The Best (and Worst!) Haircuts for Every Face Shape

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
December 20, 2018
@salsalhair
If you’ve ever showed up to the hair salon without the slightest idea of which haircut to choose, you’re not alone. If you don’t bring along a spreadsheet of Pinterest photos as inspiration (because you’re a very busy woman), we totally get it. And if you have no clue which hairstyles are the best and the worst for your face shape—heck, if you don’t know your face shape at all—this one’s for you.Knowing your face shape makes all the difference when it comes to finding the most flattering cuts. And if you have fine or thin hair, it's next-level, code-red important. (Those strands aren’t going to lift themselves.) Specializing in low-density, volume-challenged hair, the team at Bosley Professional Strength Hair Care told us exactly which haircuts will give you the full, voluminous, and healthy-looking hair you’ve been dreaming of. And it all comes down to face shape. Read on to find the best and worst haircuts for every face shape. But first, check out this handy guide to determine your face shape—if, like us, you’re not quite sure.
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Find the Perfect Cut for Your Face Shape

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Square Faces

Credit: @kearybladel

What to avoid: Stay away from wide or blunt bangs, as well as blunt bobs that hit your jawline. Both will over-emphasize the sharpness of the corners of this face shape, making it look wider.

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Square Faces

Credit: @chrisjones_hair

What to get: You’ll want to ask for styles that soften angular features and any fullness at the temples. Add movement and dimension with mid-length and long layers, which will mellow the squareness of the face.

Examples: side-swept shoulder cut, face-framing bob, layered medium cut

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Oval Faces

Credit: @salsalhair

What to avoid: Lucky for you oval-faced ladies, there’s not much to avoid. Though, any styles with too much volume up top will elongate the already-proportionate shape, making it look more oblong.

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Oval Faces

Credit: @lisasatornhair

What to get: Most styles are universally flattering on this face shape. Proceed with caution, and have some fun.

Examples: long layered cut, shag cut, face-framing lob, curtain bangs

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Oblong Faces

Credit: @salsalhair

What to avoid: Don’t grow those locks out too long. Very long, flat hair can be too much for a long face shape to handle. In fact, most one-length styles will drag the oblong face down—and that’s the last thing you want.

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Oblong Faces

Credit: @salsalhair

What to get: Know that bangs are your best friend, and framing your face is something akin to magic. Bangs create the illusion of fullness on the sides (especially above the ear line), which will balance out this narrower face shape. Strong fringe covers the forehead, making your face shape look more akin to the ever-proportionate oval face. And it’s always a flattering touch to use a side part to break up the shape, as well.

Examples: Birkin bangs, curly shag, side-parted shoulder cut

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Heart-Shaped Faces

Credit: @salsalhair

What to avoid: Never—we repeat never—ask for short bangs or excessive short layering. Those styles will only accentuate the wider top half of a heart-shaped face.

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Heart-Shaped Faces

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

What to get: A jaw-length bob will highlight the chin and balance out the narrowness there, and heart-shaped faces can also rock long styles with bangs like nobody’s business. (Reese Witherspoon, we’re looking at you.) These styles show off cheekbones and create the illusion of fullness and width.

Examples: chin-length bob, textured shoulder cut, side-swept bangs

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Round Faces

Credit: Mark by Avon

What to avoid: It’s all about staying away from both extremes of the spectrum. One-length cuts are too angular, which emphasizes the roundness of the face shape. But over-softening a round face shape with too many layers will only enhance the rounded effect.

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Round Faces

Credit: @anhcotran

What to get: Be strategic. Ask for long layers that frame the face without being too harsh or too soft. The ultimate cut for round faces is a layered lob complete with a side part. (Trust us!) To elongate the face shape, go for strong angular fringe or add additional height at the top of the style.

Examples: layered lob, side-swept bob, asymmetrical cut

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough