Which hairstyle is best for plus size women? Believe it or not, many plus size women ask this question. Are things really that different when it comes to hairstyles for plus size women? Well, yes and no.

Let’s first take a look at what is common for hairstyle selection between plus size women and women in general.

A hairstyle should complement the shape of your face. Though everyone’s face is basically oval, there are many deviations to the dimensions of the face that make it tend away from a purely oval shape. Below are the basic facial shapes and hairstyles that complement them.

Pear -- this facial shape has a wide chin and a narrow forehead. A hairstyle that widens the forehead while taking attention away from the chin is desirable. Hair should be fuller on top and swept away from the face to create the illusion of a fuller forehead. Avoid styles that are wider at the chin to soften a square jaw line.

Square -- a square brow and angular jaw line are the features of the square facial shape. Hair swept onto the face and covering the brow will soften sharp angles. Shorter lengths that extend just below the chin will further help to soften a square jaw.

Oval -- like the hourglass plus size body shape, an oval face works well with just about any style. Hair pulled back or worn up shows off an oval face the most. Long styles or shorter hair with some curls will also look flattering on an oval face.

Round -- the widest part of a round face is at the cheeks. Your goal should be to lengthen both the upper and lower portions of your face. Build some height on the top of your head while avoiding shorter, slicked back styles.

Heart Shaped –- this is a triangular facial shape, wider at the forehead with a narrow chin. Wear styles that widen your chin such as layered styles angled toward your face. Shorter lengths to the middle of your neck work best.

Plus size women with long hair look particularly elegant with their hair pinned up. This works extremely well for formal occasions when wearing a gown or evening dress. In general, shorter plus size women may want to consider shorter hairstyles to balance their torsos against their legs. A silk scarf or headband tied across the forehead and under the back of the hair can add an accent point to plus size hairstyles.