Have you ever wondered why a haircut that looks amazing on your friend doesn't quite work for you? Or why certain styles seem to instantly enhance your features while others fall flat? The secret often lies in understanding face shapes and how different haircuts can complement or contrast with your natural facial structure.
At Core Updatex, our stylists are trained to analyze face shapes as part of our comprehensive consultation process. In this guide, we'll share our professional insights to help you identify your face shape and discover the most flattering cuts and styles for your unique features.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
Before diving into specific haircut recommendations, let's start by identifying your face shape. While many of us have combination face shapes with characteristics of multiple types, most people have a predominant shape that falls into one of these categories:
- Oval
- Round
- Square
- Heart
- Diamond
- Rectangle/Oblong
To determine your face shape, follow these simple steps:
- Pull your hair back completely from your face
- Stand in front of a mirror with good lighting
- Trace the outline of your face on the mirror using a washable marker, or take a photo straight-on and trace the outline digitally
- Measure the width of your forehead at its widest point
- Measure the width of your cheekbones at their most prominent point
- Measure the width of your jawline at its widest point
- Measure the length of your face from the center of your hairline to the bottom of your chin
Now, compare these measurements to the descriptions below:
Oval Face Shape
An oval face is considered the "ideal" shape in the sense that it's naturally balanced and can support almost any hairstyle. If you have an oval face:
- The length of your face is approximately 1.5 times the width
- Your forehead may be slightly wider than your jawline
- Your jawline is rounded rather than angular
- Your face has no particularly prominent features or angles
Best Haircuts for Oval Faces
"Clients with oval face shapes have the luxury of experimenting with virtually any style," explains Daniel, our master stylist. "This face shape works well with everything from pixie cuts to long layers, blunt bobs to shaggy styles."
Some particularly flattering options include:
- Medium-length cuts with layers that frame the face
- Long bob (lob) cuts that hit at the collarbone
- Pixie cuts that show off facial features
- Side-swept bangs or curtain bangs
The key with oval faces is to avoid styles that add too much height at the crown, which can elongate the face unnecessarily.
Round Face Shape
Round faces are characterized by soft curves and equal proportions. If you have a round face:
- The width and length of your face are roughly equal
- Your cheekbones are the widest part of your face
- Your face has a rounded jawline without pronounced angles
- Your forehead is rounded and your chin is less defined
Best Haircuts for Round Faces
"The goal for round face shapes is to create the illusion of length and angles," says Emily, our founder and creative director. "We want to elongate the face and add definition."
Ideal styles include:
- Long, layered cuts that fall below the shoulders
- Asymmetrical bobs that create diagonal lines
- Side-parted styles that add asymmetry
- Voluminous styles with height at the crown
- Long side-swept bangs that create a diagonal line across the face
Avoid cuts that add width at the cheeks, such as chin-length bobs with curved edges, and styles that emphasize the roundness of your face, like full, rounded bangs.
Square Face Shape
Square faces are characterized by strong, angular features. If you have a square face:
- The width and length of your face are roughly equal
- Your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are all approximately the same width
- Your jawline is strong and angular
- Your hairline is straight across
Best Haircuts for Square Faces
"With square faces, we aim to soften the angular jawline and add movement around the face," explains Sophie, our senior colorist. "Styles with soft layers and wispy elements work beautifully."
Flattering options include:
- Soft, layered cuts with feathered ends
- Side-parted styles that soften the symmetry
- Textured lobs or bobs with waves or curls
- Wispy, face-framing layers
- Soft, rounded bangs that counterbalance the angular jaw
Avoid blunt, one-length cuts that emphasize the squareness of your jaw, or center parts that highlight facial symmetry.
Heart Face Shape
Heart-shaped faces feature a wider forehead and gradually narrow down to a pointed chin. If you have a heart-shaped face:
- Your forehead is the widest part of your face
- Your face tapers to a narrow, possibly pointed chin
- Your cheekbones are high and possibly prominent
- Your hairline may have a widow's peak (though not always)
Best Haircuts for Heart Faces
"Heart-shaped faces benefit from styles that balance the width of the forehead with the narrowness of the chin," notes James, our texture specialist. "We want to create width around the jawline while softening the forehead."
