We all contain multitudes, and no one fits neatly into a heart, square, or oval-shaped category. That said, navigating the vast array of hairstyle and makeup options can be overwhelming. Having some guidance can make the process feel much more manageable and less intimidating.
When it comes to beauty, one of the most helpful starting points is identifying your face shape. Just as skin tone and eye color play a crucial role in selecting makeup looks, knowing your face shape can serve as a valuable guide in choosing the most flattering haircuts and contouring techniques. By looking at celebrities who share your face shape, you can find inspiration and shortcuts to discover what styles might work best for you.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to determine your face shape and provide expert insights on selecting the perfect hairstyle to complement it straight from professional hairstylists. Read on to unlock the secrets of finding your face shape and enhancing your beauty with the right looks!
How to Figure Out Your Face Shape?
Determining your face shape is a straightforward process that involves comparing the length of your face to its width. By following these simple steps, you can gain a clearer understanding of your unique face shape.
Measure the Length of Your Face: Use a ruler to measure from the center of your hairline down to the bottom of your chin. This measurement will give you the length of your face.
Measure the Width of Your Face: Next, measure the width of your face from right to left at its widest point. This will help you understand the overall width of your face.
Check Jaw and Cheekbone Width: For a more detailed analysis, you can also measure the width of your jaw at its widest point and the width of your cheekbones by measuring across each cheek.
If you prefer not to take physical measurements, you can use a selfie to trace the outline of your face and visualize its shape based on the steps outlined above.
Now that you have your measurements, you can identify your face shape. Below, we’ll explore the most common face shapes and recommend the best hairstyles to complement each one. Whether you have a round, square, oval, or heart-shaped face, understanding your face shape will help you choose styles that enhance your natural beauty.
Heart-Shaped Face
If your chin is pointed and your forehead is the widest part of your face, you likely have a heart-shaped face. This shape can sometimes feature a widow’s peak at the hairline, but it can also be recognized without one—think of it as an upside-down triangle. Heart-shaped faces often look stunning with bangs and mid-length to long hairstyles (i.e., longer than shoulder-length).
Celebrities with a Heart-Shaped Face
Some well-known celebrities who share their face shape with you include:
Reese Witherspoon
Chloë Grace Moretz
Sydney Sweeney
Stephanie Hsu
Best Hairstyles for Heart-Shaped Faces
When choosing hairstyles that complement a heart-shaped face, hairstylist Rosenkranz recommends styles that create width through the jawline while adding fullness and width at the nape of the neck to balance the overall shape. Here are some flattering options:
Side-Swept Bangs: These can soften the forehead and draw attention to your eyes. I personally love how side-swept bangs can add a touch of elegance and playfulness to an outfit, making them a versatile choice for both casual and formal occasions.
Brow-Grazing Fringes: A great way to add dimension and frame your face beautifully. I’ve found that this style can really enhance facial features, especially when paired with a soft wave or curl.
Pixie Cuts: This short style can highlight your cheekbones and jawline while keeping the look fresh and modern. I admire how a pixie cut can exude confidence and make a bold statement, perfect for those who want to embrace a chic, low-maintenance style.
Long Layers: Layers that start below the chin can help elongate the face and add movement. I appreciate how long layers can create a sense of flow and softness, making them ideal for those who want a romantic, feminine look.
Wearing Hair Forward Around the Face: This technique can create a lovely frame and soften the overall look. I find that this style not only enhances the heart shape but also adds a youthful vibe, making it a great choice for any age.
Styles to Avoid
Rosenkranz advises steering clear of hairstyles that accentuate the width of the forehead or cheekbones, as these can draw attention away from the chin and create an unbalanced appearance.
By selecting the right hairstyles for your heart-shaped face, you can enhance your features and showcase your unique beauty. Whether you opt for bangs, layers, or a chic pixie cut, the key is to find a style that makes you feel confident and fabulous! Embracing your face shape and experimenting with different hairstyles can be a fun journey, allowing you to express your personality and style in new ways.
