How to Choose a Haircut That Flatters Your Facial Shape

Co-authored by Ambia Elms

Last Updated: April 25, 2024

When you're deciding which haircut will look best on you, take the shape of your face into consideration. A good haircut will highlight your unique angles and bring out the best in your features. Although certain haircuts may be ideal for your face shape, it is important to choose a style that makes you feel the most beautiful and confident.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Determining Your Face Shape

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1
Take a self-portrait. Hold the camera level with your face and take the picture straight-on. Make sure your hair is pulled away from your face. Resist the temptation to smile in the picture. You want to be able to figure out your face shape in its most natural position, and smiling might make it harder to tell.^{[1]
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- If you're having trouble taking a self-portrait with your camera, see if it has a timer. Set the timer, then pose for your photo. Alternatively, ask someone to take your picture if your camera isn't conducive to taking self-portraits.
If you don't have a camera, stand in front of the mirror and use an old lipstick or a dry erase marker to trace the shape of your face. You should trace the entire shape of your face—around your chin and around your hairline. Look at this tracing while you determine your face shape.

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If your forehead is the widest part of your face, then you likely have an oval face shape. You may have a round face shape if your cheeks are the widest part of your face. A wide jaw means that you have a square face shape. There’s still a chance, however, that you may have a heart-shaped face, so move on to checking your jaw.^{[2]
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A round jaw is consistent with a round face shape. A square jaw likely means that you have a square face shape. If you have a pointy jaw, this means that you have a heart-shaped face.
Looking at the length of your face will help you determine its shape. If your face is longer than it is wide, this likely means that you have an oval, square, or heart-shaped face. If your face is as wide as it is long, you have a wide face shape.^{[3]
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Don't let your face shape get in the way of your desired cut. Ultimately, what matters the most is what haircut you would like to get. If you adore a pixie cut, even though your face is square, get a pixie cut. Hair can always grow out.^{[4]
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- Alternatively, you could get a wig cut in the style you like so that you can wear the style whenever you like.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Finding the Right Haircut for a Round Face

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Bring out the best in your softer, round features by contrasting them with some edge. Go for sleek lines and tapered ends and avoid bulky hairstyles. Consider a medium-length cut with layers that frame your face. Have the styles make your shortest layer fall below your ears. Your longest layer should fall a few inches below your chin.^{[5]
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Longer cuts look great with round faces because they tend to lengthen the features that are typically shortened. You can grow your hair out if it is already long, or if it is already long, ask for it to be cut into layers. For example, consider long wavy layers because they contrast round features.^{[6]
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Asymmetrical styles can be a bold, beautiful move for people with round faces. Long, layered bangs create edgy angles that offset round features. An angled bob is another great choice for people who want a shorter cut.^{[7]
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A pixie cut will put the focus on your features rather than your hair. This type of cut will bring out your apple cheeks as well as your eyes. Plus, a pixie cut is fairly low maintenance when it comes to styling.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Choosing a Haircut for a Square Face

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Harsh angles can be softened with cuts designed to bring focus to the eyes and mouth, rather than the face's edges. A tousled chin-length bob makes the perfect frame for a square jaw, highlighting its angular beauty. Alternatively, long curls and waves can offset severe angles.^{[9]
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Try long, straight hair with layers as a contrast to your facial shape. A square facial shape is usually made up of strong features. Waves or curls may draw the attention away from your features. If your hair is already long but wavy, consider straightening. Or, consider growing your hair out past your shoulders.^{[10]
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- Keep in mind that using a hair straightener may damage your hair, especially with daily use. If you do use heat to style your hair, always apply a heat protectant prior to using your heat.
This type of cut may draw too much attention to the lower portion of the face, making it look larger. Shorter cuts, such as bobs, are okay. Typically, anything shorter than the ears, like pixie cuts, wouldn't be the best choice for those with square facial features.^{[11]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Getting the Right Haircut for an Oval Face

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Balance an oval face with layers. Oval faces tend to look incredible with a wide range of haircuts. Layers, bangs, curls and waves can help offset longer faces. Keeping an average hair length, rather than a very long or very short one, can also make the face look less long.^{[12]
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- Oval faces are usually considered the ideal face shape for any haircut, so enjoy your favorite style!
Get blunt, straight bangs to bring out your features. This type of cut is a pretty choice for oval faces. Blunt bangs brings out the eyes and contrast with a defined chin. Blunt bangs typically pair best with medium length or longer hair.^{[13]
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If you want to go short, try an angled cut with some longer pieces in front, rather than getting a pixie cut. For example, you could opt for an asymmetrical bob. Another option is a short and straight shag, which is easy to style and has a youthful look.^{[14]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Choosing a Haircut for a Heart-Shaped Face

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Medium and long length hair are good choices for heart-shaped faces. They provide balance to the face by filling in the area around the chin. Accentuate cheekbones on a heart-shaped face with bangs or layers that end right at the cheeks.^{[15]
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Side-swept bangs will bring out the eyes and downplay the forehead of a heart-shaped face. These bangs typically look best with hair that is at least at medium length. You could go for long hair or a long bob.^{[16]
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A pixie cut with bangs can be a wonderful choice for a heart-shaped face. This type of cut highlights the elegant chin and makes the eyes look larger. Plus, it is low maintenance for daily styling.^{[17]
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Question

What celebrities have square shaped faces?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Demi Moore and Kelly Osbourne both have square faces. Square faces have strong jawlines and are almost as wide as they are long.

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Question

What is the shape of Rihanna's face?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Her face is a cross between an oval and a diamond. Her features are very symmetrical.

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Question

What is the shape of my face?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can determine this by tracing the outline of your face in a mirror with a washable marker. Make sure you pin your hair back first to get an accurate result.

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