Let’s face it, the shape of our face – much like our fingerprints – serves as a unique identifier that reveals much about our individual beauty. Even if we struggle to recall someone’s name, we can often remember distinct facial features, such as their captivating eyes, warm smile, or trendy haircut. Interestingly, your face shape plays a crucial role in choosing the most flattering hairstyle that aligns with your unique characteristics.

Of course, selecting a hairstyle is a highly personal choice, and you are free to embrace any style you desire. However, if you’re on the lookout for hairstyles that harmonize with your specific face shape, we are here to assist you. Our comprehensive haircut guide provides insights on identifying your face shape and exploring hairstyles that enhance your natural beauty.

Understanding the Importance of Face Shape in Hairstyle Selection

Understanding your face shape significantly influences your choices, from selecting the most complementary haircut to choosing stylish sunglasses that enhance your facial features. Whether your favorite bee-eye sunglasses make you feel like you’re in a honeycomb or a celebrity-inspired haircut has you reaching for a fashionable hat, your face shape can either enhance or detract from your unique features.

In this essential haircut guide, you’ll find that we appreciate how face shape can dramatically impact the selection of a hairstyle that complements your features, balances proportions, and highlights your unique attributes. To achieve facial harmony, comprehending the basic face shapes is a fundamental first step.

A Comprehensive Overview of Common Face Shapes and Their Distinctive Features:

#1. Oval Face

An oval face shape is characterized by its narrow, elongated, and elegant appearance. Typically, it is about two times longer than it is wide, featuring a gentle curvature without pointed features, and a narrow chin. Unlike rectangular faces, you won’t find a squared jaw or a pronounced forehead with this shape.

If you possess an oval face shape, you may identify with the following traits:

Face:
The length is noticeably greater than the width.

Forehead:
The width of your forehead is less than that of your cheekbones, which may also be accompanied by a prominent forehead.

Cheekbones:
Your cheekbones are the broadest part of your face.

Jawline:
The jaw and chin are smooth without sharp angles.

#2. Round Face

Round faces are beloved for their soft, youthful charm. If you have a round face shape, the width and length are relatively equal, complemented by soft facial features and a rounded jawline that exudes a delightful, youthful appearance.

If you identify with a round face shape, you might recognize these characteristics:

Face:
The length and width are virtually equal.

Forehead:
Rounded at the hairline.

Cheekbones:
Full cheeks contribute to a youthful, rounded look.

Jawline:
Rounded with subtle, soft angles.

#3. Diamond Face

Diamonds are often celebrated, and in terms of face shape, this shape boasts some of the finest natural angles. Whether it comes to choosing hairstyles, hats, or sunglasses, almost any style can complement this stunning face shape.

If you have a diamond face shape, you may relate to the following features:

Face:
Characterized by a narrow forehead and a petite chin.

Forehead:
The width is narrower than that of your cheekbones.

Cheekbones:
Prominently wide and high, they outbalance both the forehead and jawline.

Jawline:
Narrow chin that tapers to a distinct point.

#4. Square Face

Square faces are loved for their strong, defined angles. The sharp jawline and balanced width enhance the eyes’ uniqueness, while the soft features of the nose and eyes create a beautiful equilibrium.

If you possess a square face shape, you may recognize the following features:

Face:
The length and width are similar.

Forehead:
The hairline is straight, and the forehead width is comparable to the jawline.

Cheekbones:
Minimal curvature in the cheekbones.

Jawline:
A pronounced, squared jawline. The sides of your face follow a straight line from the jaw to the forehead.

#5. Heart Face

The heart-shaped face – reminiscent of celebrities like Reese Witherspoon – is endearing and easily identifiable. This shape features a width that is greatest around the cheeks, tapering down to a pointed chin.

If you have a heart face shape, you may identify with the following traits:

Face:
Longer than it is wide, tapering towards the chin.

Forehead:
Wider than the jawline, with the potential for a widow’s peak, resembling an inverted triangle.

Cheekbones:
The width is similar to or exceeds that of the forehead.

Jawline:
A slender jawline that gracefully tapers to a point without any squared edges.

How to Choose Hairstyles that Complement Your Face Shape

Selecting the right hairstyle can enhance your face shape by strategically incorporating volume, layers, or texture, which helps create a balanced, symmetrical, and flattering appearance. For instance, a round face shape can benefit from hairstyles that add height at the crown to elongate the face, while a square face may be softened with textured layers that lessen the impact of sharp angles.

Let’s explore some fundamental points about selecting hairstyles that enhance your specific face shape:

Oval Face:

Opt for long, layered haircuts that introduce movement and volume, suitable for any hair type, or choose styles with layers that fan out to draw the eye outward rather than downward, elongating the jaw.

