Hairstyle for Face Shape Guide: Find Your Perfect Look

Choosing the right hairstyle can be a daunting task. It's not just about trends; it's about finding a style that complements your unique facial features. While confidence is key to rocking any new cut, understanding your face shape can help you make the best choice for a flattering look. It’s worth knowing which is the best haircut for your face shape.

Determining Your Face Shape

Before diving into specific hairstyles, it's crucial to determine your face shape. Many people mistakenly believe their faces are simply round, but there's more to it than that. Take a look in the mirror and compare your face to the descriptions below. Arm yourself with a flexible tape measure.

Measurements to Consider:

• Jawline: Measure from the tip of your chin to below your ear at the point at which your jaw angles upwards.

The Six Main Face Shapes:

1. Oval: An oval face shape has no prominent points or angles. A face shape is considered oval if the length is longer than the width, and the jawline is only slightly narrower than the hairline, which is gently rounded. Considered to be very harmonious to the eye, the oval face shape is similar in size and shape on the top and bottom halves of the face. Some celebrities you may recognize with an oval face include Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Bella Hadid.
2. Round: Round shaped faces are the same in width and length, with no prominent angles or corners. A round face shape is almost like a square, except that the spot from one corner of the jaw through the chin to the other one is almost like a perfect half circle. Round: Cheekbones and face length have a similar measurement. They are larger than the forehead and jawline, which also have a similar measurement. Round faces are usually "baby-faces," which means you look younger and can opt for more youthful hairstyles.
3. Square: Square-shaped faces are wide, and the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are almost the same width. If you have a square face shape, your forehead line and jaw line are of similar lengths, and the center vertical and horizontal lines are also similar. Square: All measurements are fairly similar. Generally, the square-shaped face is considered the most masculine of the different face shapes because of the angles of the jawline.
4. Heart: Just like a heart that you would draw out, a heart-shaped face is wider at the hairline and temples and tapers to a small, narrow chin, that is slightly pointed. A heart face shape has a larger forehead line than the jaw line and often a pointy chin. Your forehead may be a prominent feature, and if you have a heart-shaped face, you likely also have killer cheekbones. Heart: Forehead measures greater than the cheekbones and jawline. A "true" heart-shaped face has a widow's peak hairline.
5. Long: The easiest way to describe a long face shape is that it's an oval face shape…just longer-the length of the face noticeably longer than the width of the face. A long face shape is when you take an oval and stretch it vertically to make the vertical center line appear even longer. Long: Face length is the greatest measurement.
6. Diamond: You likely have a diamond face shape if your forehead and jawline are the same width and the widest part of your face is at your cheekbones with a narrow chin. An almost heart shape to which we cut off the corners of the forehead, a diamond face shape has the largest part in the center line. Think of your face like the actual gem, narrowing at the top and bottom. Diamond: Face length measures largest. Then, in descending order: cheekbones, forehead, and smallest is jawline. Narrow in the chin and brow, with width in the cheeks, the diamond face shape is one of the rarer face shapes for men.

Hairstyles for Different Face Shapes

Once you've determined your face shape, it's time to explore the hairstyles that will best flatter your features. But keep in mind that the principles behind choosing the right hairstyle are not just about finding the right cut.

Oval Face Shape

If you have an oval face shape, you're in luck! Lucky for you, if you have an oval face, you can sport almost any hairstyle! Seen as the genetic jackpot for women, an oval face shape may not be the most alpha of face shapes for men, but it’s a good canvas for experimentation when it comes to men’s haircuts. When choosing the right hairstyle for your oval face, the main goal is to avoid elongating your face.

• Short Hair: If you're looking to go shorter, try a blunt bob with face-framing pieces that clears the shoulder.
• Medium Hair: Otherwise, choose a shoulder-length cut with subtle layers to add volume and keep your hair from falling flat.
• Long Hair: If you're looking to keep your hair long, a simple part change can make all the difference.
• Updos: High-fashion, slicked-back looks and updos are also ideal to create on oval shaped faces, as you do not need to overcompensate a certain side or think too hard about softening certain features.
• Ponytails: Have short hair but want to try out a sleek high ponytail? Clipping in a few wefts of hair extensions will make all the difference.

Remember, the best hairstyles for oval faces are styles that keep your hair away from your face, exposing your balanced features. The trick with an oval face shape is to wear your hair off the forehead to create some volume and angles on top. You’ll also want to avoid a forward fringe. Too much heaviness on the forehead softens features and increases roundness of the face. And feel free to ditch the beard. When styling an oval face shape, try to keep the face as clear as possible.

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Heart Face Shape

When choosing a hairstyle for your heart-shaped face, you can either choose to accentuate your tapered face shape, or to balance it out by making the bottom half of your face appear wider.

