Not sure where to start with hairstyle ideas? Begin with your face shape, then factor in your hair texture and daily routine. The table below gives you the quick facts.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Commonly described face shapes | Six: oval, round, square, rectangle, heart, diamond |
| Oval face | Suits just about any haircut or style |
| Round face goal | Minimize the width of the face |
| Heart or triangle face goal | Styles that are fuller at the bottom |
| Square face goal | Downplay the width of the jaw |
| Home face-shape test | Hair tied back, outline traced on a mirror with a dry erase marker |
These points come from Woman & Home’s face shape guide and Matrix’s face shape guide. Styling advice changes and stylists disagree, so check the sources before you rely on the figures.
Start with your face shape
A cut that suits your face shape frames your features instead of hiding them. In a September 2023 Woman & Home guide, Dom Seely, International Creative Director of Color Wow, warns that the wrong match risks “covering up your features or drawing attention to the wrong parts of your face”.
Seely also says that all hair lengths pretty much suit any face shape. In his view, the real difference comes from the cut, the layering, the movement and the styling.
The same guide says there are broadly considered to be six face shapes:
- Oval: longer than it is wide, with broad cheekbones and a slightly narrower forehead and chin.
- Round: even proportions on both sides, with a soft jaw and a curved forehead.
- Square: similar to round, but with a sharper jawline and potentially slightly wider cheekbones.
- Rectangle: proportioned like an oval, with a more angular jaw.
- Heart: a wider forehead and cheeks that draw down into a slightly pointed chin.
- Diamond: narrow at the eye line, broadening across the jaw and cheekbones.
Other guides use different labels. Matrix talks about oval, round, oblong, heart and triangle, and square faces, and groups heart and triangle together. Treat the names as a rough map, not a strict rule.
How to find your face shape at home
Matrix suggests a simple mirror test. You can do it in a couple of minutes:
- Stand in front of a mirror.
- Tie your hair back so there is nothing on your face.
- Hold a dry erase marker at arm’s length and draw the outline of your face on the mirror.
- Step back and compare the outline with the descriptions above.
A hairstylist’s guide at Holleewood Hair uses the same idea but says a lipstick or a washable marker works too. If you would rather skip the drawing, Seely points out that smartphone apps can determine your face shape and take the guesswork out.
Hairstyle ideas for each face shape
The ideas below are starting points drawn from stylist guides, not strict rules. Use them as a shortlist to take to your next appointment.
Oval faces
Matrix says that of all face shapes, ovals look good in just about any haircut or style. The choice is mostly about your hair type, texture and personal taste. The Holleewood Hair guide suggests:
- Long layers that add movement and frame the face without overwhelming a balanced shape.
- A blunt bob that showcases balanced features and can be styled sleek, polished, relaxed or tousled.
- Side-swept bangs that gently highlight the eyes and cheekbones.
- A pixie cut for a bolder choice that draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones.
Round faces
With a round face that is nearly as wide as it is long, Matrix says the goal is to minimize that width. It adds that layers are your friend, especially around the face, because their choppiness adds angles to rounded features.
- A side-parted lob adds sharpness and helps slim the sides of the face, according to the Holleewood Hair guide.
- A high ponytail with volume adds height at the crown, which lengthens the face.
- Face-framing layers give structure to the cheeks and jawline.
If you lean towards cropped styles, the guide to short haircuts for round faces goes further.
Square faces
Matrix advises square faces to seek out hairstyles that downplay the width of the jaw. The Holleewood Hair guide frames the aim as softening the edges with textured, flowing shapes:
- A textured bob adds a little volume around the face and balances the jaw and forehead.
- Curtain bangs with waves help neutralize sharp angles.
- Soft waves with a middle part relax the features and balance a strong jawline.
- A wispy shag gives movement and a softer look.
Heart-shaped faces
For heart and triangle shapes, Matrix says the narrowest point is at the chin and jaw. It recommends hairstyles that are fuller at the bottom to add the perception of width there. The Holleewood Hair guide offers these ideas:
- Side-swept bangs with long layers slim the forehead while the layers add volume near the jaw.
- A chin-length bob adds fullness around the chin and jaw to balance a broader forehead.
- Shoulder-length waves with volume give fullness around the jaw for a more balanced look.
Diamond-shaped faces
A diamond face is narrow at the eye line and broader across the cheekbones and jaw. The Holleewood Hair guide suggests highlighting the cheekbones without emphasizing the sharp angles:
- Long layers with a middle part subtly show off the cheekbones while softening the angles.
