How to Choose the Right Haircut for Your Face Shape: A Guide for Men
Getting the right haircut can make a world of difference in your appearance and confidence, but finding the perfect cut isn’t as simple as choosing the latest trend. It all comes down to your face shape. The right hairstyle should enhance your features, balance your proportions, and complement the natural shape of your face. But how do you know which style works for your unique structure? In this guide, we’ll help you see exactly how to choose the best haircut for your face shape.
Why Face Shape Matters in Men’s Haircuts
Your face shape influences how certain hairstyles look on you. A well-chosen cut can highlight your strengths, like a strong jawline or cheekbones, while softening other features. To see your best options clearly, let’s begin by identifying your face shape and then explore which cuts will help you achieve the most balanced, flattering look.
Step 1: See and Determine Your Face Shape
Stand in front of a mirror, pull your hair away from your face, and study your reflection. Focus on the proportions of your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and overall length of your face to find your shape. Here’s a quick reference:
Oval Face Shape: Slightly longer than wide, with no sharp angles. The forehead is wider than the jawline.
Square Face Shape: Nearly equal in width and length, with an angular jaw.
Round Face Shape: Similar in length and width with softer, rounded edges.
Rectangle (Oblong) Face Shape: Longer than it is wide, with a consistent width across the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.
Diamond Face Shape: Narrow at both the forehead and jaw, with prominent cheekbones as the widest point.
Heart Face Shape: Forehead is wider than the jawline, tapering down to a narrower, sometimes pointed chin.
Oval Face Shape: Slightly longer than wide, with no sharp angles. The forehead is wider than the jawline.
Square Face Shape: Nearly equal in width and length, with an angular jaw.
Round Face Shape: Similar in length and width with softer, rounded edges.
Rectangle (Oblong) Face Shape: Longer than it is wide, with a consistent width across the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.
Heart Face Shape: Forehead is wider than the jawline, tapering down to a narrower, sometimes pointed chin.
Diamond Face Shape: Narrow at both the forehead and jaw, with prominent cheekbones as the widest point.
Step 2: Choose Your Style – See the Perfect Haircuts for Each Face Shape
Now that you can see your face shape clearly, let’s explore the ideal haircut for each type. Refer to the photo guide to seehow these styles look on men with similar features to yours.
1. Oval Face Shape
What Works: Congratulations! An oval face shape is the most versatile for hairstyles. Most cuts will suit you since your face has balanced proportions.
Recommended Styles: A classic short back and sides with some length on top (e.g., a quiff or pompadour) enhances your naturally balanced shape. Textured crops and side parts also work beautifully.
Avoid: Heavy fringes, which can make your face appear shorter.
Visual Guide: See the examples of oval-faced men sporting quiffs, pompadours, and side parts to envision how these styles will work on you.
2. Square Face Shape
What Works: For square faces with strong jawlines and sharp features, cuts that emphasize structure and edges complement this shape.
Recommended Styles: Classic crew cuts, high fades, and buzz cuts accentuate your strong jawline, providing a clean, masculine look. These sharp styles bring attention to your face’s angular lines.
Avoid: Styles that round out the edges, as they may soften the strong shape of your face.
Visual Guide: See men with square faces wearing clean crew cuts or high fades to understand how these cuts can sharpen your features.
3. Round Face Shape
What Works: For round faces, the goal is to add height and angles to your look. Cuts with volume and structure can elongate and give more definition.
Recommended Styles: High fades, pompadours, and side parts with volume on top work well to add height, creating a more angular appearance. You could also try a textured crop to balance the roundness.
Avoid: Buzz cuts and styles with rounded edges, which may make your face look rounder.
Visual Guide: See the impact of high fades and pompadours on round-faced models to better visualize how height and volume can balance softer features.
4. Rectangle (Oblong) Face Shape
What Works: For an oblong face, the objective is to balance the longer shape by avoiding too much height on top and adding volume to the sides.
Recommended Styles: Medium-length cuts with layers, like a textured crop or a fringe, can add width and create balance. Side-swept styles and classic comb-overs also work well.
Avoid: Overly short sides and tall styles like pompadours, which elongate your face even further.
Visual Guide: See men with oblong faces rocking layered cuts and fringes, allowing you to see how these styles create a more balanced look.
5. Diamond Face Shape
What Works: Diamond faces look best with styles that add width at the forehead and jawline, balancing the prominent cheekbones.
Recommended Styles: Side parts, fringes, and messy crops soften sharp angles and add volume. A side-swept style can give the appearance of a fuller forehead, while longer cuts on top work well for framing.
Avoid: Overly short sides or slicked-back styles, which highlight the cheekbones and make the forehead appear narrower.
Visual Guide: See how styles like side-swept and messy crops soften and balance the strong cheekbones on diamond-shaped faces.
6. Heart Face Shape
What Works: A heart-shaped face benefits from cuts that add fullness around the jawline and reduce the prominence of a broader forehead.
Recommended Styles: Mid-length quiffs, textured crops, or styles that add weight around the jawline work well. Consider a side part to balance out the width at the top.
Avoid: Styles with excessive volume on the top, which can exaggerate the wider forehead.
Visual Guide: See how textured crops and quiffs add balance to heart-shaped faces by minimizing the forehead’s width and adding structure around the jawline.
Step 3: Make the Most of Your Cut with Expert Advice
If you’re not sure which style is right for you after seeing the options, consult your barber for expert advice. At sēnsei London, our barbers are trained to assess face shapes, hair texture, and lifestyle needs, creating the perfect style that enhances your features. Whether it’s a classic cut, a modern style, or a beard trim, we’re here to help you find a look that brings out your best.
Conclusion: Seeing Is Believing—Find the Cut That Complements You
Choosing the right haircut is more than just picking a popular style. It’s about enhancing your unique features and making sure you see the best version of yourself every day. With a bit of guidance on face shapes and the right cuts to match, you’ll have the confidence to choose a look that suits you.
At sēnsei London, we provide a personalized, mobile barbering service designed to bring out the best in you. Our experts are ready to help you find a style that fits your face shape and lifestyle, wherever you are in London. Book your session today, and see the difference a tailored haircut can make.
