The Best Hairstyle For Your Face Shape

So you’ve picked out a new haircut, awesome! But before you head to the salon for the chop, let’s make sure that your face shape can pull it off first. The goal in finding the perfect haircut and style for yourself is to accentuate your best features, and diminish your not-so-great ones. So the first thing you need to do before actually getting a new haircut, is to determine what face shape you have.

You can watch my Youtube video on this topic below:

What are the different face shapes?

There are 8 different face shapes: Round, oval, oblong, heart, square, rectangle, triangle, and diamond. Typically the oval face shape is the most common and the most desired, as well as what you want to give the appearance of having.

This is done by adding hair in certain areas, while keeping it away from others. You can do this by cutting hair or leaving length, as well as flipping the hair up or under. It’s really amazing what a haircut and style can do!

Oval face shape

This is the most flattering face shape. With an oval face you can wear a variety of different haircuts and styles!

The main consideration I have for this face shape is to be careful with too long of hair without face framing, as this can pull your face down and elongate it.

To counter-act this, add a face frame in the front to stop the eyes from being drawn downwards in the front. Layers and curls will also help to keep the eyes up and horizontal instead of directed too far down.

Any style of bangs or parts will be flattering for this face shape.

Round face shape

A round face shape tends to be shorter and wider. It can even be the same length from top to bottom as it is from side to side.

If you like short hair, I would opt for a pixie with lots of texture that will add height to the top. If you like your hair long I would go with either no layers, or longer ones that all start below the chin.

Having hair longer in the front below the jaw will draw the eyes down giving a longer appearance. Side bangs will work as well, but not straight or full bangs as this will pull the eyes horizontally.

I would avoid having hair near the jaw, so either have layers much above the jawline near the cheekbones or higher if it’s a short cut, or starting below the chin. My personal recommendation would be to not have layers at all if the hair is long enough to fall below the chin.

Straight hair is better than curls for a round face especially if the hair is kept at a mid length. The curls will widen the face while straight hair pulls the eyes down.

Oblong face shape

Oblong face shapes similarly resemble oval except they are slightly longer.

Any bang style or part will work well for this face shape and you don’t have any restrictions in the forehead area. I would try to stay away from anything that is going to pull the eyes downwards though, so cuts that end at the jaw or face framing that begins at the jaw are both flattering over a long unlayered front.

Curls and layers will add width to the sides of the face which should be the primary goal of an oblong face shape.

Heart-shaped face

The heart face shape has a wider forehead moving down to a narrower chin and jawline. You’ll want to minimize your forehead while adding more fullness to your chin area.

Avoid full bangs and center parts, and go with side parts or side bangs instead. The side part will offset the forehead area rather than drawing more attention to the width.

To add fullness at the jaw, long hair that falls below the jaw will help to pull your look downwards toward your chin. Hair that falls directly at the jawline will also draw attention to that area rather than up at the forehead. Bobs are great for this face shape!

You can also flip the hair out near the jawline rather than flipping it under. Flipping the hair out will create more width creating balance for a small chin.

Square face shape

The square face shape has relatively harsh features. The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are broad, wide, and/or stark. You’ll want a style that will soften these stronger features. Wispy, soft layers and side-swept bangs will help to offset any stark edges.

I do not recommend full or straight across bangs for this face shape, as they would accentuate the broad forehead. Side swept bangs or a side part are best.

You also don’t want hair to end directly at your jawline, as this will bring attention to it. So keeping layers that appear near your cheekbones or a bit below the jawline work best for longer hairstyles on a square face.

Rectangle face shape

A rectangle face is relatively long with stark edges. Softening the edges with soft wispy layers work well. Try to avoid anything that will pull the face down lower than the jawline. For long cuts, keep a face frame starting at or above the jawline.

Heavy layers and curls will help to direct the eyes horizontally by adding width rather than straight hair which pulls the eyes down. Curls will also help to soften the harsh edges.

Triangle face shape

A triangle face has a relatively small forehead with a strong jawline. You’ll want to offset this by keeping the forehead open while softening at the jaw.

No bangs are optimal, but if you do like bangs I would do soft and short bangs. Try to stay away from having too much hair in the bang area because this will make it look even smaller.

As with a square face shape, you don’t want any hair to end directly at the jawline. Have your layers fall around the cheekbone or below the jawline. Any hair that falls directly at the jawline will only accentuate it more.

Diamond shaped face

The cheekbones are the widest area on a diamond shaped face with a minimized forehead and jawline.

Typically wider cheekbones can be a gorgeous face shape (take a look at Angelina Jolie!) But you may want to add more fullness to your forehead or jaw area.

I recommend keeping the forehead open opposed to a bang which would close it off. You may also want to have hair end near the jawline to take some attention off of the cheekbones. As with the heart face shape, bobs are a great option.

Straight hair looks best on diamond faces because no width is being added to the sides.

Conclusion

Different haircuts and styles will work better on some people than others based on their face shape. Learning your face shape is crucial to learning what hairstyles you’ll look best in as well as which ones you should avoid.

Oval – This is the most flattering face shape and can usually wear any style. There are no real considerations to avoid or opt for.

Round – Avoid: Full/straight bangs; hair right at the jawline; curls; layers. Opt for: Straight hair; long hair; side bangs.

Oblong – Avoid: Long straight hair; face framing above the jaw. Opt for: Curls; layers; face framing at or below the jaw.

Heart – Avoid: Full bangs; center parts; flipping hair under at the chin. Opt for: Side bangs/parts; hair falling below the jaw; flipping hair out at the jaw; bobs.

Square – Avoid: Blunt cuts; full/horizontal bangs; center parts; hair falling right at the jawline. Opt for: Side parts/bangs; soft whispy layers; hair falling below the jawline.

Rectangle – Avoid: Long straight/blunt hair. Opt for: Whispy layers; curls; face framing above the jawline.

Triangle – Avoid: Bangs; hair directly at the jawline. Opt for: Center part; hair falling above or below the jawline.

Diamond – Avoid: Bangs; layers at the cheekbones; curls. Opt for: Center part, straight hair; hair falling at the jawline; bobs.

If this was helpful for you, head on over to my post to determine your hair type and what styles will work best for you! If you have any further questions for me on this topic, leave them for me in the comment section. And be sure to subscribe below to make everyday a good hair day!

Last Updated 07/02/2024