Ultimate Guide: Best Haircuts for Different Face Shapes
Choosing the right haircut can significantly enhance your appearance and boost your confidence. Different face shapes require different styles to highlight their best features. Whether you have an oval, round, square, heart, long, diamond, or triangular face shape, there’s a perfect haircut for you. In this article, we will explore the best haircuts for different face shapes, helping you find a style that complements your unique look and makes you feel your best.
Determining Your Face Shape
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Understanding your face shape is the first step to finding the most flattering haircut. Here’s a simple guide to help you determine your face shape:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather Your Tools: You’ll need a flexible measuring tape, a mirror, and a piece of paper to record your measurements.
- Measure Your Forehead: Measure across the widest part of your forehead, from one side of your hairline to the other.
- Measure Your Cheekbones: Measure across the highest point of your cheekbones, starting and ending at the outer corners of your eyes.
- Measure Your Jawline: Measure from the tip of your chin to below your ear at the jaw’s angle. Multiply this number by two to get your jawline length.
- Measure Your Face Length: Measure from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin.
Identifying Common Face Shapes
- Oval Face Shape: The length of the face is about 1.5 times the width. The forehead is slightly wider than the chin, with a softly rounded hairline. This shape is considered ideal because of its balanced proportions.
- Round Face Shape: The face is nearly as wide as it is long, with full cheeks and a rounded chin. This shape often gives a youthful and soft appearance.
- Square Face Shape: The width of the forehead, cheeks, and jawline are roughly equal. The jawline is strong and angular, giving a masculine and structured look.
- Heart Face Shape: The forehead is wider than the cheeks and jawline. The chin is narrow and often pointed, creating a delicate and balanced look with prominent cheekbones.
- Long (Rectangular) Face Shape: The face is longer than it is wide, with a straight cheek line and a long jaw. This shape often appears more elongated and requires haircuts that add width.
- Diamond Face Shape: The face is widest at the cheekbones, with a narrow forehead and jawline. This shape is angular with high cheekbones and a narrow chin.
- Triangular Face Shape: The jawline is wider than the forehead, which is the narrowest part of the face. This shape features a broad jaw and a narrower forehead, often referred to as a pear-shaped face.
Best Haircuts for Oval Face Shapes
An oval face shape is characterized by balanced proportions, where the length of the face is about 1.5 times its width. The forehead is slightly wider than the chin, with a softly rounded hairline. This shape is considered the most versatile and can pull off a wide variety of haircuts.
1. Quiff
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The quiff is a timeless and stylish haircut that works exceptionally well for oval face shapes. This haircut involves keeping the sides and back short while leaving the hair on top longer. The top hair is styled upwards and back, creating volume and height that complement the balanced proportions of an oval face.
To achieve the perfect quiff, use a blow dryer and a round brush to lift the hair at the roots. Apply a strong-hold pomade or wax to shape and hold the quiff in place, and finish with a light mist of hairspray for extra hold. This versatile style can be paired with a fade or undercut for a modern twist.
2. Pompadour
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The pompadour is a classic and bold haircut that adds significant volume to the top of the head, making it ideal for men with oval face shapes. This style features short sides and back with a large volume of hair on top that is styled upwards and back. The dramatic height and volume of the pompadour highlight the balanced proportions of an oval face, creating a sophisticated and polished look.
To style a pompadour, blow-dry the hair upwards and back, then apply a strong-hold pomade to keep the volume in place. Finish with hairspray to ensure the style stays intact throughout the day.
3. Undercut
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The undercut is a trendy and versatile haircut that suits oval face shapes perfectly. This style involves keeping the sides and back very short or shaved while leaving the top hair long. The contrast between the short sides and longer top creates a striking and modern look that accentuates the balanced features of an oval face.
To style an undercut, use a blow dryer and a round brush to add volume to the top hair. Apply a styling product like pomade or wax to shape the hair, and use a comb to create a sleek finish or tousle it for a more relaxed appearance.
4. Crew Cut
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The crew cut is a low-maintenance and classic haircut that works well for men with oval face shapes. This style involves cutting the hair short on the sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top. The crew cut enhances the natural symmetry of an oval face, providing a clean and sharp appearance.
To style a crew cut, simply apply a small amount of styling product to add texture and definition to the top hair. This haircut requires minimal upkeep and is perfect for those who prefer a straightforward and neat look. Regular trims every few weeks will keep the crew cut looking fresh and tidy.
Best Haircuts for Round Face Shapes
A round face shape is characterized by equal width and length, with full cheeks and a rounded chin. The aim for haircuts with this face shape is to add angles and height to create the illusion of a more elongated face.
