How do I determine my face shape?

To determine your face shape, you'll want to look at three things: First, measure the widest parts of your face like your cheeks, forehead, and jaw. Then, measure your jawline (decide if it's square, pointy, or round), and then determine if the entire length of your face is short or long.

What face shape is best for short hair?

All face shapes can rock a short style and you don't have to have a cut that "flatters" your face. However, if you want one that's considered complementary, you've got options. For example, short, beachy waves are great for square-shaped faces, while a blunt bob looks super cute on people with an oblong face.

How can I know what type of bangs will look good with my face shape?

Generally speaking, side-swept bangs tend to favor round, square, diamond, and rectangle-shaped faces. Meanwhile, blunt bangs pair well with oval and heart face shapes. Of course, there are a lot more options when it comes to bangs, but it's worth considering your hair type and texture, as well as lifestyle, before deciding which fringe is right for you.

The Best Haircuts for Every Face Shape, According to Professional Hairstylists

Drew Barrymore, Yara Shahidi, and Rosario Dawson with Haircuts for Every Face Shape — Getty Images / Byrdie

If you've ever just wanted to sit in a stylist's chair and have them tell you exactly what haircut you need, we feel you. And while we're all free to choose whatever haircut we please, sometimes having someone there to guide us can make all the difference. From lobs to pixies, there are cuts that traditionally flatter different face shapes, but navigating the space solo can be a little overwhelming.

Most of us can't ring up a celeb stylist to have them evaluate our features for a custom cut, so we came up with the next best thing: A complete guide to shed light on the different lengths and styles that best complement your face. Below, we spoke to top hairstylists for their tips on the cuts that best suit every shape.

Meet the Expert

Sarah Potempa, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co.
Enzo Angileri, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist
Kee Taylor, a celebrity hairstylist and natural hair expert. She's also the owner of Deeper Than Hair Salon in Philadelphia.
Kristan Serafino, a celebrity hairstylist and owner of men's grooming brand, The Best Paste.

01 of 26

Square: Tousled Lob

Jennifer Lopez with tousled lob — Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Los Angeles-based hairstylist, Enzo Angileri says a tousled bob or lob works well with a square-shaped face since it emphasizes layers and de-emphasizes squareness. And if you've got fine tresses, opt for blunt ends like JLo's since they will help to feign fullness.

02 of 26

Square: Long and Voluminous Waves

Zendaya with long, voluminous center-parted waves at Oscars — Pool / Getty Images

Zendaya looks fierce with her long, brushed-out waves. "If you have a square face shape, you can feel free to play with some volume," says Kee Taylor, a celebrity hairstylist and natural hair expert.

03 of 26

Square: Blunt Chin-Length Bob

Hailey Bieber with side-parted chin-length lob at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — John Shearer / Getty Images

"Square face shapes go very well with volume on both sides," explains Taylor, so a middle part is a win. She's a fan of Hailey Bieber's chin-length glossy bob for a square face. "This style creates perfect symmetry between the face and hair."

04 of 26

Square: Angled Bob

Sandra Bullock with a long bob haircut and red lip — Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Sandra Bullock's chop is a perfect example of an angled look that makes a square face appear slimmer. "Go for angled bobs that are longer in the front and will cover the width of the cheeks," recommends celebrity hair stylist Sarah Potempa. To get Bullock's photo-worthy finish, apply a bit of styling product for super-sleek hair.

05 of 26

Square: Curly Bob

Yara Shahidi with curly, voluminous lob and red dress — Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images

Yara Shahidi's natural volume is fun and opens her face. According to celebrity hairstylist Kristan Serafino, "The best hairstyles [for square-shaped faces] will soften the edges of the face line with wispy layers, sweeping side fringe, and volume at the crown of the head."

Byrdie Tip

If you have curly hair, ask your stylist to incorporate long layers into the cut. This is especially important for shorter styles since it will lend shape to your 'do which could otherwise frizz out.

06 of 26

Round: Long Layers

isla fisher with long wavy layers and polkadot dress — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Potempa says, if you have a round face you want to create height and length. "A hairstyle with longer layers will make your neck and face appear more slender," she explains. Layers, like those seen here on Isla Fisher, highlight your features while simultaneously removing weight and adding movement to thicker tresses.

