How to Choose the Right Haircut for Your Face Shape: Expert Tips
Many fellas don't realize that the perfect haircut is more than just mimicking that popular Instagram photo—it's about framing your unique features and face shape. Whether you have a wider forehead or narrow chin, skilled barbers can choose the right haircut for your face, highlighting favorable features and softening unwanted angles.
However, knowing your own face shape will also help you pursue the best haircuts for both your features and personal style. In this blog, you'll learn all about the different face shapes—from oval faces to heart-shaped ones—so you can use the knowledge you learn to draw attention to your favorite features.
Why Does Face Shape Matter When Considering Haircuts?
Just as hair texture and length impact which haircut will complement you the best, so too does your unique face shape. For example, choosing a style based on your face shape can help you highlight strong jawlines, soften angular features, or add definition to round faces. In turn, your peers, co-workers, and potential partners will notice your more aesthetic appearance. Look and feel like the strong, professional guy you want to be.
How to Identify Your Face Shape
The first step toward choosing the right haircut is determining your face shape. Luckily, this process is as simple and easy as standing in front of the mirror with a little know-how. Observe your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline to see if you fall under one of these common categories:
- Oval Faces – Balanced proportions, a softly rounded jawline, and a face that's longer than it is wide.
- Round Faces – An even width and length across the whole face, curved lines, and a less defined jawline.
- Heart-Shaped Faces – A wider forehead that narrows into a defined, pointed chin.
- Square-Shaped faces – A strong jawline and equal width across the forehead, cheeks, and jaw.
- Rectangle Faces – Longer than it is wide, with a sharp jawline, and a straight angle from forehead to chin.
- Triangle Faces – Becomes increasingly narrow at the top, with a prominent jawline wider than both the cheekbones and forehead.
- Diamond Faces – High cheekbones with noticeable bone structure and a narrow forehead and jawline.
Haircuts By Face Shape: The Best Options for Balanced Proportions
When choosing the ideal haircut for your face shape, you'll want to avoid styles that add too much volume or highlight unwanted angles. The key is to know how different cuts draw attention to specific features. Here are our recommendations:
Oval Faces: Unmatched Versatility
Lucky you—men with oval face shapes can pull off almost any trending cut. However, do keep in mind that it's important to avoid adding excessive length or volume, as those styles can make your face appear longer. Some of the best haircut options include:
- Textured crop: A short, layered style that adds dimension without making your face look elongated.
- Side-parted fade: Add clean lines to your subtle face shape with a sharp fade and defined, side-swept bangs.
- Slicked-back undercut: Keeps the sides short while maintaining volume on top for a sharp, modern style.
- Short quiff: Adds a slight lift in the front, creating subtle definition without overextending your face.
Round Faces: Create Eye-Catching Angles
Round faces generally lack sharp angles, featuring soft jawlines and broad foreheads with minimal definition. Haircuts that add volume and height while keeping the sides short can both elongate and define the face. Conversely, buzz cuts and sideburns can make your face look even rounder. Here are some ideal haircuts:
- Pompadour with a high fade: This bold style adds height on the top of your head for the illusion of a longer face.
- Spiky hairstyle: Perfect for creating noticeable angles and structure, spikes make your face look less round.
- Angular fringe: A diagonal fringe adds definition while breaking up the appearance of a round shape.
- Undercut with volume: The contrast between the short sides and voluminous top helps elongate the face.
Heart-Shaped Faces: Achieving Balance
When you have a face that's wider at the forehead and narrows toward the chin, the key is to add width and volume to the bottom of the face, while keeping the top balanced. Avoid styles that make the forehead look wider, like tight fades or slicked-back styles. To highlight your best features, we recommend:
- Medium-length textured layers: A balanced look that softens the forehead while creating a fuller jawline.
- Side-parted style with soft waves: If you have a wavy hair type, this style draws attention away from the forehead for added balance.
- Tapered cut with natural volume: Maintains a natural, easy-to-maintain look while subtly softening the face shape.
- Classic messy fringe: A relaxed, slightly tousled look that shifts focus downward, making your jawline appear fuller.
