45 Of The Most Flattering Hairstyles For Round Faces
From Miranda Kerr to Selena Gomez, plenty of famous celebs have round faces, and they surely taught us a thing or two about which hairstyles work best for this face shape. Not sure how to determine your face shape? Comparing the length and width of your face will reveal whether it's actually round or not. For instance, faces that are longer than wider fall into the heart-shaped or oblong camp.
While everyone should always wear a hairstyle that they like — regardless of what anyone else might think — there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to round faces. Layers are always a great choice, and when deciding to get bangs, one should be careful with their thickness. And no, having a round face does not mean you have to have long hair. There are plenty of shorter haircuts that suit round faces perfectly!
Whether it's haircuts that have taken over TikTok, like the wolf cut or curtain bangs, or pop culture classics like "the Rachel," round faces can pull off a variety of different styles and lengths. Here are some of our favorites.
A choppy bob
People with round faces tend to be scared of shorter hairstyles, but a choppy bob is always a safe choice. The choppiness brings plenty of harsh angles to the face contrasting its natural roundness. The best part about having a choppy bob is that all you need to do to it in the morning is add some texture spray and make it messy. There isn't such a thing as "too much texture" when it comes to this hairstyle!
Long sleek hair with a middle part
Long hair looks incredible on most people, but not everyone is a fan of having to style long hair. If you have straight hair, opt for a sleek, long haircut with a middle part, which is here to stay. (Sorry, Millenials!) The length will help elongate your face visually, and since your hair is naturally straight, you won't have to do much. If your hair is frizzy, applying anti-frizz gel should smooth it out quickly in the mornings.
The Rachel
Because the famous Rachel Green haircut is so bouncy, many may believe that it wouldn't work for round faces. However, having it on slightly longer hair — think Rachel during Season 3 of "Friends" — works perfectly on anyone with a round face, as it elongates while also giving volume. All Things Hair called The Rachel the most replicated '90s haircut for a reason!
A pixie haircut
A pixie haircut might sound scary for someone with a round face, but the right pixie haircut can do wonders for one's face. Choosing a pixie haircut that has height on top and a couple of longer face-framing pieces is the way to go. The best part about a short haircut is that it's very low-maintenance, but one still has plenty of options on how to style it.
Curtain bangs
Most people with a round face tend to stray away from bangs, but they don't have to. Think Selena Gomez: Flowy curtain bangs are perfectly framing her face, and they are making it appear more oval. According to Mane Addicts, the perfect curtain bangs for a round face are "thin, wispy, and textured."
The wolf cut
Just like curtain bangs, it seems like the trendy wolf cut is here to stay. The wolf cut is the ultimate hybrid haircut that early mullets could have never seen coming, and because it is supposed to look messy, it is also low maintenance. You basically just wake up, and your hair is already styled!
Angled A-line bob
A bob haircut can easily make a round face appear even rounder, but an angled one tends to help elongate the face and add some edginess to a rather sleek hairstyle. A bob haircut is also a great option for anyone who has thin hair, as it helps create root volume.
A low bun with face-framing pieces
The "clean girl" look has been trending for a while, and the main hairstyle associated with it is a sleek bun with a middle part. However, those with round faces should opt for a couple of loose face-framing pieces as those will help their face appear more elongated. Face-framing pieces work for every face shape — but especially round ones! A low bun is perfect for second or third-day hair, as it tends to hold the hairstyle better.
Curly hair with plenty of layers
If you have naturally curly hair, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. Keeping your hair long and getting some layers cut into it for dimension and bounce is the easiest way to rock your hair's natural texture. Next thing you know, you're 2000s Beyoncé in her "Work It Out" music video.
Short afro
A classic afro does sometimes make a face look rounder, but luckily the haircut can easily be adapted to your face shape. Picking a shorter afro generally suits those with a round face more, and it is much easier to maintain. Think of Academy Award-winning Lupita Nyong'o's short hair!
A high ponytail (optional: with a pompadour)
Anyone with a round face knows how quickly a slicked-back hairstyle can turn your face into looking even rounder. However, the placement of the ponytail itself plays a huge role in the final outcome. Putting the ponytail higher will visually elongate your face from the front — and next thing you know, you'll be blasting some Ariana Grande because the high ponytail unleashed your alter ego.
Shadow roots
When it comes to colors, there really isn't a shade that people with round faces can't rock. However, if you are into the whole "my roots are growing out, but I don't care" look, shadow roots can help visually add some height to your roots, making your face a bit more oval-shaped.