Round Face:

Select styles that provide height and volume at the crown, with layers that fall below the chin, while steering clear of blunt cuts that accentuate roundness.

Square Face:

Soften the jawline with textured layers, waves, or side-swept bangs. Avoid excessive volume at the cheekbone level; shoulder-length cuts with layers and soft waves can help create a gentler appearance.

Heart-Shaped Face:

Focus on adding volume around the jawline, opting for chin-length cuts or layers to balance a wider forehead. Shag cuts with longer face frames can help elongate the face and create balance.

Diamond Face:

Emphasize the cheekbones with face-framing layers and introduce volume at the crown to soften the pointed chin. Soft layers in long hair can help balance the width of the cheekbones, resulting in a more proportional look.

Steps to Accurately Determine Your Face Shape

Now that you have an overview of face shapes and their characteristics, it’s time to gather your own measurements to accurately identify your face shape and discover the ideal hairstyle that suits you.

Before you begin, tie your hair back and pull it away from your forehead to reveal your entire face. You’ll need a flexible measuring tape, similar to what a tailor would use, and prepare to channel your inner third grader for some simple math – although rough estimations will suffice as well. Next, measure four key distances on your face as outlined below.

Step 1. Forehead Width:  Measure the distance across your forehead at its widest point, from hairline to hairline.

If your face is widest at the forehead and gradually angles towards the chin, you likely have a heart-shaped face, also referred to as an inverted triangle.

Step 2. Cheekbone Width: Measure from the hairline above one cheekbone across your face to the same point on the opposite side.

If your face is widest at the cheekbones, you likely have a diamond face shape.

Step 3. Jawline Width: Start measuring from the base of your jaw (just beneath your ears). Measure along the edge of the jaw until you reach the midpoint of your chin. Repeat on the other side or multiply that number by two.

If your jaw is the widest part of your face, you could have a triangular or pear face shape. A rounded jaw suggests you might have an oval or round face shape.

Step 4. Face Length: Measure from the center of your hairline straight down to the tip of your chin.

If your forehead, cheekbones, and jaw measurements are equal, you could be classified as having either an oval, square, or round face shape. Sometimes, if the jawline appears softer, you might also fit into the diamond face shape or triangle category.

Understanding the structure of your face is the crucial first step in creating hairstyles that highlight your best features. Since our faces often dictate first impressions, knowing how to leverage this to your advantage is invaluable. Now, let’s go out and put your best face forward!

Top Hairstyles Tailored for Each Face Shape

When it comes to selecting a haircut, many of us tend to gravitate towards looks we admire on celebrities, stick to familiar styles, or choose impulsively. Unfortunately, these choices can lead to hair-raising results. Rather than diving headfirst into the salon chair or blindly following the latest trend, identifying your face shape is essential to determine which style will truly turn heads.

Here are the best hairstyle suggestions for each face shape to ensure you and your features shine. The primary guideline in finding the perfect hairstyle is to accentuate your best features.

Oval Face Shape

Oval faces are often hailed as versatile, accommodating various styles. Popular haircut choices include shoulder-length waves, layered cuts, or blunt bobs. With a tall forehead that is slightly wider than the chin, layering around the face beautifully enhances the key features of an oval face.

Long Layers:

Long layers work exceptionally well for oval faces, highlighting their natural symmetry without adding unnecessary width or length.

Bob Cut:

A classic bob is an excellent choice for oval-shaped faces, drawing attention to the jawline and cheekbones.

Side-Swept Bangs:

This bang style introduces a softening effect while beautifully framing the face without obscuring the proportions of the oval shape.

Round Face Shape

Round faces tend to be wider than they are long, showcasing full cheeks and a softer jawline. Opting for longer hairstyles and layers that fall below the chin can help break up roundness and introduce dimension. Styles that add angles and length can reshape and elongate round faces, such as long layered cuts, side-swept bangs, or lob haircuts.

Long Layers with Volume on Top:

Adding height at the crown elongates the face, creating an illusion of an oval shape.

Asymmetrical Bob:

This style, longer in the front and shorter in the back, creates the appearance of an elongated face while adding angles to counteract roundness.

Pixie Cut with Volume:

A pixie cut with height at the top can create an illusion of a longer face, balancing out the roundness.

Square Face Shape

Square-shaped faces are characterized by a sharp bone structure and a defined jawline. To complement this angular structure, it’s beneficial to avoid blunt edges. Opt for softer styles and flowing looks that can help soften strong jawlines while adding volume, such as soft waves, curtain bangs, or side parts.

