Which Hairstyle is Best for Your Face Shape?

A hairstyle can significantly affect your day, either enhancing your appearance or damaging the first impression you make. When selecting a hairstyle, what do you consider first—current trends or the latest celebrity looks?

It’s helpful to begin by asking: What is my face shape? Which haircut will highlight my best facial features? Which hairstyle suits me and enhances my natural beauty? Ultimately, it comes down to knowing your face shape and selecting a flattering haircut.

Fortunately, this is not rocket science. Read our comprehensive guide to learn how to identify your face shape and discover the haircuts and hairstyles that best flatter you.

What Is My Face Shape?

There are six primary face shapes—oval, round, square, oblong (long), heart, inverted triangle, and diamond. Some sources also list pear‑shaped and rectangular faces. While this can be confusing, the essential step is to determine whether your face is broader or narrower and identify your most prominent feature. The right hairstyle can balance your face’s length and width by adding volume or height where needed, highlighting your best features.

The simplest method to determine your face shape is to photograph your face with hair pulled back, looking straight at the camera. Having someone else take the picture is preferable, as selfies can distort your appearance. You may also photograph your reflection in a mirror. Then, review the image and see which geometric shape your face most closely matches.

Finished? Now comes the most exciting part: discover descriptions of different face shapes and the hairstyles and haircuts that best flatter each.

Hairstyles for Oval Face Shape

The oval face shape is considered ideal for women. It features balanced proportions, being neither excessively long nor wide. Celebrities such as Beyoncé and Sharon Stone exemplify this well‑shaped oval face.

If you have an oval face, you can choose any hairstyle you prefer. Styles ranging from pixie cuts to long, glamorous waves will suit you.

Hairstyles for oval faces can emphasize your best feature. If your eyes stand out, try playful eyebrow‑skimming bangs. If you have strong bone structure and balanced facial features, a blunt bob can accentuate them. Below are several flattering ideas for oval faces.

Long Wavy Hair with Soft Blunt Bangs

For an oval face, soft blunt bangs are a good option. They work well with straight or gently waved hair and highlight the eyes.

Curly Bob

Women with oval faces who want plenty of volume can choose a curly bob—it suits their face shape. This style also highlights natural facial features, as curly bobs effectively open up the face.

Short Pixie Cut

Oval face shapes provide many options, allowing you to easily pull off short haircuts. Today’s selection is a striking platinum‑blonde pixie that is feminine and flattering, suitable for both thick and thin hair.

Hairstyles for Round Face Shape

A round face has nearly equal height and width, lacks pronounced jaw angles, and often includes fuller cheeks. Ginnifer Goodwin and Cameron Diaz are notable round‑faced celebrities who frequently look great with flattering hairstyles.

How to choose a hairstyle for a round face? Start by minimizing roundness with a deep side part and long side bangs. Generally, medium or long styles work best, though a pixie cut can also be suitable. Add edge with a choppy pixie that has extra volume at the crown. Here are several ideas for inspiration.

Shaggy Cut with Curtain Bangs

A shaggy haircut with several short layers effectively diverts attention from a round face. Because round faces often have a broad forehead, the next step is to conceal it; therefore, side‑swept and curtain bangs work well for round faces.

Long Hair with Face Framing Layers

If you prefer long hair, wearing it straight can emphasize a round face. Choose soft, face‑framing layers instead; they help conceal wide cheekbones and create a triangular silhouette that visually narrows a round face.

Long Hair with Defined Waves

Create volume at the lower part of the face, beginning at the chin, to balance a round shape. Full, defined waves help elongate round faces. Adding bangs to conceal a broad forehead results in a flattering hairstyle.

Hairstyles for Square Face Shape

Although a square face is often considered masculine, many renowned beauties such as Angelina Jolie, Olivia Wilde, Demi Moore, and Keira Knightley have square faces. A square face is defined by an angular jawline and a width that is roughly equal to its length.

Hairstyles that suit a square face soften its angles and add height on top. Loose medium‑length hair, long waves, chin‑length bobs, and lobs work well for a square face. Avoid blunt straight bangs, as they emphasize the jawline and can widen the face. Very short bobs and slicked‑back styles may also appear too masculine.

