How to Choose Hairstyles for Different Face Shapes

When trying to decide on a new hair style, one of the most important things to consider about how the finished style will look is the shape of your face.

Generally speaking, humans find oval faces the most attractive. Therefore, the rule of thumb is to try and make the face appear oval even if it isn’t naturally.

Oval Faces

Oval faces are about one and a half times as long as they are wide, with roughly equal width in the forehead and jaw. This is the most flexible face shape as far as hairstyles go, because it is already the so-called optimal shape. Ovals can wear long or short hair, with bangs or without, straight or curls. Just avoid hair styles which hide that lucky shape.

Heart Faces

A heart shaped face is a face that is wide in the forehead and temples or cheeks, with a narrow jaw and chin. The best style for this shape face is a chin-length cut, as it lends weight to a narrow jaw and chin. Longer hair also works, but short hair styles bring too much volume to the top of the face and head.

Triangular Faces

Similar to the heart shape, except upside down; these faces have a wide, strong jaw with a narrow forehead and usually cheekbones as well. Shorter hairstyles are best for this shape, especially those that taper down around the temples.

Diamond Faces

Similar to the heart shape but with a narrower crown, being widest at the cheekbones. Like the oval shape which is also resembles, almost any hair length will work well with this shape, though fullness in the neck area is particularly flattering, to accent a delicate chin.

Round Faces

Exactly as it sounds, the round face shape is roughly circular, being about the same length and width. The best styles for this shape give fullness above or below the cheekbones. Thus, either full-bodied short styles, or long styles; but those that end in the jaw line area should be avoided.

Oblong Faces

These faces are considerably longer than they are wide, usually with very “flat” cheekbones through the temples. May have a very high forehead or low chin. Obviously, avoid adding any more length to these already long faces. Medium or short lengths are best. Bangs work particularly well with this shape, to reduce the appearance of length; as do curls, to add body and the appearance of width to the face.

Square Faces

Square faces are roughly equal in width at forehead, cheeks and jaw. Medium to short styles again work best, but avoid those that end at, and thus draw attention to, the already strong jaw line. Some long styles can work, especially if they are full, curly styles. Avoid straight lines whenever possible, such as pronounced parts or “flat” bangs.

Additional Resources

“The Right Hairstyle for Your Face Shape” on thehairstyler.com has some of the best illustrations of the various face shapes.