Suitable Hairstyles for Round Faces

What a round face shape looks like
 
Understanding your face shape is one of the most important factors in choosing a hairstyle. For those with round faces, this knowledge becomes especially valuable when creating looks that enhance your natural beauty while addressing the unique characteristics of your facial structure.
 
A round face is characterized by soft, curved lines and balanced proportions. The key identifying features include a width and length that are nearly equal, with the widest point typically occurring at the cheekbone level. Round faces have gentle curves throughout, creating a naturally youthful appearance.
 
The chin tends to be rounded rather than pointed, and the hairline often follows a curved pattern across the forehead. While these features create an inherently pleasing look, many people with round faces desire hairstyles that create the illusion of length.
 
The fundamental principle of flattering a round face lies in creating visual length and minimizing width. This doesn't mean hiding your beautiful features, but rather strategically enhancing them to create a more oval appearance, which is considered the most universally flattering face shape.
 
Volume and height at the crown of the head work wonders for round faces, as they draw the eye upward and create the impression of extra length. Conversely, excessive width at the sides should be avoided, as this can emphasize the natural roundness of the face.
 
The fringe area of any hairstyle plays a crucial role in framing the face, and this becomes particularly important for round face shapes. Horizontal bangs that cut straight across the forehead can emphasize the width of the face, which is generally not the goal. Instead, angled or asymmetrical bangs create more flattering lines that complement the face's natural curves.
 
Style 1: Modern Pixie Cut
 
Pixie haircut for a round face
 
The pixie cut has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving from a simple short crop to a sophisticated style that can be tailored to flatter virtually any face shape. For round faces, the key lies in creating a pixie with strategic volume placement and textured elements.
 
This hairstyle features short, layered sections that add texture throughout the cut. The styling incorporates a subtle lift at the crown, which immediately creates the illusion of additional height and length. The bangs are cut following a gentle curved line and then point-cut to break up any harsh edges, creating an asymmetrical appearance.
 
The genius of this cut lies in its very short sides, which lie close to the head and create a sleek silhouette, while the slightly longer top section provides the necessary height to elongate the face. This combination creates an optical illusion that makes the head appear more oval-shaped.
 
Style 2: Sophisticated Shoulder-Length Hair
 
Shoulder-length hairstyle with layers for a round face
 
Medium-length hairstyles offer incredible versatility for round faces, and this shoulder-length hairstyle demonstrates how layering can be used strategically to create the most flattering silhouette. The cut features razor-cut layers that frame the face in a way that draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones while creating movement the hair.
 
The bangs in this style are textured. This texturing is crucial because it prevents the harsh horizontal line that can make a round face appear wider. Instead, the soft fringe creates a gentle frame that enhances the face's natural beauty.
 
The overall length of this style serves multiple purposes. It provides enough weight to prevent the hair from becoming too voluminous at the sides, while the length itself creates vertical lines that help elongate the face. The layers are strategically placed to ensure that the bulk of the hair falls in areas that enhance rather than overwhelm the facial features.
 
Style 3: Gamine Haircut
 
Short gamine hairstyle for women with a round face
 
This gamine haircut represents a perfect balance between edgy and feminine, making it an excellent choice for those who want a style with personality. It features layers that create texture and dimension, while the heavily textured bangs add a modern, fashion-forward element to the overall look.
 
The off-center parting is a crucial element of this style, as it immediately creates asymmetry that breaks up the roundness of the face. The slanted bangs, achieved through razor-cutting, create a soft, feathered appearance that adds movement and prevents any harsh lines from forming across the forehead.
 
One of the most appealing aspects of this haircut is its incredible versatility in styling. The short layers can be styled with significant lift and volume for a more dramatic, textured look. Alternatively, the same cut can be styled with minimal volume using smoothing products.
 
The height created by this hairstyle, particularly when styled with volume, draws the eye upward and creates the impression of additional length, making the face appear more oval.
 
Style 4: Bob with Textured End
 
Bob haircut for a round face
 
The bob haircut remains one of the most timeless and versatile styles in hairdressing, and this medium-length variation demonstrates how classic cuts can be modernized to flatter specific face shapes. The angled fringe is the star of this particular style, creating diagonal lines that immediately draw the eye upward and away from the width of the face.
 
