Best Haircuts for Different Face Shapes

Have you ever noticed that some hairstyles look fantastic on one person but just don't quite fit another? Often, this comes down to face shape. It’s not about strict rules, but about understanding your features and choosing styles that bring out your best. Picking a haircut that matches your face shape can help you feel and look your best, much like choosing the right frame for a photo.

You can wear any haircut you want, but knowing your face shape can make picking a flattering style easier. Let’s explore the basics of face shapes and which haircuts work well for each one.

How to Figure Out Your Face Shape

Before you pick the perfect haircut, you need to know your face shape. Many people skip this step, but it’s actually quite simple and doesn’t require any special skills.

What to Look At

Focus on three main parts: your hairline, the overall width and length of your face, and your jawline. Is your jawline sharp or rounded? Is your forehead wide, or does it get narrower at the temples?

How to Check Your Proportions

Pull your hair back from your face.
Stand in front of a mirror and use a washable pencil (like eyeliner) to trace your face’s outline.
Step back and look at the shape. Does it look like a circle, oval, square, heart, rectangle, or diamond?
You can also use a selfie and a photo editing app or ask a hair professional for help.

Main Face Shapes

Face Shape
Description
Examples

Oval
Face is longer than wide, with a gentle, narrow jaw and no sharp angles.
Kim Kardashian, Rihanna

Round
Width and length are about the same; features are soft and cheeks are the widest part.
Selena Gomez, Ginnifer Goodwin

Square
Jawline, forehead, and cheekbones are about the same width, with straight lines and a strong jaw.
Hailey Baldwin, Olivia Wilde

Heart
Forehead or temples are wide, and the chin is pointed or narrow. Sometimes there’s a widow’s peak.
Reese Witherspoon, Tyra Banks

Rectangle (Oblong)
Face is longer than it is wide, with similar width at the forehead, cheeks, and jaw.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Lisa Rinna

Diamond
Cheekbones are the widest part, and both the forehead and chin are narrow.
Halle Berry, Vanessa Hudgens

Best Haircuts for Each Face Shape

Oval Face

Women: Most styles work well. Try long layers (like butterfly cuts), classic bobs, soft waves, or a deep side part. Slicked-back updos and shoulder-length cuts with layers also look great.
Men: Undercuts, side parts, pompadours, and long layered styles (including man buns) all suit this shape. Buzz cuts and Caesar cuts also work.
Avoid: Very heavy, blunt bangs or styles with no movement, as these can make your face look longer or shorter than it really is.

Round Face

Women: Medium to long hair with long, face-framing layers helps create the look of a longer face. Deep side parts, high buns, and asymmetrical bobs add angles. Pixie cuts with volume on top can also give height.
Men: Styles that are longer on top than on the sides work well. Try pompadours, quiffs, side parts, or textured crops with height.
Avoid: Thick, soft, or short bangs. Full or wide cuts around the cheeks, and styles that add width to the sides are less flattering.

Square Face

Women: Soft, layered waves, wispy or angled bangs, and shoulder-length or longer styles are great. A side part or long bob that sits below the jaw works well to soften edges. For wavy hair, keep it very short or long to avoid adding width around the jaw.
Men: Add some length or height at the top with softer sides. A quiff, textured crop, or soft volume at the crown balances the face.
Avoid: Thick, blunt fringes or slicked-back styles that highlight strong jawlines. Curls that add width can make the jaw look broader.

Heart Face

Women: Shoulder-length hair with side-swept bangs, long layers, or soft curls works well. Lobs and deep side parts create width at the jawline. Pixie cuts and half-up/half-down styles can work if they have texture.
Men: Styles with longer layers around the face, middle or off-center parts, and haircuts that don’t build too much height on top will balance this shape.
Avoid: Short bangs, styles that close in the chin (like a chin-length bob), or anything with too much volume at the top.

Rectangle (Oblong) Face

Women: Layered cuts add volume at the sides. Side-swept bangs or soft waves break up the length. Chin-length bobs with bangs can balance the face.
Men: Go for cuts that add width at the sides and avoid too much height. Shoulder-length hair or bobs with some texture work. Side parts or styles with a bit of lift (but not too much) look good.
Avoid: Long, pin-straight hair, blunt bangs, or center parts, as these can make the face look even longer and emphasize sharp jaws.

Diamond Face

Women: Long, side-swept bangs, layers, and shoulder-length styles highlight the cheekbones and soften the chin. A textured lob or middle part (with tuck-behind-ears) also looks nice.
Men: Face-framing lobs, messy shags, and longer layered hair work well. Avoid piling up lots of height on top.
Avoid: Heavy or rounded full bangs, as these close in the face and draw too much attention to the cheekbones and chin.

Haircuts That Look Good on Almost Everyone

Shoulder-length hair with soft, blended layers adds movement and works for most face shapes.
Long, layered cuts suit a variety of textures and lengths and frame the face without being too bold.
Bobs (classic, chin-length, or blunt) can be easily adjusted by adding bangs or tweaking length and texture to work for many people.

What Else Matters When Choosing a Haircut?

Hair Texture and Thickness

Fine hair: Blunt, single-length styles make it look fuller (e.g. blunt bob).
Medium hair: Can handle more layers and various lengths.
Thick hair: Benefits from long layers to reduce weight and bulk.

Try to work with your hair’s natural pattern, or you may spend extra time and effort styling every day.

Lifestyle and Maintenance

If you visit the salon rarely, avoid cuts that need frequent trims (like pixies or sharp fringes).
Longer hair with softer layers is easier to maintain over time.
Some cuts require daily styling and certain products, so pick something that fits your routine.

Bangs and Forehead Size

Longer foreheads suit fuller bangs or blunt fringes.
Shorter foreheads usually look better with lighter, side-swept bangs.
Styling and growing out bangs can take time, so be sure you want the change before cutting.

Common Questions About Face Shapes and Haircuts

Can Your Face Shape Change Over Time?

Your bone structure stays the same, but your face can look slightly different as you get older. Skin becomes less firm and fat may shift, which can make your face look longer or thinner. Hairstyles may need small changes over the years to stay flattering.

Should You Always Follow the Face Shape Guidelines?

No! Think of face shape advice as suggestions, not fixed rules. The most important thing is choosing a style that makes you happy and confident. These ideas can guide you, but personal taste always comes first-try new things and enjoy your hair!