There’s nothing like those first steps out of the salon post-haircut when you have a pep in your step from the new look that’s revived your sense of confidence. After watching your dead ends cascade around you while chatting with your stylist about your latest life updates (a little yapping is good for the soul), post-salon bliss is exacerbated by the feeling that, this time, you really nailed your hair choices. On the flip side, we’ve all experienced the frantic nodding in the mirror while telling your stylist you’re obsessed with your haircut, only to walk to the car and burst into tears moments later. In an effort to avoid exactly that, we tapped experts to help you hack the system and choose a cut that will work especially well for you based on your face shape.
While it’s tempting to book a salon appointment and swap out your hairstyle every time TikTok coins a new trendy cut—anyone victim to the recent wolf or butterfly cut trends?—it goes without saying that haircuts aren’t one-size-fits-all. We’re breaking down the best haircuts for each face shape, according to experts—plus, how to figure out your face shape if you’re still unsure of which category you fall in.
How to Find Your Face Shape
While it can feel easy to see a picture of a celebrity and identify their face shape, it’s not always so easy to figure out your own. “When choosing a signature hairstyle, it is important to consider which face shape you have to determine which hairstyle will accentuate your features the most,” said celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, who has been trusted with the hair of celebrities ranging from Gigi Hadid to Kourtney Kardashian.
To determine your face shape, first, identify the widest part of your face. “If the widest part of your face is your chin, you likely have a triangle face shape; on the other hand, if your forehead is the widest part of your face, you probably have a heart-shaped face,” Giannetos explained. “Individuals with either diamond or oval face shapes tend to have cheekbones that are the widest part of their face.”
For an at-home hack, pull your hair back and face your most well-lit mirror. Take an expo marker and draw the outline of your face on the mirror while paying extra attention to your hairline and jawline. Look at the shape you’re left with and compare it to the outlines below to identify which face shape you have. Keep in mind that every face is unique, so looking for the outline with the most similarities to yours—rather than one that’s completely identical—is your best bet.
MEET THE EXPERT
Dimitris Giannetos, Celebrity Hair Stylist
Dimitris Giannetos is an LA-based celebrity hairstylist who’s trusted with the hair of Megan Fox, Gigi Hadid, Kourtney Kardashian, and more. He’s also a Moroccanoil Global Celebrity Ambassador and has worked behind the scenes at fashion shows around the world.
MEET THE EXPERT
Carolyn Aronson, Stylist, Founder and CEO
Carolyn Aronson is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and hairstylist, as well as the founder and sole owner of It’s a 10 Haircare. Today, over 10 million bottles of It’s a 10’s Miracle Leave-In are sold annually, and the brand is available in over 107 countries (and counting).
Before Your Haircut
Once you have your face shape figured out, remember that your hair type, personal style, and the amount of effort you want to spend on your hair play a role in choosing a haircut. “Someone who likes to air dry their hair versus someone who enjoys styling with heat tools will have different haircuts that best suit their routines,” said Hairstylist and Founder of It’s a 10® Haircare, Carolyn Aronson. After all, getting a haircut that features bangs that require daily styling is pointless if you know you won’t want to style them. Discuss your expectations and preferences with your hairstylist before committing to the chop.
The Best Haircuts for Round Faces
Round faces have a wide hairline and cheeks that are the widest part of the face. The forehead and jawline are usually about the same width, and the face is as wide as it is long.
Middle Part with Long Layers
“Long hair with face-framing pieces are best for round faces,” said Aronson. This style is great for those who want a low-maintenance style, as its long, soft layers don’t require heat to fall beautifully. The combination of the middle part and long lengths helps to elongate round faces.
Side-Part Pixie
This grown-out pixie cut paired with a deep side part adds the illusion of added bone structure to round faces.
Middle-Parted Curls
If you’re looking for a curly cut to complement your round face shape, Tracee’s pictured cascading layers, middle part, and chin-length cut will emphasize your features to perfection.
Medium Length with Voluminous Layers
If you have a round face, voluminous layers that taper around the front of the face will give a lengthening effect to your face to accentuate your natural beauty.
Modern Shag Cut
For an edgier cut, opt for a modern shag cut with blunt, face-defining layers to bring structure to your round face.
The Best Haircuts for Square Faces
Square faces have wide hairlines and strong, angular jawlines, with the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline being about the same width.
Wispy Layers
Wispy layers add movement to long lengths, and with chin-length, face-framing pieces, they are a great combination for rectangular faces.
Feathered Bangs
Feathered bangs are a great choice for added softness on a square face shape.
