BEST HAIRCUT FOR A ROUND FACE

We all do it - we find a cut or color on Pinterest or Instagram that we absolutely must have without really considering if the look is going to be flattering on us. The unfortunate truth is that haircuts, hair styles, and hair color rarely look universally amazing on everyone.  Skin tone, eye shape, jawlines, nose shape, face shape, and body shape all should be considered when seeking your most flattering hairstyle. The good news? We’re here to help you find yours! First rule, your haircut and color should accentuate your favorite traits and minimize any unflattering characteristics.

WHAT FACE SHAPE DO I HAVE?

Here are the 6 different face shapes and some key factors about face shapes to consider when researching your summer look:

Round – Your chin and cheekbones are rounded making your face appear like a perfect circle.  The height and width of your face appear approximately the same. Your face curves slightly outward instead of being straight. (Celebs: Joey King, Ginnifer Goodwin, Michelle Williams).

Square – Your face is nearly or as wide as it is long.  If you measure from the edge of your temples to where your jawline starts it is almost equal to the distance between your right and left jawline. You likely have sharp, angular features, including a sharp jawline. (Celebs: Angelina Jolie, Mariska Hargitay, Kate Moss)

Rectangle (or oblong) – Similar to a square-shaped face but longer they there are wide. Your forehead, cheeks, and jawline are approximately the same wide and your chin has a slight curve or is angular. (Celebs: Liv Tyler, Kate Winslet, Keanu Reeves, Sandrah Oh)

Diamond – You have a pointed chin, high cheekbones, and a narrow forehead.  (Celebs: Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Rihanna)

Heart Shaped – Your chin is pointed and your forehead is the widest part of your face. Imagine an upside-down triangle. (Celebs: Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Hyland)

Last but not least, the perfect face shape...

Oval – Your forehead is minimally wider than their curved chin.

Oval faces are considered the most symmetrical shape and can wear any hair style, so the key to finding your most flattering hairstyle is one that creates the illusion that you have an oval face.  (Celebs: Hilary Duff, Blake Lively, Bella Hadid)

So you have a round face shape – what next? In this series we’ll explore each different shape and how you can maximize your haircut and color to create the perfect look for you, starting with the round face shape.

MAKING THE CUT

As our goal is to mimic the wonderful, symmetrical oval face shape, we will want a hairstyle that will elongate the round face while minimizing width. This will create a vertical silhouette making the face look more narrow.

Next, you want to focus on the best style based on length of your hair: short, mid-length or long. Many might have thought that short hair is a major no-no for round faces, but worry not...short hair can be an amazing slimming look if you style it the right way.

SHORT HAIR

If you’re up for a short sassy look, then go for a tight pixie cut like Ginnifer Goodwin. Her hair is tight at the sides with a small fringe, drawing the eye up and down rather than side to side. Pretty great, right? This is a great option for those with ultra fine hair.

Another great short haircut for round faces is Evan Rachel Wood's look. She has created the perfect vertical silhouette by creating additional height.

Best haircut for a round face shape

Create Her Look

Recreate Evan’s look with the following steps!

Step 1: Apply O&M Rootalicious Root Lift Mousse to towel dried hair. Flip your head and blow dry your hair upside down using your fingers to create a bend at the ends. This adds volume and elongates facial features.

Step 2: Once dry, take a dime size of Original Mineral Strong Hold Clay and emulsify it in your hands. Use your fingers to first smooth down your sides and lower nape.

Step 3: Continue to apply the paste, using your fingertips, to the top of your head moving in an upward motion. Ensure you get it close to the root to hold the volume working your way in an upward motion toward the height of your ends.

4. Finish with a strong hold spray like Davines Extra Strong Hairspray.

Best haircut for a round face shape

SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR

Mid-length can be a great length for the round shape; however, it is important to keep two things in minds: The length should fall below the chin or around the shoulders and maintain a one length. Long bobs will make your neck and face appear more slender.

For example, the middle part one-length lob on Selena Gomez is the perfect look as it cuts the face down the center leaving the length to fall narrowly covering the widest part of the face. Use a relaxing shampoo and conditioner like Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner, followed by a smoothing product, like Evolvh Polishing Balm, and a paddle brush to get that sleek, frizz free blow out.

If you opt for a fringe, ensure it is a longer fringe. Something I like to call a "cheek bang" meaning the length lands around the cheekbones or below. Side swept bangs are not preferred as it cuts your face in half at the widest point which draws attention to the roundness of the face.

LONG HAIR

Long hair is awesome for the round face as again, it is causing the eyes to move up and down rather than side-to-side. While one-lengths are quintessential, longer layers (allowing for movement and width far below the jawline) are definitely a flattering style.

