Secret to Choosing the Right Hairstyle for Your Face Shape!

Finding the right haircut for your face shape is essential for men because it affects how your features appear. A good barber will provide advice on your options, helping you pick a style that complements your facial proportions while downplaying features you’d rather not emphasize. Over the years, working in the haircare industry, I’ve seen my fair share of great and not-so-great styles. Some haircuts can truly make you stand out, while others might leave you feeling slightly off. The key is choosing a hairstyle that works well with your natural shape and reflects a balanced, flattering, and replicable look that you’ll feel confident wearing every day.

When I started my barbering apprenticeship, one of the most valuable lessons I learned was that a perfectly executed haircut does not guarantee it will suit the client. I’ve often seen guys leave the barbershop with flawless styles that demonstrate the technical ability of the hairdresser, yet they don’t match their features well or meet their expectations. To avoid this, it’s important to have a general idea of what you want and know what to ask for, ensuring the result is truly your best look. Knowing how to select the right haircuts for the seven main shapes—and following expert advice—will help you achieve a quality style that looks natural and complements your overall appearance.

Choose the Right Hairstyle for Your Face Shape!

Quick Answer: What Face Shape Do You Have?

FACE SHAPES	FEATURES	BEST HAIRCUT
Oblong / Rectangular	Face length is the longest, forehead, cheekbones, and jawline almost equal in size.	Well-proportioned haircuts, shaggy hairstyles.
Square	Sharp jawbone angles, face, forehead, and cheekbones of similar length.	Almost any hairstyle, Layers, Buzzcuts.
Oval	Longer face, cheekbones wider than the jawline, round jawline.	Slicked-back, long & mid-length, mod cuts, Pompadour.
Round	Similar cheekbone and face measurements, soft, semi-round angles, no defined lines.	Longer length on top, Messy bed-head styles, Side parts and fades, Textured hairstyles.
Diamond	Pointy chin, descending order of cheekbones, forehead, and jawline in size.	Long & layered hair.
Triangular	Wider jawline, narrower cheekbones, small forehead.	Pompadours, Quiffs, More voluminous on top.
Heart	Wide forehead, narrower cheekbones and jawline, pointy chin.	Medium length, Textured Hairstyle, Side parts.

Identifying Your Face Shape

Finding your exact face shape might feel tricky, but the best way to figure it out is by looking at yourself visually. Start by standing in front of a mirror and observing the shape of your chin, jawline, cheekbones, and forehead. To make things clearer, you can trace the outline of your face on the mirror or try taking a selfie and drawing the shape over it. This will give you a pretty clear idea of your unique characteristics, so you can consider the best haircuts for you.

Some guides suggest strange things, like using a bar of soap to outline your face. Instead, set up a camera at shoulder or head height, adjust the focal length to match what the eye sees (like 1x zoom on an iPhone), and take a photo from about one metre away. This lets you focus on the key points: the middle of your forehead, widest parts of your jaw and temple, and the base of your hairline. Follow these lines to outline your face shape accurately.

A Rigorous Approach

If you prefer a detailed method, use a tape measure to assess the following areas:

• Forehead: Measure the distance between the tops of both eyebrows.
• Cheekbones: Measure across the pointiest parts, just below the eyes.
• Jawline: Start at the tip of your chin, measure up to the corner of your jawbone near the ear, and multiply by two for accuracy.
• Face Length: Measure from the centre of your hairline down to the tip of your chin.

By combining these steps, you can easily identify your unique shape and find the best haircuts to match.

Types of Men’s Face Shapes

To choose the right haircut, you first need to understand your face shape and its key characteristics. Each of the seven main shapes has unique features that guide the natural flow of hair. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine and accentuate or hide specific areas:

• Oblong: The face length is the longest measurement, while the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are almost equal in size.
• Square: Your jawbone has sharp angles, and your face, forehead, and cheekbones are of similar length.
• Oval: A longer face where the width of the cheekbones exceeds the jawline, which has a round shape.
• Round: Similar measurements for cheekbones and face, with soft, semi-round angles instead of clearly defined lines.
• Diamond: A pointy chin and greatest-to-smallest order of cheekbones, forehead, and jawline define this shape.
• Triangular: A wider jawline compared to narrower cheekbones and a small forehead.
• Heart: A forehead that’s wider than the cheekbones and jawline, paired with a pointy chin.

Hairstyles for Oval Face Shapes

If you have an oval face, consider yourself lucky because you’ve hit the genetic lottery with the widest range of flattering haircut options. This facial shape is known for its perfect balance of width and height, making it easier to create an oval effect effortlessly.

Best Hairstyle Options

• Short Sides, Closely Cropped: These styles flatter your face shape, keeping it neat.
• Swept Up and Back: Adds height and a clean look.
• Slick Back Styles: Provides an edgy effect and sharp appearance.
• Pompadours: Perfect for volume at the front and an elevated look.
• Messy Textured Cuts: Allows for experimentation, giving an unkempt yet stylish vibe.

Avoid fringe or anything that covers your forehead, as it can shorten the length of your face. For facial hair, a simple mustache, a barefaced look, or even perma-stubble works great, especially to enhance the angles of the jaw.

Hairstyles for Round Faces

For a round face shape, creating definition and angles is key to achieving balance. A good haircut should provide the illusion of length and sharpness, steering clear of styles with a round shape like the bowl cut. Instead, opt for hairstyles that are longer on top to add volume and draw attention upwards.

