Finding the Best Hairstyle for Round Faces

Your hairstyle is a personal choice and you can totally rock any style you love. But your best hairstyle is one that fits your face shape. If you’ve ever tried a style that looked amazing on someone else, but just didn’t look the same on you, you’ve likely figured this out.The shape of your face influences the way haircuts fall and there are certain cuts that flatter each face shape. Round faces are full and lack sharp angles, making harsher angled hairstyles more attractive because they balance out the look. If you’ve been asking yourself “What is the best haircut for round faces?” you’re in the right place. We asked our stylists about the most flattering hairstyles for a round face and we’ve got the scoop ahead.

Most people have a distinct face shape, determined by breaking down into three parts. The forehead and cheekbone width, the jawline, and the face length. To identify your face shape, look at the widest part of your face: if it’s your forehead, you probably have an oval face. If it’s your cheekbones, your face shape is likely round. Next, look at the width of your jawline. If it comes to a point, you have a heart-shaped face. A straight jawline means you have a square. Finally, check the length of your face. Oval faces are longer, whereas round ones are typically on the shorter side.

• Diamond Face Shape: One of the most uncommon facial silhouettes is diamond. Diamond face shapes have a narrow forehead and a small chin. Your cheekbones will be the widest part of your face and sit high. 
• Oval Face Shape: An oval face is longer than it is wide. You'll also have a round jawline and chin. Your forehead will be the widest part of your face, while your other features are round and soft.
• Square Face Shape: With a square face shape, your forehead, cheekbones, and jaw will be the same width, but your jaw will have sharp angles. Square face shapes have minimal curves.
• Round Face Shape: A round face is like a square-shaped face, but with softer angles. Round face shapes are symmetrical; your cheekbones aren't prominent, and your face is circular in appearance, without major angles or edges.
• Heart Face Shape: A heart-shaped face has a larger, wider forehead. Your face gets more angled toward the chin. You have a slender jawline and your cheekbones and forehead are the widest parts of your face.

Your best hairstyle is one that flatters your features, and unique face shape. If you have a round face, you have lots of options. Round face shapes are soft, with no distinct angles, so your goal is to create definition and elongate your face. And the right hairstyle with the right styling products will do just that. These are our favorite cuts and styles for round faces.

If shorter hair is your thing, a cropped cut like the pixie is the perfect edgy style for round face shapes. Just like with long faces, if you have a round face the pixie cut checks all the right boxes. It’s tight on the side and back, and square toward the top and round of the head. This creates height by elongating and slimming the face at the same time. If you’re considering a pixie and have a round-shaped face, this is your cut. 

Next up on our list is a layered bob. This cut works to complement the features of a round face. Symmetrical layers draw attention to the jawline, elongating the face — layers that hit just at or below the cheekbones work like contouring. Customize your layered bob to the length of your choice from ultra-cropped to chin length or grazing above the collarbone.

The best thing about bangs is they work on just about everyone, but especially those with round faces. So if bangs are your thing, the most flattering fringe for your round face shape is a side-swept bang. Asymmetry brings sharpness and contour to rounder faces. Consider a strong angular fringe swept to one side, drawing the eye down and slimming your face. 

Minimal layers give hair dimension against a round face, while textured ends that fall on the shoulders draw attention to the jawline. A middle part also helps elongate a face that’s round. A choppy cut like this looks great on relaxed or natural hair. To create the illusion of a longer face, ask your stylist for mid-length, face-framing layers that start below the chin.

A lob is of the most flattering face-slimming haircuts for a round face. The length of this longer bob cut is perfect for framing the face. A textured lob with height in the crown elongates a round face shape, while a side part helps complement the shape. Tease your hair slightly with this haircut and use a product that enhances definition.

While a blunt bob might not be the best option for a round face, an A-line bob definitely is.The angled cut of this bob adds structure to the face, and the longer front pieces help elongate the appearance of the face. Add some soft face-framing bangs to visually break up the fullness of your face.

Cropped layers create volume, definition, and movement in hair. Cropped layers can work wonders for round faces, especially when strategically placed around the cheekbones and jawline. They create an asymmetrical, blunt, edgy texture for a visually appealing frame around a round shaped face.

Incorporating braids into your hairstyle can be a visually interesting way to break up the fullness of a round face. Plus braids are a protective, low-maintenance way to give your strands a break from daily heat-styling. Consider a statement braid like a fishtail, a braided crown or some subtle side braids to complement the features of your round face.

The final haircut on our list of faves for round faces is the shag.This medium-length haircut with shaggy, face-framing layers helps to balance the fullness of a round face. Especially on finer hair texture, a shag adds movement and dimension, highlighting your best facial features. 

If you have naturally curly hair and a round face, your length, layers and bangs, should all help elongate the shape of your face. These are the best curly styles for your face shape.

Long curly layers with a face-framing center part are one of the most flattering styles on a round face. Long layers create lift at the roots on naturally curly hair to elongate and give definition to the face. While face-framing curls help take attention away from your face’s width. 

If you’ve got a smaller, tighter curl pattern, chin-length layers will help to elongate and frame your round face. Layering can be a game-changer for natural curls, helping reduce bulk and tame frizz. 

These loose waves help lengthen a round face. Rather than tight curls, these bends are loose and lived in, drawing attention down and elongating. After air-drying your waves, spritz a texture spray through your ends and scrunch with the fingers.

Age is just a number, and it certainly doesn't need to dictate your hairstyle. But as you age, your face shape may change, and likely so will your hairstyle preferences. These are the best hairstyles for round faces at every age.

Embrace the soft, youthful features of your round face by rocking the trendiest styles of the moment. Experiment with ultra high ponytails, half-up styles, messy buns and boho beach waves. You can also play around with shine sprays and color-depositing conditioners.

The older you get and the shorter you go, the better your hair will be at holding​ its shape. Transition into midlife with sleek, mid-length hairstyles. Consider blunt bobs, straight lobs, or a classic cut that falls a few inches below the shoulders.

As you gracefully age, opt for styles that enhance your natural beauty. Soft waves, layered pixies, or classic bobs can complement the changing contours of your face. On the opposite end, long silver strands can be incredibly chic, so don’t think going short is a must!

A great haircut can change your life. And a great stylist will work with your preferences to create the most flattering shape and structure for your features. Whether you prefer the edgy pixie, the classic bob, or trendy shag cuts, experiment with different styles to find what makes you look and feel your best. Follow our hair care tips and use only the best quality hair products. All our formulas are free of harmful toxins, use many natural ingredients, and are made with renewable energy and packaging that minimizes the environmental impact.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor