What Haircut Suits Me? A Face Shape Guide
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The haircut that suits you depends on three things: your face shape, your hair type and how much time you want to spend on it. Here is how to work out each one, and how to check a cut on your own photo before you sit in the chair.
Step 1: Find your face shape
Pull your hair back and look straight into a mirror or your phone camera. Compare the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw, then the length of your face against its width.
Most people are a mix of two shapes, so choose the one that fits best and treat the table below as a starting point rather than a rule.
| Face shape | How to spot it | Usually suits | Go easy on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oval | Slightly longer than wide, gentle jaw | Almost anything | Heavy fringes that hide your face |
| Round | Length and width are similar, soft jaw | Height on top, long layers, side parts | Chin-length rounded bobs |
| Square | Strong, wide jaw and straight hairline | Soft layers, side-swept fringes | Blunt cuts at the jaw |
| Heart | Wide forehead, narrow chin | Curtain bangs, chin-length layers | Lots of volume at the crown |
| Long | Clearly longer than wide | Bangs, volume at the sides | Very long, flat hair |
Step 2: Be honest about your hair type
Fine hair usually looks fuller in shorter, blunter cuts. Thick hair often needs layers to take out weight. Curly hair shrinks as it dries, so ask for less off than you think, and wavy hair is the most flexible of all.
Step 3: Match it to your routine
A haircut has to work on an ordinary Tuesday. If you never use a hair dryer, avoid cuts that only look right after styling. Short cuts often need a trim every four to six weeks, while long layers can wait three months or more.
Women’s haircuts to start with
A jaw-length bob suits oval and heart-shaped faces and is easy to keep neat. Curtain bangs soften a wide forehead or a long face and are a small change if you are nervous about going short.
Men’s haircuts to start with
A textured crop suits most face shapes and hides a high hairline well. Round faces do well with a short fade and some height on top, while long faces often look better with fuller sides.
Try it before you cut it
The safest test is to see the cut on your own face. Our haircut try on tool takes one clear photo and shows you 8 hairstyles, one at a time. New accounts get one free try after signing up, and you can show the result to your stylist.
It is a preview rather than a promise, because real hair depends on its thickness and how it is cut.
FAQ
How do I know what haircut suits me?
Start with your face shape, then consider your hair type and how much styling you will really do. Seeing the cut on your own photo is the quickest way to check.
Can I upload a photo to see what haircut suits me?
Yes. Upload one clear photo to our haircut try on tool and choose a hairstyle. It takes about a minute and you need to sign up first.
What haircut suits a round face?
Cuts with height on top, long layers and side parts usually work well because they make the face look longer.
What is the most flattering haircut?
There is no single answer, but cuts that frame your face and suit your hair type tend to work best. Long layers and textured crops suit the widest range of people.
See the cut on your own photo
Try the haircut try on tool