The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Haircut for Your Face Shape

The secret to a haircut is not just about following what is popular. It is about understanding the shape of your face and picking a style that works well with the features you have. This guide will help you figure out the shape of your face look at celebrities who have features and go to the salon with confidence.

How to Determine Your Face Shape

Before you start looking at styles you need to know the shape of your face. Here is how to measure:

To measure your face follow these steps:

• Pull all your hair back from your face
• Measure your forehead from one temple to the other
• Measure your cheekbones from the corner of one eye to the other
• Measure your jawline from the tip of your chin to below your ear. Then multiply that by two
• Measure the length of your face from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin
• Compare all four numbers. The pattern will tell you the shape of your face

1. Oval Face Shape

This is considered the ideal face shape
Celebrities with oval faces include:

• Selena Gomez, Beyoncé, Jessica Alba

What makes an oval face shape

What makes an oval face shape is that the length of the face is one and a half times the width. The forehead is a little wider than the jaw. The face has curves and is balanced. The forehead, cheeks and chin all flow smoothly into each other.

Celebrity Example
Selena Gomez is an example of an oval face shape because she can pull off many different hairstyles. She has had bobs, long waves and curtain bangs and they all look great on her. That is the advantage of having a face shape.

The best haircuts for oval faces are:

• Long layers with waves. This enhances the balance of the face
• A bob. This looks clean and polished
• A pixie cut. This shows off the structure of the face
• Curtain bangs. This adds dimension to the face without hiding its features

What to Avoid

You should avoid haircuts that add a lot of volume to the sides of the face as this can make the face look wider.

Stylist's Tip

A stylist might tell you that with an oval face you have a lot of freedom to choose hairstyles. You should focus on picking a style that works with your hair texture and lifestyle than worrying about the shape of your face.

2. Round Face Shape

This face shape needs haircuts that create length and definition
Celebrities with round faces include:

• Chrissy Teigen, Adele, Mila Kunis

What defines a round face shape

What defines a round face shape is that the length and width of the face are almost equal. The face has full cheeks and a rounded jawline. There are no angles. Everything is curved.

Celebrity Example

Chrissy Teigen is an example of a round face shape because she often wears her hair in longer styles with a deep side part. This creates lines that make the face look longer and more defined.

The best haircuts for round faces are:

• A long bob that falls below the chin. This draws the eye downward. Makes the face look longer.
• A side part. This creates diagonal lines that slim the face
• Side-swept bangs. These avoid cutting the face horizontally
• Long layers that start below the jaw. These frame the face without making it look wider

What to Avoid

You should avoid haircuts that make the face look even rounder, such as chin-length bobs, center parts and full thick bangs.

Stylist's Tip

A stylist might tell you that the area around the chin is a problem for round faces. Hair that ends right at the chin draws attention to the widest part of the face. It is better to have hair that's longer or shorter than that.

3. Square Face Shape

Softening Strong Angles
Celebrities with square faces are:

• Olivia Wilde, Keira Knightley, Angelina Jolie

What defines a square face shape

A square face has a angular jawline and a broad straight forehead. The face length and width are the same. The jaw is wide, defined and straight.

Celebrity Example

Angelina Jolies hairstyle is an example. She often wears long hair that frames her face. The waves break up her jawline and soften her features.

Here are the best haircuts for square faces:

• Long soft waves or curls. They contrast nicely with strong bones.
• A shag cut with lots of texture. The movement softens the face.
• Wispy or side-swept bangs. They break up a straight forehead.
• Layered cuts with volume at the crown. They add height. Reduce the emphasis on the jaw.

What to Avoid

Avoid jaw-length blunt bobs, heavy straight-across bangs and one-length cuts with no texture.

Stylist's Tip

A stylists tip is to ask for a razor cut or point-cut ends. This technique creates wispy ends.

4. Heart Face Shape

Balancing a Wider Forehead
Celebrities with heart faces are:

• Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson.

What defines a heart face shape

A heart face has a forehead and high cheekbones that taper down to a narrow pointed chin. The face is widest at the top.

Celebrity Example

Reese Witherspoon often wears her hair with volume and texture at or below the chin. This balances her forehead.

Here are the best haircuts for heart faces:

• A chin-length bob. It adds width where needed.
• Side-swept or curtain bangs. They visually narrow a forehead.
• A shoulder-length cut. It creates jaw-level fullness.
• Waves with volume at the ends. The weight at the bottom balances the top.

What to Avoid

Avoid lots of volume at the crown slicked back styles and super short pixie cuts without bangs.

Stylist's Tip

A stylists tip is that curtain bangs are very flattering for heart-shaped faces. They frame the forehead softly. Draw attention to the eyes.

5. Oblong / Long Face Shape

Adding Width and Breaking Length
Celebrities with oblong faces are:

• Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler

What defines an oblong face shape

An oblong face has a length that's noticeably greater than its width. The forehead, cheeks and jaw are all similar in width.

Celebrity Example

Sarah Jessica Parkers hairstyle is an example. She often wears voluminous curly hair. This adds width to her face. Shortens its visual length.

Here are the best haircuts for oblong faces:

• Full straight-across bangs. They shorten the face.
• A blunt bob. The horizontal lines reduce the length.
• Curls. They add width at the sides.
• A medium length cut with lots of side volume. The key is width, not height.

What to Avoid

Avoid straight hair with a center part, high ponytails and tall styles.

Stylist's Tip

A stylists tip is that full bangs paired with a shoulder-length lob is a great combination for oblong faces.

6. Diamond Face Shape

The Rarest and Most Striking
Celebrities with diamond faces are:

• Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry and Ashley Judd.

What defines a diamond face shape

A diamond face has a forehead, narrow chin and wide prominent cheekbones.

Celebrity Example

Jennifer Lopez often wears her hair with volume at the top and loose waves that frame her lower face. This adds width at both the forehead and chin.

Here are the best haircuts for diamond faces:

• Wispy or side-swept bangs. They add width at the forehead.
• A chin-length bob. It adds fullness where the chin narrows.
• Layered waves with volume at the top and bottom. They frame both ends.
• Soft face-framing layers. They draw attention away from the cheekbones.

What to Avoid

Avoid center-parted styles, very short cuts and styles with maximum volume at the cheekbone level.

Stylist's Tip

A stylists tip is to "fill in" the top and bottom of the face. Think of your hairstyle as adding width below the cheekbones.

Conclusion

It doesn’t mean sticking strictly to some rules; it means knowing your measurements, proportions, and how to use hairstyles to highlight your strengths and balance the areas you’d like to tone down. All of the famous people from the list have been helped by the excellent stylists who knew their bones well. Now it’s your turn!
Take this information to your next hair styling session along with your measurements, your facial shapes, and a couple of pictures of the celebrities that look good in the same way as you do.