As the spring of 2025 blossoms around us, I found myself staring at the mirror, wondering if my round face was destined to always look fuller than I wished. At 66, I decided it was time for a change—one that would frame my features more flatteringly as I embrace this new season. So I embarked on a personal experiment: trying eight different short cuts specifically designed for round faces, with one burning question in mind—which styles would actually make me look slimmer?
The pixie revolution that changed everything
My journey began with a textured pixie cut featuring an asymmetrical fringe. The stylist assured me this would create the illusion of length, and she wasn’t wrong! By adding volume at the crown and keeping the sides sleek, this cut instantly created vertical lines that slimmed my face dramatically.
“Pixie cuts with height at the crown are magical for round faces,” explains Dr. Meredith Lane, beauty researcher at the Austin Institute of Aging. “They draw the eye upward, creating a visual elongation effect that counterbalances fullness.”
The angled bob that surprised me
The second cut I tried was an angled bob with longer front pieces. While traditional bobs can emphasize roundness, this modernized version with its sharp diagonal lines created shadows that sculpted my cheekbones in ways I hadn’t seen in years!
Layered crop: The unexpected winner
The third style—a heavily layered crop—became my unexpected favorite. The multiple layers created movement and dimension while the wispy ends softened my jawline. This cut paired beautifully with the spring’s lighter scarves and open necklines, making it seasonally perfect.
The side-swept disaster
Not all experiments yield success. A side-swept bob with blunt ends actually made my face appear wider—exactly what I was trying to avoid! It’s worth mentioning that even when specifically requesting round-face-friendly cuts, some styles simply don’t deliver the slimming effect promised.
Asymmetrical undercut: Bold but effective
For the truly brave, the asymmetrical undercut I tried fifth offered dramatic slimming effects. With one side closely cropped and the other featuring longer sweeping bangs, this edgy style created such strong vertical lines that it completely transformed my face shape.
Much like how certain colors can age us, the wrong haircut can add visual weight to our faces.
Soft layered bob with curtain bangs
The sixth style combined the best elements: a soft layered bob with wispy curtain bangs. This cut created a vertical frame around my face while the curtain bangs drew attention to my eyes instead of my cheeks. Perfect for those spring garden parties!
The French bob experiment
Style seven was inspired by Parisian chic—a classic French bob with soft layers. While elegant, it didn’t provide the slimming effect I hoped for. I realized that like finding the right pants for your figure, haircuts require personalization.
The “miracle” shaggy pixie
My final try—a shaggy pixie with feathered layers—was the revelation I’d been seeking. Similar to how certain styles can make thinning hair look fuller, this cut created the perfect illusion of a slimmer face through expertly placed layers and texture.
What truly works for round faces
After my experiment, I discovered these slimming principles for round faces:
- Height at the crown creates vertical elongation
- Asymmetrical elements break up facial roundness
- Textured layers create dimension and shadows
- Angles are more slimming than curves
“Hair frames the face like architecture frames a landscape,” notes stylist Jennifer Miller. “The right angles can completely transform your facial topography.”
This spring journey reminded me of how the right haircut can take years off your appearance. At 66, I’m embracing this new season with a fresh cut that makes me feel confident, stylish, and yes—just a little bit slimmer!