How to Find Your Face Shape (and the Haircuts That Suit It)
By FaceBananas Team ยท
Your face shape is the outline your hairline, cheekbones and jaw make together. Knowing it will not decide your next haircut for you, but it explains why some cuts seem to fall into place while others fight your features. This guide shows how to find your shape, what usually suits it, and how to check a cut on your own photo before you book.
How to measure your face
Pull your hair back and stand in front of a mirror, or take a straight-on photo. With a soft tape measure or a ruler held against the photo, note four measurements:
- Forehead: across the widest part, between the hairline edges.
- Cheekbones: across the widest point, just below the outer corners of your eyes.
- Jawline: from the tip of your chin to below your ear, doubled.
- Face length: from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin.
Compare them: which is largest, whether your jaw is angular or rounded, and whether your face is noticeably longer than it is wide.
The six face shapes
Oval
Face length is about one and a half times the width, the forehead is slightly wider than the jaw, and the jaw is softly rounded. Oval faces are balanced, so most cuts work, from a Classic Pixie to Long Layers. The main thing to avoid is heavy fringe that hides your proportions.
Round
Width and length are similar, with full cheeks and a soft, rounded jaw. Cuts that add height or vertical lines help: a Layered Lob that falls below the chin, an Asymmetrical Bob, Face-Framing Layers, or a Pompadour or Quiff with volume on top. Very blunt chin-length cuts can make the face look wider.
Square
Forehead, cheekbones and jaw are similar in width, and the jaw is strong and angular. Soft texture and movement balance the angles: a Modern Shag, a Butterfly Cut, Mermaid Waves, or a textured French Crop. A sharp, jaw-length blunt cut repeats the angle of the jaw.
Heart
The forehead is the widest part and the face narrows to a pointed chin. Styles with width at the jaw balance a broader forehead: a Lob, a French Bob with a side part, or a Bixie Cut with soft fringe. Lots of volume at the crown makes the top feel heavier.
Oblong
The face is noticeably longer than it is wide, with a straight cheek line. Width at the sides and a fringe shorten the face visually: a Blunt Bob, a Bouncy Blowout, or a Caesar Cut with a short fringe. Very long, straight hair and tall volume on top lengthen it further.
Diamond
Cheekbones are the widest point, with a narrower forehead and jaw. Cuts that add fullness at the forehead and chin soften the cheekbones: a Classic Pixie with side-swept fringe, a chin-length bob, or a French Crop with a textured fringe.
Preview a cut on your own photo
Face shape is a starting point, not a rule. Hair texture, density, how you part your hair, and how much time you spend styling it matter just as much. The quickest way to know is to see the cut on your own face: FaceBananas analyzes your photo, suggests styles for your features, and lets you try them side by side before you visit the salon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my face shape without measuring?
Take a straight-on photo with your hair pulled back and trace the outline of your face. Compare the widths of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw, and whether your face is clearly longer than it is wide.
Can my face shape change?
Your bone structure stays the same, but weight changes and aging can make your face look rounder or longer. It is worth checking again if your face has changed.
Which haircut suits every face shape?
A shoulder-length cut with soft layers around the face is the most forgiving choice, because you can adjust the part and the layers to balance any shape.