Square Faces: Soften Sharp Angles
Strong and masculine, the broad jawline and forehead square face shapes are known for can do with a bit of softening. The best haircuts soften sharp angles around the edges of your face without losing structure. On the other hand, you should avoid anything that's overly short on the sides, as these cuts can make your face look boxy. Here are some ideal haircuts to try:
- Textured fringe: Adds softness to the forehead while reducing the harsh angles at the edges of your face.
- Classic taper with added length: Extra volume on a classic taper provides just the right amount of structure, complimenting square jaws without exaggerating angles.
- Side-swept undercut: The undercut keeps the sides neat, while the longer top adds movement and contrast.
- Slicked back: Consider slicking back longer hair on top to avoid accentuating square shapes.
Rectangle Face: Reduce Face Length
A combination of both oval and square faces, this angular face shape is longer than it is wide. The key is to avoid adding too much height to the top or exaggerating sharp angles around the chin and jawline. Instead, opt for styles that add width and fullness to balance proportions, including:
- Medium-length layered cut: Mitigates long-looking faces by adding just the right amount of movement and volume.
- Slicked-back undercut: an undercut with a moderate length can soften angles without overextending the face shape.
- Textured crop with fringe: A stylish, slightly messy cut that adds horizontal balance.
- Crew cut with low fade: For contrast that doesn't sharpen or elongate the face, consider this classic fade haircut.
Triangle Faces: Widen at the Top
Key features of a triangular face include a prominent jawline and narrower forehead. This unique face shape requires haircuts that add volume up top to balance the with the larger jawline. Always avoid styles that emphasize the jaw too much, like very short buzz cuts. Instead, opt for:
- Messy waves with volume: Whether you have naturally straight or curly hair, messy waves add a bit of height and movement while softening the jawline.
- Quiff with a tapered fade: Creates volume on top while maintaining a clean, modern finish.
- Side part with a medium fade: Draws eyes toward the top of your head, helping to balance out your face.
- Textured medium-length cut: Makes your jawline less noticeable by drawing the focus to the upper half of the face.
Diamond Faces:
With wide cheekbones and a narrow forehead and jawline, this unique face shape requires a balanced haircut. The goal is to add width to the top and bottom of the face while softening the center. Avoid overly short sides, as they can make the cheekbones appear too sharp. We recommend:
- Voluminous side-parted style: A side part with added volume keeps your forehead from appearing too narrow.
- Textured crop with a soft fringe: Softens sharp angles around the center of your face while adding fullness at the top.
- Medium-length slicked-back cut: Provides a sophisticated look while balancing proportions.
- Layered cut with a bit of wave: Adds movement and width for a more relaxed style.
Styling Tips and Tricks for All Face Shapes
Regardless of how you choose to balance your personal preferences with your face shape when choosing your next haircut, there are ways you can make your new do stand out. The right techniques, products, and habits ensure that your new cut stays complementary.
- Use the Right Products: High-quality products can make all the difference in complementing your face shape. Matte pomades and texturizing sprays add volume to reduce circular appearances, while gels and creams create sleek, structured looks for angular face shapes. Visit Mr. Winston's shop for more information about natural pomades.
- Blow Dry for Volume: If you choose a haircut with extra height, such as a quiff or pompadour, styling with a blow-dryer or thermal round brush can help add extra volume.
- Know Your Part: What looks better with your face shape, a side or middle part? Side parts generally balance wider shapes, while center parts are ideal for symmetrical and oval faces.
- Keep the Sides Trimmed: For those with square and diamond face shapes, keeping fades clean and trimmed helps maintain the ideal shape.
- Consider Your Facial Hair: If you wear facial hair, consider trimming it according to your face shape to complement your haircut and enhance symmetry.
- Schedule Regular Trims: Hair grows unevenly, so visiting your barber every few weeks keeps your look fresh and well-proportioned.
Schedule Your Next Haircut At Mr. Winston's
If you're an everyday guy looking to level up your appearance, the experts at Mr. Winston's Barbershop know how to craft the perfect hairstyle for your face shape. We offer a range of hair care and hairstyling services for men and boys. Consider booking an appointment, or trying one of our natural pomades.
