Tired of scrolling through endless hairstyle inspiration on Pinterest and IG, only to end up with a haircut that doesn’t suit you and your gorgeous features?
No need to stress, girl!
Your face shape holds the key to unlocking a world of perfect hairstyles tailored just for you.
Whether you have a square face shape that exudes strength and power, or a delicate heart-shaped face that radiates charm, understanding your unique face shape is the secret to finding a hairstyle that enhances your natural beauty!
Join me as we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of beauty and face shapes, revealing the hairstyles that will make heads turn and the cuts that you should avoid like the plague.
It’s time to discover the power of your face shape and revolutionise your hair game with the perfect haircut.
Already know your face shape?
Use the links below to discover style tips for your face type:
How to Find Your Face Shape
So, how do you know if a haircut is gonna look good on you?
The first thing you have to know is your face shape.
1. Measure the Widest and Most Narrow Parts of Your Face
In order to find out, you need to get your hair off of your face and expose EVERYTHING.
Next, look at what the widest parts of your face are and what the most narrow parts are. Make a few notes and compare with the shapes listed below.
For example, my forehead, my cheeks, and my jaw are fairly similar in width. Meaning, I’m a square face shape!
Well, at the moment I’m a square face shape. When I was younger, I had quite a bit more fullness through my cheeks, which gave my face a bit more of an oval shape. Of course, as we age, our face shape changes, and that’s an important thing to take note of.
If you really want to get exact about your face shape, follow these steps to measure your face…
Steps for measuring your face shape
- Measure forehead width. To determine your forehead width, measure the widest point across your forehead from hairline to hairline. This measurement will help you identify one of the key aspects of your face shape.
- Measure cheekbone width. Measure the distance across your face from the hairline above your cheekbone to the same spot on the other side. This measurement will give you insights into the width of your cheekbones, which is another important factor in determining your face shape.
- Measure jawline width: Start at the base of your jaw, just underneath your ears. Measure along the edge of your jaw until you reach the middle of your chin. You can either measure both sides separately or simply double the measurement of one side. This will help you understand the width of your jawline, which plays a significant role in identifying your face shape.
- Measure face length: Begin measuring at the centre of your hairline and bring the measuring tape down until it reaches the tip of your chin. This measurement will provide you with the length of your face. Now you have all the measurements to determine your face shape.
In the past, we’ve tried to make everyone’s face look like an oval, so we could accentuate and minimise features to try and get them all to fit into that one category. Thank GOD that’s changed!
2. Observe Your Favourite Face Features
So, what we do now is find out the answers to some important questions.
- What do you love about your face?
- What are the features you want to draw attention to?
- What are the ones that you want to pull attention away from?
We work with that info.
3. Find the Shape that Resembles Your Measurements & Features
We then categorise faces into shapes: circle, square, rectangle, heart, diamond, and oval. Whatever category you fall into, there are ways to minimise or highlight any of your features.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that these rules are for everyone. They’re made to be broken.
Sometimes your haircut isn’t going to be a traditional version of complementary for your face shape, but not everyone is made to have a harmonious look.
Sometimes, we’re made to have things stand out and that doesn’t mean that the haircut isn’t gonna work for you! What it means is, you’re going to have to WERK IT.
The different face shapes are:
- Square
- Round (circle)
- Rectangle (oblong)
- Heart
- Diamond
- Oval
No matter what face shape category you fall into, we’ll be able to find the perfect look just for you.
Features, Haircuts, & Style Tips for Each Face Shape
Let’s have a look at different shapes and discuss what will work well and what to avoid!
Diamond Face Shape
If you have a diamond-shaped face, CONGRATS, because you possess one of the most distinctive and captivating face shapes!
Characterised by angular cheekbones and a narrow forehead and jawline, diamond-shaped faces exude elegance and grace.
Identifying features
- Sharp cheekbones with a narrow forehead and jawline
- Pointy chin
- Cheekbones are the widest point of the face
- Face is longer than it is wide
Best haircuts & styles for this shape
- Narrow sides and fullness at the chin
- If the face is long, side parts are best as centre parts make faces look longer
- Bangs that are textured rather than solid
Avoid these haircuts & styles
- Severe ponytails or hairstyles with height
- Solid-form haircuts that amplify the angularity of the face shape
Celebrities with this face shape
- Jennifer Lopez
- Halle Berry
- Selena Gomez
Oval Face Shape
If you’re blessed with an oval face shape, consider yourself lucky! Oval faces are widely regarded as the most versatile and balanced of all face shapes, allowing for a wide range of hairstyle options.
