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Choosing the right haircut is more than just picking the latest trendy style; it’s about understanding what complements your unique facial features. Whether you have an oval, square, round, heart, oblong, or diamond-shaped face, there’s a haircut that will accentuate your best features and downplay your less favored ones. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the six main face shapes and guide you on how to choose the best haircuts for both men and women based on this fundamental aspect. We’ll also cover the significance of bangs, hair texture, and lifestyle considerations while providing insight into universally flattering styles. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to confidently select your next haircut.
The Six Main Face Shapes
Oval
The oval face shape is considered the most versatile and balanced. Characterized by slightly wider cheekbones and a gentle taper toward the chin, people with oval faces have the luxury of experimenting with a variety of hairstyles. The symmetrical nature allows for flexibility in both length and texture. Celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Jake Gyllenhaal exemplify this face shape.
Square
Square faces have a strong, angular jawline with equally wide cheekbones and forehead. This face shape exudes strength and masculinity in men and a sense of elegance and poise in women. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are iconic figures with square faces. Hairstyles that add softness and volume tend to work exceptionally well for this face shape.
Round
A round face has noticeable fullness with equal width and height. It often exudes a youthful and soft appearance. Think of celebrities like Selena Gomez and Leonardo DiCaprio. To add angles and balance to a round face, haircuts that create the illusion of length and structure are generally recommended.
Heart
Heart-shaped faces feature a wider forehead and a narrow, pointed chin, resembling an inverted triangle. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Gosling are perfect examples. To balance a heart-shaped face, it’s essential to minimize the width at the top and add volume around the jawline. Hairstyles that frame the face and add fullness to the lower half work well here.
Oblong/Rectangle
This face shape is longer than it is wide with a straight cheek line. It can be perceived as long and slender, with high cheekbones often being a distinctive feature. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and David Schwimmer have this elongated facial structure. The goal is to make the face appear more oval and balanced by adding width and avoiding excessive length.
Diamond
Diamond-shaped faces have high, wide cheekbones and a narrow forehead and chin. People with this face shape, such as Megan Fox and Johnny Depp, benefit from haircuts that reduce width at the cheekbones while enhancing the forehead and jawline. The aim is to soften the angles and create an appearance of balance.
Your Best Cuts, According to Face Shape
Oval
Both men and women with oval faces can pull off almost any style. For women, layered waves, pixie cuts, and soft curls can add dimension. Men can opt for anything from a classic short cut to a longer, tousled look. The oval face can handle varied textures and lengths, allowing for great versatility in hair styling.
Square
To complement a square face shape, add some softness with layers and curls. Women can benefit from side-swept bangs or shoulder-length bobs with soft edges. Men should consider styles that soften the jawline, such as layered cuts and waves. A little bit of length on top with shorter sides can also work well.
Round
If you have a round face, the goal is to add height and angles. Long, layered hairstyles or angled bobs work well for women. Adding volume at the crown can elongate the appearance of the face. For men, styles that add height, such as pompadours or faux hawks, can provide a more structured look.
Heart
For heart-shaped faces, the key is to avoid adding too much volume at the top. Women can go for chin-length bobs or layered cuts that add fullness below the cheekbones. Side parts and long side-swept bangs can also be flattering. Men should aim for styles that add bulk around the jawline with longer layers around the face.
Oblong/Rectangle
To balance an oblong face, the focus should be on adding width and avoiding excessive length. Women should consider layered cuts that hit around the shoulders, with soft bangs to shorten the face’s appearance. Men can go for styles that are fuller on the sides, such as classic side parts and textured crops, to add dimension.
Diamond
For diamond face shapes, hairstyles that are fuller at the forehead and jawline work best. Women should opt for side-swept bangs, chin-length bobs, or shoulder-length waves. Men can try styles that add width at the forehead and jawline while minimizing volume around the cheekbones, such as fringe hairstyles or classic Caesar cuts.
All About Bangs: Cut, Texture, and Your Forehead
Face Shape
The face shape plays a significant role when selecting bangs. Oval faces can play with various bang styles, from blunt to side-swept. Square faces benefit from softer, wispy bangs to alleviate the prominence of the jawline. With a round face, longer side-swept bangs add angles and length to the face. Heart-shaped faces look great with graduated bangs that are longer at the sides, balancing the forehead. Oblong faces can use straight-across bangs to shorten the appearance of the face, and diamond faces should opt for fuller bangs to balance the narrow forehead and chin.
Forehead Size
Forehead size also influences the ideal bang style. A high forehead can be balanced with straight-across or side-swept bangs, adding proportion to the face. If you have a smaller forehead, shorter or wispy bangs work better, ensuring not to overpower the face. For those with a medium forehead, most bang styles will work, giving you the liberty to experiment.
What Else Should I Keep in Mind?
Hair Texture
Hair texture is a crucial factor when choosing a haircut. Fine hair benefits from layered cuts to add volume and movement. Thick hair can be thinned out with structured layers to avoid a bulky appearance. Curly hair has its own set of challenges and requires cuts that enhance the curl pattern without making it overly voluminous or untamed.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle should also influence your haircut choice. If you’re always on the go, a low-maintenance style may be best. Consider how much time you’re willing to spend on styling each day. Active individuals might prefer shorter cuts that are easy to manage, while those who enjoy experimenting with styles may opt for longer, versatile cuts. Your profession and daily activities should guide your decision as well.
Is There a Universally Flattering Style?
While there is no one-size-fits-all haircut, some styles tend to be universally flattering. For women, a shoulder-length cut with layers can complement most face shapes and hair textures. For men, a classic tapered cut with some length on top is nearly always a winner. These styles offer balance and versatility, allowing minor adjustments to tailor them to individual features.
| Face Shape | Ideal Women’s Hairstyles | Ideal Men’s Hairstyles |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | Layers, Pixie Cuts, Soft Curls | Short Cuts, Tousled Looks |
| Square | Side-Swept Bangs, Shoulder-Length Bobs | Layered Cuts, Waves |
| Round | Long Layers, Angled Bobs | Pompadours, Faux Hawks |
| Heart | Chin-Length Bobs, Side-Swept Bangs | Longer Layers, Bulk Around Jawline |
| Oblong/Rectangle | Shoulder-Length Layers, Soft Bangs | Fuller Sides, Textured Crops |
| Diamond | Side-Swept Bangs, Chin-Length Bobs | Fringe Hairstyles, Caesar Cuts |
As we’ve explored, the secret to a flattering haircut lies in tailoring it to your unique face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle. While trends come and go, understanding these core principles will help you make informed decisions for timeless and flattering haircuts that highlight your best features.
