Best Hairstyles for Your Face Shape

The Best Hairstyles for Your Face Shape

One of the biggest mistakes I see guys make with their hair is following hair trends that don’t fit their face shape. For example, just because the faux hawk is popular does not mean that a guy with a long face should go for it.

Not only does a flattering haircut strengthen your best facial features and hide your flaws, but it also enhances your overall image. There are seven basic shapes: oval, diamond, round, square, rectangle, oblong, and triangle. Pull your hair back from your face, look in the mirror, and examine the outline, then choose from the following categories that most closely fits your face. You probably won’t fit into an exact category, but having a sense of your general face shape will help you decide on the right haircut.

Kinowear is all about giving you the cutting-edge details… so let’s get specific!

Oval

(James Franco)

This is the “perfect” face shape. Slightly wider at the forehead than at the cheekbones or chin, it is classically proportioned.

If you have an oval face you can wear any hairstyle that suits your personality and lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to change and experiment with new looks, for you’ve been blessed with the most versatile face shape when it comes to hairstyle.

Diamond

(Johnny Depp)

A diamond face is wider at the cheekbones than at the forehead or chin. If your face is diamond-shaped, your hair should fill out your face at the forehead and chin while being close to your head (but not plastered flat) at its widest point. When your hair covers your forehead, your face seems wider. Fullness just below the back of the ears and in the back of the head gives weight to the chin and lower jaw area. Never pull your hair straight back. use a slight high side part. If your hair is curly, make sure it does not stick out at the temples.

Round

(Jack Black)

A round face is also wider at the cheekbones but has a curved, chin and brow. It is almost as wide as it is long. Your goal is to slim your face and create a longer look. Your hair can also help create the illusion of angles. Part your hair about two inches to either side of center with bangs on an angle to cut the roundness of your forehead. Keep fullness at the top and around eye level, but trim hair shorter at the ears. Wear your sideburns a touch longer and cut them on an angle with the front pointing downward. A closely trimmed beard shaped on an angle can effectively slim a round face.

Square

(Tom Welling)

A square face is about as wide at the cheeks as it is long, with an angular jaw and a square forehead. If your face is square, your goal is to make your face seem a little longer and somewhat less angular. Keep your part one and a half inches to either side of center, as a part too far to the side accents squareness. Hair should be full on top adding height. Cover the corners of your angular forehead with bands that wave outward at both temples. Enjoy your square jaw. It’s a masculine trait that many men envy.

Rectangle

(Zac Efron)

Longer than it is wide, the rectangular face is square-jawed and has an angular forehead. If your face is rectangular, you can shorten it slightly by adding fullness to the sides and softening the hairline. Cover your forehead with some offcenter bangs to shorten your face and camouflage your angular forehead. A layered cut adds width and helps create roundness at the sides of your face. Blow-dry your hair to add fullness. Avoid long hair in the black.

Oblong

(Bruce Lee)

The oblong face has the same proportions as the rectangular face, but the chin and brow are curved and rounded, not angular. If you have an oblong face, you want to create the illusion of a shorter, fuller shape. Add fullness at the temples and sides, and keep it longer around the ears. A longish layered cut provides fullness especially if you blow-dry your hair. Keep it short at the back so the hairline doesn’t drag the eye downwards.

Triangle

(Gerard Way)

A wide brow, slightly narrower cheekbones, and a narrow chin are characteristic of the triangular face. If your face is triangular, you need to narrow your brow area and widen your chin. Part your hair about three inches to either side of center with bangs covering one side of the forehead. Keep it close-cropped at the top and temples, with extra length and fullness in the back, perhaps showing beneath the ears. A beard can be the perfect solution for filling in a narrow chin.

Conclusion

Finding the best hairstyle is harder for a man than for a woman. While women have flexibility, men can make only subtle adjustments in their hairstyle. The variation of a quarter inch in length can transform your face. The placement of your part, the length of the hair around your ears, a layered or blunt cut – all make a significant difference in your look.

I tried to find celebrity examples that fit the examples as close as possible, but they’re not perfect so don’t feel bad if your face shape doesn’t look like the ones above. People may have characteristics from different basic face shapes, so see which fits you best. At the least, look through the examples and take a look at some things you can do to hide any flaws you feel you have.

