You've probably had a new hairstyle that looked great in the photo, but completely different when you got it from the hairdresser. Have you ever wondered if you were made for short or long hair?
Are you made for short or long hair? A trick known as "2.25-inch test", is supposed to help reveal which hair length best emphasizes natural facial features.
Short or long hair? How the “2.25-inch test” works
The basis of this trick is actually mathematical, but at the same time incredibly simple. To perform it, you only need a ruler and a pencil. The pencil is placed under the chin, parallel to the floor, and the ruler is placed next to it. face – vertically, so that it reaches from the bottom of the ear to the pencil.
If the distance is less than 5.7 centimeters (2.25 inches) between the two points, short hair is said to flatter the face. If it is larger, long hair visually balances the features better.
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Why it's not just about math, it's about relationships
This formula is based on the principles symmetry and balance of the face. People with a smaller chin-to-ear ratio often exude a harmonious look that a short hairstyle accentuates. For those with a longer distance, long hair creates a softer facial frame.
In reality, the test is not an absolute truth – rather is the guideFace shape, hair density, texture, and even personality all play a role in whether short or long hair truly enhances an individual's beauty.
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When mathematics meets aesthetics
Interestingly, this trick has its roots in the professional hairdressing worldHair expert John Frieda introduced the test years ago, but it wasn't until TikTok that it became a global phenomenon.
Why hair length affects facial perception
Hair is the frame of the face. The length, volume, and direction of growth can completely change the way the light catches your cheekbones or accentuate your jawline.
Short hair exposes the neck and shoulders and give the impression of confidence, freshness and dynamism. Long hair symbolizes softness, femininity and romantic elegance.
Is there really a perfect length?
The perfect length is one that makes a person feel authentic. The 2.25-inch trick is just a starting point – a framework that helps understand relationships, not a commandment.
TikTok may have just given a new tool to realize what hairdressers have known for a long time: the best haircut is the one that makes a person feel like the best version of themselves.
