Best Hairstyles for Each Face Shape (Men and Women)

The right haircut can change your whole look. It can balance your features, draw the eye where you want it, and make you feel a lot more confident. The trick is to pick a style that works with your face shape instead of fighting it. In this guide we will go through the best hairstyles for each face shape, for both men and women, in simple words.

Before you book your next cut, it helps to know what you are working with. You can use our free face shape analyzer to find your shape in seconds, or read our full guide on how to find your face shape first. If you want to know the method behind the tool, you can also see how our analysis works.

First, Know the Goal

Most face shape hair advice comes down to one simple idea: aim for balance. An oval face is often used as the goal because it is evenly proportioned, so many styles try to create that same even look. If your face is round, you add height and length. If it is long, you add width. If it is very angular, you soften it. Keep this in mind and the tips below will make a lot of sense.

Oval Face

Lucky you. The oval face is a little longer than it is wide, with soft, even proportions, so almost any style works. You have a lot of freedom here.

Women: Long layers, blunt bobs, side parts, and soft waves all look great. You can try bangs or skip them. Just avoid piling too much height on top, which can make the face look longer.

Men: Short crops, side parts, quiffs, and textured cuts all suit you. You can be bold and try almost any trend.

Round Face

A round face is close to equal in width and length, with soft, full cheeks. The goal is to add length and a bit of structure so the face looks a touch longer.

Women: Long layers, high ponytails, and styles with height on top work well. Side-swept bangs and a deep side part help slim the face. Try to skip very short, rounded bobs and blunt fringes that add width.

Men: Go for height. A pompadour, a quiff, or a faded cut with length on top adds the structure you want. Keep the sides shorter to make the face look longer and leaner.

Square Face

A square face has a strong, wide jaw and a forehead of similar width. It looks bold and striking. You can play up that strength or soften it, depending on the look you want.

Women: Soft waves, layers, and side-swept styles soften the jaw nicely. Long hair past the chin balances strong angles. If you like a bob, a soft, textured one works better than a sharp, blunt cut.

Men: A square face suits a strong, classic look. Short sides with some length on top, a clean side part, or a textured crop all work. A bit of stubble can also frame that jaw well.

Heart Face

A heart shaped face is wider at the forehead and cheekbones and narrows to a pointed chin. The goal is to add a little width near the jaw and avoid too much volume up top.

Women: Chin length bobs, soft layers that hit around the jaw, and side-swept bangs all flatter this shape. Waves near the bottom add balance. Try to avoid very short, high styles that widen the forehead.

Men: Medium length styles with some fullness at the sides help balance a narrow chin. A bit of length and texture works better than very tight, high cuts. Light facial hair can add width to the lower face.

Diamond Face

A diamond face has wide cheekbones with a narrower forehead and chin. It is one of the less common shapes. The goal is to add a little width at the forehead and chin and keep the cheek area from looking too wide.

Women: Chin length cuts, side parts, and styles with volume near the jaw look great. Fringe or bangs can fill out a narrow forehead. Soft layers around the face keep the cheekbones from standing out too much.

Men: A bit of length or fringe on top balances the forehead, while fuller sides near the jaw add width down low. Avoid very tight sides that make the cheekbones look even wider.

Oblong (Rectangle) Face

An oblong face is longer than it is wide, with the forehead, cheeks, and jaw at a similar width. The goal here is the opposite of a round face. You want to add width and avoid extra height.

Women: Waves, curls, and layers that add width on the sides are your friend. Blunt bobs and bangs work well because they cut the length. Try to avoid long, flat, straight styles that make the face look even longer.

Men: Keep the top shorter and let the sides have a little more fullness. Side parts and textured crops work well. Avoid tall styles like a high pompadour, which stretch the face further.

What If You Are Between Two Shapes?

A lot of people do not fit neatly into one shape. You might be a mix of oval and round, or square and oblong. This is normal, and it actually gives you more options. The simple move is to pick the shape that feels closest, then borrow a tip or two from the second one.

For example, if you are between round and oblong, you want a style that adds a little length but not too much, so soft layers with gentle volume work well. If you are between square and heart, soft waves that frame the jaw will flatter both. When in doubt, lean toward balance and softness, and you will rarely go wrong.

A Few Tips That Work for Everyone

No matter your face shape, a few simple habits help any hairstyle look its best:

• Bring a photo to your stylist so you are both on the same page
• Think about your hair type, since fine and thick hair behave very differently
• Match the cut to how much time you want to spend styling each day
• Good brows and clear skin frame any haircut, so do not forget them

Also remember that these are guides, not strict rules. If you love a style that does not match the usual advice for your shape, wear it with confidence. The way you carry a look matters more than any chart.

Keep Learning About Your Look

Your hairstyle is just one part of the bigger picture. If you want to understand your features more, you can read about the golden ratio and facial beauty, explore the science of face symmetry, and learn what your face rating score means.

If you want to style the rest of your look too, our body shape calculator guide helps with clothes, and our piece on beauty standards across cultures gives some helpful perspective. For more guides, visit our beauty and style blog, or learn more about us on our about us page. At the end of the day, the best hairstyle is the one that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.