The layering around the face serves multiple purposes in this cut. It prevents the hair from appearing too heavy or blunt, while also providing opportunities for strategic styling that can enhance the face's best features. The textured ends add a contemporary touch that prevents the style from appearing too traditional or dated.
 
The off-centered parting is a crucial element that creates immediate asymmetry, breaking up the natural roundness of the face. This parting, combined with the angled fringe, creates lines that are incredibly flattering for round faces.
 
The closeness of the hair at the sides is carefully maintained through the cutting technique, ensuring that the style doesn't add unwanted width to the face. Meanwhile, the length provides enough visual weight to create vertical lines that help elongate the overall appearance.
 
Style 5: Voluminous Layered Hair:
 
Long layered hairstyle for a round face
 
For those blessed with naturally thick, wavy hair, this long layered style demonstrates how volume can be used strategically to flatter a round face shape. The key to success with this type of style lies in understanding where to place volume and where to minimize it.
 
The layers in this cut are carefully placed to create lift and volume at the crown of the head, immediately adding visual height that helps elongate the face. The texturized bangs blend seamlessly with the rest of the cut, creating a cohesive look that frames the face without creating harsh lines.
 
The center parting in this style serves a specific purpose beyond just being a styling choice. It creates symmetry that works well with the natural waves, while the way the hair falls on either side of the face helps to create vertical lines that enhance the lengthening effect of the overall style.
 
The waves are styled and shaped to frame the face in a way that enhances the impression of an oval shape. This is achieved through careful attention to how the hair curves around the face, creating gentle lines that complement the natural facial structure rather than competing with it.
 
Style 6: Asymmetrical
 
Asymmetrical short hairstyle for a round face
 
Sometimes the best approach to styling a round face is to embrace drama and asymmetry, and this exciting style proves that round faces certainly don't have to settle for boring or predictable hairstyles. This asymmetrical cut challenges conventional thinking while still adhering to the fundamental principles that flatter round faces.
 
The genius of this haircut lies in its daring asymmetry, which immediately breaks up any perception of roundness in the face. One side features an A-line bob structure, with hair that gradually gets longer toward the front. The other side incorporates elements of a pixie cut, with layers that add dimension.
 
The side parting is essential to this style's success, as it enhances the asymmetrical effect and ensures that the hair falls in a way that creates the most flattering silhouette. The long fringe that frames one side of the face is particularly effective at creating the impression of elongation, while the shorter side prevents the style from becoming too heavy or overwhelming.
 
Style 7: Versatile Mid-Length Haircut
 
Medium length hairstyle for a round face
 
This mid-length hairstyle represents the perfect compromise between short and long hair, offering versatility while maintaining all the elements that flatter a round face shape. The texturized fringe area creates softness and movement around the face, while the off-center parting immediately adds asymmetry that breaks up the roundness.
 
The bangs in this style are carefully crafted to create a smooth, flowing line that enhances rather than cuts across the face. The texturization prevents any harsh edges while adding movement and dimension that makes the style appear more dynamic.
 
One of the most appealing aspects of this cut is its incredible versatility. As shown in the example, it can be finished with texture and movement for a trendy look. Alternatively, the same cut can be completely transformed. When blown smooth with a round brush and finished with the ends turned under, it creates a sleek, polished appearance.
 
The length of this style strikes the perfect balance for round faces. It's long enough to create vertical lines that help elongate the face, but not so long that it becomes overwhelming. The strategic layering ensures that the hair maintains its shape and movement without adding unwanted bulk at the sides.
 
Considerations
 
The most important thing to remember is that a round face is inherently beautiful and youthful. These styling techniques aren't about hiding your natural features, but rather about enhancing them and creating the most flattering overall appearance.
 
By understanding the principles behind these flattering cuts and working with a skilled stylist, you can achieve a hairstyle that not only looks amazing but also makes you feel fantastic every time you look in the mirror.
 
Use our free hair simulator to try these seven hairstyles - and many more - on a photo of yourself!
 
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