How to find your face shape
Lights, camera…wait, my hair doesn’t seem right! Finding the perfect hairstyle can be a challenge. It’s happened: your friend got a new cut that you absolutely loved and decided to try it for yourself—all to find out it didn’t flatter you in the same way. There are many reasons why you would wear it differently, but a main one is your face shape versus hers. All face shapes are beautiful, but it is essential to have a hairstyle that accentuates your features in a proper, flattering way. First things first—what is your face shape? To get a precise idea, you’ll need a measuring tape and mirror. Here’s what you need to do:
- From the top of your forehead (hairline) straight down to the tip of your chin, measure the length of your face.
- Find the widest part of your forehead, near your temples, and measure across to the same point on the other side.
- Place your fingertip at the outer corner of your eye and trace down until you feel the top of your cheekbone, approximately one inch below, then measure to the same point on the opposite side.
- Find your jawline where it begins under your ear and measure to the tip of your chin (then double this number to account for the other side).
- Then, once all four steps are completed, it is time to compare numbers to see if your face shape is round, oval, triangle, oblong, diamond, square or heart.
Round Face Shape Hairstyles
If your face is round, you’ll find that some of your measurements were similar to one another, like your face length and cheekbone widths, but that these are greater in length than your forehead width and jawline length (face length ≈ cheekbones but greater than forehead ≈ jawline).
If you enjoy a short cut, adding height on top will elongate the appearance of your face. Try a Faux Hawk style where the top remains longer than the sides, allowing you to really work in some texture and height which will draw the eye upward.
If you prefer longer styles, go for something long and sleek, maybe adding in some face-framing angles. The added length of your hair will provide an elongated feel and will draw the eye downward. Don’t be afraid to add a bang to this look, but avoid blunt lines which add the appearance of width to your forehead—instead, try an angled side-swept bang.
Oval Face Shape Hairstyles
If you found your cheekbone and forehead widths are similar and jawline measurement the shortest, you have an oval face shape (cheekbone ≈ forehead but greater than jawline). You are in luck! Almost all hairstyles will work for you because an oval face shape is well-proportioned and super versatile. So, focus on your hair texture and find what you feel most comfortable with, whether it means making a bold statement or keeping it simple and elegant.
Triangle Face Shape Hairstyles
With a prominent jawline, this measurement is larger than your cheekbone width, which is larger than your forehead width, meaning you have a triangle face shape (jawline is greater than cheekbone which is greater than forehead).
Your goal will be creating the illusion of a wider forehead while downplaying your jawline. Short styles look nice with this face shape because of the added volume and texture around your forehead. You can vary the amount of volume with layers and styling, but try a side-parted crop with a side-swept bang.
If you prefer longer hair, avoid chin-length bobs and long, sleek styles as these will draw attention to your jawline. Instead, embrace layers as they will add softness and balance. Try a gently inverted bob that falls below your chin and angles up toward the back, keeping blunt lines away from your chin.
Oblong Face Shape Hairstyles
If you have an oblong face shape, your face length is longer than your cheekbone width, forehead width and jawline which are all rather similar (cheekbone ≈ forehead ≈ jawline but shorter than face length).
The goal with an oblong face shape is to avoid a style that makes your face appear longer, like long, straight hair that just drags your features down. Medium length styles will work wonders for you, as they’ll add bulk to the sides. A perfect cut is a classic bob, either sleek or textured. These are heavy in weight around your chin so will help widen the appearance of your face.
You also have the ability to rock a solid, heavy bang. Bangs are a great way to spruce up any style as they complete a look without putting a lot of extra time into your morning routine. A heavy fringe will add a sense of width to your forehead and keep your features looking balanced.
Diamond Face Shape Hairstyles
With varying measurements, if you have a diamond face shape you will find your face length being the longest, followed by cheekbone width, followed by forehead width, followed by jawline length (face length > cheekbone > forehead > jawline). Like those with oblong face shape, the length of your face can easily be dragged down so avoid short styles with a lot of volume on top, or long, sleek styles. Mid-length styles will work well to shorten the appearance of your face and to complement your strong cheekbones. Be careful not to add too much volume at your cheekbones, you want to keep it fuller toward the ends. Textured styles come in great here. Adding soft waves at and below chin length will help balance your proportions. However, your strong cheekbones are a beautiful attribute so try tucking one side behind your ear or pinning it back with a clip. Because your face shape is angular, you need to be a bit careful with bangs and want to steer clear of anything too blunt. A soft, side-swept bang would complement your style adding an appearance of width to your forehead but not taking too much away from your cheekbones.
Square Face Shape Hairstyles
Did you find that all four of your measurements are roughly the same (face length ≈ forehead ≈ cheekbone ≈ jawline)? You have a square face shape. Adding length to your hair will help make your face appear longer and soften your angular shape. Long styles with long layers and a face-framing angle, starting below your chin, would be a flattering option for you. Another great elongating style is the angled bob. This would sit just below your jawline and provide soft, angular lines to compliment your geometric angles without adding bulk. Don’t worry, there is no rule that your hair needs to be long if you’re blessed with square face shape, but avoid anything too blunt. A short style with blunt bangs wouldn’t work well for you but a sleek crop cut would look nice. Pairing any of these looks with a side-swept bang would be ideal as it will soften and add length to your face shape.
Heart Face Shape Hairstyles
If your forehead width is larger than your cheekbone width which is larger than your jawline, you have a heart face shape (forehead > cheekbone > jawline).
Your jawline is angular and narrow so adding volume in this area will help you feel more proportionate with the breadth of your forehead. A bob, either chin-length or a little longer, is a great look for you. While sleek on top, this will add volume around your chin. Adding a side-swept bang is important to soften the appearance of your forehead. Still incorporating a soft bang, typically side-swept, a long style with long layers will be a desirable and elegant look to accentuate and balance your facial proportions.
There are many face shapes and even more styling options so don’t hesitate to try new looks. Sometimes all it takes to complete a look is to add a bang of the right kind to complement your features. At your next appointment, talk to your Hair Cuttery stylist about what look might work best for your features and hair type. Have fun and don’t be afraid to play with a few different styles!
