The 10 Best Short Hairstyles For Your Face Shape
Changing your hairstyle is one of the best ways to give you that boost you've been looking for. You can opt for a subtle change by adding a few highlights, or you can make a more dramatic change with a whole new hairstyle. We're seeing a move toward shorter styles after a few years of long, beachy waves dominating the trends. "Short hair cuts in particular will be huge in 2023," celebrity hairstylist Dionne Smith told Glamour. "We'll be seeing a lot of pixie cuts, short bobs, fringes, and styles of that variety."
If TikTok has taught us anything, it's that women are no longer afraid to experiment with their hair. And while you may not have been inspired to cut your own hair, you may be inspired to try something different. If you're ready to make the big chop but aren't sure what style will look best on you, we may be able to help. Your face shape will play a big role in how a shorter haircut will look on you and will help guide you to which hairstyle you should choose.
We're going to break down how to determine what your face shape is and then tell you the best short hairstyles for that face shape so you can confidently take the plunge and go short at your next hair appointment.
How many face shapes are there?
Knowing your face shape can help you when it comes to several different things from applying makeup, choosing a pair of glasses, and especially choosing a flattering hairstyle. The six standard face shapes are square, diamond, heart, oval, rectangle, and round. While this sounds pretty straightforward it can be hard to know what type of shape you have.
Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo explained to TODAY how to determine what shape your face is by examining your forehead and cheekbone width, along with your jawline and face length. "To identify your face shape ask yourself, what is the widest part of my face? Is it my cheekbones? You probably have a round face. Is it my forehead? You probably have an oval face," he said. Your jawline will also tell you about your face shape. "A strong jawline usually means you have a square or rectangle face shape. If your jawline comes to a point then you have a heart-shaped face," Oquendo added.
If you have a pointy chin, high cheekbones, and a narrower forehead, you probably have a diamond-shaped face. Heart-shaped faces are similar to diamond-shaped faces, but have wider cheekbones, resembling the shape of a heart. Once you know what the different face shapes are, it becomes easier to self-identify.
Things to look for
According to celebrity stylist Bertram K, you want to choose a haircut that will make your face shape as oval as possible, regardless of what your natural face shape is. He told Hair.com that one way to create the illusion of a different face shape or to create the illusion of an oval shape is through volume. "Graduation adds volume, whereas layers diminish it," he said. "You will also need more angles to create a shape if you have a more circular face, but rounder cuts if your face is slimmer," he added.
Basically, if you have a rounder face, you'll want less volume at the sides of your head, leaning more toward fewer layers or all one length, whereas if you have a slimmer face you may want to opt for a haircut that adds volume with layers and texture.
We know that short cuts are in for 2023 but certain cuts are more suited to different face shapes. While the most important thing about a haircut is that you love how it looks, choosing one that works well with your face shape can help ensure that you leave the hair salon happy.
Oval and heart-shaped faces: The pixie cut
The pixie cut is one of 2023's hottest looks and one that looks great on a variety of different face shapes, especially those with a round face. "A side-sweep in the front keeps the cut delicate while the cropped back and sides lengthen the neck," celebrity stylist Justine Marjan told Byrdie of the short hairstyle. Stylist Marcus Hoey told the online magazine that he loves a clippered pixie, explaining how the cut is "tight on the side and back and more square toward the top and round of the head." He went on to explain that "this creates height by elongating the shape and slims the face at the same time."
Pixie cuts also look great on those with oval and heart-shaped faces. Consider a super short, cropped pixie cut if you have an oval-shaped face as this will highlight your features, while The Hairstyler recommends going for just a bit of height at the crown if you have a heart-shaped face. This will help elongate your face, and not make it appear shorter. If you're looking to give the appearance of symmetry, using your hair to add height or volume in certain areas of your head to balance out your features is a great way to do that.
Heart and square-shaped faces: The Lob
The long bob, otherwise known as the lob, is a great choice if you have a heart-shaped face. Those with this face shape will have a wider forehead and cheekbones, with a slimmer jawline and pointier chin. Think Reese Witherspoon and Naomi Campbell as celebrities who have heart-shaped faces. "Lobs are ideal for heart-shaped faces because the length takes the emphasis off of the jawline and elongates the balance," Bumble and bumble stylist Tashina explained to InStyle.
If you have a square-shaped face like Olivia Wilde or Jennifer Aniston, the lob or mid-length bob is also a great choice. "Because of the strong jawline, this length defines that line, bringing out the beauty of this strong feature as opposed to trying to take away from it," stylist Angela Soto told Byrdie. It's important to use a haircut to accentuate your features and not just use it to camouflage those you wish to diminish. However, if your goal is to downplay a strong jawline, opt for a soft, layered lob that falls just below your jawline to create some softness and length around the face.
Round, diamond, rectangle, and square-shaped faces: The short shag
A short shag may be a great way to ease yourself into getting that pixie cut you've been wanting to try, or a great way to transition to growing it out. If you have a diamond-shaped face this hairstyle will highlight your gorgeous cheekbones and open up your face. This is also a great style for those with a square or rectangular face as the choppy layers can help soften the jawline. Adding just a bit of height at the top can help elongate the face as well, but you'll want to limit any volume on the sides of your face.
If you have a round face, a shag will still look amazing, but you may want to opt for a bit more length in the back. The 'shullet,' or the shag/mullet combination is very popular. "A round face looks really good with an uneven cut, meaning a mix of lengths," celebrity stylist Chris McMillan told Allure.
Celebrity stylist Gina Rivera, agreed, telling The Everygirl that a shag is great for someone with a round face because, "The shag layers can help frame the face, creating a focus on the center vertical line of the face rather than the width of the face."
Any face shape: Bob with side part
We've often been told that if you have a round face, like Selena Gomez or Ginnifer Goodwin, you need to steer clear of the classic bob haircut, but that couldn't be further from the truth! In reality, anyone can look great with a bob, but your face shape may dictate which length will work best for you.
Bumble and bumble's James Ruiz told Oprah that for those who have a round face, "The key is to aim for a length that hits above the shoulder, which will help elongate your face and neck," he said, adding, "The deep side part draws attention away from the symmetry of a round face."
This style also works for someone with an oval face because the side part helps to add some dimension to a long face, while a middle part can accentuate an oval face. If you have a diamond-shaped face, opt for a shorter bob that hits at chin length. This will add some width to the side of your face where you are the narrowest.
Any face shape: The French bob
One of this season's hottest hairstyles is the French bob. The French bob is normally a bit shorter than the classic bob, cut just about at chin-length, and features a blunt cut bang. We've already noted that oval shape faces work with every variation of the bob, including the French bob, but this style also looks so good on just about every other face shape. Stylist Dan Williams told Glamour that this cut works so well on those with a more prominent chin, like heart and diamond shapes, because "it complements a lot of face shapes, but it does conceal any roundness or width in the cheekbone area."
If you have a round face, you can also rock the French bob. "Opt for a length that hits right at the jawline, which is ideal for rounder faces," stylist Sarah Lund explained to Oprah Daily. The blunt fringe also works to help frame the face and draw attention to the forehead and cheekbones. If you have a square-shaped face this look works because it minimizes the jawline while emphasizing the cheekbones. If you've been tempted to try this oh-so-chic hairstyle but were afraid it wouldn't look good, this is the sign you've been waiting for to give it a try.
Square, round, and oval-shaped faces: Lob with bangs
Adding a fringe to your shorter hairstyle is a great way to accentuate features you love or downplay those you'd rather not highlight. While a lob can elongate your face, "Adding fringe to a bob is a great way to soften and balance square-shaped faces," celebrity hairstylist Alex Brown told Byrdie.
If you have a longer face you may want to opt for a shorter, blunt-cut bang to minimize the appearance of length while still looking balanced, while those with a round face may want to go for a longer, wispier bang. "Sideswept fringe is a go-to for a round face," stylist Jon Reyman explained to Glamour. "The angle of the bangs creates more length in your face and thus a more oval shape."
