A haircut is the most permanent styling decision you make — it frames your face for weeks or months before the next appointment. Getting it right is not about following trends; it is about understanding what your specific face shape needs and asking for exactly that.
Here is what works for each of the six face shapes.
Oval Face Shape
The oval face is the most versatile — almost every hairstyle works. The one guideline worth following: avoid adding significant height at the crown without corresponding width, which can elongate a face that doesn't need elongating.
Do:
- ✦Long layers at any length — the oval carries them effortlessly
- ✦Bobs and lobs, both blunt and layered
- ✦Side-swept fringes
- ✦Curls and waves that add volume at the sides
- ✦Updos and down styles with equal ease
Avoid:
- ✦Very tall, flat updos with no width — these exaggerate the face's length
- ✦Centre-parted styles with no volume at the sides on an already-long oval
Round Face Shape
Round faces benefit from length and height — styles that add vertical lines and reduce width at the cheeks.
Do:
- ✦Long layers that fall below the chin, adding visual length
- ✦High updos that create height at the crown
- ✦Centre or deep side parts that create vertical lines through the face
- ✦Straight or lightly waved styles that follow the face's length
- ✦Volume at the crown, flatness at the sides
Avoid:
- ✦Blunt bobs ending at the chin — this width lands at the face's widest point
- ✦Very voluminous curls at cheek level
- ✦Very short crops with volume on all sides (creates an overall round silhouette)
Square Face Shape
Square faces benefit from softness and length — styles that add curves and reduce the visual weight of the angular jaw.
Do:
- ✦Long layers that soften the jaw and add length overall
- ✦Soft waves and curls that break up the angular silhouette
- ✦Side-swept fringes that interrupt the strong horizontal of the forehead
- ✦Volume at the crown to add height and relative length
- ✦Long styles that fall past the jaw
Avoid:
- ✦Blunt bobs ending at the jaw — the eye goes directly to the jaw's width
- ✦Very straight, flat styles with no movement
- ✦Very short styles with volume at the sides
→ Full square face shape guide
Rectangular Face Shape
Rectangular faces benefit from width and horizontal interest — styles that reduce the impression of length by adding volume at the sides.
Do:
- ✦Waves and curls that add volume at the sides — the single most effective technique
- ✦Side-swept or full fringes that cut across the forehead, reducing apparent length
- ✦Full, layered bobs with width at cheek level
- ✦Textured styles with movement at the sides
Avoid:
- ✦Very long, straight styles with no side volume — these extend the vertical line downward
- ✦Centre parts with flat sides
- ✦Slicked-back styles that show the full length from hairline to chin
→ Full rectangular face shape guide
Triangular Face Shape
Triangular faces benefit from volume and width at the top of the face — the narrower zone — and flatness near the wider jaw.
Do:
- ✦Volume at the crown and temples — the key technique for triangular faces
- ✦Textured, voluminous styles above the cheekbones
- ✦Full or side-swept fringes that add width to the narrow forehead
- ✦Styles that taper close to the jaw rather than fanning out there
Avoid:
- ✦Volume at jaw level — curls or waves that open outward at the jaw make it appear wider
- ✦Very flat tops with volume at the bottom
- ✦Blunt bobs ending at jaw level
→ Full triangular face shape guide
Inverted Triangle Face Shape
Inverted triangle faces benefit from volume and width at jaw and neck level, and flatness at the temples and forehead.
Do:
- ✦Volume below the cheekbones — curls, waves, or flicks that open outward at the jaw and neck
- ✦Chin-length bobs that add width exactly at the jaw
- ✦Styles that are fuller at the bottom and flatter at the crown
- ✦Side-swept styles that minimise forehead width
Avoid:
- ✦Volume at the crown and temples — this adds width at the already-widest point
- ✦Very tall updos that show the full width of the forehead
- ✦Styles slicked back at the temples
→ Full inverted triangle face shape guide
The Principle
Every recommendation above follows the same logic: the hairstyle should create the impression of an oval — the most balanced proportion — by adding volume and interest where the face is narrow and reducing it where the face is wide. Once you understand what your face needs, you can take that principle into every haircut conversation and adapt it to any style you want.
Find your face shape at inmycolors.com and get the complete styling guide for your specific features.