A Man’s Guide: Best Hairstyles for Your Face Shape

Finding a hairstyle that works with your face shape can be a challenge. To achieve that suave style and choose a look that’s flattering, first you need to determine your face shape. You’re unsure where to begin, but fear not—figuring it out is easy.

How to Find Your Face Shape

You will need to take four measurements and compare them to one another. First, measure the length of your face from the top of your forehead (hairline) straight down to the tip of your chin. Second, measure across your forehead from the widest point, near your temples, across to the same point on the other side. Third, measure your cheekbones from roughly one inch below the outer corner of your eye (or where you feel the top of your cheekbone) to the same point on the opposite side. Fourth, measure your jawline from where it begins under your ear to the tip of your chin (then double this number to account for the other side). Once these four steps are completed, it is time to compare numbers and determine your face shape.

Round Face Shape

If your face length and cheekbone widths are about the same, but greater in length than your forehead width and jawline, which are also similar, you have a round face. The best men’s hairstyles for a round face shape will focus on adding height and avoiding flattened looks. A high to medium fade on the sides and back with longer hair on top will help elongate your face, like the Pompadour hairstyle. The Faux Hawk hairstyle is another great option consisting of short sides and back that blend into a longer top that is styled to a center crest.

Oval Face Shape

Your face length is longer than your cheekbone and forehead widths, which are about the same, with your jawline being the shortest. You are fortunate that many styles will work for you as this shape is considered well-proportionate. Try a Side-Part style that has a strong, defined part or the Comb-Over style which is similar but calls for the hair to fall from its natural part. Steer clear of a low bang, or fringe, as this would give a rounder appearance to your face.

Triangle Face Shape

Your jawline measures larger than your cheekbone width, which measures larger than your forehead width. With a prominent jawline, drawing attention to your forehead with a Side-Part style will provide balance to your proportions. This style varies from medium to short lengths that are uniformly longer on top, parted to one side, and held in place with a gel or pomade. Or, try a Crew Cut which is short on the sides and back with a gentle transition to a longer top that is pushed forward or swept to one side. Avoid bringing any fade up too high because you want the illusion of a wider forehead and doing so would negate that.

Oblong Face Shape

Your cheekbone width, forehead width and jawline are rather similar but shorter than your face length. The goal with an oblong face shape is to avoid adding too much height or making the sides too short. Keeping it simple here is best. Try a traditional scissor cut that keeps the style soft and balanced all around.

Diamond Face Shape

Face length is your largest measurement, followed by cheekbone width, followed by forehead width, followed by jawline length. With strong cheekbones, avoid going too short on the sides as this could unfavorably accentuate your ears. The balance will be finding a soft style that compliments your proportions, like a medium-length razor cut. If you prefer a shorter style, try the classic Fringe hairstyle which has a longer bang section that can hang forward or be swept to the side.

Square Face Shape

All four of your measurements are roughly the same. Like the oval face shape, you are fortunate that many styles will work for your equal proportions. Because your face has defined lines, steer clear from a cut that is too geometric. Try an undercut that is characteristic of tight sides and a long, styled top.

Heart Face Shape

Your forehead width is larger than your cheekbone width which is larger than your jawline. A Fringe style would work well because hair swept across your forehead will help minimize its breadth. The Fringe style can range in lengths but be careful not to take the sides and back too short as the goal is to even out your facial proportions by adding bulk along your jawline.

No matter what your face shape, there are many styles to try. If you are not satisfied with one, don’t be afraid to try another. When in doubt ask your HC stylist which cut and style would work best for you.