Soft, Wispy Bangs:

Wispy bangs can soften the angles of a square face, especially the strong jawline, creating a more rounded appearance.

Long, Soft Layers:

Long layers that begin two inches below the jaw can introduce softness and movement, reducing the emphasis on the squared shape of the face.

Side-Parted Styles:

A deep side part can disrupt the symmetry of a square face, adding softness and shifting attention from the strong jawline.

Heart Face

Heart-shaped faces often showcase a wider forehead, high cheekbones, and a narrow chin. Choose styles that balance the wider forehead with a narrower chin, such as long layers, side-swept bangs, and chin-length bobs.

Long, Side-Swept Bangs:

These bangs can balance a wider forehead and draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones while softening the chin. Side bangs are also fantastic for highlighting and enhancing cheekbones to create balance.

Chin-Length Bob:

A bob that grazes the chin adds width to the lower face, harmonizing the narrow chin with a broader forehead.

Wavy Lob (Long Bob):

A wavy lob can introduce volume and width around the jawline, effectively balancing the overall shape of the face.

Diamond Face

Though less common, diamond-shaped faces are narrow at both the forehead and jawline, characterized by wide, prominent cheekbones. Opt for hairstyles that add volume to the forehead and soften the cheekbones, such as chin-length cuts, side-swept bangs, or styles with height at the crown to balance the unique structure.

Chin-Length Bob:

A bob that hits at the chin helps to add width to the narrow jawline and balances the overall facial shape.

Layered Pixie Cut:

A layered pixie cut that adds fullness around the temples can balance the narrowness of the forehead and jaw while accentuating the cheekbones.

Side-Swept Bangs:

A side-swept bang can soften the angles of the face and diminish the prominence of the cheekbones, fostering a more balanced appearance.

Essential Tips for Styling Hair According to Your Face Shape

As we explore this perfect haircut guide, it’s clear that understanding your face shape is crucial, but it’s not the only element in your hair styling toolkit that can elevate your locks from dull to dazzling!

We provide the top styling tips that you can easily implement at home to maximize your hairstyle’s impact based on your face shape. Whether you’re looking for volume, creating angles, or face-framing techniques, we’ve got you covered from root to tip!

Incorporating Layers and Texture for Enhanced Dimension:

Your hair’s texture and type play a vital role in determining your ideal style. Understanding your hair’s natural behavior—and what you are willing to do to maintain a desired look—is essential. Layers and texturizing can add either softness or structure, depending on your face shape.

Here are some guidelines to consider when thinking about layers and texture:

Fine: Fine hair typically benefits from minimal layering. Opt for a blunt bob with limited texture and layers to ensure strength in your length.

Medium: A variety of lengths works well here. Adding layers or texture can facilitate movement while minimizing weight for enhanced volume.

Thick: With thick hair, you can embrace extensive layering, as long layers help reduce weight, remove excess density, and streamline daily styling.

The Impact of Bangs on Face Framing:

Face-framing bangs do more than just change your look; they subtly enhance your features while providing flexibility in styling. Whether you’re aiming to soften your appearance, add dimension, or refine facial proportions, face-framing bangs could be the perfect addition to your hairstyle!

Curtain bangs: A trendy style that parts in the middle and sweeps to either side, curtain bangs flatter most face shapes and require minimal maintenance. They can be longer and accentuate the cheekbones or more forward to frame the brow line.

Wispy bangs: This light and airy style adds a touch of romance to your look.

Side-swept bangs: A soft, romantic style that complements face-framing layers. Suitable for any face shape but especially flattering for longer or heart-shaped faces.

Straight, blunt bangs: A bold choice that can help balance out longer face shapes.

Top Recommended Hair Care Products for Healthy, Beautiful Hair

Your face shape is fundamentally shaped by genetics, underlying bone structure, and muscle positioning. While no cream or serum can modify these basics, certain ingredients can address concerns like sagging, volume loss, or swelling that subtly alter your face’s appearance.

100% PURE hair care products ensure your hair remains healthy, shiny, and manageable, making it easier to achieve your desired style.

#1: 100% PURE Glossy Locks Glossing Shampoo

This glossing shampoo is formulated to enhance your hair’s natural shine, featuring botanical extracts that promote luster and brilliance. Suitable for all hair types, it maintains a healthy, radiant appearance. This hydrating shampoo delivers a smooth, shiny finish, making hair more manageable for styling, enhancing any cut or shape.

#2: 100% PURE Honey & Virgin Coconut Restorative Conditioner

This restorative conditioner deeply hydrates and repairs dry, damaged hair