How to Choose the Perfect Haircut for Your Face Shape, According to Barbers

The Six Main Face Shapes

Understanding your face shape is the first step in finding the right haircut. There are six main face shapes: oval, square, round, heart, oblong/rectangle, and diamond.

Oval

Oval faces are characterized by balanced proportions, with the length of the face being about one and a half times the width. The forehead is slightly wider than the chin, and the jawline is softly rounded.

Square

Square faces have a strong, angular jawline with the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw all roughly the same width. This face shape is often associated with a more masculine appearance.

Round

Round faces have softer angles, with the width and length of the face being almost equal. The cheekbones are the widest part of the face, and the jawline is soft and rounded.

Heart

Heart-shaped faces have a wider forehead and a narrower chin, often with high cheekbones. This face shape resembles an inverted triangle.

Oblong/Rectangle

Oblong or rectangular faces are longer than they are wide, with a long, straight cheek line. The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are all about the same width.

Diamond

Diamond faces have high cheekbones and a narrow forehead and jawline. This face shape is widest at the cheekbones and narrower at the top and bottom.

Best Hairstyles for Oval Faces

Oval faces are versatile and can pull off almost any hairstyle. Here are some great options

Short Hairstyles for Oval Faces

Short styles like the crew cut, buzz cut, and textured crop work well with oval faces. These cuts highlight your balanced proportions and are easy to maintain.

Medium Hairstyles for Oval Faces

Medium-length styles such as the quiff, pompadour, and side part add volume and structure. These styles can be styled in various ways to suit different occasions.

Long Hairstyles for Oval Faces

Longer styles like the man bun, long layers, and shoulder-length cuts enhance your natural symmetry. These styles can be worn loose or styled for a more polished look.

Hairstyles to Avoid for Oval Faces

While oval faces can pull off most styles, it's best to avoid haircuts that cover your forehead or add too much volume on top, as they can elongate your face.

Common Mistakes in Choosing Hairstyles:

Avoid heavy fringes and styles that add excessive height, as these can make your face look longer.

Why Certain Hairstyles Don’t Work

Styles that obscure your forehead can disrupt the natural balance of your face, making it appear disproportionate.

Best Hairstyles for Square-Shaped Faces

Square faces benefit from haircuts that soften the angular jawline and add height to elongate the face.

Short Hairstyles for Square Faces

Short styles like the classic taper, side part, and undercut emphasize your strong jawline while adding a modern edge.

Medium Hairstyles for Square Faces

Medium-length styles such as the comb-over, textured quiff, and layered cut provide volume and movement, softening angular features.

Long Hairstyles for Square Faces

Longer styles like the layered cut and man bun can add length and soften the strong jawline of square faces.

Hairstyles to Avoid for Square-Shaped Faces

Avoid styles that accentuate the squareness of your jawline, such as very short buzz cuts or hairstyles with sharp angles.

Common Mistakes in Choosing Hairstyles

Steer clear of cuts that are too severe or geometric, as they can make your face look overly angular.

Why Certain Hairstyles Don’t Work

Styles that emphasize the width of your face can make it appear boxy and less balanced.

Best Hairstyles for Round Faces

Round faces look best with haircuts that add height and angles to create the illusion of length and definition.

Short Hairstyles for Round Faces

Short styles like the high fade, faux hawk, and textured crop add height and structure, elongating your face.

Medium Hairstyles for Round Faces

Medium-length styles such as the pompadour, side part, and quiff add volume and angles, creating a more balanced look.

Long Hairstyles for Round Faces

Longer styles like the layered cut and shoulder-length hair with side-swept bangs can elongate your face and add definition.

Hairstyles to Avoid for Round Faces

Avoid styles that add width or volume to the sides of your face, as they can make your face look wider.

Common Mistakes in Choosing Hairstyles

Stay away from bobs and blunt cuts that end at the cheeks, as these can make your face appear rounder.

Why Certain Hairstyles Don’t Work

Styles that add volume on the sides can make your face appear wider and less balanced.

Best Hairstyles for Heart-Shaped Faces

Heart-shaped faces benefit from haircuts that balance the wider forehead and narrow chin, adding volume around the jawline.

Short Hairstyles for Heart Faces

Short styles like the side part, textured crop, and undercut draw attention away from the forehead and balance the face.

