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As you're toiling over bridal fashion magazines searching for the perfect coif for your wedding day, take a break to sneak a peek in the mirror before you fall in love with a mile-high pile of curls. For square-faced ladies, the sleek, defined angles of your jawline and symmetry of the top and bottom halves of your face require special consideration when you're settling on an updo for your wedding day.
Soften Your Edges
Your sexy jawline is one your most striking assets, but a tight updo will leave your face looking too severe for your wedding day. The balance of the top and bottom sections of your face lend themselves well to classic choices like the elegant French twist or wrapped bun, but add some length to your face with relaxed tendrils. Face-framing pieces of hair elongate your face and soften the rigid angles of your jaw. Another option is to give your classic updo an off-center part and leave a sweeping chunk of bang hanging loose over the side of your forehead.
Piled High
One of the challenges of a square face is creating the illusion of length. Avoid making your face look even shorter by adding height in your hairstyle. If you don't mind going a little retro, put a modern twist on a dramatic bouffant by forgoing the harsh, sleek look and letting a few wispy tendrils slip out around your face. If you are sticking to a more contemporary look, a pile of neatly arranged curls with a few escaping pieces also elongates your look. Whatever you opt for, keep the hair a different width than your face to avoid looking like a block, and arrange your hair right at the crown for the most elongating effect.
A Dash of Romance
If your aim is to soften your look, nothing says soft and pretty like romantic curls and waves. Modified updos are ideal for square faces because the loose hair in the back softens the swept-back look in the front. If your hair is medium or long, consider breaking the traditional laws of updo looks and letting a few waves hang down your back. The extra length will make your face seem longer while pulling back the front pieces will show off your to-die-for jawline. Amp up the volume with a little bump or poof in the front and then pin your loose curls up in a messy bun at the crown of your head.
Wedding Touches
Bridal updos aren't just about the hair. The right hair accessories can work wonders on the angles of your square face. If you want to add a veil to your updo, avoid one that ends right at your jawline -- the blunt cut will make your jaw seem wider. A longer veil with waved or ribbon-lined edges is feminine and soft -- just the touch you need to elongate your face and finish off your style. If you aren't into veils, you can still add some bridal bling with flowers or beaded hair wire. Add the details around the base of your updo, but position them so that the flowers or beads are vertical, adding height to your look and the overall shape of your face.