• Accentuate the Shape: If you choose to accentuate your face's heart shape, pull your hair up into a high top knot, or slicked-back high ponytail.
• Balance the Shape: Otherwise, opt for a lob that just clears the shoulder to add wideness around your jawline.
• Parting: If you have one, try and avoid forcing a middle part. Chances are, one side of your hair will part as you would like it to and one side will have a mind of its own. Instead, part your hair slightly off center to whichever side your hair naturally falls over the widow's peak.

Avoid cuts that are very tight, as these will accentuate the narrowness of the chin and the width of the forehead. A medium-length swept look is the safest bet. Mid-length and long hairstyles that are kept reasonably thin and light soften the heart shape’s strong forehead. Facial hair is also key in this case, adding some much-needed bulk to a narrow chin and jawline.

Square Face Shape

When choosing a hairstyle for a square shape face, you can either choose to accentuate the squareness of your face or soften your strong jawline. Considered the masculine ideal, a square face shape is characterized by a razor sharp jawline, even proportions and an overall chiseled appearance. Like the oval, it’s a great foundation for most styles and is versatile enough to work with both extremely short and longer hairstyles-from buzz cuts to French crops to quiffs. Just bear in mind that the shorter you go, the more you look like you’ve just been conscripted.

• Enhance the Squareness: If you'd like to enhance your face shape, go for some blunt bangs or a short bob to really show off that strong jawline.
• Soften the Squareness: If you'd like to de-enhance the squareness, try some soft, wispy bangs falling to the side to create diagonal lines and soften the lines on your face, or wear your hair straight and long with layers that start a few inches from the end to draw the eyes down and add length to your face.

Classic, neat haircuts complement a square shape best-think close fades, side partings and short layers. Avoid overly thick bangs or blunt hairstyles, as this could accentuate the angles on your face even more. Also, any severe, slicked back looks should also be avoided, if you are trying to soften your face shape.

Round Face Shape

When styling a round face, your main goal is to elongate the face and make it appear more oval. Circular with a rounded chin and no obvious lines or angles, a round face shape benefits from a haircut that lends it some definition. If you’ve got a round face shape, think square. Since round faces have little in the way of natural angles, you need to create the illusion of structure with your hair. Square corners in the high recession area of your hair will sharpen up any soft edges.

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• Asymmetry: A quick trick to doing this is to always leave a little piece of hair untucked on one side of your face.
• Short Hair: Short hair is particularly flattering on round faces, if parted and styled the right way, so go ahead and make the chop to that trendy lob.
• Parting: Try a deep side part to also create more angles to a round face, or pull your hair up into a high ponytail to elongate the face.
• Avoid Hiding: A common mistake for round-faced women is to hide their face behind lots of hair, which actually ends up accentuating the wide face. Instead, go for medium length hair with long, face-framing bangs, and keep the texture smooth and sleek.

Avoid soft, wispy bangs, as this can further accentuate the softness of your features. To avoid making a round face shape look rounder, avoid bob haircuts and styling that makes the hair go inward.

Long Face Shape

The main goal for long face shapes is to make your face appear wider than it is to balance out the longer length, so curls are an excellent option for you. Because a rectangular face looks longer, it’s important to avoid taking the sides too short if keeping length on the top, as this would only accentuate the length of the face.

• Curls and Waves: Flat-iron waves are a great way to achieve loose curls and waves for a widening effect. You want the widest part of your waves to hit around the area of your cheekbone, to create the illusion of a wider face, so start curling the hair closer to the root to achieve this. A good salon-style blowout is also a quick, simple way to achieve more volume and width.
• Length: Keeping with the "wider not longer" rule, avoid hair that is too far past mid-length, as this lengthens the face.
• Bangs: Try to shorten your vertical center line by adding thick bangs in the middle.

Taking that advice, try a style that lets the hair fall to the sides and/or across the forehead to add width and ensure your face doesn’t appear narrower than it is.

Diamond Face Shape

Diamond face shapes are coveted because they are symmetrical and balanced, so your main objective is to accentuate your elegant face shape, rather than balance anything out. Hairstyles that add width at the forehead and chin area are your best bet.

• Bangs and Layers: Opt for long, side-swept bangs to highlight your cheekbones with long layers, or go short with a textured lob. Side-swept bangs are a YES if you have a diamond-shaped face.
• Avoid: Because your face narrows at the chin, avoid heavy, rounded bangs, which shorten the face, making it look smaller than it is.

Don’t, however, take the sides too short-given the width of the cheekbones, a hairstyle that’s particularly short at the sides will only make your ears look bigger. Softer lines and layers are better for this face shape, working to soften its natural angles. A style with volume is king with this one. As for the beard, the most you’ll look good with is some light stubble. But really, given the prominence of the jawline, in this case, it’s best to steer clean-shaven.

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