When it comes to picking a fresh haircut, your face shape is one of the most important things to consider! It is tempting to choose the coolest new or trendy cut, but if it doesn’t work with your face shape, you might not be in love after the cut is finished.
Instead of searching the newest trends, try selecting a style that suits your face shape. Whether your face shape is more rectangular or square, oval, round, heart or oblong - the right cut will expertly frame and balance it while highlighting your best features.
The result? A flattering hairstyle that suits your face shape perfectly. Interested in getting a great cut? Here’s our guide to finding the best haircuts for your face shape.
Figuring Out Your Face Shape
The most important step in getting the perfect cut is to determine your face shape. It can seem a bit tricky, isn’t all that complicated once you understand that there are five basic shapes that yours could fall into.
Many of us fall into the trap of thinking that our faces are “round,” while missing some of the subtler angles completely that really define the specific face shapes.
It can be tough to look at your own face objectively enough to determine your face shape. Luckily, there a few easy “hacks” to making this step a bit easier.
The most basic way to determine your face shape is to pull your hair back in a headband or ponytail and analyze what you see in the mirror.
Look for these key points to determine which category your face falls into.
1. Square/Rectangular: Prominent jaw and square chin, forehead and jawline roughly the same width or close to the same width.
2. Oval: Forehead may be slightly wider than the chin, and the length of the face is about one and a half times the width.
3. Heart: Wider forehead and cheekbones with a narrow jawline and chin.
4. Round: Prominent, rounded cheeks with equal width and length of the face.
5. Oblong: Often confused for the oval face, though an oblong face will have a longer shape that is not as wide as oval — often with a narrow chin, and cheekbones at the widest part of the face.
If you can’t determine your face shape by looking in the mirror, another way is to try taking a photo of yourself facing the camera with your hair tied back or pushed behind your shoulders so only your face is visible.
Then, trace your finger around the outside of your face on the phone screen, and see which shape it most closely resembles.
Now that you have the tools to determine your face shape, let’s delve into the best, most flattering styles for each shape.
Haircuts for Rectangular and Square Faces
A square or rectangular-shaped face features a broad forehead, wide cheekbones, and a strong jawline. So, if you have a square/rectangular face, selecting a cut that softens these features is key for the most flattering appearance.
Those with this face shape should choose a style that works to soften the appearance of a sharp jaw and forehead without further elongating the face. Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, does a brilliant job at this.
A strong example of this is a soft, layered cut. This helps to enhance cheekbones while “disguising” the corners of the face. Another option is a “lob” (long bob) with body and layers that hits right below the chin or above the shoulders.
Be careful to avoid overly long styles with no layering. These types of styles can further elongate your appearance and highlight the more prominent features of a square shape.
If you do want to go for a long length, get a cut with longer layers, and try styling your hair with waves or curls that will help to add some volume to your style and create horizontal movement.
When deciding about bangs, the best options are soft, rounded fringes and curtain bangs – not harsh or blunt ended options. You cannot go wrong with a nice wispy, side swept bang – it will help to draw attention to your cheekbones versus the angled nature of a square jaw.
Haircuts for Oval Faces
If you have an oval face shape, you should consider yourself to be “lucky”. Thanks to their well-balanced appearance, oval faces can suit a wide variety of hairstyles. Basically, nearly every hairstyle flatters this shape.
Since you have the option of essentially any haircut – try going for a style that makes an impact! If you are feeling daring, try out a cute, short cropped bob or pixie-cut.
If you prefer longer styles on the other hand, opt for minimal layers and allow your natural part to determine what side your bangs lay on.
You truly can pick your favorite style of bangs to rock – so whichever you choose, own it with confidence!
Haircuts for Heart-Shaped Faces
If you have a heart-shaped face, your bone structure will feature a broad forehead and cheekbones with a narrow jawline and chin. Your haircut should aim to balance your face shape by decreasing the appearance of your brow width, and increasing the appearance of the width of the lower half of your face.
Try to draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones with bangs or volume along the sides. For example, a long side-swept cut will disguise part of your forehead while drawing eyes down to the bottom of your face.
You can also pair this cut with waves or curls starting below the ear to even out your angled jaw.
Some great options for a heart shaped face?
A side-parted pixie cut with textured ends, or a bob with layers and textured ends pairs beautifully with a heart-shaped face. These cuts ensure fullness around your jaw that flatters your overall shape.
Tip: Styling your layers "down and out" (by curling them away from your face) helps draw away from the width of your forehead.
Bangs are also a great way to conceal a wider forehead. Heart-shaped faces are one of the few that can truly pull of a blunt, classic “bang.”
Haircuts for Round Faces
Round face shapes typically feature a similar length and width as well as prominent, rounded cheeks. The most flattering hairstyles for ladies with round faces are those that add definition and shape (height and length).
The most flattering cut options include haircuts that are below your chin. Go for a layered cut with a longer length. Tell your stylist to create longer, staggered layers that start around the jawline.
Going too short may add more width to the cheek area. If you’re wanting to rock a shorter style, go for one that has layers and movement that will still help to define your face.
Want to rock some bangs? Try out a short side fringe that ends at the eye to help lengthen your face.
Steer clear of short bobs and single-length cuts along with short layers, harsh angular styles, tight curls, and thick bangs. These all will shorten the appearance of the face, which can also enhance the appearance of roundness.
Haircuts for Oblong (Long) Faces
Oblong face shapes typically feature a strong jawline that is wider than the forehead, a chin that is square or flat in shape, and a long length.
Rule of thumb for this face shape? The longer your hair is, the longer it will make your face look.
Oblong faces are best complemented with styles that have width at the cheekbones to distract from the length. It's often best to go with shorter styles or those that have plenty of volume.
Shoot for a length that is somewhere between the chin and shoulders. If your heart is set on a longer length, be sure to add some longer layers to mix up the length and appearance.
When styling, create waves with a curling wand or braid your hair the night before for natural, beachy locks. Wavy and curly styles help to create some body that will even out the appearance of a longer face.
If you are looking to rock some bangs, opt for side-swept bangs - to shorten the face. Avoid choosing a straight bob cut - that also emphasize your jaw and length overall.
Full bangs and long side bangs should be avoided as they cut off your forehead and draw attention to a longer face shape.
There you have it – a comprehensive guide on determining your face shape and figuring out which cuts and styles work best for you! Regardless of your face shape or haircut, consider using a RevAir Reverse Air Dryer to cut down on drying time and damaging heat exposure.
It works wonders on all hair lengths and textures – all while saving you time getting ready! Feel free to chat with one of our friendly advisors if you have any questions about your hairstyle or the RevAir Reverse Air Dryer!