Ideal styles include:
- Mid-length to long styles with layers that start at the jawline
- Side-swept bangs that soften the forehead
- Chin-length or longer bobs that add width at the jaw
- Styles with volume at the jawline
- Pixie cuts with longer tops and shorter sides
Avoid styles that add more volume at the crown or fullness around the forehead, as well as very short cuts that emphasize the chin.
Diamond Face Shape
Diamond face shapes are characterized by dramatic cheekbones that form the widest part of the face. If you have a diamond-shaped face:
- Your cheekbones are the widest part of your face
- You have a narrow forehead and jawline
- Your chin may be pointed
- Your face length is longer than its width
Best Haircuts for Diamond Faces
"Diamond face shapes are all about balance," says Olivia, our extensions specialist. "We want styles that add width at the forehead and jawline to balance those striking cheekbones."
Flattering options include:
- Chin-length or shoulder-length styles with fullness at the jaw
- Side-swept or curtain bangs that add width to the forehead
- Layered bobs with volume at the sides
- Textured pixie cuts with fullness at the crown
- Center parts that highlight facial symmetry
Avoid styles that add too much height without width, or slicked-back looks that emphasize the cheekbones without balancing them.
Rectangle/Oblong Face Shape
Rectangle or oblong face shapes are characterized by length. If you have a rectangular face:
- Your face is noticeably longer than it is wide
- Your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are similar in width
- You may have a high forehead
- Your jawline is angular rather than rounded
Best Haircuts for Rectangle/Oblong Faces
"With rectangular faces, our goal is to create the illusion of width while minimizing length," explains Daniel. "Styles with volume at the sides rather than the top are particularly flattering."
Ideal styles include:
- Layered cuts with volume at the cheekbones
- Bangs (straight across or side-swept) to shorten the face
- Bobs or lobs with fullness around the jawline
- Waves or curls that add width
- Styles with minimal height at the crown
Avoid styles that add more length, such as very long, straight hair without layers, or styles with significant volume at the top without width at the sides.
Beyond Face Shape: Other Considerations
While face shape is a crucial factor in finding your perfect haircut, several other elements should influence your decision:
Hair Texture and Type
"The natural texture of your hair significantly impacts how a particular cut will look," notes James. "What works for fine, straight hair may not work for thick, curly hair, even on the same face shape."
Consider these texture-specific tips:
- Fine Hair: Blunt cuts create the illusion of thickness, while too many layers can make hair appear thinner
- Thick Hair: Layers remove bulk and add movement
- Curly Hair: Requires specialized cutting techniques that work with your natural curl pattern
- Straight Hair: Can support precise, geometric cuts that might not work with wavy or curly textures
Lifestyle and Maintenance
Be honest about how much time you want to spend styling your hair each day. Some cuts look best with significant styling, while others are designed to be "wash and wear."
"I always ask clients about their morning routine," says Emily. "If they only have five minutes to style their hair, we need a cut that works with their natural texture rather than against it."
Personal Style
Your haircut should reflect your personality and complement your overall style. Consider how different haircuts align with your wardrobe, personal aesthetic, and how you present yourself to the world.
Professional Expertise
While understanding your face shape is valuable, nothing replaces the expertise of a professional stylist who can analyze all these factors together and recommend personalized options.
"During consultations, we consider not just face shape but also neck length, shoulder width, height, and even lifestyle when recommending cuts," explains Daniel. "It's truly a holistic approach."
Breaking the "Rules"
It's important to remember that while these guidelines can be helpful, they're not rigid rules. Many of our clients look fantastic in styles that technically "shouldn't" work for their face shape, simply because the cut aligns with their personality and style.
"Confidence is the most important factor in carrying any hairstyle," emphasizes Sophie. "If you love your haircut and it makes you feel amazing, that positivity will shine through regardless of face shape 'rules.'"
Sometimes, working against conventional wisdom and choosing a cut that emphasizes rather than minimizes certain features can create a striking, memorable look.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Haircut?
At Core Updatex, our consultations go beyond basic face shape analysis to consider all aspects of your appearance, lifestyle, and personal style. Our experienced stylists can help you find a haircut that not only flatters your natural features but also expresses your unique personality.
Book your consultation today to discover the transformative power of the perfect haircut!
