How to tell if short hair will suit you

A string of celebrities have gotten the chop lately, so it’s understandable if you’re tempted to switch to a shorter hairstyle.
But do you know whether it’ll actually suit you? I know, it’s not a life or death decision – but it’s not as if you can grow it all back overnight. Amirite?
Thankfully, there’s a clever hair hack to take the guesswork out of your haircut.
Discovered by hair guru John Frieda, the 2.25" (or 5.5cm) rule is a magic measurement that tells you which hair length you’ll rock best: long or short.
Speaking to allure.com, Senior Stylist at John Frieda Salons UK Giles Robinson says “it’s all about the angles”.
"John studied faces and saw that the angle of the jaw bone determined whether or not someone would look best with short hair or long hair," he explains.
According to Robinson, the test gives a trusted measurement that indicates whether a face is better suited to short or long hair.
As someone who recently got the chop without measuring her jawbone first, I’m a little nervous about trying it! But here goes…Photo credit: colorwohair.com
Step 1: Position a pencil or pen under your chin horizontally and then place a ruler under your ear, vertically.
Step 2: Take your measurement from the intersection of the pencil and ruler.
Step 3: Moment of truth: Anything less than 2.25" and you'd look amazing with short hair. If it’s more than this, long locks are the most flattering choice for you.
It turns out, I suit short hair. Phew!
Not sure whether the test is entirely accurate? Well, it seems to work with Audrey Hepburn and Kim Kardashian…Photo credit: colorwohair.com
At the end of the day though, I still say you should be able to get whatever haircut you want! Changing your beauty look can only be a good thing (YOLO).
Are you thinking about getting the chop? Or are you painstakingly growing out a shorter style?
152 Member Comments
I still prefer long hair on me.
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Shorter hair for Summer and longer hair for Winter!
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I have short layered hair that suits me far more than long hair.
I have an oblong face and I know what works for me!
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This is interesting. Mines 2.5. Never thought I'd suit short hair
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I'm right on 2.25!
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I gave up on the idea of short hair years ago and I've never been sorry.
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I'm having real problems with my hair - trying to grow it, but the last cut was awful
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I had short hair a while ago and I think it really suited me. Trouble is I missed my hair and feel better with hair.
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looks like I can have short hair. Personally I think its up to the individual we can have whatever haircut we desire to try.
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Exactly!
There are ways we can play up our best assets with judicious framing of our visages!
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What a great way of checking
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interesting concept!! I have tried short hair and I think it actually suits me. But the maintenance is too much.
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Wow I would of never thought of this concept! So cool.
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Never heard of it before but it's fun to do
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This is perfect for me! I'm eight cm, or just over three inches, so this makes me feel so much better for sticking with longer hair! Woohoo!
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I know short shoulder length or Taylor Swift's look will suit me I've had it before & I do like it but I just love my long hair much more.
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oooh see that is interesting, according to that short hair on me would be better, but my jaw is quite square so it really accentuates it if it was short (and not in a good way)
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Wow, this is so interesting. I'm definitely going to try this out.
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I once had short hair (by accident) because the hairdresser cut off way too much and I hated it, it did not suit me at all. Mid to long hair suits me best (and I love my hair long)
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Need to go with what makes you feel comfortable.
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Short for me. I tried growing it but it didn't work at all.
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I'm going to chop off all my hair and donate it to a cancer charity soon, so I'm not overly fussed if I suit it or not - that said, I think I'm close enough to the brink (I had roughly 2.25-2.5) that I'll be okay with short hair, especially given I have a long face!
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Yep I definitely have a long jaw.
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I'll have to try this out of curiosity. But i'm not doing short again, really doesn't suit me.
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