Choosing the right haircut can be a game-changer for your overall look. It’s not just about following trends or opting for what’s popular; it’s about finding a style that complements your face shape. This guide will help you determine which haircut suits you best, ensuring you always leave the barbershop in New York looking your best.

Understanding Face Shapes

Before diving into the tips, it’s crucial to understand the different face shapes that exist. The most common face shapes are round, oval, square, heart, diamond, and long. Each face shape has unique characteristics that can influence which haircuts will enhance your features.

• Round: Round faces are characterized by full cheeks and a softer jawline, making them appear wider. Haircuts that add height and length — such as layered styles of hairstyles with volume on top — can be particularly flattering, as they help elongate the face.
• Oval: Considered the ideal face shape, an oval face is slightly longer than it is wide, with balanced proportions. Most hairstyles work well for this shape, but styles that cover the forehead, like bangs, can add a fun dimension.
• Square: This face shape is defined by a strong jawline and a broad forehead, resulting in an angular look. Soft, layered styles that frame the face can soften the sharp angles, while longer hairstyles can elongate the appearance of a square face.
• Heart: Heart-shaped faces feature a wider forehead and a narrow chin. To balance the proportions, hairstyles with side-swept bangs, or chin-length bobs can help create an appealing silhouette.
• Diamond: Characterized by high cheekbones and a narrow forehead and jawline, diamond faces benefit from hairstyles that add width at the forehead and chin, such as volume at the sides or longer styles with layers.
• Long: Long faces tend to be narrower, with the length being more pronounced than the width. Opting for hairstyles that add volume to the sides, such as waves or curls, can help create the illusion of a shorter length.

Knowing your face shape will make it easier to choose a hairstyle that enhances your features, allowing you to leave the barbershop looking your best, whether you’re embracing a classic cut or trying something new. If you are not sure about your face shape then take help from a barber in New York.

How to Determine Your Face Shape

Measure Your Face:

Forehead: Measure across your forehead at its widest point, which is typically just above your eyebrows. Note this measurement.

Cheekbones: Measure across your cheekbones, from the point just before where your ears start. This measurement should capture the widest part of your face.

Jawline: Begin measuring from the tip of your chin to below your ear at the jawbone. Multiply this number by two to get the total jawline measurement.

Face Length: Measure from the center of your hairline straight down to the tip of your chin. This length helps assess the overall proportions of your face.

Compare Measurements

Once you have all your measurements, compare them to identify your face shape.

• A round face typically has equal width and length measurements.
• An oval face features a length that is greater than its width, with balanced proportions across other measurements.
• A square face showcases strong jawline and forehead measurements that are roughly equal.
• A heart-shaped face will have a wider forehead and a narrower jawline.
• A diamond face has high cheekbones with a narrow forehead and jawline.
• A long face exhibits a significant distinction between its length and width, being longer than wide.

By thoroughly measuring and comparing these aspects of your face, you will be better equipped to determine your face shape, making it easier to select hairstyles that complement your unique features.

1. Haircuts for a Round Face

When selecting haircuts for a round face, it’s essential to opt for styles that create the illusion of length and add structure.

Best Options:

• Textured Crop: This style involves cutting the hair short while adding textured layers on top, which allows for volume and height. The added texture helps break up the roundness of the face, creating a more defined look.
• Side Part: A side part adds asymmetry and can elongate the appearance of the face. By shifting the hair to one side, you can create angles that contrast with the softness of a round face, resulting in a more balanced silhouette.
• Undercut: An undercut features short sides with longer hair on top, providing a stark contrast that can visually elongate the face. This style offers definition and allows for versatile styling options that can add height and create angularity.

Styles to Avoid:

• Buzz Cuts: While low-maintenance, buzz cuts can exaggerate the roundness of a face due to their uniform length, lacking shape and structure.
• Shaved Heads: Similar to buzz cuts, shaved heads remove any form of dimension and can make a round face appear even fuller. It’s best to steer clear of such styles in order to maintain a flattering look that enhances your natural features.

By choosing hairstyles that provide height and angles, you can beautifully complement the softness of a round face.

2. Haircuts for an Oval Face

When it comes to choosing haircuts for an oval face, the good news is that this shape is often considered the most versatile, as it can accommodate a wide range of styles. Here are some of the best options:

Best Options:

• Pompadour: The pompadour haircut is a classic style that adds significant height and drama at the crown, drawing attention to the upper part of your face. This style enhances your features by creating an elongated effect, while the volume helps to balance the overall shape. It works exceptionally well with medium to thick hair, allowing you to play with the height and texture to find the most flattering look.
• Quiff: Similar to the pompadour, the quiff also introduces volume but typically requires slightly less height, making it a great everyday style. It helps to add fullness at the top while maintaining a tapered look around the sides. This creates a harmonious balance with the elongated shape of the oval face, providing a fresh and modern appearance that’s easy to maintain.
• Slick Back: The slick back hairstyle is sleek and sophisticated, highlighting your natural features and the symmetrical aspects of your face. By combing the hair back, you create a clean and polished look that emphasizes your cheekbones and jawline, adding an air of elegance. This style works beautifully with straight or wavy hair and can be paired with various lengths for a tailored finish.

Pro Tip:

Thanks to the balanced proportions of an oval face, nearly any hairstyle works well. Feel free to experiment with different lengths, textures, and styles. Whether you choose a bold cut or a simple trim, embracing your oval shape allows for creativity and personal expression in your hair choices.

