What is the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape?

Face shape should be a key consideration when choosing your next haircut! Different face shapes need different styles to enhance your appearance and boost your confidence. Below, Laura Elliott, head of education at Neäl & Wølf shares how to choose the best hairstyle for your face shape.

Haircuts for diamond face shapes

The right haircut for a diamond face shape can make you sparkle! You have this type of face shape if you have high cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin. The perfect haircut should soften the angles in your face and create balance. You should avoid flat hair as this can cause the illusion of wider cheeks. Instead, the best styles for this cut are:

Chin-length bobs and shoulder-length cuts

The contrast between the narrow chin and wide cut adds an element of balance.

Side partings

These can reduce the appearance of a narrower forehead.

Layers

Adding layers around cheekbones can enhance your natural bone structure.

Haircuts for oval face shapes

Did you know oval face shapes can pull off almost any hairstyle? Most haircuts suit this versatile shape, which is characterised by its length with shorter cheekbones. One of the only looks to avoid are those with volume on top, as these can make your face appear a lot longer. Some of the most popular styles for oval faces are:

Long waves 

Flowing waves create movement in the hair, creating a feminine look.

The lob

As oval faces suit both long and short hair, they can be combined in this look.

Straight hair

This flatters the length of the face.

Haircuts for oblong face shapes

The oblong face shape is similar to oval, but more defined. Here your face is shorter in width than length, with a straight cheek and jaw. The right hairstyle should add width without making the face appear longer. For this reason, long straight looks should be avoided. Instead, choose from:

Soft layers

These add volume and can break up the length of the face.

Curtain bangs

Curtain bangs can create the illusion of a wider face.

The French bob

The French bob shortens the face and draws attention to your eyes. 

Haircuts for square face shapes

Are your forehead, cheekbones and jawline almost the same length? If the answer is yes, you probably have a square face shape. This shape is complemented by looks that soften the angles in the face, so avoid thick bangs and blunt hairdos as these can emphasise the boxiness. These options are much more favoured:

Soft, wispy bangs

These soften the broadness of your forehead

Long layers

Long layers make the square qualities of the face less defined.

Side partings

This look adds roundness to the face.

Haircuts for heart face shapes

What’s not to love about this face shape? If you have a heart face type, you’ll have a wider forehead and a pointed chin. The best haircuts will balance the proportions of the face, making the forehead look narrower to complement the chin. You should therefore stay away from hairstyles that add volume to the upper half of your face, like blunt bangs. Instead, opt for a look like:

Side-swept bangs

These create the illusion of a narrower forehead.

Chin-length bobs

This look fills out the narrow jawline.

Flowing curls

Longer curls add volume around the chin area.

Haircuts for triangle face shapes

This face shape is the opposite of the diamond! Here you’ll have a narrower forehead with a broad chin and jawline. The key to the right haircut is balance across the whole of the face, so swerve blunt bobs that emphasise your chin. Choose hairstyles such as:

Messy pixie cut

Keeping volume at the crown of the hair can help the forehead look wider.

Short layers

These can help to bring symmetry to the face.

Side partings

This look adds another dimension of balance.

Haircuts for round face shapes

This is another popular face shape! These faces have a full, circular shape with soft edges. The aim of hairstyles for this shape is to create the illusion of length and add definition. Avoid chin-length bobs and blunt cuts that add volume to the side of the face. Choose a haircut like:

Long layers

These can give the appearance of an elongated face.

Side-swept bangs

This look gives definition and angles.

Angled bob

Go beyond the chin to create a slimming effect.