The Most Flattering Hairstyles for Round Faces
The Most Flattering Hairstyles for Round Faces
Great hair starts with the right cut—but figuring out what works can really get you in a tangle. The key? While you should definitely consider your hair type, the most important factor is your face shape. So take a look in the mirror and consider the following questions: Is the width of your face about the same as its length? Do you have a round chin and jawline? Are your cheekbones the widest part of your face? If you answered yes to all of the previous questions, congratulations—you have a round face shape.
Now that you know you're in the right place, we've asked a panel of experts to share the best—and most flattering—hairstyles for round faces, no matter the color, length (long, short, even medium-length), and texture of your strands, from fine and straight to thin and wavy to thick and curly. Some of these haircuts and styles will slim and elongate your face shape (thanks to details like side-swept bangs, deep parts, face-framing layers, and extra volume in just the right place), while others will celebrate the best features of your face shape (do not miss: the beloved extra long bob). Not to mention that if you're feeling adventurous, we've also included a few of the trendiest styles today (including the super chic French bob, the modern shag, the daring wolf cut, and universally flattering curtain bangs), which, by the way, look great regardless of your age (yes, even over 50 and 60).
Ahead, the haircuts and and hairstyles that best suit round face shapes—all of which will leave you feeling powerful, confident, and incredibly chic.
Messy Waves
"Voluminous waves, like Drew Barrymore's, balance the attention between the cheeks and jawline on rounder face shapes,” says celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey. “Getting a cut that stops right at or below the shoulders helps to elongate the face, too.”
Undone Bun
Whether your hair is curly or straight, this messy top-knot from Zendaya is simple to duplicate. “Adding soft tendrils at the hairline creates face-framing layers and offers dimension," says Dorsey.
Short Bob with Side Part
Think round faces should always steer clear of bobs? We have a feeling this chic, cropped look will make you think again. "The key is to aim for a length that hits above the shoulder, which will help elongate your face and neck," says James Ruiz, Bumble and Bumble's Bb. live educator. "The deep side part draws attention away from the symmetry of a round face." Plus, thanks to the versatility of this style, you can easily accentuate your favorite features: Soft, face-framing layers will play up your eyes, while long bangs will highlight your cheekbones.
Center Part
According to Dorsey, center parts are a major yes for round face shapes. Pair the sleek style with full curls like Viola Davis's and you’ve got yourself a look ready for work or play.
Pixie with Longer Bangs
Talk about short and sweet: "Adding a longer V-bang will frame the bridge of the nose and cheekbones, which flatters round faces," says Ruiz. "You can also ask your stylist to cut the bangs shorter on one side, which will allow you to create an entirely new look just by switching your part." To style, Ruiz recommends Bb. Curl Defining Cream (for, yes, curly hair), which will add soft, piecey texture, or Bb. Sumoclay (for finer hair), which will create definition and volume—without any greasiness.
Half Up-Half Down
The youthful style Queen Latifah is rocking showcases her face shape in the best way. “The half-up, half-down look brings her cheeks front and center and is balanced by the long length and high pony,” Dorsey says.
Curtain Bangs
If you’ve ever pondered one of life’s biggest questions (no, not “What should I do with my life?” but “Should I get bangs?”), consider curtain bangs your answer. First made famous in the ‘60s and ‘70s by actresses like Brigette Bardot and Goldie Hawn, curtain bangs—as the name suggests—are typically parted down the middle and swept to each side, so they perfectly frame your face and eyes, much like a curtain does with a window. “I absolutely love a curtain bang on rounder faces,” says Kevin Murphy session stylist Sarah Lund. “The longest bit of the bang usually grazes the cheekbone, highlighting what is often considered one of the face shape’s best features.”
Updo with Curtain Bangs
Even better? "Curtain bangs look amazing with all types of updos—including buns, braids, chignons, and ponytails—and you can even play around with tucking one or both bangs behind the ears," says Lana Kurayeva, celebrity expert colorist and founder of Shear Bliss Salon. "Just make sure to choose an updo that adds height to the crown of the head, which will help draw attention up, and in turn, elongate the face."
Old Hollywood Waves
Kate Bosworth looks runway-ready with this glamorous style. Here, her loose waves and center part create the illusion of lengthening.
Extra Long Bob (or ELOB)
Willing to go to great lengths for an incredibly flattering haircut? Enter the extra long bob (a.k.a. the ELOB). Unlike a traditional bob, which is cut above the shoulders, the front of the ELOB hits just below the collarbone and is slightly shorter in back. "This, combined with a center part and longer layers in the back—which add height—give the face a narrower appearance," says Fae Norris, a hairstylist at Rock Paper Salon in Los Angeles. "Just keep in mind that it looks best with wavy or curly hair."
Side Swept
When there's no time to attempt an updo for a more formal occasion, do like Kelly Clarkson and dramatically part all of your hair to one side. “The deep side part brings the focus to Clarkson's eyes,” says Dorsey.
French Bob
For a look that's très chic, consider the super stylish French bob. Inspired by the cropped bobs of the roaring 1920s, the French bob is a super-short style with breezy bangs and—most importantly—lots of chunky, piece-y ends that require very little styling. “Opt for a length that hits right at the jawline, which is ideal for rounder faces,” says Lund.
Slicked Back
This voluminous look, as demonstrated on Hayden Panettiere, helps to draw attention to the center of the face, keeping the focus on the eyes, lips and nose, says Dorsey.