- A sleek high ponytail pulls the hair back and keeps the face open and clear.
- A textured lob adds gentle width at the forehead and chin to balance the shape.
Oblong and rectangle faces
Matrix says an oblong face is longer than it is wide, and hairstyles that add some width at the cheekbones to balance the length are often flattering. Stylist Richard Grant, quoted by AARP’s Sisters site, says an oblong face can work with most styles, long or short.
Hairstyle ideas for curly and natural texture
Your texture shapes how any cut behaves. The Holleewood Hair guide says whether your hair is straight, curly or wavy can greatly influence how a hairstyle looks, so pick styles that complement it. For practical help day to day, read the guide on how to style curly hair.
A September 2024 AARP piece quotes celebrity hairstylist Richard Grant on matching curly cuts to face shapes. His advice, shape by shape:
- Oval: any style will suit, from long lengths to short cuts.
- Oblong: it can work with most styles, long or short. Major volume with a fringe can shorten the look of the face, while a shorter cut accentuates its length.
- Round: try a centered part, and avoid extra volume that could make the face appear wider.
- Square: keep a rounded shape to the curls to balance the square angles. A layered look or a curly bob can have a similar effect.
- Heart: frame the face by adding width at the chin with medium-length curly styles, or go shorter to show off a narrow chin.
- Diamond: a rounded Afro softens the angular lines and accentuates fullness in the cheeks.
If you are not ready to commit to a cut, the same article suggests experimenting with wigs that come pre-layered or have a specific cut you want to try. It adds that you can bring a wig to a salon and talk it through with a pro. If your strands are fine, the guide to hairstyles for thin hair is the next place to look.
Choosing by length and daily routine
Length is less restrictive than most people assume, because Seely says all lengths pretty much suit any face shape. Your routine often matters more. The Holleewood Hair guide advises choosing a hairstyle that matches your daily routine, and if you are always on the go, opting for something low-maintenance that still looks put together.
These guides cover the most common starting points:
- If your hair is long, you can start with easy hairstyles for long hair that take little time.
- If you are new to plaits, the guide to braided hairstyles for beginners is a gentle introduction.
- When you want a classic braid, you can learn how to do a french braid step by step.
- If your hair sits around the shoulders, you can browse updos for medium length hair for a more polished finish.
- If you want fewer salon visits and quicker mornings, the guide to low maintenance haircuts is a good place to begin.
Some of the face-shape ideas above double as occasion looks. A sleek high ponytail keeps the face open and clear, and soft waves with a middle part give an easy-going finish. Either can be dressed up or down depending on the day.
How to test a new look before you commit
A haircut is hard to undo, so a little testing saves regret. These steps follow the tips in the guides above:
- Work out your face shape with the mirror test or an app.
- Pick a few cuts from the lists for your shape, and note your hair texture.
- Experiment digitally with virtual hairstyling apps to see what works before committing to the cut, as the Holleewood Hair guide suggests.
- Try a wig that resembles your own texture if you want a more realistic preview, as the AARP piece suggests.
- Talk it through with your hairdresser, who can tailor recommendations to your face shape and personal style.
Woman & Home makes the same point, noting that chatting about your face shape with your hairdresser helps you find the most flattering cut. Once you have a new style, keeping it looking good depends on your routine, so browse the hair care tips for more. For wider inspiration, the beauty tips hub is worth a look.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to choose a hairstyle by face shape?
Show answer
No. Matrix itself says you should absolutely wear your hair any way you please. Face shape is a guide for when you want a style that feels especially flattering.
What is the easiest way to find my face shape?
Show answer
Tie your hair back, stand at a mirror and trace your outline with a dry erase marker, as Matrix suggests. You can also ask a friend for a second opinion, or use an app.
Which hairstyles suit an oval face?
Show answer
Matrix says ovals look good in just about any haircut or style. That makes your hair texture and personal taste the main things to weigh.
Does curly hair change the advice?
Show answer
It can. For a round face, stylist Richard Grant advises against extra volume that could make the face appear wider. For a square face, he suggests keeping a rounded shape to the curls.
Can I try a hairstyle before I cut my hair?
Show answer
Yes. The Holleewood Hair guide suggests virtual hairstyling apps, and the AARP piece suggests pre-layered wigs with a texture close to your own.