A center part or soft face framing layers work well to elongate this face shape.

Waves are great, but gear your style toward soft, narrow curls like Amanda Seyfried, opposed to a full, bouncy blowout.

CREATE THIS LOOK

Try a sleek smooth blowout, like Mila Kunis, using these steps:

Step 1: For straight one-length looks, I do a wrap dry with a large paddle brush. Apply a dime size of Oway Silk n’Glow Anti-Frizz Serum on your hair from mid-shaft to ends. Follow that, by applying a dime size amount of REF Stockholm Get it Straight (for fine to medium hair) or (for thicker, unruly hair) Davines Relaxing Moisturizing Fluid to mid-shaft and ends. These will smooth frizz and create high shine.

Step 2: Rough dry your hair until 80% dry. Section the hair into 3 horizontal sections (nape to the back of the ears, ears to the recession and crown, everything above the crown and top of your head).

Step 3: Clip up the top 2 sections. Starting on one side of your nape; begin brushing your hair the opposite direction like you are wrapping your hair across the back of your head. Direct the heat of your blow dryer toward the roots, using your brush to continue to wrap your hair. (Don’t forget to use a concentrator nozzle on your blow dryer).

When your hair is almost dry at the roots, switch directions (I will change hands between my blow dryer and brush. Continue to switch back and forth until your root and mid-shaft is dry.

Step 4: Let your hair fall vertically toward the floor, then take sections of your hair (no wider than the length of your paddle brush), and direct heat downward on your hair section and slowly dry mid-shaft to ends. You are essentially using the flatness of your paddle brush and heat from your blow dryer like a flat iron.
When that section is smooth, drop and repeat on the next section.

Step 5: When you reach the top section, continue as above, this time wrapping the hair across the top of your head as well as forward across the front of your face (if you would like volume).

Once your root and mid-shaft are dry, part your hair where you desire and begin drying downward to your ends from that position.

Finish with Davines Strong Hairspray to add shine and hold.

BEST HAIR COLOR FOR ROUND FACES

When it comes to color, you also want the eye to follow a vertical silhouette.  One all over color creates a vertical line and is optimum for this face shape.

If highlights are your jam, go for long face framing highlights that start at your hairline (aka the money piece), rather than a ombre or sombre highlights where the lightening starts at the cheek, eye or jaw-level as this will cause the eye to travel horizontally.

Best hair style for round face

WAS SNOOKIE RIGHT?

BEST HAIR STYLES FOR ROUND FACES

While she made many mistakes, her extreme height, half-up pompadour and length were actually on the right track for balancing her round face shape.

Half-up hairstyles, high ponytails, top-knots and long beach waves are the most flattering on this look as again…it causes the eyes of the viewer to go up and down rather than side to side.

CREATE THIS LOOK

This half up top bun is perfect for the round face on top of the fact that it is an easy second to third day hairstyle.

Step 1: Section the top of your hair from recession to recession then to the back top of your crown. Clip it out of your way.

Step 2: Apply Verb Ghost Prep Heat Protectant on the bottom half of your hair before using a 1 1/4 inch curling iron to curl.

Step 3: Unclip your top half of your hair. Apply REF Stockholm Dry Shampoo Paste to the root area to create texture and lift. Begin braiding (Dutch braid style) from your front hairline back toward your crown. Stop just before the beginning of the crown area. Use a small clear hair tie to secure the braid and the remaining hair at the top of your crown.

Step 4: Using your fingertips, lightly pull the sections of your braid to create height and fullness.

Step 5: Depending on hair thickness -
Thick Hair: Wrap a messy bun and secure with hair pins.
Fine Hair: Use a fine tooth comb and gently backcomb the hair just above the hair tie. Take sections of hair from the ponytail and begin to wrap them around the crown to look like you're creating a thick bun. Secure each section with hairpins.

Step 6: Hold with Cult and King SetSpray.

CREATE THIS LOOK

Looking for an alternative to your daily bun or ponytail? Recreate our favorite messy top bun:

Step 1: Spray Oway Sea Salt Spray for added texture

Step 2: Use Hair Powder by Cult + King to lift from the root

Step 3: Separate fringe then pull all hair into a high ponytail. Leave ends in hair band

Step 4: Secure and hide remaining ends using hair pins.

Gorg!

Watch the full video: My Hair Routine: Messy Bun tutorial!

Want to know more about your face shape? Stay tuned for our monthly series where we will be dissecting each shape and sharing the best looks for you!

XOXO,
Natalie Palomino

Written by Natalie Palomino

Natalie Palomino Is a Master Stylist, educator and Founder of MANEPRINT. Through advanced education and commitment to her craft, she built a vast clientele providing haircare education and hair services.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Blog posts

View all
1 3
View all