Face shape can be a helpful tool in choosing a haircut - but it’s not the rulebook.
If you’ve ever googled “best haircut for a round face” or “how to know your face shape,” you’re not alone. These guides can be helpful, but they often forget one key thing: your haircut needs to fit your life as much as your jawline. It should reflect your personality, feel easy to style, and make you feel like you - just a little more put together.
That said, understanding your face shape can still be a helpful starting point. Here’s a simple guide to identifying yours, along with a few tailored cut ideas to enhance your natural features, without boxing you into a cookie-cutter look.
Because the best haircuts aren’t about following rules. They’re about bringing out the best in you.
How to Identify Your Face Shape
Pull your hair back and take note of your hairline, cheekbones, jawline, and the overall proportions of your face. Most people fall into one of the following categories:
- Oval
- Round
- Square
- Heart
- Long (or rectangular)
- Diamond
If you see a bit more than one, that’s normal. Many people don’t fit neatly into one shape, and great haircuts are rarely about ticking boxes anyway.
Haircuts That Complement Each Face Shape
Oval Face
This balanced face shape works well with nearly any haircut, which means you have the freedom to experiment. Long layers, soft lobs, curtain bangs, or a sleek bob all work beautifully. It’s a shape that pairs well with movement and texture or clean lines if you prefer minimalism.
Words to bring to the chair: versatile, adaptable, balanced.
Round Face
Add shape and dimension by building structure and softness. Think face-framing layers, sweeping fringes, and shapes that draw the eye downward or diagonally. Longer bobs, grown-out shags, or modern layers can bring a sense of openness and lightness.
Words to bring to the chair: sculpted, soft, flowing.
Square Face
Square face shapes shine with styles that enhance your strong features and add a touch of flow. Layers, tousled waves, or subtle shaping around the jaw can create a soft but confident silhouette. A side-parted bob or curtain bangs can also bring movement to the overall look.
Words to bring to the chair: defined, textured, confident.
Heart-Shaped Face
Cuts that add balance to the lower half of the face work beautifully here. Chin-length bobs, soft layers, or side-swept fringes enhance the natural shape while keeping everything feeling light and fresh. Volume near the jawline and soft face-framing pieces are your friends.
Words to bring to the chair: balanced, soft, fresh.
Long / Rectangular Face
Haircuts that create movement and width, such as blunt bobs, full fringes, or layered lobes, can feel harmonious on long face shapes. Adding horizontal lines or volume through the mid-lengths helps create a flattering sense of proportion.
Words to bring to the chair: bold, structured, dimensional.
Diamond Face
This shape is flattered by cuts that soften the cheekbones and open up the face. Chin-grazing bobs, layered shags, or side-parted styles can help balance the natural angles and let the bone structure shine without feeling too sharp.
Words to bring to the chair: sculpted, balanced, airy.
Why Face Shape Is Only One Factor
Face shape is just one part of the puzzle.
The right cut also depends on:
- Your natural texture
- How much time do you want to spend styling
- What makes you feel like yourself
- The version of you you're ready to show the world
If it looks great on Instagram but doesn't work for your life? It's not the right cut. We're here to help you find something that works every day, not just when you walk out of the salon.
Let's Find a Style That Fits You
Your hair should feel considered, not copied.
Book a consult, and we'll create a shape that works with your face, your life, and your style.