3. Haircuts for a Square Face

When it comes to flattering a square face, the right haircut can dramatically enhance your sharp features and strong jawline. Here are some of the best options for square face shapes:

• Fade Haircuts: A fade haircut is an excellent choice as it softens the edges of the face and enhances the strong jawline. By gradually shortening the hair from the top down to the sides, fades create a seamless transition that can elongate the face, providing a more balanced appearance.
• Classic Crew Cut: This timeless style keeps everything balanced by providing a clean and polished look. The short sides and slightly longer top add structure without overwhelming the natural angles of the face. It’s a versatile choice that works well for various occasions, maintaining sophistication while being easy to manage.
• Side Swept with Volume on Top: For those who want to introduce more texture and angles, a side-swept hairstyle with volume at the crown is an excellent option. This style adds height, which balances out the strong jawline while drawing attention upward. The sweeping motion softens the angularity of the face and creates a modern and dynamic look.

Styles to Avoid

While numerous styles work well with a square face, it’s equally important to recognize those that may not be as flattering:

• Flat Tops: Hairstyles that are flat on top can make the face appear boxy and can accentuate the squareness of the jawline. This style often lacks the necessary softness to complement the natural facial shape, making it less desirable for individuals with a square face structure. Instead, opting for styles that add dimension and texture is recommended.

4. Haircuts for a Heart Face

When selecting the right hairstyle for a heart-shaped face, the main goal is to create balance between the wider forehead and the narrower chin. This can be achieved through various haircut options that complement your facial structure.

Best Options:

Chin-Length Layers: This style is perfect for softening a wider forehead and adding balance to the face. By incorporating layers that reach the chin, you create a flattering frame that draws attention away from the forehead and highlights the jawline.

Side Parts: A side part can work wonders by adding width around the jawline. This technique breaks up the symmetry of a heart-shaped face and offers a more proportionate appearance. The placement of the part can also influence the overall impression, with a deeper side part enhancing the effect.

Textured Fringe: A textured fringe is an excellent option for drawing attention to the lower half of your face. By lightly layering the fringe, you can soften the forehead’s appearance and create a focal point around the cheeks and chin. This style adds movement and dimension, making your features look more harmonious.

Styles to Avoid:

Too Much Volume on Top: While volume can be an asset in many styles, excessive height on top can inadvertently emphasize a wider forehead. This styling choice tends to highlight the differences in proportion, making the forehead appear even broader. Opting for styles with a more balanced silhouette is crucial to maintaining an attractive overall look.

5. Haircuts for a Diamond Face

Fringe to Soften Your Cheekbones: A well-chosen fringe can work wonders for a diamond-shaped face by softening the sharp angles of the cheekbones. Opt for a soft, side-swept fringe or curtain bangs that fall lightly across the forehead, gently framing the face. This can help draw attention away from the cheekbones and create a more balanced look, emphasizing the eyes and drawing the gaze downward.

Layered Cuts to Add Width at the Forehead and Jawline: Layered hairstyles are particularly flattering for those with diamond faces. By incorporating layers around the forehead and jawline, you create the illusion of width, which can harmonize the overall silhouette of the face. Styles that begin layering at the chin level can help enhance the jawline while adding movement, contributing to a fuller appearance that balances the sharper features of the diamond shape.

Messy Hair Looks Great and Adds Volume: Embracing a tousled, messy hairstyle can also be very effective for diamond-shaped faces. This style introduces texture and volume, particularly at the crown, which helps to balance the narrower forehead and chin. Loose, playful waves or a slightly tousled bob can create a soft, approachable look while reducing the emphasis on the face’s angles.

Styles to Avoid:

Middle Parting: While a middle part can be chic, it may not be the best choice for those with a diamond-shaped face. This styling option can accentuate the narrowness of the chin, drawing a straight line down the centre of the head and highlighting the sharpness of the cheekbones. Instead, consider off-center or side parts that introduce asymmetry, helping to soften the overall appearance and enhance the natural shape of the face.

6. Haircuts for a Long Face

Long Layers to Add Volume on the Sides: Long layered haircuts are an excellent choice for those with long faces, as they create a sense of volume that helps to balance the length. By starting the layers around the shoulders or collarbone, you can draw attention to the sides of the face, visually widening it. This technique can soften sharp features, giving the overall look a more harmonious and proportionate appearance.

Side-Swept Bangs to Shorten the Face Length: Incorporating side-swept bangs is another fantastic way to flatter long facial shapes. These bangs effectively break up the length of the face and add an element of softness around the forehead. By slanting across the face, they draw the eye sideways rather than down, creating an illusion of a shorter face while adding a trendy flair to your hairstyle.

Short, Textured Styles to Add Width: For those who prefer a shorter cut, opting for a textured style can significantly enhance the overall balance of a long face. Styles that feature choppy layers and soft curls can provide the necessary width to counteract vertical elongation. This approach contributes to a fuller appearance and can result in a stylish, modern look that embraces movement and volume.

Styles to Avoid:

High Tops That Add Unnecessary Height: While high-top hairstyles can be fashionable, they are generally not recommended for individuals with long faces. These styles can inadvertently elongate the appearance of the face further, making it look even longer. Instead, it’s best to focus on styles that either keep the height minimal or incorporate volume around the sides to achieve a more flattering proportion. Avoiding excessive height will help maintain a well-balanced silhouette.

Conclusion

Choosing the right haircut for your face shape can significantly impact your overall appearance and confidence. If you’re unsure where to start, visit a reputable barbershop in New York where expert barbers can provide personalized advice and help you rock your style, whether you’re looking for regular cut or need haircuts for your wedding day. Book your appointment today and discover the perfect haircut for your face shape!