• Textured Hairstyles: Try messy quiffs or a textured crop with a skin fade on the sides for added contrast. These styles rock plenty of definition and structure, creating a sharp, polished look.
• Pompadour: A quality pompadour elongates the face and balances the wider lower jawline. Pairing it with a hard side part adds a modern edge.
• Contrast and Fade: Keep the sides short with a clean fade to draw the eye upwards and enhance the overall silhouette.
• Avoid Round Shapes: Stay away from medium-length scissor cuts or long hair without layers, as they can weigh the face down and make it appear rounder.
• Facial Hair: A square beard can emphasize strong angles and provide balance to the head.

For those with a severe case of babyface, embracing these styles makes a round face shape look sharper and more defined. Rocking these wonders proves that styling for a round face is not only possible but also incredibly effective!

Best Haircuts For Oblong (Rectangular) Face Shapes

Having an oblong or long face means finding the right hairstyle to create balance and enhance your features. I’ve seen many men struggle with this, but with the right styles, you can make your face appear shorter and more proportioned. The key is to add width and avoid anything that makes your face look longer.

• Go for a Classic Look – A side part is a flattering option that adds volume at the edges, making your forehead appear wider and more balanced.
• Add Texture for Dynamism – A textured fringe that falls across the hairline brings a relaxed and casual feel while increasing width.
• Keep it Short and Structured – A crew cut or buzz cut creates a uniform silhouette, reducing height and emphasizing your jawline and cheekbones.
• Avoid Overly Tapered Sides – Steer clear of tapered, deep fades, faux hawks, and pompadours with much shorter lengths on the sides, as they can make the face appear even taller.

If you have a rectangle face, be careful not to make it look even skinnier. My barber, Thad, always advises against growing a long beard, as it can elongate the face even more. Instead, keep it short and opt for shaggy cuts that add volume to the broadest section of your face for a well-proportioned look.

Haircuts For Square Faces

When styling a square face shape, it’s important to work with its masculine, chiseled features and even proportions. Classic, neat haircuts like side partings and soft fades complement the strong, prominent jawline. The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline have the same width both horizontally and vertically, making this face shape very versatile. Here’s how to get the most from this ideal foundation:

• Great styles include buzz cuts, French crops, and quiffs—perfect for both short and longer hairstyles.
• Keep the sides shorter and add layers on top to create height and soften the sharp angles.
• A side-swept fringe can frame your face nicely, breaking up the razor-sharp line of the jaw.
• Buzzcuts are a popular, low-maintenance option that bring out a clean, slightly conscribed look.
• A touch of light stubble adds texture without dulling the angled chin or minimal curve.
• A precise trim helps avoid making your face look too wide and maintains natural length balance.

From personal experience, blending a few of these elements based on your lifestyle can bring out the best in this strong appearance.

Haircuts for Heart Face Shapes

As someone who’s worked with many clients having heart-shaped faces, I’ve noticed the key is to create optical illusions that balance a wider forehead and a narrow, pointed chin—classic features of this face shape.

The safest bet is to go for medium-length or mid-length cuts that add volume around the jawline to soften the inverted triangle effect and avoid anything that might accentuate narrowness near the chin area. Tousled layers, waves, or curls add great texture and make the face appear more proportioned, while cuts that taper gradually from the temples to the hairline help in drawing attention away from the forehead width.

If your hair is reasonably light or thin, longer styles with a soft mullet or even a modern switch from your regular style can highlight those killer cheekbones, a fairly rare and prominent feature of heart face shapes—but do avoid tight styles as they may draw attention to the slightly slim and narrow lower face.

Haircuts for Diamond-Shaped Faces

From my years of helping clients with different face shapes, I’ve learned that diamond-shaped faces need careful styling to create an oval appearance and balance the sharp angles. Since the forehead and jawline are of similar width, with the widest part at the cheekbones and a narrow, pointy chin, we work with long hair, layers, or a medium-length swept style that adds dimension and height around the crown and temples while gently softening the edges.

It’s best to avoid tight cuts, especially one-length or sleek looks, which can accentuate the narrowness of the chin and make the face appear longer than it is. A modern, soft mullet or a switch from your regular style can also work well, especially if your hair is thin or light, offering that proportioned and strong finish without going too far from the safest bet — mid-length hairstyles. The goal is to use a few smart optical illusions to keep the face shape in check and follow the “wider not longer” rule for a more flattering result.

Features

• Diamond structure with cheekbones as the widest part
• Forehead and jawline of equal width, with a narrower chin
• Often seen as a gem-like, angular shape narrowing at top and bottom
• Needs styles that soften the angles and create a more oval face shape

Haircuts For Triangle-Shaped Faces

When working with triangle-shaped face shapes, I always remind clients that the key is creating balance—since the jawline tends to be wider and the forehead much narrower, our goal with the right hairstyle is to shift the emphasis upward. Hairstyles like pompadours, quiffs, or any style that adds volume and fullness at the top of the head are your best bet, especially when paired with short sides and back for contrast.

I often use Ryan Gosling as an example—his look is simple but effective: a bit of length at the top, a deep side part, and clean lines that offer a balanced look. Avoid heavy beards, as too much prominence at the bottom adds to the imbalance—just a light stubble or going clean-shaven works better.

I usually opt for longer, nose-length haircuts with fuller sides to add depth where it’s needed. And remember, the treatment for a triangle shape is the opposite of a heart, so flip that approach when styling.