Hair Cuts for Face Shapes
Think You Know Hair?

We’ve all been there. You see a beautiful woman sporting an adorable hairstyle. You decide to be brave and try it yourself, only to find that what worked for her makes you want to lock yourself in a closet. Use our measuring guide to find out which face shape you have, and what style is best for you.

First, measure your face width (across your jaw line); your length (from the tip of your hairline to the bottom of your chin); your cheekbones (across your cheekbones); and your forehead (across your forehead).

Next, use your measurements to identify your own face shape and the hair style that is right for you:

ROUND - Your length is equal, or almost equal to your width. Your chin is rounded.
Hairstyles for a round face should add height on top of the head. Eliminate the bulk from the sides of the face to achieve an oval look. Hair styles that fall right below the chin and have layers from the top down are sure to elongate the face.

SQUARE - Your length is equal, or almost equal to your width. Your jaw line is square.
Hairstyles for a square face should be layered. Height at the crown will elongate your symmetrical shape. Layers and wispy looks will soften this type of shape.

OBLONG - Your length is greater than your width.
The hair cut for an oblong face should add width to its sides and play down its length by adding bangs and a side part or layers to soften the face. Short to medium lengths look best.

OVAL - Your length is 1-1/2 times greater than your width.
The oval shaped face is proportional, so it looks good with any hairstyle, cut or texture. However, the best styles for this face shape are cuts with layers that hit the best features such as cheekbones, lips or chin.

HEART - Your forehead and/or cheekbone width is great, and your jaw line is narrow.
Hairstyles for this shape should add width at the jaw line. Try a chin length cut, with side swept bangs, to strike a balance between dramatic cheekbones and a narrow chin.

DIAMOND - Your width is greatest at the cheekbones. Your forehead and jaw line are both narrow. Diamond shaped faces need to add width to the forehead and soften the cheekbones to give the illusion of an oval face. Avoid height on top or volume on the sides. Bangs cover a narrow forehead and asymmetrical cuts, such as bobs, work very well.

Still think you know hair? Watch an expert's Top 10 Do's and Don'ts when it comes to cutting, caring for and styling your hair.