With gentle curves and balanced proportions, oval faces possess a natural harmony that makes them the envy of many.
Identifying features
- A versatile face shape; most styles are flattering
- Width of brow, cheekbone and jaw are almost equal
- Length of face is 1½ times the width
Best haircuts & styles for this shape
- Most styles suit oval face shapes!
Avoid these haircuts & styles
- Nothing to avoid. Lucky you!
Celebrities with this face shape
- Jessica Alba
- Anne Hathaway
- Beyoncé
Square Face Shape
If you have a square face shape, you possess strong and striking features that exude confidence and boldness.
With a defined jawline and a forehead that aligns with your jaw, your face shape is known for its symmetry and structure.
Identifying features
- Strong jawline and forehead
- The face has the same width from the brow to the jaw
- Proportional in length and width
Best haircuts & styles for this shape
- Soften your jawline and forehead with a shaggy or layered cut to add depth and soften edges
- Height on top and narrow sides
- Consider a side-swept bang/fringe or a chin-length bob that shapes in around your jawline
Avoid these haircuts & styles
- Avoid volume at the widest part of your face
- No blunt bangs and no square bob cuts
Celebrities with this face shape
- Natalie Portman
- Katie Holmes
- Salma Hayek
Circle/Round Face Shape
If you have a circle or round face shape, get ready to embrace your soft and youthful features!
Characterised by a rounded hairline and fullness in the cheeks, round faces have a cherubic charm that can be accentuated with the right hairstyles.
Identifying features
- Width at cheek area and often defined by a shorter face and forehead
- Faces are nearly as wide as they are long
- Full cheeks
- Wide forehead and rounded chin
Best haircuts & styles for this shape
- Always add height; if you’re going to go short, go pixie
- Centre parts, as opposed to side parts, will open up the face
- Work to add length; long hair or long bobs are good choices
Avoid these haircuts & styles
- Cuts that shorten the face, like short bob cuts
- Straight bangs/fringes
Celebrities with this face shape
- Michelle Williams
- Gemma Chan
- Emma Stone
Rectangle Face Shape
If you have a rectangular face shape, you possess an elongated and elegant facial structure that screams sophistication.
With a longer face length and balanced proportions, rectangle faces offer a canvas for a variety of hairstyles that can enhance your features.
Identifying features
- Longer face and often slender
- Forehead, cheeks, and chin are the same width
- Often called an oblong face shape
Best haircuts & styles for this shape
- Chin-length bob can give the illusion of width by adding volume at the cheekbones
- Bangs can break up your face length
- Width at the sides of the face, whether it’s layers, waves, or curls
Avoid these haircuts & styles
- Hair longer than the collarbone or shorter than your jawline
- Adding height or getting a boxy cut
Celebrities with this face shape
- Olivia Wilde
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Lisa Rinna
Heart Face Shape
If you have a heart-shaped face, you possess a truly captivating and romantic facial structure.
With a broad forehead and a narrow, delicate chin, heart faces are known for their graceful and feminine appeal.
It’s worth noting that heart-shaped faces are similar to a triangle face shape. The key difference is that heart face shapes have a widow’s peak, while triangle face shapes don’t.
Identifying features
- Broader in the cheekbone and brow area and small or narrow in jaw
- Widow’s peak
- High angular cheekbones
Best haircuts & styles for this shape
- Bangs, width, and voluminous styles can strengthen the jawline and soften the widow’s peak
- A thick fringe can offset a prominent, sharp jaw
- Consider a deep side part and adding width through the chin area
Avoid these haircuts & styles
- Added width at the cheekbones
- Open forehead
Celebrities with this face shape
- Scarlett Johansson
- Reese Witherspoon
- Taylor Swift
Myth: There’s only one face shape that’s most attractive
Gone are the days of trying to make everyone into an oval face shape. Take a step back and assess all aspects of your face, hair, and body. Accentuate the features that you love, and minimise the features you like the least.
Use your hairstyle to play up your favourite face features
If you love your eyes, cheekbones, or jawline, plan out bangs or layers that point to those features.
For a wider face or round cheeks, think of long vertical lines and sweeping layers that draw the eye down and away from the roundest part of the face.
On the other hand, solid horizontal lines (such as blunt bangs) draw the eye from side to side, giving the face a more “square” appearance.
Sometimes your haircut is not complementary to your facial features. Not everyone is meant to have a harmonious style, some of us were made to stand out. This doesn’t mean the haircut won’t work for you… IT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK IT!
Want to chat with an expert stylist about your face shape? Book in for a hair service at Becky B salon.
Get it, girl!