Square Face
If you have a square face, you’ll notice that the sides of your face are straight, and your jawline is slightly angled with minimal curvature. Essentially, your face is nearly as wide as it is long. To visualize this, if you measure from the edge of your temple to the top of where your jawline begins, you’ll find that this distance is approximately the same as the distance from your left jaw to your right jaw. Additionally, square faces often feature a sharp, angular bone structure, including a prominent jawline.
Celebrities with a Square Face
Some well-known celebrities who share their face shape with you include:
Emma Mackey
Angelina Jolie
Megan Thee Stallion
Margot Robbie
Best Hairstyles for Square Faces
When it comes to choosing hairstyles that flatter a square face, hairstylist Rosenkranz recommends styles that are fuller at the sides and help soften the corners of your face. Here are some great options:
Textured Shags: This style adds volume and movement, which can help to soften the angular features of a square face. I love how a shag can create a relaxed, effortless look while still being chic and modern.
Long Layers: Layers that start below the chin can help elongate the face and create a more balanced appearance. Personally, I find that long layers can add a touch of femininity and elegance, making them perfect for both casual and formal occasions.
Side-Swept Bangs: These can beautifully frame the face and draw attention to your eyes while softening the jawline. I’ve always been a fan of side-swept bangs because they can instantly elevate a hairstyle, adding a bit of flair without overwhelming the face.
Styles to Avoid
While there are many flattering options for square faces, Rosenkranz advises steering clear of hairstyles that enhance the jawline further with blunt lines. Strong fringes are also not recommended, as they can create a harsh look that emphasizes the angular features of a square face.
Round Face
A round face shares some similarities with a square face but features softer angles. The sides of your face curve slightly outward rather than being straight, giving it a more circular appearance. Your chin is rounded, and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, creating a youthful and approachable look.
Celebrities with a Round Face
Some well-known celebrities who share their face shape with you include:
Selena Gomez
Gemma Chan
Kiersey Clemons
Madison Bailey
Best Hairstyles for Round Faces
When it comes to choosing hairstyles that flatter a round face, hairstylist Rosenkranz recommends styles that add length and create the illusion of an elongated face. Here are some great options:
Chin-Length and Long Bobs: These styles can help define your jawline while adding sophistication. I personally love how a well-cut bob can be both chic and versatile, making it suitable for various occasions.
Soft, Face-Framing Layers: Layers that frame the face can add dimension and movement, enhancing your natural features. I find that these layers can soften the overall look while still providing structure, making them a fantastic choice for round faces.
Long Bangs: Bangs that are longer and swept to the side can help elongate the face and draw attention to your eyes. I’ve always been a fan of long bangs because they can add a touch of drama without overwhelming the face.
Rosenkranz emphasizes that a hairstyle with a strong angular front and added height will help elongate the face, creating a more balanced appearance. This can be particularly effective for those looking to enhance their features.
Styles to Avoid
On the flip side, it’s important to avoid hairstyles that overly soften the already round shape or create more width on the sides, as this can accentuate the roundness. Rosenkranz advises against tucking your hair behind your ears, as this can draw attention to the width of your face. Personally, I’ve noticed that styles that add volume to the sides can sometimes make my face appear even rounder, so I prefer to keep my hair down and flowing for a more flattering look.
By selecting the right hairstyles for your round face, you can enhance your features and showcase your unique beauty. Whether you opt for a chic bob, soft layers, or long bangs, the key is to find a style that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Embracing your face shape and experimenting with different hairstyles can be a fun journey, allowing you to express your personality and style in new and exciting ways.
Diamond Face
If someone were to draw lines connecting the center of your hairline to your cheekbones and down to your chin, it would create a diamond shape—hence the name. Diamond faces are characterized by pointed chins and high cheekbones, giving them a striking and elegant appearance. The main difference between a diamond-shaped face and a heart-shaped face lies in the hairline; those with a diamond-shaped face typically have a narrower hairline.