Medium Hairstyles for Heart Faces

Medium-length styles such as the quiff, pompadour, and layered cut add volume around the jawline, balancing the narrow chin.

Long Hairstyles for Heart Faces

Longer styles like the layered cut and shoulder-length hair with soft waves can soften the forehead and add balance to the face.

Hairstyles to Avoid for Heart-Shaped Faces

Avoid styles that add too much volume on top or draw attention to the narrow chin.

Common Mistakes in Choosing Hairstyles

Steer clear of styles that emphasize the width of the forehead or lack volume around the jawline.

Why Certain Hairstyles Don’t Work

Styles that draw attention to the narrow chin can make the face appear top-heavy and unbalanced.

Best Hairstyles for Oblong/Rectangle Faces

Oblong faces look best with haircuts that add width and avoid adding too much height.

Short Hairstyles for Oblong Faces

Short styles like the side part, crew cut, and textured crop add width and balance to the face.

Medium Hairstyles for Oblong Faces

Medium-length styles such as the pompadour, layered cut, and comb-over add volume to the sides, creating a more balanced look.

Long Hairstyles for Oblong Faces

Longer styles like the layered cut and shoulder-length hair with waves add width and soften the long face shape.

Hairstyles to Avoid for Oblong/Rectangle Faces

Avoid styles that add height or length, as they can elongate your face further.

Common Mistakes in Choosing Hairstyles

Stay away from hairstyles with excessive volume on top, as they can make your face appear longer.

Why Certain Hairstyles Don’t Work

Styles that elongate the face can make it look less balanced and more disproportionate.

Best Hairstyles for Diamond Faces

Diamond faces benefit from haircuts that add width at the forehead and jawline, balancing the narrow chin and wide cheekbones.

Short Hairstyles for Diamond Faces

Short styles like the textured crop, side part, and classic taper soften the cheekbones and add width to the forehead.

Medium Hairstyles for Diamond Faces

Medium-length styles such as the quiff, pompadour, and layered cut add volume to the top and balance the face.

Long Hairstyles for Diamond Faces

Longer styles like the layered cut and shoulder-length hair with soft waves can soften the cheekbones and balance the face.

Hairstyles to Avoid for Diamond Faces

Avoid styles that add width at the cheekbones or narrow the forehead and chin further.

Common Mistakes in Choosing Hairstyles

Steer clear of styles that emphasize the width of the cheekbones or lack volume at the forehead and jawline.

Why Certain Hairstyles Don’t Work

Styles that narrow the forehead and chin can make the face appear more angular and less balanced.

Hair Texture

Hair texture plays a crucial role in selecting the perfect haircut. Different textures require different cuts and maintenance routines.

Importance of Hair Texture in Haircut Selection

Understanding your hair texture helps in choosing a style that enhances your natural look and is easy to maintain.

Best Haircuts for Curly Hair

Curly hair looks great with layered cuts, textured crops, and styles that enhance natural curls.

Best Haircuts for Straight Hair

Straight hair works well with sleek cuts, side parts, and styles that add volume and movement.

Best Haircuts for Wavy Hair

Wavy hair benefits from textured cuts, layered styles, and looks that enhance the natural wave.

Best Haircuts for Coarse Hair

Coarse hair is best with layered cuts, styles that add movement, and looks that reduce bulk.

Best Haircuts for Fine Hair

Fine hair works well with cuts that add volume, layered styles, and looks that create the illusion of thickness.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle significantly influences the type of haircut that suits you best.

Haircuts for Active Lifestyles

For active individuals, low-maintenance styles like buzz cuts, crew cuts, and short textured crops are ideal.

Professional and Office-Appropriate Haircuts

Professional settings often call for clean, polished looks like side parts, classic tapers, and comb-overs.

Low-Maintenance Haircuts

Low-maintenance styles include buzz cuts, textured crops, and short layered cuts that require minimal styling.

Haircuts for Special Occasions

For special occasions, consider styles like the pompadour, quiff, or classic taper, which can be easily styled for a polished look.

Your Best Cuts, According to Face Shape

Combining your face shape with hair texture and lifestyle helps in finding your best cut.

Personalized Haircut Recommendations

Barbers can provide personalized recommendations