07 of 26

Round: Side-Parted Pixie

ginnifer goodwin with dark pixie haircut wearing black dress — Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

Just because a lengthier mane may be the traditional cut to complement a round face doesn't mean that you can't find shorter styles that work for you. Take Ginnifer Goodwin's pixie cut, for instance. A volumized crown and deep side part serve to lengthen her face, Serafino tells us.

Byrdie Tip

Consider avoiding harsh angular styles, tight curls, and thick bangs, all of which can shorten the appearance of a round face.

08 of 26

Round: Textured Lob

Chrissy Teigen with textured lob and orange dress — Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images

No matter your face shape, there's a bob style for you. Chrissy Teigen's lob and its collarbone-grazing length pair perfectly with her rounder face shape. Work in a small amount of texturizing spray to get her tantalizing waves.

09 of 26

Round: Subtle Shag

Gabrielle Union with soft shag haircut and purple sequin suit at 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards — Araya Doheny / Getty Images

The choppy layers of a shag can add structure and dimension to round faces. We love how Gabrielle Union's subtle but noteworthy angles are still kept soft rather than shattered.

10 of 26

Round: Symmetrical Lengths

Close up of Drew Barrymore with center parted hair — Getty Images

A center part doesn't necessarily highlight the best features of every face shape, but for those with a round face, it works wonders. To get Drew Barrymore's long, beachy waves, part hair in the center and let it air-dry with a texturizing product, like Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray.

11 of 26

Diamond: Blunt Bob

Jenna Dewan with bob tucked behind one ear and red lipstick — Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images

When deciding which look will best complement your diamond face shape, Serafino offers up her advice: "The best hairstyles will create the appearance of a fuller and wider forehead and chin, and soften the diamond shape." Jenna Dewan's blunt, chin-grazing bob frames her diamond face while a quick hair tuck shows off her cheekbones.

12 of 26

Diamond: Long Layers and Side-Swept Bangs

Rosario Dawson with long, layered waves and side-swept bangs wearing white dress — Paul Archuleta / Getty Images

Potempa suggests long layers to offset the widest points of the face. You can try cutting layers yourself—if you're brave—otherwise, have your stylist angle them so that they frame your face. Finish with shine spray to get Rosario Dawson's hair effect.

13 of 26

Diamond: Tapered Angles

Rihanna with curly pineapple updo and layered necklaces — Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

"Diamond-shaped faces are so amazing," says Taylor. "The jawline is super defined, which makes it the perfect face shape for updos, shorter cuts, and tapers to show off those killer angles." Rihanna's pineapple 'do perfectly captures her tapered angles, cascading curls, and enviable bone structure.

14 of 26

Diamond: Subtly Angled Length

Megan Fox with old hollywood waves at World Premiere Of "Good Mourning" at The London West Hollywood — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Megan Fox takes a cue from the silver screen sirens of yesteryear with big, loose curls that soften her angles. To get the look, curl sections of hair with a 1.5-inch wand, like Hot Tools Professional Gold Curling Iron, and then gently brush them out with your fingers.

15 of 26

Diamond: Natural Curly Bob With Bangs

Jill Scott with voluminous curly bob with bangs and statement earrings — Jerritt Clark / Getty Images

Singer Jill Scott's voluminous curls—bangs included—soften a diamond-shaped face. Moisture for this texture and look is essential, so invest in a co-wash. We like Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash, which moisturizes hair for up to three days, according to the brand.

16 of 26

Heart: Face-Framing Layers

Jessica Biel with face-framing layers to complement heart-shaped face — Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Heart-shaped faces can compensate for a wider forehead with long, face-framing layers. By styling her long layers "down and out" (i.e. curling them away from your face), Jessica Biel further opens her face up and draws attention away from her forehead.

17 of 26

Heart: Bangs

Naomi Campbell wearing blunt bob with bangs and gold dress — Taylor Hill / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Your face shape is an important factor in deciding whether to fringe or not to fringe. "One of the best parts about a heart-shaped face is due to the width of the forehead, you have the perfect face for bangs," explains Taylor.

