How do I disable faces on contacts? On an older version contacts without images are a solid color. Now its a solid color with a blank face drawn on top of it. It's irritating. How can I disable it? I also would like to disable the face/color box next in the text message conversation.

I'm using version 4.3
I think the stock Contacts and Messaging apps do not have the option to hide the profile pictures. 

However, you can try GO Contacts Ex and GO SMS Pro. These are highly-customizable 3rd-party apps that allow you to hide profile pictures. I'm sure other apps can hide the pictures two, but those are are what I've tried so far, and it works well.