When it comes to haircuts, one size doesn’t fit all. There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing your perfect haircut. Your hair type, face shape and how much time you are willing to spend on your hair are some major considerations.
In this article we will discuss the different face shapes, how to tell which face shape you have and what haircut is best suited for you. There are six main face shapes. Oval, heart, square, round, diamond and oblong. The best way to figure out your face shape is to take your hair back into a ponytail and look in the mirror. We will go through all six face shapes and their identifying features in detail below. We will also discuss the ideal haircuts for each shape.
It’s important to note that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to hair. The only thing that matters is that you feel beautiful, so whatever it is that makes you feel beautiful is precisely what you should do. This advice is for those who are unsure about what they would like to do with their hair and are looking for some direction.
Why is face shape important when choosing a haircut?
Embed from Getty ImagesThere have been many studies about the connection between symmetry and perception of beauty. For this reason, when selecting a haircut based on the face shape, the aim is to create a sense of symmetry. This also explains why a certain haircut can look great on one person with a particular face shape and not as good on another.
The most symmetrical face shape is an oval shape. It is soft and slightly rounded and generally suits most haircuts. You will notice that while selecting the best haircuts for each of the face shapes, we aim to achieve an oval shape in balance. We do this by utilizing different cutting techniques, layering, lengths and fringes or bangs strategically adding length or width, or softening corners where needed.
The six face shapes and what compliments them
Please note: These are guidelines only. Very often we have a combination of the features listed below. We couldn’t possibly divide the entire population into just six face shapes, so when you look in the mirror and observe your features, keep this in mind.
Diamond
The diamond face shape has a sharp chin and the forehead will be slightly narrower than the cheekbones which are generally quite heigh and defined. Don’t be fooled by the rocks that she got, JLo has a perfect diamond face shape.
Embed from Getty ImagesRecommended:
- The best bangs for a diamond face shape are soft, sideswiped bangs
- A textured bob works beautifully on this face shape as it creates balance around the chin by widening the area
- Middle partings work well as the longest part of the face is the center
- To accentuate high cheekbones, a sleek top ponytail works beautifully
Avoid:
- For a diamond face shape, because the lower half of the face is usually quite dainty, you want to avoid heavy bangs which will make the lower half of the face look even tinier
Round
A round face is usually broader with a soft chin. Also referred to as a ‘baby face’ the round face is usually a similar width to length. Don’t be mistaken by the connotation though as a round face does not mean fat, it simply means soft, rounded features. Selena Gomez and Chrissy Teigen are two celebs who have a round face.
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- Deep side partings balance a round face
- Pixie cuts with volume on top will add length to the face shape
- Long layered cuts, with textured layers starting around the jawline
- Shorter side bangs
Avoid:
- Round haircuts such as layered bobs
- Short layers on longer hair that are voluminous on the sides (tips to grow your hair out here)
- Wide, voluminous curls
Square
Square faces are usually a similar width to length and the jawline is strong and square. The forehead is often strong with a square hairline. Demi Moore has a classically square face shape as well as Hailey Bieber.
Embed from Getty ImagesRecommended:
- Soft, side swept fringe to soften the top half of the face
- Textured layering around the jawline to soften the jawline
- Soft layered lob (long bob) or longer
Avoid:
- Heavy bangs which will shorten the lower half of the face
- Blunt bob which will accentuate the square jawline
- Slick back look will accentuate the square shape
Rectangle / oblong
The length of an oblong or rectangle face shape is usually about double the width. Liv Tyler has an oblong face which is slightly softer around the jaw than rectangle, with Gigi Goode from Rupaul’s Drag Race giving us a classic rectangle shape with a square jawline.
Embed from Getty ImagesRecommended:
- Loose curls from the root adding width to the shape
- Soft, side fringe which can soften the length of the face
- Layers cutting into the collar bone and around the jawline
Avoid:
- Long, flat hairstyles that will further elongate the shape
- Middle partings
Heart
The classic heart shape features a wide forehead with cheekbones that are slightly less wide and a pointy chin. Reece Witherspoon has a heart shape face.
Embed from Getty ImagesRecommended:
- Textured lob (long bob) is perfect for a heart shape face
- Deep side parting with long, textured bangs
- Longer hair should have soft layering and texture as well as a soft, side fringe
Avoid:
- Slick back looks can make the forehead look larger
- Blunt bob can make the chin look smaller
Oval
As oval is classically the softest, most balanced shape it can generally suite most haircuts. The oval face is usually widest at the cheekbones with a slightly narrower forehead and a soft chin with a slight point. Beyoncé has an oval face shape.
Embed from Getty ImagesRecommended:
- Shorter cropped hair looks beautiful on an oval face shape
- Textured or blunt bob or lob
- Longer hair with voluminous curls and texture
Avoid:
- Very long, flat and strait hair might drag down the shape
- Heavy bangs can hide the face shape too much
Conclusion
After saying all this, I would like to leave the reader with this quote by philosopher David Hume:
Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty. One person may even perceive deformity, where another is sensible of beauty; and every individual ought to acquiesce in his own sentiment, without pretending to regulate those of others. (Hume 1757, 136)
No one face shape is more beautiful than the next. Beauty is so much more than our shape and our hair and our clothes. It is inside of us, and this is where our most important work should be focused. In the quest for beauty, our search is an inward one, because that is where our true beauty lies.
Remember to pin this to your boards so you can come back to it later!
