Face Shapes and Hairstyles

Before you choose which cut and style you want to go with, take your facial shape into consideration. A hairstyle that you saw on a model may not look as well on you as you thought.

There are hairstyles that accentuate different facial shapes better than others. It’s important to know your face shape because you want your hair to work for you.  For help determining your face structure please check out our What Shape is My Face page.

Everyone’s face is different, but most everyone’s face falls within one of these five common shapes:

Round Face

Best Hairstylespixies, asymmetrical, styles longer than chin length, styles with a fuller crown, styles with layered, wispy bangs, long layers, short hair with height or fullness on top.

Info You Should Know: Find styles that elongate and slim your face. Stay away from styles that make your face look fuller. Don’t have length or layers beginning at chin level and go for less volume.

Celebrities With Round Faces: Emma Stone, Cameron Diaz, Christina Ricci, Ginnifer Goodwin

ginnifer goodwin round face

Ginnifer Goodwin has a classic round face structure

christina ricci round face shape

Christina Ricci’s chin length style accentuates her round face.

Square Face

Best Hairstyles: short to medium length styles, angled bobs, long layers with the shortest layer beginning at chin length, styles with soft, side-swept bangs, off-center parts, wavy or textured hair.

Info You Should Know: Find styles that play down your angled jaw. Avoid chin-length styles and heavy bangs. Go for textured layers or waves to soften your features.

Celebrities With Square Faces: Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Olivia Wilde

sandra bullock square shape face

Sandra Bullock has a square shaped face.

Oval Face

Best Hairstyles: layers beginning at the feature you would like to accent, pixie cuts, straight styles with lift, A-line bobs, curved bangs, shoulder length styles

Info You Should Know: Oval faces can wear pretty much any hairstyle. Stay away from styles that cover the faces shape.

Celebrities With Oval Faces: Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Middleton

jennifer aniston oval

Jennifer Aniston has the classic oval face

kate middleton oval

Kate Middleton has a classic oval face

Heart Shaped Face

Best Hairstyles:  styles with height on top, long, side-swept bangs, textured and layered styles (long, short), pixie haircuts

Info You Should Know: You should avoid styles that make your face appear shorter and wider. Find styles that add length to your face and create width to a narrow chin.

Celebrities With Heart Shaped Faces: Reese Witherspoon, Rihanna, and Zooey Deschanel

heart face shape reese witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon has a heart shaped face

Rihanna brings edgy style to her blonde emo

Oblong Shaped Face (also called Diamond Shape)

Best Hairstyles: wedge and bob cuts, chin and shoulder length cuts that curl under or out, long layers, fringe styles

Info You Should Know: Avoid styles that make your face look longer such as too long or too short styles and styles with height at the crown.

Celebrities With Oblong Faces: Kate Beckinsale, Sarah Jessica Parker, Janet Jackson, Liv Tyler and Halle Berry

Halle Berry
janet jackson diamond shape face

Janet Jackson makes her oblong face seem fuller with this haircut with volume on the sides

Always try to play up your best feature when choosing your style, no matter what shape you have. It’s much easier to style a cut that flatters your face shape. It will keep your face looking balanced and you can be your most beautiful self.

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Short Hairstyles

Shoulder Length Medium Hairstyles

Long Hairstyles

Short Layered Cuts

Long Layered Hairstyles