Mid-Length Waves with Center Part
To get (your hair) in good shape, you want to avoid anything that looks too triangular. "If you have medium-length hair, it'll make your face look even rounder—so make sure to ask your stylist to remove any extra weight or bulk, especially if you have thick hair," says Ruiz, who recommends curling your hair with a straightener, so your waves look long and soft, rather than big and springy. (Of course, make sure to prep your strands with a heat protectant, like Bb. Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist.)
Textured Pixie
For a fresh (and more flattering) spin on the classic pixie cut, consider taking your hair to new heights—with a look that's similar to this textured, three-dimensional one from Lupita Nyong'o. "No matter how you style it, the key is to keep your hair shorter on the sides and longer on top, which will help balance out a round face shape," says Lund. Adds Norris: "If you can keep the bangs at an angle or off the face entirely with a side part, that helps draw the eye up, creating an elongating effect."
Side Fishtail Braid
If your strands are long enough, Dorsey suggests wearing your braid to the side, a la Sarah Hyland, for a little edge and elongation.
Medium-Length and Curly
While it might seem illogical, rounder hair shapes can flatter rounder faces—as demonstrated by Tracee Ellis Ross. "When it's done right, it can actually hug and frame the face, particularly if you have medium-length, 3a to 4c strands," says Ruiz, who recommends adding curly bangs, which you try pinning back to one side. "Unlike straight, horizontal bangs, which close off the face, curly bangs open it up, especially if they're cut in a way that allows the forehead to show through the curls," adds Norris.
Messy Ponytail
The slight bump on top of Cameron Diaz's ponytail creates an appealing vertical line, says Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites.
Wolf Cut
Did you idolize I Love Rock ‘N Roll-era Joan Jett? Or perhaps you once asked your stylist for a feathery shag inspired by Jane Fonda? If that’s the case, you’ll be wild about the wolf cut—and audacious hybrid of a tousled shag and a modified mullet that’s currently taking TikTok by storm. “It’s a great choice if you have medium-length hair,” says Lund. “The choppy layers create movement around the chin and jawline, which helps soften a round face.”
Volume at the Crown
Jennifer Lawrence proves that pixie cuts and short styles don’t have to lack creativity. Rivera says that lifting the hair along the center line is what keeps this style modern.
Afro
Since the 1960s, the Afro has been a symbol of power and pride. Now, thanks in part to the growing number of women choosing to go natural, the statement-making style is staging a big comeback—which is great news for anyone with a rounder face. "The height and shape of a big afro not only frames your features, but it also elongates your face—so make sure to pick it out to add extra volume and drama," says Norris. "Plus, nothing beats it for style points."
Shoulder-Length Razor Cut
For a cut above the rest, consider a razor cut—a technique in which your stylist, as the name suggests, takes a blunt razor to your strands, rather than a sharp pair of scissors. "For straighter hair, this technique can add extra movement and create the illusion of waves," says Norris. "For curly or wavy hair, it's a great way to remove extra weight and avoid the dreaded triangular shape." Not to mention that the shorter layers at the crown can be scrunched or teased, which will add height and texture—and give the face a longer, more angular appearance.
Off-Center Top Knot
Rivera applauds Emma Stone's fringey pieces here, that not only highlight her face shape but show off her long neck as well.
Shag Haircut
There's a reason why the phrase "everything old is new again" has stood the test of time. It's continues to ring true—and not just in fashion. Case in point: shag haircuts. Nearly 50 years after it first became popular, the effortlessly cool cut (think: Stevie Nicks, Farrah Fawcett, and Linda Ronstadt) is making a big comeback. "Not only do the shorter layers create some incredible shape and versatility, but the choppy bangs also draws attention to your eyes," says Ruiz.
Long, Sleek, and Straight with a Middle Part
Sure, this smooth and straight style may not be the most exciting look on this list—but it's one of the most flattering, especially if you have long hair. "The middle part opens up the face, while the long, sleek strands downplay its roundness," says Norris. "While minimal layers complement this look best, you could add a vintage wave or softer, piecey ends to make the style appear less severe."
Long and Layered
Prefer to make waves? You can't go wrong with a long, layered style like Chrissy Teigen's. "Waves or curls ensure that it feels fresh and modern, volume at the crown creates the illusion of a narrower, more angular face, and the deep side part accents your bone structure and downplays the fullness of the face," says Norris. "Together, that makes this style extremely flattering for rounder faces."
Medium-Length with Face-Framing Bangs
Feeling adventurous? The next time you're at the salon, ask your stylist for face-framing bangs (rather than your go-to layers) and you're practically guaranteed to, well, make a bang. "In my experience, the most flattering bangs tend to hit between your cheekbones and lip line," says Ruiz. "That length not only softens your features, but it also creates the illusion of a longer face." Added bonus: They look just as good when you pull your hair back into a ponytail or bun.
Shaggy Bangs
Bangs are a great way to enhance a round face shape, but choosing the right style is crucial. Christina Ricci’s shaggy version is the perfect complement.
Deep Side Part
Slicked back styles, which put the focus on your cheekbones and eyes, are universally attractive, says Rivera. For round faces, again, she recommends going for a deep side part, like Miranda Kerr's.
Long Layers
If you're ready for your next cut, bookmark Taraji P. Henson's choppy, long layered bob, says Rivera.
Looking for a cut that'll flatter your round face? We've gathered the best hairstyles for round faces, no matter your length (short, medium, long) or texture.