little bit more volume and movement." The width and fullness of a hairstyle like this will offset the larger bottom and create balance and flow-the key ingredients for a fab look.

Find out which hairstyle works for America Ferrera.

According to Terry, apple-shaped women need something longer with a little less volume. "You want to create the illusion of elongating the body," Terry says. America Ferrera looks absolutely stunning with shoulder-length locks and less volume on top. It instantly makes her look longer and leaner.

Find out why Whitney Thompson's hairstyle might be right for you.

Tall plus-size women need a hairstyle that won't make them appear even bigger or taller than they are. They should embrace their height by flattering it with a hairstyle that suits them best. "Women who are tall can look a little too severe with short hair," Terry warns. For plus-size model Whitney Thompson, long and luscious locks are the perfect complement to her tall frame. The long hairstyle makes her appear a little shorter and more proportioned.

Get Jennifer Hudson's short hairstyle.

Shorter plus-size women need just the opposite. They want a hairstyle that will make them appear taller and leaner. Though long hair is a fave of many, it can actually work against you if you're a tad shorter. "You never want your hair to be taking over a third of your body," Terry says. "The length can actually make the person look much shorter." For Jennifer Hudson, a shorter haircut is ideal. She looks fabulous and the best part of the short 'do is that it won't call attention to a larger bustline.

Find out why Queen Latifah's funky hairdo rocks.

According to Terry, women with round faces like Queen Latifah, should avoid haircuts with layers around the face and bouncy curls. Adding a round hair style to an already round face will just create too much volume. For a slimmer look, Terry suggests a funky, asymmetric, short haircut like Queen Latifah's.

Copyright © 2009 by Rogers Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

Average (7 Ratings)3.00 out of 5 stars

7 Comments

  • 1. Posted by Lauren D on Sun, Nov 15, 2009

    It's all well and good to say that certain cuts & styles suit different body types (as well as facial structure by the way), but the reality is you have to work with what you have. If your hair is thin for instance, and your body type best suits a style that calls for having a lot of hair then obviously you should rethink that idea. My hair for instance is thin but curly. It grows to about chin length and from there just looks scraggly so I've bowed to this fact and now keep it cropped very short with just some volume on top so it can curl naturally. It may not totally suit my pear-shaped body but my hair looks healthy and stylish, not thin and dry.

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  • 2. Posted by Dep on Sun, Nov 15, 2009

    Thanks - someone FINALLY adressed the problem shapes. We all know that the all around petite person can wear a pixie cut and a tall slim person can add some length, either straight or with some body.

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  • 3. Posted by Love To Love on Tue, Aug 25, 2009

    I'm 5'7, thin and petite - you didn't mention us lovely ladies! I guess ur saying we look hawt w any hairstyle ; P

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  • 4. Posted by Diamondeboo on Fri, Aug 21, 2009

    Usually those body types can get away with any hairstyle or length. The purpose of this article is to give people without perfect bodies the type of hairstyles that would counteract their body imperfections. By your questions, they should have explained that instead of assuming that would be understood. Tall and thins and petites ... wear any hairstyle or length you prefer, using your own judgement.

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  • 5. Posted by S J on Thu, Aug 20, 2009

    what if im banana shaped? im not..but you skipped lots of women by not including some fruits

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  • 6. Posted by Gene on Fri, Aug 14, 2009

    i agree with the comment made by Newfie !! I want a hairstyle that suits me best and i am 5"7 and thin.

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  • 7. Posted by 1Newfie on Thu, Aug 13, 2009

    What about ladies who are petite...all the way around....you never mentioned a hair style for them. Or those who are tall and thin, or those who are average height and not pear, apple or plus-sized? Are these women exempt from having a hair style right for them?

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