Face shape guides · By FaceFluent editorial

Haircuts by face shape

Most haircut advice starts with a face shape and a rule of thumb about where the hair should add height, length or width. These guides spell out that reasoning for each shape so you can judge it yourself and take a clear brief to your stylist.

Find your shape in a mirror

Face the mirror straight on with your hair pulled back and compare three things: how the width across your cheekbones compares with the length from hairline to chin, whether your jaw curves or has corners, and whether your forehead or your jaw is the wider line. Most people are a blend of two shapes, and the guide for either one will be useful. FaceFluent does not classify your face shape; its photo analysis describes lines on your photo and leaves the reading to you.

• Round

  Width and length look similar; the jaw and chin curve.

• Oval

  Slightly longer than wide; the forehead is a little wider than the chin.

• Square

  Width and length look similar; the jaw has visible corners.

• Heart

  Wide at the forehead and cheekbones, narrowing to a pointed chin.

• Oblong

  Clearly longer than wide, with a straight-sided outline.

• Diamond

  Widest at the cheekbones, narrower at both forehead and chin.

Guides

• Round face

  Haircuts for round faces: ideas for men

  Haircuts for round faces: ideas for women

• Oval face

  Guide in preparation.

• Square face

  Guide in preparation.

• Heart-shaped face

  Guide in preparation.

• Oblong face

  Guide in preparation.

• Diamond face

  Guide in preparation.

Each guide lists the catalog looks stylists tend to suggest for that shape with the visible property behind the suggestion, the cuts that get a second thought, and the questions to settle before the first snip. The looks are original AI illustrations of fictional adults and link to a printable stylist brief. None of this predicts how a cut will turn out on you; a stylist who can see your hair makes that call.