Super long hair with no bangs
While people with round faces can rock plenty of different styles of bangs, they often look great with long hair and no bangs. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't have layers; just ask for them to start lower — somewhere around your collarbone. If this is a look you like, making sure that you grow strong and healthy hair is essential.
An edgy side undercut
Most people tend to think of short hair when someone mentions an undercut, but those who are brave will give this hairstyle a chance on long hair. Whether you decide to get one or both sides shaved off, this haircut will instantly make your face appear more oval.
Swoopy side-swept bangs
Aughts fashion and beauty have been trendy for a while now, and slowly but surely, the most iconic hairstyle of the 2000s has found its way back: the infamous side-swept bangs. Now, before you remember your teen emo phase, let's make sure you go light on the hairspray; we don't want your bangs to feel like a helmet. We recommend combining side-swept bangs with any hairstyle, from braids to a high ponytail!
A simple collarbone bob
A collarbone bob is one of those hairstyles that suits everyone. The secret of it is its length, which allows you to rock both hairstyles for long and short hair. Apart from this, a collarbone bob tends to work perfectly with different hair textures, which means you'll need to spend less time in the bathroom fixing it.
Half updo of any kind
When in doubt, doing a half updo is the go-to for anyone with a round face. The ponytail adds height at the top, and the bottom layers of your hair add length, which makes this easy hairstyle a perfect choice. This hairstyle looks great on both straight and curly hair!
Wispy bangs
It's no secret that straight, blunt bangs aren't flattering for round faces; they only end up making the face look even wider. However, rocking wispy, peekaboo bangs is the way to go with a round face, as the forehead peaks through them, helping to prevent the face from looking wider than it is.
Spiky short hair
Those who want short, hassle-free hair should opt for a spiky short hairstyle. With this look, the top of your hair is left slightly longer so you can style it and add that extra height. Pink and Kelly Osbourne are two celebs to think of when explaining this haircut to your hairstylist.
Medium-length hair with root volume
Volume is great, but you don't want it everywhere if you have a round face. Making sure that your roots have plenty of volume will help your face appear slimmer, while having volume on the sides will make it appear wider. Sticking to a sleek haircut and focusing on root volume is always a safe choice for round faces. Voluminous roots help frame a face's features!
Inverted bob for curly hair
Those who have naturally curly hair and want a haircut on the shorter side should opt for an inverted bob haircut with bouncy bangs. The shortness in the back makes this hairstyle easy to maintain, and thanks to the hair's natural curl, the front usually looks great without any touching up. Plus, an inverted haircut helps the curls lie on each other so that the hair looks more volumized.
Updo with dreadlocks
A great way to add volume to the crown of your head and take some away from the sides of your face is by doing an updo. Dreadlocks add an even cooler vibe to the style — and to transform it into a night-out look, all you have to do is add some statement earrings!
Chin-length blunt bob
Okay, hear us out: While short bobs can sometimes look round and hence make your face look even rounder, a chin-length bob can also elongate you, as it shows off your neck immediately, making you appear more slender and chic. However, if you are going for a sleek bob, keep in mind that unless your hair is naturally straight, you might need to regularly style it.
Feathered hair
No matter what length your hair is, getting a feathered haircut will give your hair more life and texture, which is great for those who have thin hair and a round face. This haircut was made popular in the '70s and is slowly making its comeback!
Asymmetrical lob
Because we're so used to symmetrical haircuts, an asymmetrical can quickly draw attention from the shape of our face to our hair. Those with round faces will always look great with an asymmetrical long bob, meaning that one side is a couple of inches longer than the other. Asymmetrical hairstyles are back in style, so why not give one a try?
Shoulder-length hair with loose waves
Shoulder-length hair is the perfect haircut for anyone with a round face and slightly wavy hair. Make sure to ask for a couple of face-framing pieces so that your hair's natural wavy texture becomes the hairstyle's focal point. A haircut like this can be worn with any hair texture.
Face-framing highlights
If you're happy with your haircut but want to bring some change to your hairstyle this fall, go for a few light highlights to frame your face. The dimension will immediately make your face appear slimmer, as the highlights will draw the eye to focus on your hair's length rather than your face's width!
Blunt shoulder-length hair
Shoulder-length hair is a great choice for round faces as it gives the hair plenty of bounce and lightness, but it still has the length that elongates the face. Plus, straight-cut shoulder-length hair with a deep side part is chic and easy to maintain. The best part about it is that your hair is rather short but still long enough for you to be able to put it up!