Choosing to cut bangs is typically a big decision for anyone, and learning what length and style will work best for your face shape can definitely help make this decision easier. Longer bangs help to elongate the face, while shorter bangs tend to draw attention to the eyes. Once you decide what you want your bangs to do for you it will be easier to decide on the perfect length.
Oval, diamond, and heart-shaped faces: Curtain bangs
Speaking of bangs, curtain bangs are a great way to introduce your hair to a fringe, especially if you want to try out the look without committing to a full bang. They're not as big of a commitment as a shorter fringe may be, but they also may not be for everyone. "A curtain fringe won't suit all face types," John Pulitano, creative director at Headcase Hair explained to Marie Claire. "I would avoid it for round-shaped faces and square jawlines."
For those with longer face shapes like oval, diamond, or heart, curtain bangs are a great way to accentuate the cheekbones and flatter the length of the face. Because curtain bangs tend to add volume at the side of the face, these look great on those who have a narrower chin.
Although Pulitano suggests that those with round or square faces avoid curtain bangs, stylist David Cotteblanche disagrees, telling Ipsy, "Almost any face shape can pull off curtain bangs," and suggests you work with your stylist to determine the right curtain bangs for your face shape and hair texture.
Any face shape: Short choppy layers with a center part
If you've been looking for a style that will complement a rectangular face, try a cut that incorporates short, choppy layers with a center part. The unstructured layers will draw attention to your cheekbones while the center part will help elongate and soften your face. You can also add a wispy fringe to soften your cheekbones, or a blunt bang to draw attention to the forehead, adding symmetry to the face.
The center part is popular because not only does it work for a variety of hair types, but it also creates balance. This works with a number of different face shapes because it tends to add length, which is something most people look for. Adding soft, choppy layers around the face works with any face shape because it allows you to draw attention to, or away from the cheekbones and jawline by helping you create volume where you need it. If you have a round face you can add a bit of height to the hair with the layers which will help make your face look longer.
Any face shape: Wolf cut
Thanks to TikTok, the modern wolf cut has become one of this season's hottest hairstyles. The best part about this hairstyle is that it looks great on any hair length and works with so many different textures too. Because this is a style that gives you more volume at the top of your head with less at the sides, it really looks great on those with oval, diamond, and heart-shaped faces. According to Hera Hair Beauty, "Oval faces can rock any version of the wolf cut, while square faces should choose wispier layers to soften the strong jaw. Heart-shaped faces should add more hair layers around the chin level to fill it out visually." And round faces should add shorter layers to the top of the head to create more length.
One of the best things about a wolf cut is its versatility and how low-maintenance it is, especially if you decide to grow it out. Layers can add height, while a blunt, choppy fringe can balance out a square jaw. No hairstyle should be out of consideration just because of your face shape. Sit down with your stylist to discuss how to make a style work for you if you have any concerns.
Oval and round-shaped faces: Buzz cut
I think most of us have considered buzzing all our hair off at one time or another. There's something that just feels so liberating about not having to worry about all the time spent styling hair and the money spent on visits to the stylist. That being said, while many of us have thought about it, most of us will never take the plunge. The buzz cut isn't for everyone. You need to be bold and daring to pull this look off but you may also find yourself wondering if you have the face shape that will suit a buzz cut. We know how to use our hair to accentuate and camouflage certain parts of our face, so what shape works best with no hair?
"A buzz cut takes away any shape from the face. You may not realize how much your hair adds definition and can soften your facial features," stylist Roi Nadin explained (via Byrdie.) "If you have hard features, a buzz cut will make them even stronger. Soft features are best for a buzz cut; in fact, it can give soft features more definition."
This is a cut that was made for oval and round-shaped faces, but regardless of your face shape, you shouldn't let it deter you from getting a certain haircut if that's what you've always wanted. You're always best to sit down with your stylist and discuss any concerns so you can figure out the perfect cut for you.