Finding the Best Hairstyles for Your Face Shape

Ready to try a new hairstyle, but not sure which haircut will work for you? We recommend taking your face shape into consideration. Choosing the right hairstyle for your face shape can make the difference between a cut you love and a cut you can’t wait to grow out. Keep reading to learn the most flattering hairstyles for your face shape.

What is My Face Shape?

To find your face shape, pull your hair back, then take a look in the mirror to see which of the descriptions below best matches your appearance. Pay special attention to your forehead, cheekbones and jawline. If you’re having a hard time determining your face shape, use an old lipstick or eyeliner pencil to draw the outline of your face onto the mirror.

5 Common Face Shapes

Round

Round faces are equal in width and length. The cheekbones are the widest point of the face. The jaw and forehead are rounded with no harsh angles.

Oblong

For long faces, the forehead, jaw, and cheekbones are the same width. The face is markedly longer than it is wide, with a rounded jawline. Hint: gorgeous Molly Sims is one celebrity example of someone with a long face shape.

Square

Square faces feature a forehead, cheekbones and jaw that are all the same width. The defining feature of a square face is a strong jawline.

Heart

Heart-shaped faces are widest at the forehead, with the face tapering into a narrow jaw with a pointy chin. Heart-shaped faces often have a widow’s peak.

Oval

Oval is the most common face shape. Oval faces are slightly longer than they are wide. The jaw and forehead are softly rounded with no sharp angles, and the cheekbones are the widest part of the face.

The Best Hairstyles for Your Face Shape

Now that you know your face shape, it’s time to find out which hairstyle is most flattering for you!

Hairstyles for Round Faces

The key for round faces is to choose hairstyles that elongate the face. Long hair with soft, face-framing layers make the face look longer while adding structure. We recommend parting your hair to the side, which also creates the illusion of length.

Long hair with face-framing layers help elongate rounder faces

Many people believe that bangs don’t work for round faces, but that’s just not true! Textured, side-swept bangs work better than straight-across, blunt bangs for this face shape. The shortest piece of your bangs should end at eye level.

When styling your hair, leave a small piece of hair untucked in front of each ear. This creates a separation between the face and ears, and makes the face appear more narrow.

Hairstyles for Oblong Faces

Women with long faces should choose hairstyles that create the illusion of width. Long faces can pull off any length of hair, but straight-across and side-swept bangs bangs work especially well for this face shape. Straight-across bangs should end at the bottom of the eyebrow, while side-swept bangs should be cut towards the middle of the face.

Longer bangs that end at the eyebrow add width to long faces

Also consider embracing updos, which when combined with a longer face will show off the length of your neck.

Hairstyles for Square Faces

Women with square faces should ask for hairstyles that soften the jawline. Choose a hairstyle with face-framing layers that de-emphasize the chin. Face-framing layers soften the jawline of square faces

Tousled waves are very flattering for square faces. To style at home, apply Toppik Hair Fattener Advanced Thickening Serum to damp hair. Blast with a blow-dryer for volume, then curl sections with a 1-½ inch barrel curling iron, leaving out the ends of hair. Finger comb to separate curls.

Hairstyles for Heart-Shaped Faces

Heart-shaped faces look best with hairstyles that narrow the forehead, while creating the illusion of width at the jawline. Think a shoulder-length bob with side-swept bangs, which make the face look longer by hiding part of the forehead. Side-swept bangs that partially cover the forehead help elongate a heart-shaped face

If you prefer longer hair, ask your hairstylist for layers that hit at the chin to add width to this area.

Hairstyles for Oval Faces

Oval faces can pull off pretty much any haircut, but we recommend choosing a hairstyle that emphasizes your face’s symmetry. For example, a blunt bob or lob (a long bob) with minimal face-framing layers looks great on an oval-shaped face. Avoid blunt bangs, which will make the face look shorter.

A blunt lob with minimal face-framing layers emphasize the symmetry of an oval face

Oval faces also look amazing with hair slicked straight back. Use Toppik Hair Building Fibers to fill in any sparse areas around the hairline for a complete look.

Long hair that's smooth and straight helps frame an oval face

Remember: there is no ideal face shape! All face shapes are beautiful.

If you have your heart set on a haircut that’s not traditionally flattering for your face shape, ask your hairstylist to make some changes so it works for you. A couple extra layers or a side part may be all you need to make your dream haircut a reality.