Until next time,

Jae

Some popular Kinowear articles you may also enjoy:

» What Asia Taught Me About Casual Style
» 15 Quick Fashion Tips for Men
» Finding the Perfect Suit
» The Elusive Perfect Shave

All you need to know is compiled in our Method…

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  • Jae.. thanks so much. I got oval face shaped and surprised that my hair is similar to james franco. I am very comfortable with this style of hair and I am happy 🙂 that you confirmed my style

  • Infinity says:

    Just out of curiosity, is there any chance there is information like this about Black people? Our hair is different but I would assume that the different facial structures would associate with a certain style.

  • O says:

    Good article. But it’s Zac Efron, not Jack. =)

  • Masque says:

    I found this damn helpful. I’ve been trying to get some ideas for what to do with my hair besides the standard buzz cut.

  • Franje says:

    Hi Jae,
    this was an informative post, as usual!

    I have a diamond face, but my hair, while covering my entire head, is thin on top. There are occasions when I can see the scalp, so I have to be attentive with the combing. Do you have any suggestions for someone with thinning hair?

    I don’t think I should use a part as you recommended, as it would look too thick. But I’d like to hear your comment on this.

  • Wee Leong says:

    Great post! Useful information. Keep up the good work! =D

  • Miggy says:

    What are your thoughts about shaven and long hairs? Best suitable hair colour? (although natural is good)

    Thanks nice article!

  • Alex Weber says:

    Hey!

    Glad that you guys did a post about this. Seriously, I looked for this info for a while. Hope it brings you some good traffic.

    A

  • Honye says:

    What about people who have bad hair?

  • Murad says:

    excellent post…i’m going to take this into consideration before i get a haircut next week. i freaken love your articles

  • New2this says:

    Hi Jae,

    I’ve been reading your posts for a while and … man … this is awesome (all of it). I’m studying business psychology and I think you know how much style affects first impressions.
    It’s something I was always curios about but got very little and never such argumentative help about.

    Please, go on, I am reading.

    I am from Germany and if you take a look around, there are many well dressed people. Damn. Doesn’t make it easier to put them into the shadow.
    Maybe you got some more trumps? Like “Little details to step out of the line”?

    For the moment, I am doing this with the power of my personality. But as I say, the first impression influences a lot. So, may be you have a solution there?

    And now my original question: The bad hair: I have a very straw-like-hard-to-glue kind of hair. There are hairstylists who say it’s impossible to style my hair against earths gravitation and I proved them wrong. But still do I have problems. I dont find a solution. Like Honye before me: Do you know some Tricks about bad hair?

    (And all these shampoos for better hair … boy, girls, everyone, forget them. My brothers fiance develops these for a big german company … that doesn’t work for really bad hair).

    So. thanks for your work and the knowledge you share!

  • mauL says:

    my face is round type..
    is there anymore details to slim my face without beard??coz i dont have a beard:D
    more pic more helpfull..
    thanks

  • Jon says:

    The last guy looks like a woman.

  • James says:

    nice article i like it

  • Dstokes says:

    man this was a good article and I found it to be very interesting because I have an oval face and I have worked with all types of hairstiles and most of em have been succesfull with my look. But this was a lot of help and very informational. yeah dude.

  • mak says:

    what about long face with a pointy chin?? i’m in a league of my own i suppose….

  • Word says:

    Word.

  • h says:

    Thanks for taking the time to write. Im always learning something new. Regards, Emma Close ~ H

  • i love his movie Edwards Scissorhands, i think it is one of Johnny Depp’s best performance aside from Pirates of the Caribbean.;:;

  • jason says:

    im following everyone of your advices and after a few mnonths ill post a before and after photo of myself thanks!

  • Rfs says:

    What about if you have a super high hairline on the forehead? Mine has always looked receding, even though it’s not. (: What hair style would you recommend?

  • Hey Rfs, my advice would not differ. You are definitely not the only guy in that case. Men style icon like Jude Law or Jonhny Depp are in the same boat and pull it off easily with long or short air.

  • Jo Shmo says:

    beard would help…But long hair would look good too… like Bradley Cooper…Or go for somethin shaggier if youre the edgy type

  • Someone says:

    If you have a long face, it’s important to keep it short in the back, and perhaps have longer, fuller sides. With a pointy chin, however, you need to make your hair softer. Don’t try edgy haircuts, it will only support the rough edges of your face.

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