Celebrities with a Diamond Face
Some well-known celebrities who share your face shape include:
Jennifer Lopez
Ashley Graham
Charli D’Amelio
Zoe Kravitz
Rihanna
Best Hairstyles for Diamond Faces
When it comes to choosing hairstyles that flatter a diamond face, hairstylist Rosenkranz recommends styles that soften the angles of the face. Here are some great options:
Soft Fringe: A gentle fringe can help to soften the sharp angles of a diamond face, creating a more balanced look. I find that a soft fringe can add a touch of femininity and charm, making it a versatile choice for various occasions.
Long Layers: Long layers can add movement and dimension, enhancing the natural beauty of your features.
Textured Shags: This style adds volume and texture, which can help to soften the overall appearance of a diamond face. I appreciate how a textured shag can create a relaxed, effortless vibe while still looking chic and modern.
Side-Swept Bangs: These bangs can beautifully frame the face and draw attention to your eyes while softening the jawline.
Updo Options
If you’re looking for an updo, a ponytail can be a fantastic choice. Rosenkranz notes that a ponytail can be both stylish and practical. I personally love the idea of tying a small ribbon into a little bow at the base of the ponytail to cover the holder; it adds a cute and playful touch that can elevate the entire look.
Styles to Avoid
When selecting hairstyles for a diamond face, it’s important to avoid styles that draw attention to or accentuate the jawline. Rosenkranz advises steering clear of blunt cuts or heavy fringes that can emphasize the angles of the face.
Oval Face
Individuals with oval faces have foreheads that are slightly wider than their curved chin, resembling an egg placed upside down. If you have a tall forehead, with your cheekbones being the widest part of your face, and your face is longer than it is wide, chances are you have an oval face. This face shape is often considered one of the most versatile and balanced.
Celebrities with an Oval Face
Some well-known celebrities who share your face shape include:
Beyoncé
Jisoo
Tessa Thompson
Kim Kardashian
Best Hairstyles for Oval Faces
The great advantage of having an oval face is that this shape can work with almost any hairstyle, making it a dream for many when it comes to styling options. Here are some flattering choices:
Angular Bobs: This chic style can highlight your jawline and cheekbones beautifully.
Long, Beachy Waves: These soft waves can create a relaxed, effortless vibe that complements the natural balance of an oval face.
Soft Layers: Adding layers can enhance movement and texture, making your hair look fuller and more dynamic.
Side Parts: A side part can add interest and dimension to your hairstyle, drawing attention to your cheekbones and eyes.
Styles to Avoid
While oval faces can pull off a wide range of hairstyles, Rosenkranz advises steering clear of styles that add too much height on top, as this can make the face appear oblong.
Rectangular/Oblong Face
Rectangular faces, often referred to as oblong, share similarities with square-shaped faces but are longer than they are wide. In this face shape, your forehead, cheeks, and jawline are approximately the same width, and your chin has a very slight curve. This elongated structure can create a striking and sophisticated appearance.
Celebrities with a Rectangular Face
Some well-known celebrities who share your face shape include:
Bella Hadid
Joan Smalls
Alexa Chung
Riley Keough
Best Hairstyles for Rectangular Faces
When it comes to choosing hairstyles that flatter a rectangular face, hairstylist Rosenkranz emphasizes the importance of creating fullness through the sides while keeping volume from the ears up. Here are some great options:
Soft Waves: These can add movement and softness, helping to balance the length of the face.
Long, Face-Framing Layers: Layers that start around the chin can help to soften the angles of a rectangular face and add dimension.
Chin-Length Bobs: This style can create a flattering silhouette that adds width and balances the length of the face.
Styles to Avoid
Rosenkranz advises against flat, straight hair with no movement, as this can elongate the face further and create an unbalanced look.
Additionally, shorter hairstyles can sometimes make a rectangular face feel more masculine, so it’s best to opt for styles that enhance femininity and softness. Heath also shares her love for curly hair with bangs on a rectangular face shape, calling it “such a fresh and cute look.” I completely agree—bangs can add a playful touch and draw attention to the eyes, making them a fantastic choice for those with this face shape.