1. High Fade with Pompadour
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The high fade with pompadour is a perfect haircut for round face shapes as it adds significant height and angles to the face. The high fade involves cutting the hair on the sides and back very short, gradually increasing in length towards the top. The pompadour, on the other hand, features longer hair on top that is styled upwards and back, creating volume and height.
This combination elongates the face and draws attention upward, balancing the roundness. To style, use a blow dryer and round brush to lift the hair at the roots, then apply a strong-hold pomade to keep the pompadour in place.
2. Short Sides with Long Top
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The short sides with long top haircut is a versatile and stylish choice for round face shapes. This haircut involves keeping the sides and back short while leaving the hair on top significantly longer. The contrast between the short sides and longer top creates an illusion of height, making the face appear longer and more balanced.
To style, use a blow dryer to add volume to the top hair, then apply a medium-hold styling product to shape and define the longer hair. This haircut can be adapted to various styles, from a slicked-back look to a textured, tousled appearance.
3. Faux Hawk
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The faux hawk is an edgy and dynamic haircut that suits round face shapes well. This style features short sides with a strip of longer hair running from the front to the back of the head, similar to a mohawk but less extreme. The height and volume created by the faux hawk draw attention upward, elongating the face and adding angles.
To style, use a strong-hold gel or wax to lift and shape the central strip of hair, creating a pronounced peak. This versatile haircut can be adjusted for a subtle or bold look, depending on personal preference.
Best Haircuts for Square Face Shapes
A square face shape is characterized by equal width of the forehead, cheeks, and jawline, with a strong and angular jaw. The goal for haircuts with this face shape is to soften the angular features and add some length to balance the proportions.
1. Textured Crop
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The textured crop is an excellent haircut for men with square face shapes, as it adds softness and texture to the hair, balancing the strong jawline. This cut features short sides and back with a slightly longer top that is styled with plenty of texture. The choppy layers on top create movement and break up the angular lines of the face.
To style, apply a texturizing spray or matte clay to damp hair and use your fingers to tousle and shape the hair, creating a natural, textured look. The textured crop is easy to maintain and perfect for those who prefer a low-maintenance yet fashionable style.
2. Caesar Cut
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The Caesar cut is a timeless and classic haircut that complements square face shapes by adding definition to the forehead and softening the jawline. This style involves short hair all around with a small, horizontal fringe. The straight fringe and uniform length help to balance the proportions of the face and draw attention to the eyes.
To style, apply a small amount of styling cream or gel to damp hair and comb the fringe forward. This cut requires minimal styling and upkeep, making it an ideal choice for men who prefer a straightforward and neat look.
3. Side Part
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The side part is a classic and elegant haircut that works well for men with square face shapes. This style features short sides and back with longer hair on top that is parted to one side. The side part helps to soften the angular features of a square face by adding asymmetry and drawing attention away from the strong jawline.
To style, use a comb to create a deep side part while blow-drying the hair for volume. Apply a light-hold pomade or styling cream to keep the hair in place and add a polished finish. The side part is a versatile and sophisticated look suitable for both casual and formal settings.
Best Haircuts for Heart Face Shapes
A heart face shape is characterized by a wider forehead and cheekbones, with a narrow and sometimes pointed chin. The goal for haircuts with this face shape is to balance the proportions by reducing the width at the forehead and adding fullness around the jawline.
1. Low Fade with Quiff
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The low fade with quiff is an excellent choice for heart-shaped faces. This haircut features a gradual fade on the sides and back, with longer hair on top styled into a quiff. The quiff adds volume and height to the top of the head, drawing attention away from the forehead and balancing the narrow chin.
To style, use a blow dryer to lift the hair at the roots and apply a strong-hold pomade or wax to shape the quiff. Finish with a light mist of hairspray for added hold. This haircut provides a modern and stylish look while enhancing the balanced proportions of a heart face shape.
2. Side Part with Bangs
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The side part with bangs is a stylish and flattering haircut for men with heart-shaped faces. This style features a deep side part with longer hair on top and bangs that sweep across the forehead. The side-swept bangs help to reduce the width of the forehead and draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones, balancing the narrow chin.
To style, use a comb to create a deep side part and blow-dry the bangs to the side. Apply a light-hold pomade or styling cream to keep the hair in place and add a polished finish. This haircut offers a sophisticated and classic look that suits various occasions.
3. Textured Fringe
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The textured fringe is a trendy and versatile haircut that works well for heart-shaped faces. This style features short sides and back with longer hair on top that is styled forward into a textured fringe. The fringe helps to balance the wider forehead by covering part of it, while the textured top adds volume and movement.
To style, apply a texturizing spray or matte clay to damp hair and use your fingers to shape the fringe, creating a natural, tousled look. This haircut is perfect for those who prefer a modern and edgy style with minimal maintenance.
