How To Find the PERFECT Hairstyle for Your Face Shape

Choosing a hairstyle can be daunting. With so many trends, styles, and cuts to pick from, selecting one that complements your natural features is the key to achieving the perfect look. But here's your secret weapon — knowing your face shape. Just like choosing the right lighting can elevate a space in interior design, identifying your face shape will help you pick a hairstyle that enhances your best features and balances proportions.

Whether you’re trimming your own hair at home or consulting your stylist for a professional cut, understanding which styles work best for your face shape can help you look and feel your best. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, a young professional setting new lifestyle standards, or a creative mind in design or trades, this guide will give you the practical information you need — especially if you’re living in the UK where weather and fashion trends can influence your choices.

Step 1: How to Determine Your Face Shape

Before diving into hairstyle recommendations, you must identify your face shape. There are six primary face shapes: Oval, Round, Square, Heart, Diamond, and Oblong (or Rectangular). All of them are uniquely beautiful and offer numerous styling options when matched with the right haircut.

To figure out your face shape, follow these steps:

1. Measure Your Forehead — Take the distance between the outer corners of your eyebrows.
2. Measure Your Cheekbones — Measure from the pointiest part of one cheekbone across to the other.
3. Measure Your Jawline — Start at the base of your jaw under one ear, follow along the edge to the tip of your chin and multiply by two.
4. Measure Your Face Length — From the centre of your hairline down to the tip of your chin.

Using these numbers, identify your most prominent features. Is your face longer than it is wide? Do you have a defined jawline? This will help pinpoint your shape. Alternatively, stand in front of a mirror, trace the outline of your face with a lip liner or washable pen to visualise the shape — an old but gold method!

Best Hairstyles for Each Face Shape

Each face shape calls for specific considerations when selecting a style that highlights your natural beauty. Let’s break down the ideal options for each category:

1. Oval Face Shape

Key Features: Balanced proportions, slightly narrower chin than the forehead, gentle curve to the jawline.

Lucky you! Oval faces are considered the most versatile because of their symmetric proportions. You can play with a broad range of styles — long, short, layered, bangs, middle or side partings. Consider styles that add volume on the sides to highlight your bone structure.

Try a sleek bob, textured lob, curtain bangs, or soft waves that frame your face. Oval-faced individuals can also rock bold pixie cuts or long, centre-parted looks. Just avoid styles that add too much height at the crown, which can elongate the face unnecessarily.

2. Round Face Shape

Key Features: Equal width and height, soft curves, full cheeks, rounded jaw.

With round faces, the goal is to create the illusion of length and definition. Hairstyles that add height or angles work wonders to slim and define your features. Think about volume at the roots, layers that fall below your chin, and side-swept fringes.

Great options include long layers, lobs with side parts, textured pixies with volume on top, and soft waves. Avoid full, thick fringes or chin-length bobs that may enhance the roundness. Instead, keep your lengths longer than your chin to elongate your profile.

3. Square Face Shape

Key Features: Strong jawline, broad forehead, and minimal curve to the sides of the face.

With square faces, it’s all about softening those angular features. Look for styles that offer a bit of movement and roundness. Think waves, curls, and layers that fall softly around the jawline to balance the strong horizontal lines.

Try a shoulder-length cut with gentle layers, side-swept bangs to break up the symmetry, or hairstyles with curls starting below the cheekbones. Avoid blunt bobs or heavy, straight-across fringes that emphasise the jawline. Texture and asymmetry are your friends here.

4. Heart Face Shape

Key Features: Wider forehead, prominent cheekbones, narrow jawline and pointed chin.

For heart-shaped faces, the strategy is to draw attention downward and balance the proportions. You’ll want volume near the jawline to balance a broader forehead and a narrow chin.

Consider side-swept bangs, chin-length bobs with soft curls, or long layers that start at your collarbone. Loose waves and a deep side part also add softness. Avoid high-volume styles at the crown or short bangs that make the forehead appear wider.

5. Diamond Face Shape

Key Features: Narrow forehead and chin, with widest point at the cheekbones.

Diamond faces benefit from hairstyles that soften the cheekbones and bring width to the forehead and jawline. You’ll want a look that highlights your cheekbones without drawing too much attention to them.

Go for chin-length bobs, side-swept fringes, and long, layered styles with volume near the chin. Even short, textured cuts work well if the volume is well balanced. Avoid too much volume on the sides or overly tight updos, as they can emphasize narrow areas.

6. Oblong (Rectangular) Face Shape

Key Features: Face longer than it is wide, square-ish jaw and high forehead.

Here, your goal is to make the face appear a bit shorter and more balanced. Choose styles that add width rather than height. Fringes are fantastic for shortening the face, and shoulder-length hairstyles that build volume around the sides are excellent choices.

Try soft layers, curtain bangs, or rounded lobs with beachy waves. Avoid extra-long, straight styles that stretch the face downward. Wispy or blunt bangs also work well to shorten the appearance of your forehead and frame the face nicely.

Quick Reference Table for Hairstyles by Face Shape

Your Next Steps

Now that you’ve identified your face shape and explored your perfect hairstyle options, it’s time to try something fresh — whether at home or your trusted salon. If you're the hands-on type, YouTube tutorials and virtual hairstyle apps can help you visualise your next look before picking up the scissors or booking in.

For the professionals in architecture and design, consider this process as you would choosing materials — complementary textures and balance in form make all the difference, and your face is no exception. Just like selecting the finish for a custom interior, selecting a hairstyle is about individual identity and smart enhancement.

Use this opportunity to express yourself! With the right hairstyle tailored to your shape, you’ll not only boost your confidence but also elevate your overall personal style — just like adding the final decorative touch to a perfectly designed space.

Remember: Hair grows back, trends evolve, and your style can always change. Make it yours.