Retro bombshell waves
If your hair is shoulder-length or longer, try rocking those '50s-inspired waves that will add plenty of glamour to your look. Because round faces benefit from side parts, go with a deep one for this look, and don't forget to curl your hair towards your face. Extra points if you add a hairband to finish it off!
Buzz cut
Okay, this might seem super scary, but hear us out: A round face isn't something you should look at as a negative but rather something that you should embrace. In fact, a round face is cute, so why wouldn't you flaunt it? And the best way to do that is to buzz your hair. It does sound scary to let go of all of your hair, but doing it can also feel incredibly liberating.
Finger waves
The finger waves are a great option for those who aren't quite willing to part with all of their hair — it's a good balance between the buzz cut and having a full head of hair. A round face will benefit from the short style, and you can still play around with the color of your hair to give your hairstyle personality.
Shaggy mullet
Popular in the '70s, the mullet is making a comeback today with a twist. Those of us with round faces will find the extra length in the back works to elongate our faces, and soft, feathery layers around the front frame our face just enough to emphasize it but not to round it out more than necessary.
Bob with side-swept bangs
A bob is classic when it comes to those of us with round faces (even though there are plenty of those who say it does more harm than good). But consider adding another twist to your bob with side-swept bangs that create an added layer of interest to your round face.
Topknot
So it might not seem like wearing your hair in a topknot is the way to go when it comes to styling your hair for a round face. But if you don't have the time to get a whole new haircut, throw your hair up into a topknot to still get a stylish look for your round face.
Sombré bob
If you think that letting your roots grow in after you've colored your hair is a bad thing, think again. The sombré hair dye trend is the new, lower-maintenance counterpart of ombré hair. It's a softer look that will accentuate the top of your crown while drawing the eye down and creating the effect of a longer face which is just perfect for round faces.
Deep side part
Hairstyles for round faces are all about flattering those stunning often-round cheeks and foreheads that are on the shorter side. Nothing does that better than an asymmetrical hairstyle. If you do nothing else, part your hair differently to get a completely new look — no salon appointment needed. The asymmetrical part will draw attention away from the roundness of your face by shifting the focus from the center to the side.
Slicked-back poof
Adding a slicked-back poof to your hairstyle might seem like we're heading back to the '70s again (or the 2010s when Snookie graced all of our TV screens), but hear us out. A poof will add top volume to your hair and create the illusion of a longer face. It's a simple trick that only takes a few minutes and might be just what you're looking for to "round out" your hairstyle.
Old Hollywood waves
Old Hollywood glamour is just what a round face needs. Styling your hair in this way can really be useful to flatter your face's roundness and accentuate other features such as your eyes (or bold red lips!). The Old Hollywood waves are especially effective if the hairstyle is off-center (as the one above) or asymmetrical.
Sharp blunt cut
A blunt cut works well for those with straight or fine hair and can help elongate a round face by creating straight lines on either side of your face. It also ends in razor-straight edges with no wisps or angles, which helps to keep the straight-lines theme throughout and thus neutralizes some of the roundness from your face.
Mixie cut
Growing out a pixie haircut? The mixie might be your next step. It's a longer-length pixie cut that is perfect for round faces as it takes advantage of both the short style and face-framing bangs. The tendrils will also shave roundness off your face, creating a more elongated look. You can also look at it as a precursor to the shaggy mullet, as it has back-length potential.
Side-swept curls
Side-swept curls work in the same way that Hollywood waves do by creating an asymmetrical shape to the face — especially if you have a natural curl to your hair already. You can further combine the side curls with a deep part to create more length to your face if that's what you're going for, with the curls on one side of your face.
Face-framing tendrils
Here's a blast from the past: Face-framing tendrils that were at the height of their fame in the '90s are making a comeback — especially for those with round faces that want to create a longer look. No matter how the rest of your hairstyle is, you can use a one-inch thick piece of hair on each side to create the illusion of an oval or narrower face.
Sculpted afro
Sculpting your naturally curly hair into a certain shape can help your overly round face present a little differently. Keep the sides — even the back — clear of hair by either pulling it back or simply shaving the sides to create a semblance of tallness for your face and body overall.
Two-toned hair
Two-toned hair is nothing new, but you can modify the trend to benefit your round face by highlighting the hair around your face with a drastically different color than the rest of your hair color. This helps to create elongated lines along the sides of your face and draw the eye down, thus minimizing the roundness of your face.
Wet-look bob
The wet hair look might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it can be a striking enough hairstyle to steal the spotlight from a round face. You can achieve this look with hair gel and hair spray. The longer, straight look of wet hair will also help a rounder face to be elongated, but those with short hair can rock this look too.