Best Haircuts for Long Face Shapes
A long face shape is characterized by a face length that is longer than its width, with a straight cheek line and a long jaw. The aim for haircuts with this face shape is to add width and balance the length, creating a more proportional appearance.
1. Buzz Cut
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The buzz cut is a minimalist and low-maintenance haircut that works well for long face shapes. By keeping the hair very short all around, this style reduces the length of the face and creates a balanced look. The buzz cut emphasizes the natural symmetry and sharp features of a long face.
To style, simply maintain the cut with regular trims using clippers. This haircut is perfect for those who prefer a straightforward, masculine look with minimal styling effort.
2. Slicked Back Undercut
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The slicked back undercut is a stylish and sophisticated haircut that suits long face shapes. This style features short sides and back with longer hair on top that is slicked back. The contrast between the short sides and the voluminous top adds width to the face, balancing the overall proportions. To style, apply a strong-hold pomade or gel to damp hair and use a comb to slick the hair back. This haircut provides a polished and elegant look, ideal for both formal and casual occasions.
3. Side Part
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The side part is a classic and versatile haircut that works well for men with long face shapes. This style involves parting the hair deeply to one side, adding width and breaking up the length of the face. The side part creates asymmetry, drawing attention to the side of the face and creating a more balanced appearance.
To style, use a comb to create a deep side part and apply a light-hold pomade or styling cream for a sleek finish. This haircut is suitable for various settings, offering a timeless and refined look.
Best Haircuts for Diamond Face Shapes
A diamond face shape is characterized by high, wide cheekbones with a narrow forehead and jawline. The goal for haircuts with this face shape is to soften the angles and add width to the forehead and jaw, creating a more balanced look.
1. Fringe Cut
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The fringe cut is an excellent choice for men with diamond face shapes, as it helps to balance the narrow forehead and jawline. This style features short sides and back with longer hair on top that is styled forward into a fringe.
The fringe covers part of the forehead, reducing the width at the cheekbones and adding softness to the angular features. To style, apply a texturizing spray or matte clay to damp hair and use your fingers to shape the fringe. This haircut provides a modern and edgy look with minimal maintenance.
2. Textured Crop
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The textured crop is a versatile and stylish haircut that suits diamond face shapes well. This cut features short sides and back with a slightly longer top that is styled with plenty of texture. The choppy layers on top create movement and soften the angular lines of the face, balancing the high cheekbones.
To style, apply a texturizing spray or matte clay to damp hair and use your fingers to tousle and shape the hair, creating a natural, textured look. The textured crop is easy to maintain and perfect for those who prefer a low-maintenance yet fashionable style.
3. Curly Top with Tapered Sides
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The curly top with tapered sides is a great option for diamond face shapes, as it adds width and softness to the narrow forehead and jawline. This style features short, tapered sides with a longer, curly top that adds volume and texture. The curls create movement and draw attention to the top of the head, balancing the prominent cheekbones.
To style, apply a curl-enhancing cream to damp hair and let it air dry or use a diffuser to enhance the natural curls. This haircut offers a relaxed and stylish look, perfect for those with naturally curly or wavy hair.
Best Haircuts for Triangular Face Shapes
A triangular face shape is characterized by a wider jawline and a narrower forehead. The goal for haircuts with this face shape is to balance the proportions by adding volume to the top of the head and reducing the emphasis on the jawline.
1. Short Sides with Volume on Top
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The short sides with volume on top haircut is ideal for triangular face shapes as it adds height and volume to the top of the head, drawing attention away from the wider jawline. This style features short sides and back, with longer hair on top that is styled upwards to create height.
To style, use a blow dryer and a round brush to lift the hair at the roots, then apply a strong-hold pomade or wax to shape and maintain the volume. This haircut creates a balanced look by adding proportion to the narrower forehead and slimming the jawline.
2. Angular Fringe
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The angular fringe is a modern and stylish haircut that suits triangular face shapes. This style features short sides with longer hair on top that is cut at an angle to create a diagonal fringe. The angular lines of the fringe add definition and balance to the face, drawing attention upward and away from the jawline.
To style, blow-dry the hair forward and to the side using a round brush, then apply a light-hold wax or pomade to keep the fringe in place. This haircut not only adds structure but also provides a fashionable and contemporary look.
3. Side-Swept Undercut
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The side-swept undercut is a bold and trendy haircut that works well for triangular face shapes. This style features shaved or very short sides and back, with longer hair on top that is swept to one side. The volume and length on top add width to the forehead, balancing the proportions of the face.
To style, apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry using a round brush to create lift. Sweep the hair to one side and use a strong-hold pomade to keep it in place. This haircut provides a sharp and modern look that suits various settings.