Your face shape
Perhaps your friend has a particularly lovely new hairdo, or maybe you’ve seen someone with a nice new chop on social media. Some hair styles can look perfect on some but not on others, and this is usually down to face shape. Let’s take a look at the different face shapes and what styles work. When you know what your face shape is, you can work out which part of your face to accentuate with a haircut.
Different face shapes
There a number of different face shape categories that will help you pick the most flattering style.
Oval – this shape of face is longer than it is wider and your jaw will be narrower than your cheekbones. Your forehead is the widest part of your face and the lower half of your face will look longer than the top half.
Hair style tips for an oval face: there are lots of hairstyle options if you have an oval face. You can opt for polished curls, shoulder length layers and long layers, as much as you can choose a bob with bangs and a full fringe.
Square – if your face is as wide as it is long, your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are pretty much the same width, then you will likely have a square face. People with square faces usually have a wider jawline.
Hair style tips for a square face: a square shaped face can benefit from a side or off-centre parting that will frame the face yet not appear dramatic. Side-swept bangs and long lobs look good too.
Round – round faces are usually symmetrical with the same length and width. Some describe it as a square face but with softer angles. There is usually a wideness of the hairline and a fullness just under your cheekbones if you have a round face.
Hair style tips for round faces: pixie cuts and high-volume bobs look great with this face shape, layers at the back and bottom of your hair will work too. Keep curls below the cheek line as the curls can look too thick and heavy if they’re on the shorter side.
Oblong/long – you will know if you have an oblong face if your face is longer than it is wide. Similar to an oval face, but a longer version. You will usually have a round chin and jaw line with an oblong face.
Hair style tips for oblong faces: the aim here is to find a style that rounds off the length of your face. You can add body with waves or layers on medium to long length hair and add width with shoulder length layers that turn out to the sides to widen the appearance of your face.
Heart – if your forehead is wide and your chin is narrow then you probably have a heart shaped face. They can look similar to round faces but with a wider forehead.
Hair style tips for heart shaped faces: a short pixie cut, or wispy bangs look great on those with a heart shaped face. As does a lob where the length removes the emphasis from the jawline and lengthens the face.
Diamond – a narrow chin, and forehead and wide cheekbones feature on people with diamond shaped faces. This is one of the more uncommon face shapes.
Hair style tips for diamond shaped faces: Try a framing your diamond shaped face with side swept bangs or a short crop. You can show off your cheekbones with a pulled back style too.
How do I know what my face shape is?
If you’re ready for a new hair style, and want to find the one that suits you best, start by figuring out what your face shape is. Begin by tying or holding back your hair, then use a mirror to measure from the centre of your hairline to the end of your chin and from left to right to get an idea of width. This, along with the other face shape factors will give you an idea of your shape and help you find the best style.
