How to Choose the Right Haircut for Your Face Shape

In learning how to choose the right haircut for your face shape, you gotta know your shape in the first place.  Having this knowledge is critical in getting the best haircut possible as the right haircut can enhance your best features and minimize what you don’t like about your mug. While your barber or stylist can help you determine face shape and create a hairstyle that compliments your shape and features, the guidelines below will help give you some insight on things to consider before going to the salon and how to choose the right hairstyle for your face shape. Let’s take a look at face shapes and adjustments which can be made to the haircut to provide balance and enhance your look.

The Best Haircut for a Round Face

The key here is to provide balance. Stay away from full or round hairstyles as they will make the face appear more round. Keep the sides leaner and style the hair a bit higher at the top and front to provide balance. An off-center part or some waves at eye level will help minimize roundness. Round faces are better with more square hairstyles. Examples of a male celebrities with a round faces are Elijah Wood and Jack Black.

The Best Haircut for a Square Face

Similar to the round face, keep the sides leaner and short, while wearing the top longer and styled a bit higher. Keep the hair clean around the ears and make sure the style mirrors the square shape of the face – this will help make the square face shape pop. Think of David Beckham. He got it right. Nick Lachey is another celebrity with a square face shape.

The Best Haircut for an Oval Face

Most any style is suitable as this is considered the ideal face shape. That said, attention should be paid to other prominent features such as the nose and position of the eyes and ears. If you fall into the Oval category, consider yourself lucky as almost any style will look good on you. Actors with oval face shapes include Barry Watson and Jude Law.

The Best Haircut for a Long Face

A style which is longer on the sides and short on top will make the face appear less long and provide better balance. Go with a cut that has some layers and is worn so the front hairline is disguised. A neatly groomed beard can help provide additional balance. Don’t allow the facial hair to become too long as this will lengthen the face. Glasses can also provide balance by dividing the face and drawing attention away from the length of the face. Eminem and Keifer Sutherland are stars with long faces.

The Best Haircut for a Triangular Face

To balance out a triangular face shape, choose a style that will narrow your forehead area and add the illusion of width to the chin. An offset part with bangs swept to the side and a beard can help accomplish this. Justin Timberlake (who is a great example to follow) and Ryan Gosling have good examples of triangular shaped faces.

The Best Haircut for a Heart Shaped Face

When choosing a hairstyle for your heart-shaped face, remember that you will want to balance out the top part of your face with the bottom, so keep your hair proportionate to your features. You should focus on trying to ensure that your chin doesn’t appear too narrow. A textured fringe or dimensional quiff will do the job- just remember that you should use a lightweight product to ensure that you are not creating disproportionate angles.

The Best Haircut for a Diamond Face

For the diamond face shape, the goal is to minimize wider cheekbones and balance out a narrow chin and forehead. To do this, opt for a style with bangs to minimize the forehead. Longer shag hairstyles also work well for the diamond face. Famous guys with diamond shaped faces include Pete Wentz and Dane Cook.

Of course, these are only guidelines for how to choose the right haircut for your face shape, so consult your barber or stylist who can create a style that enhances your best features and balances your face. 

Now that you know how to choose the right haircut for your face shape, go get a haircut already!