Long Layered Hairstyle

Long, layered haircuts with a feminine, romantic style frame the face and soften the sharp angles of a square face. Soft curtain bangs can help conceal a broad forehead, making them an ideal option for a square-shaped face.

Long Wavy Hair with Highlights

The ideal way to balance a square face with long hair is to create a triangular shape at the forehead and add flowing waves below the chin. Use curtain bangs or face‑framing layers, and incorporate loose waves to provide strategic volume.

Messy Lob with Curtain Bangs

Women with square faces who choose a long bob can enhance the style with soft, messy waves and curtain bangs. The waves add volume and soften the angular shape, while the bangs conceal the forehead.

Hairstyles for Long Face Shape

A long (oblong) face resembles an oval face but is slightly longer and narrower. Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler are good examples.

For long faces, choose hairstyles that add volume to the sides of the face rather than the crown, opposite the recommendations for round and square shapes.

Consider layered haircuts that begin at the cheekbones. Opt for blunt horizontal bangs, wide waves, or fluffy curls. Avoid adding height or wearing long straight hair without layers, as this can lengthen your face. Below are several ideas that suit your face shape.

Long Waves

To balance an oblong face, choose a hairstyle that visually divides the face into two halves. Keep the upper portion sleek and avoid added volume, while generous volume below the cheekbones is encouraged.

Long Layered Hair with Thick Bangs

A reliable method to visually shorten a long face is to wear thick bangs that cover the forehead. Paired with appropriate layers, this creates a very flattering hairstyle for an oblong face shape.

Blunt Bob with Ghost Layers

For short hair on a long face, the guiding principle stays the same—add volume to the sides. If you prefer a blunt bob, you can use ghost layers, which appear seamless yet still add volume and dimension.

Hairstyles for Diamond Face Shape

A diamond face shape features a pointed chin, a narrow hairline, and cheekbones that are the widest part of the face. For example, Ashley Greene has a diamond-shaped face.

Diamond-shaped faces feature strong bone structure, including high cheekbones and a defined jawline, so they often look good with swept‑back or side‑swept hairstyles. For haircuts, layered styles are the most flattering way to frame a diamond face.

Textured Lob

Diamond-shaped faces are enhanced by many layers, as this example demonstrates. This airy, effortless haircut effectively highlights the narrow chin and forehead while visually slimming the cheekbones.

French Bob

Those with a diamond face shape who prefer short, low‑maintenance styles may opt for a French bob. Slightly shorter than chin‑length, this bob offers ample texture. Its length avoids emphasizing a narrow chin, making it a highly flattering choice for diamond faces.

Medium Layered Hair

Layers are generally more suitable for diamond-shaped faces than straight hair. Selecting the most flattering shape is important, and you can further enhance the look by choosing a hair color that highlights your best features.

Hairstyles for Heart and Inverted Triangle Face Shapes

Heart and inverted‑triangle are attractive face shapes, featuring a broader forehead and cheekbones that narrow toward a pointed chin. Kourtney Kardashian exemplifies a heart‑shaped face, and Anja Rubik illustrates an inverted triangle. A widow’s peak is the only characteristic that distinguishes one face shape from another.

For heart-shaped faces, bouncy curls from mid‑length to the ends are recommended. These curls add volume at the chin, balancing a wide forehead with a narrow jawline. Long, swooping bangs are also a good option. Do not add volume on top, as it can make the forehead appear wider.

Curly Medium Length Hair

Curls provide a simple way to add side volume, effectively balancing heart‑ or inverted‑triangle‑shaped faces. Ensure the curls begin just below the cheekbone, avoiding excess volume on the top.

Messy Bob with Parted Bangs

This messy shoulder‑length cut has loose waves and soft layers that add flattering volume, while curtain bangs conceal a wide forehead.

Long Hairstyle for Heart Shaped Faces

If you have a heart-shaped face and prefer long hair without layers or curls, try loose waves with curtain bangs. This combination adds volume where needed and balances a wide forehead.

These are the primary face shapes and suggestions for selecting haircuts and hairstyles that suit each shape. Additionally, see the infographic below for guidance on avoiding common hairstyle mistakes and maintaining a beautiful look.