18 of 26

Heart: Cheekbone-Grazing Angles

Priyanka Chopra with cheekbone-highlighting layers and smokey eye at Pre-Grammy Gala — Gregg DeGuire / Stringer / Getty Images

Incredible cheekbones are another hallmark of heart-shaped faces. To really emphasize the feature, ask for bangs, angles, or volume along the highest points of the cheeks like Priyanka Chopra.

19 of 26

Heart: Sleek Lob With Wispy Bangs

Ana De Armas with sleek lob and wispy bangs at the World Premiere of "NO TIME TO DIE" — Jeff Spicer / Stringer / Getty Images

"Adding bangs creates character, too, and can be very sexy," explains Taylor. "You can even shape the bangs to be a little longer on the sides for more in-depth framing of the face." It doesn't get much sexier than Ana de Armas's sleek lob.

20 of 26

Oval: Medium-Length Layers

Jessica Alba with medium-length ombre waves and white top — Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images

Our experts unanimously agree that oval face shapes can sport the most versatile cuts. Potempa says long layers allow for movement, especially when waving your hair. So take a cue from Jessica Alba and add a few subtle layers with ombré highlights for interest.

21 of 26

Oval: Baby Bangs

Beyonce with blonde hair and baby bangs in London — HKGC / Getty Images

Microbangs are a difficult look to pull off, especially for those with a shorter forehead to be emphasized. Oval face shapes, however, have just the right amount of forehead height to pull off the extra-short fringe. Just follow Beyoncé's lead on this one.

22 of 26

Oval: Side-Parted Lob

Kerry Washington with voluminous at side-parted lob 023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Karwai Tang / Getty Images

Not too long, but not too short—a long bob is universally flattering. Add some flair to yours by loading up on volume. "Having an oval face is great for big hair, so don't be afraid to go for it!" says Taylor. "Volume and length will both complement your overall features and help create overall balance."

23 of 26

Oblong: Side-Swept Bangs

Sandra Oh with side-swept bangs and updo complementing oblong face shape — George Pimentel / Getty Images

Oblong faces are best complemented with styles that have width at the cheekbones to distract from the length. Potempa suggests side-swept bangs to shorten the face, as seen here on Sandra Oh.

24 of 26

Oblong: Wavy Shoulder-Length Lob

Kelly Rowland with side-parted shoulder-length hair, red lipstick, and chain necklace — Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Kelly Rowland's shoulder-length hair with loose waves is the perfect example of a flattering cut for an oblong face. "A shoulder-length haircut is the most flattering—somewhere between the chin and shoulders. You want to create width, which you can easily do with waves," says Angileri.

25 of 26

Oblong: Curtain Bangs

Dakota Johnson with curtain bangs and long layered hair — Getty Images

Similar to the side-swept approach, curtain bangs offer a flattering contribution to oblong faces that prefer a center-part style. They're also a good way to try out some fringe if you're on the fence– they'll grow out relatively quickly and blend in with the rest of your hair seamlessly.

26 of 26

Oblong: Long Length With Short Layers

Joan Smalls with long hair and short layers at Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 — Emma McIntyre / Getty Images

Long hair can be difficult to pull off for oblong faces as it tends to emphasize the length of the face. To create balance, keep the length, but add short layers and texture for additional width like Joan Smalls.

FAQ

How do I determine my face shape?

To determine your face shape, you'll want to look at three things: First, measure the widest parts of your face like your cheeks, forehead, and jaw. Then, measure your jawline (decide if it's square, pointy, or round), and then determine if the entire length of your face is short or long.

Learn More From Round to Diamond, Find Your Face Shape and Its Best Hairstyles
What face shape is best for short hair?

All face shapes can rock a short style and you don't have to have a cut that "flatters" your face. However, if you want one that's considered complementary, you've got options. For example, short, beachy waves are great for square-shaped faces, while a blunt bob looks super cute on people with an oblong face.
How can I know what type of bangs will look good with my face shape?

Generally speaking, side-swept bangs tend to favor round, square, diamond, and rectangle-shaped faces. Meanwhile, blunt bangs pair well with oval and heart face shapes. Of course, there are a lot more options when it comes to bangs, but it's worth considering your hair type and texture, as well as lifestyle, before deciding which fringe is right for you.

How to Find the Best Hair Part For Your Face Shape