Though I have written a whole book about shapes of faces and have not mentioned how you can tell what shape your face is, it was done with the sole purpose of making you think first in terms of your hair and then in terms of your face. To tell you how to discover the shape of your own face is practically an impossi­bility, since not only the face but the features within it and the hair around it, the hairline and the neckline, plus necklaces, earrings and makeup, affect the total shape.

The best thing I can tell you is that if your eyes are above the center of your head you're going to need some height on top—about the same amount of height as the distance your eyes are above the center. Example: If your eyes are a quarter of an inch above the center, you should add a quarter of an inch to the height of your hairdo.

To learn something about the shape of your face and the tricks of illusion, you can see what effect three important lines have on the apparent shape of your face. Before you begin, shampoo your hair with egg white. Massage it briskly into a lather, and while it's still in the lather start manipulating your hair. (Egg white is preferable for this procedure because soap will dry your hair if left on for long periods.)

                   

1. Comb the hair back without a part and see if that makes your face look too long. While it is still without a part, gradually comb the top a bit forward so that it bulges over the forehead, keeping it close to the head at the top sides. Pull the top sides out so they will give you some width. (Sketches 2 through 4.)

2. Part your hair in the center and draw it straight down to the sides. Gradually comb the top front back­ wards. At each step take a look to see what the effect is. Keep the top sides flat. Then make the top sides wide.   (Sketches 5  through  8.)

3. Part your... [Chapter Incomplete]

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