Best Haircut for Your Face Shape: Visual Guide

The right haircut flatters your features and balances your proportions. The wrong one? It can throw everything off. This guide helps you identify your face shape and choose cuts that work.

## How to Determine Your Face Shape

### The Measurement Method You'll need a flexible tape measure or can estimate with a ruler:

1. **Forehead width**: Measure across at the widest point 2. **Cheekbone width**: Measure across the face at cheekbone peaks 3. **Jawline**: Measure from chin to below the ear, multiply by 2 4. **Face length**: Measure from hairline to chin

### The Quick Assessment Look in a mirror and answer: - Is my face longer than it is wide, or more equal? - Where is my face widest - forehead, cheeks, or jaw? - Is my jawline sharp and angular or soft and rounded?

## Face Shape Profiles

### Oval Face Shape **Characteristics**: - Face length greater than cheekbone width - Forehead slightly wider than jawline - Gentle curve at the jawline - Generally considered the most balanced shape

**What works**: Almost everything! You have maximum flexibility.

**Best styles**: - Pompadour - Side part - Quiff - Textured crop - Medium-length styles

**What to avoid**: Styles with too much height can elongate unnecessarily, but this is minor.

### Round Face Shape **Characteristics**: - Face length and width are similar - Widest at the cheeks - Soft, curved jawline - Full cheeks

**Goal**: Add length and angles to create definition.

**Best styles**: - High fade with height on top - Pompadour (adds vertical length) - Side part with volume - Undercut - Angular fringe

**What to avoid**: - All-one-length styles - Anything that adds width at the sides - Very short buzz cuts

### Square Face Shape **Characteristics**: - Strong, angular jawline - Forehead, cheekbones, and jaw similar width - Face length and width roughly equal - Prominent jaw muscles

**Goal**: Soften the angles or embrace them boldly.

**Best styles**: - Short on sides, textured on top - Classic side part - Crew cut - Medium-length with movement - Messy, textured styles

**What to avoid**: - Styles that add width at the temples - Very geometric, angular cuts (unless intentionally bold)

### Oblong (Rectangle) Face Shape **Characteristics**: - Face length significantly greater than width - Forehead, cheeks, and jawline similar width - Can appear narrow

**Goal**: Add width and reduce the appearance of length.

**Best styles**: - Fringe/bangs (shortens face visually) - Fuller sides (adds width) - Side-swept styles - Medium length - Textured crop with fringe

**What to avoid**: - High pompadours (adds more length) - Very short sides with length on top - Slicked-back styles

### Heart Face Shape **Characteristics**: - Wider forehead and cheekbones - Narrow, sometimes pointed chin - May have a widow's peak

**Goal**: Add width at the jaw and balance the forehead.

**Best styles**: - Medium length with volume at sides - Side part - Textured fringe - Longer styles that reach the jaw - Layered cuts

**What to avoid**: - Too much volume on top - Very short sides - Styles that emphasize the forehead

### Diamond Face Shape **Characteristics**: - Narrow forehead and jawline - Widest at the cheekbones - Angular features

**Goal**: Add width at forehead and chin.

**Best styles**: - Fringe (adds forehead width) - Side parts - Textured, messy styles - Medium length - Chin-length or longer

**What to avoid**: - Slicked-back styles (emphasize narrow forehead) - Very short sides

### Triangle Face Shape **Characteristics**: - Wide jawline - Narrower forehead and cheekbones - Strong, prominent jaw

**Goal**: Add volume at the top to balance the jaw.

**Best styles**: - Voluminous styles on top - Pompadour - Quiff - Side part with height - Longer, fuller styles

**What to avoid**: - Very short styles all over - Anything that emphasizes the jaw

## Beyond Face Shape: Other Considerations

### Hair Type Matters Too Your hair texture affects what's possible: - **Fine hair**: May not hold voluminous styles - **Thick hair**: More options but may need thinning - **Curly hair**: Works with texture, not against it - **Straight hair**: Most versatile

### Lifestyle Factors - **Low maintenance**: Choose styles that grow out well - **Active/athletic**: Shorter styles stay out of the way - **Professional setting**: Consider workplace norms

### Hair Growth Patterns - **Cowlicks**: Work with them, not against - **Receding hairline**: Some styles complement this - **Bald spots**: Strategic cuts can minimize appearance

## Quick Reference Chart

| Face Shape | Best Styles | Avoid | |------------|-------------|-------| | Oval | Most styles | Excessive height | | Round | Height on top, faded sides | Width at sides | | Square | Textured, soft styles | More angles | | Oblong | Fringe, fuller sides | Extra height | | Heart | Medium length, side parts | Top-heavy styles | | Diamond | Fringe, textured | Slicked back | | Triangle | Volume on top | Jaw emphasis |

## Get Expert Advice at Alfani's

Still unsure? That's what consultations are for. At Alfani's Barbershop, our barbers analyze your face shape, hair type, and lifestyle to recommend the perfect cut. We've been matching Denver men with their ideal styles since 2010.

Book online or walk in to our East Colfax location.