Wavy Lob
Prefer to air-dry your natural hair? Try this wavy lob with added face-framing bangs. “A short cut with face-framing pieces is perfect for those with square faces since it will complement your natural face shape,” said Giannetos.
Deep Side Part
The sharp bone structure on a square face pairs perfectly with a deep side part for a voluminous and balanced look.
A Side Part and Long Curls
Extra-long, side-parted curls will draw the eye down and help to add the illusion of more length to square faces.
The Best Haircuts for Diamond Faces
A diamond-shaped face is characterized by a narrow forehead and jawline, with wide cheekbones that are the widest part of the face.
Jaw-Length Bangs
Since diamond faces are typically wider at the cheekbones, long layers and jaw-length bangs will help balance the shape of your face.
Lots of Length
Anya Taylor-Joy’s extra-long locks soften the sharpness of her diamond-shaped face while drawing attention to her cheekbones.
Voluminous Curls
Two of the most complementary hair components for diamond faces? Lots of length and lots of volume. If you’re a curly girl, opt for a cut that helps to focus volume around your cheekbone area to complement your diamond face.
Side-Swept Bangs
Love Sabrina Carpenter’s signature curtain bangs? If you have a diamond-shaped face, you’re in luck: This look is made for you.
Curls with Bangs
For the perfect curly cut for a diamond-shaped face, a curly lob with face-framing layers is a foolproof choice.
The Best Haircuts for Oval Faces
Oval faces are longer than they are wide, with a narrow chin and forehead, and a width that’s usually even throughout most of the face. They can be about twice as long from top to bottom as they are wide, and the forehead is often the widest part of the face.
Butterfly Cut
With its cascading, face-framing layers, TikTok’s viral butterfly cut will help bring the illusion of width to oval faces.
Medium-Length Curls
Since oval faces have a lot of vertical length, a medium-length, rounded curly cut can help to add a bit of balanced width to the face
Sleek Middle Part
Still a side-part girl? If you have an oval face, it’s time to try a middle part on for size. With long, sleek lengths, and a middle part, this cut will emphasize your face’s beautiful length and structure.
Ready to make the chop? If you have an oval face, an extra-short pixie cut will allow your face’s long lines to be on full display in the most complementary way possible.
Full Fringe
Given that oval-shaped faces typically have longer foreheads, full bangs can help bring a bit of balance to the face without overpowering it.
The Best Haircuts for Heart Faces
A heart-shaped face is wider at the forehead and cheekbones, then tapers down into a narrow chin. The face is usually longer than it is wide, and the jawline and forehead are similar in width.
Curly Pixie Cut
Think curls and short cuts don’t mix? This curly pixie cut is here to prove you wrong.
Blunt Lengths
“I recommend blunt cuts for heart-shaped faces with straight or wavy hair,” said Aronson. These Parisian-esque bangs remind us of Lily Collin’s iconic character in Netflix’s Emily in Paris.
Flipped Lob
Looking for a low-maintenance cut? Try this flipped-in lob haircut for a refined, chic look.
Medium Length with Long Layers
Since heart-shaped faces taper in at the chin, medium-length styles with face-framing layers that hit just below the jaw can accentuate the face in an ultra-flattering way.
’70s Shag
Twisters Star Daisy Edgar-Jones is known for her ’70s-inspired look that’s a match made in heaven for heart-shaped faces. “Messy layers with a bang is my absolute favorite way to style clients with heart-shaped faces,” said Giannetos.
The Best Haircuts for Rectangle Faces
Rectangle faces are characterized by a long overall length with angular edges, a square jaw, and a high forehead. The forehead, cheeks, and jawline are usually around the same width, and the sides of the face appear almost vertically straight.
Curtain Bangs
Sucker for a curtain bang? If you have a rectangular face, you’re in luck. Curtain bangs will help to draw the eye to the width of your face to enhance your natural bone structure.
Textured Bob
This jaw-length bob look is the ideal cool-girl-coded look for rectangular faces.
Blunt Lob
Blunt cuts are extra-complementary on rectangular faces, especially when they hit just underneath the jaw for a chic, long lob.
Layered Curls
If you’re lucky enough to have both a rectangular face and curls, a short- to medium-length curly haircut is your ideal look. “Shorter hair length will help ensure that the length of rectangular faces is not over-exaggerated,” said Giannetos.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Isabella Kicklighter, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant at The Everygirl, Isabella provides support to the editorial team, contributing to content creation across an array of topics from lifestyle, beauty, and wellness to career and finance. Isabella undertakes various responsibilities such as writing and revising content, sourcing images, and assisting in collecting all necessary materials needed for stories.
