Now that summer is over and fall is into full swing, you might want to get your hair on a new workout routine, as in getting it into shape by cutting off some of those dead ends. Figuring out a new “do” for fall can take years off your look, and accentuate your best features. Before you ask your Stylist for the latest trend right off the runway, you should really look at your face shape and the texture of your hair to determine which style will look best on you.

What face shape do you have? That’s easy, pull all of your hair back into a tight ponytail or use a headband if your hair is short, and look straight into a mirror. Take your lipstick and outline your face on the mirror (don’t worry a little Windex will take it right off). Start by outlining your forehead, go around your cheeks, and down to your chin. Most likely your face shape wall fall into one of these categories: oval, round, square, heart-shaped or long.

Many people think face shape is all you need to worry about when it comes to selecting your next hairstyle. While face shape is extremely important, the texture of your hair is key in knowing how your final cut will look. Your hair’s texture might be curly, wavy or straight. If you opt for a shaggy bob, hair with a straight texture will fall nicely where as a curly texture may end up looking like Roseanne Roseannadanna, which may or may not be the look you are going for.

A thorough consultation with your Stylist is the best way to get the cut that’s perfect for your face shape and hair texture. Below are some guidelines of what to look for and what to avoid as you seek out the perfect new haircut.

An oval face shape is considered to be one of the most versatile face shapes and can pull off almost any look. An oval face shape has a rounded hairline where the jawline is narrower than the temples.

What to look for? Long layers with the first one hitting near your lips or chin, side swept bangs, trendy bobs, long beachy waves and the pixie cut (only if your hair is straight).

What to avoid? Too many short layers cut on top of your head (makes your face appear longer), and extremely long hair that is all one length.

Celebrities with oval face shapes are Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba and Cindy Crawford.

A round face has a rounded hairline and a full, round chin. The goal is to make the face appear longer, leaner and less round. To do this, look for styles that create less volume around the face.

What to look for? Layers that hit below the chin to elongate the face and deep side parts to make the face look less round.

What to avoid? Blunt cut bobs that hit right at the chin, too much volume on the sides and hair that is cut too short.

Celebrities with round face shapes are Oprah Winfrey, Kelly Clarkson and Cameron Diaz.

Square face shapes are easy to spot out due to their strong jawline and hairline. The goal is to soften the strong jawline, which can be done with soft waves and textured ends.

What to look for? Soft waves that hit at the shoulder and below, longer bangs that hit slightly below the brow and layers that add height to the crown.

What to avoid? Blunt cut bobs and blunt cut bangs.

Celebrities with square face shapes are Demi Moore, Sandra Bullock and Jessica Simpson.

Heart-shaped faces have wide a hairline and temples that narrow at the chin. Adding bangs to a heart shaped face is a nice way to move the attention from the chin and create a focus on the eyes.

What to look for? Side swept bangs or straight fringe cut right at the brow, pixie cuts and layered bobs.

What to avoid? Short layers that add too much height to the crown.

Celebrities with heart-shaped faces are Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Pfeifer and Katie Holmes.

Long face shapes tend to have narrow hairlines and jawlines. The perfect cut for the long face shape is one that adds width to the face instead of dragging it down.

What to look for? All over long layers, curls and waves that add volume to the sides.

What to avoid? Pixie cuts, short cuts adding too much volume to the crown, extremely long hair (that will make your face look even longer) and styles without bangs.

Celebrities with long face shapes are Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler and Gabrielle Reece.

When making this decision, keep in mind your lifestyle and the amount of time you wish to devote to keeping your new style looking fresh. If you are the “get up and go” kind of woman and now have to spend 25 extra minutes on your hair, you might not be happy. Personally, I think hair is one of our greatest accessories and it deserves that extra bit of attention!

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Kim Hudnall is a 40 something Mom, wife and training consultant.  With a background in Education & Training and the last 10 years spent in the beauty industry, she founded TheHipChickOnline.com. Her goal is to educate, motivate, and inspire women to look and feel fabulous!