Round faces are lucky to have soft, curved features with wide cheekbones and a rounded chin—an almost angelic look that has an air of youthful sweetness about it. Finding the best hairstyles for round faces is all about choosing which features you want to accentuate and leveraging some scissor tricks to add some balance. Whether you want to keep your strands long, go for a major crop, or are toying with the idea of fringe, here’s what stylists say are the most flattering cuts for round face shapes.
Side Swept Lob
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With the return of the side part and embracement of long layers, the side-swept lob is the perfect trendy haircut for round faces. “It opens up the face, drawing attention to the cheekbones and creating the illusion of length,” explains Jacob Sirianno, celebrity hairstylist at Pearlita in New York City. “Keeping the face-framing layers long adds even more drama and elongation to the face.”
Shoulder-Length Waves
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Soft, shoulder-length waves strike the perfect balance for round faces, adding movement and subtle angles that help elongate the face. For this style, avoid blunt cuts and opt for gentle layers to keep the style light and flattering. This works well for straight or wavy hair, though working in some curls or waves naturally adds volume in all the right places.
Curtain Bangs with Medium to Long Hair
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Consider curtain bangs a secret weapon for balancing out round faces. They help carve out instant cheekbone definition while creating the illusion of a slightly longer face shape. Plus, the split, face-framing effect softens the widest part of the face and blends nicely into longer layers for a lightweight, super flattering look. Wear them full and feathery for a retro vibe or slightly parted for an effortlessly chic touch.
Modern Shag
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The modern shag is characterized by its effortless choppy layers and tons of movement, all of which offer a nice contrast to roundness. “The key to flattering a round face is creating vertical and diagonal lines that elongate the face shape. The modern shag does exactly that by breaking up the width and adding a sense of length,” says Castillo Bataille, a celebrity hairstylist and ambassador for Matrix. He adds that the layers also create lift at the crown, which gives the illusion of a taller shape.
Long, Face-Framing Layers
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Keeping length helps elongate the face, while strategically placed layers around the face offer some structure and definition. “The face-framing layers act like a built-in contour, drawing attention to the cheekbones and jawline while subtly balancing the width of the face,” Bataille says. “This cut is also incredibly versatile. It works with straight, wavy, or curly textures.”
Classic Bob
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The classic bob is an excellent style for round faces because of the hugging and framing nature of the cut. “The style can offer the illusion of a slimmer face as the hair cascades down the face, creating a custom contouring for each individual,” notes Darrius Peace, hairstylist and owner of Hayah Beauty. Have your stylist customize the bob to your face shape to help flatter the features you want to show off.
Butterfly Cut
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The butterfly cut, also known as a contour cut, is for those who want a super glam, long and layered hairstyle. Sirianno says it boosts volume and height at the crown and adds lots of movement and texture from mid-shaft to ends. “I love this cut because it’s highly customizable to your bone structure, allowing you to adjust where the face-framing layers begin to accentuate or soften certain features,” he adds.
Edgy Pixie
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If you’re looking for short hairstyles for round faces, the edgy pixie is a clear winner. “Adding texture and movement—especially with swept bangs—infuses a playful, whimsical vibe,” Sirianno says. For that edgy finish, ask for choppy layers that flatter your bone structure. At home, Sirianno says to work in a sculpting paste to give your pixie definition and movement creating the perfect mixture of messy and polished.
Soft Pixie
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If you don’t fancy yourself much of an “edgy hairstyle” person, that’s OK. The classic pixie can work just as well on round faces—the key is to work in some soft, face-framing layers. “The pixie cut offers the illusion of lifted features on any face shape. It looks fantastic on round faces as it typically complements the frame of the face by following organic patterns and lines.” Peace notes. He adds, “Framing layers around the face can offer a flattering compliment to round faces.”
Asymmetrical Bob
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For another cropped cut, try an asymmetrical bob. This modern twist on a traditional fave features one side with slightly longer hair compared to the other. “It’s usually cut at an angle, with the front pieces gradually extending past the chin while the back remains shorter for a sharp, polished look,” says Bataille. “The asymmetry adds structure and angles, which help counterbalance the softness of a round face. The longer front pieces create the illusion of length, making the face appear more oval.”
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