Softening the Corners of a Square Face

Square face shape with strong corners
 
The square face shape represents one of the most striking facial structures, yet it's often misunderstood when it comes to selecting flattering hairstyles. This face shape is characterized by a broad forehead that aligns almost perfectly with an equally wide jawline, creating strong, defined angles at the corners of the face.
 
While these angular features can create a powerful and confident appearance, many women with square faces struggle with the perception that their strong jawline lends a more masculine quality to their overall look. This is a concern that can significantly impact their styling choices and self-confidence.
 
Understanding the unique characteristics of a square face is the first step toward finding hairstyles that enhance rather than emphasize its natural angles. The width of the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw are typically very similar, creating a balanced but angular silhouette. The chin tends to be strong, often appearing quite broad.
 
The key to successfully styling a square face lies in understanding the principle of contrast and balance. Since the natural face shape already provides strong lines and sharp angles, the goal is to introduce elements that counteract these features rather than enhance them.
 
Style One: Asymmetrical Bob
 
Asymmetrical bob haircut for women with a square face shape
 
This bob represents the perfect marriage of structure and softness for the square face. The slightly asymmetrical cut creates visual interest while breaking up the symmetrical nature of the square face shape. The side parting immediately introduces an element of asymmetry that draws the eye diagonally across the face, creating a more dynamic and less angular appearance.
 
The long side-swept bangs are perhaps the most crucial element of this style, as they work to soften the broad forehead while creating a gentle curve that frames one side of the face. Rather than creating a harsh line across the forehead, these bangs flow naturally to one side, adding movement and grace to the look. The point-cut ends ensure that the hair doesn't create blunt, harsh lines but instead forms soft, curved shapes.
 
The length of this bob is strategically chosen to hit just below the jawline, where the curved ends can tuck slightly under the chin. This creates a gentle framing effect that softens the strong jaw while maintaining enough length to avoid emphasizing the face's width.
 
Style Two: Long Hair with Curved Bangs
 
Long razor-cut hair for a square face shape
 
For those who prefer longer hair, this hairstyle offers the perfect solution for softening a square face while maintaining length and versatility. The razor-cutting creates soft, feathered ends that move organically with the hair, eliminating any harsh lines that might echo the face's angular structure.
 
The off-center parting is essential to this style's success, as it immediately breaks the symmetry that can emphasize a square face's balanced proportions. The curved bangs sweep gracefully across the forehead, creating a soft arc that contrasts beautifully with the face's natural angles.
 
The overall silhouette of this style curves inward toward the face, creating a cocoon-like effect that's flattering. The layers are strategically placed to add movement and prevent the hair from appearing too heavy or flat against the head.
 
Style Three: Voluminous Medium-Length Hair
 
Medium-length hairstyle with volume for a square face shape
 
This more dramatic approach to styling a square face embraces volume and texture while maintaining the essential curved lines that flatter angular features. The diagonal cutting pattern creates a sense of movement and flow that contrasts beautifully with the face's natural structure.
 
The soft curves and waves throughout this style are achieved through both the cutting technique and styling methods. Layers are cut to encourage natural movement, while the styling process enhances the hair's texture to create gentle waves that flow around the face. This combination of volume and movement draws attention upward and outward, creating a balanced proportion that minimizes the appearance of a strong jawline.
 
The medium length of this style hits at the perfect point to frame the face without overwhelming it. The hair falls above the shoulders, providing enough length to create beautiful movement while remaining practical for everyday styling.
 
Style Four: Classic Bob with Blunt Bangs
 
Classic bob cut with bangs for a square face shape
 
While blunt bangs might seem counterintuitive for a square face, this hairstyle demonstrates how they can work when executed with the right proportions. The key lies in the point-cut ends throughout the ends of the bob, which prevent the style from creating harsh lines. Instead, the hair forms soft, curved shapes that frame the face while maintaining the clean, geometric appeal of a classic bob.
 
The length of the bangs is carefully chosen to hit at the perfect point where they frame the eyes without overwhelming the face. The rest of the hair is cut to curve gently under the jawline, creating a soft frame that minimizes the appearance of angular features.
 
This style represents a more modern, edgy approach to dressing a square face, perfect for those who want to embrace their strong features while still softening them appropriately. The fresh, above-the-collar length keeps the style current and manageable, while the carefully crafted cutting lines ensure it remains flattering and feminine.
 
Style Five: Bob with Choppy Bangs
 
Bob with choppy bangs for a square face shape
 
This contemporary take on the bob combines multiple softening techniques to create a style that's both trendy and flattering for square faces. The razor-cutting creates textured ends, while the choppy bangs add an element of playfulness.
 
The slight asymmetry is strategically designed to draw attention to the style's beautiful lines rather than the face's angular structure. The curves created through the cutting and styling process offer a significant softening effect, particularly around the corners of the face.
 
The highlighting technique used in this style serves multiple purposes beyond simply adding color dimension. The strategically placed highlights around the face create additional depth that emphasizes the curved lines of the cut. The lighter tones catch the light and create movement, further enhancing the style's softening effect.
 
Style Six: Dramatic Asymmetrical Haircut
 
Fashion-forward assymetrical haircut for a square face shape
 
This bold, fashion-forward style represents the most dramatic approach to styling a square face. The extreme asymmetry creates a striking visual impact that immediately draws attention away from the face's natural angular structure and toward the artistic lines of the haircut itself.
 
The dramatic length difference between the two sides creates a dynamic silhouette that's impossible to ignore. On one side, the hair falls to lip length. On the opposite side, the hair is cut much shorter, creating a beautiful contrast that exposes the ear. This dramatic asymmetry works to elongate the face visually, creating the illusion of a more oval shape.
 
The bleached blonde color adds visual interest and helps to further emphasize the cut's dramatic lines. The light color reflects more light, creating additional dimension that enhances the style's softening effect. The upward focus created by the asymmetrical lines and light color draws attention away from the lower portion and corners of the face. Considerations
 
Confidence is the most important element of any hairstyle. While these styles can help enhance your natural beauty and create a more balanced appearance, the most flattering look is one that makes you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin.
 
Work with a skilled stylist who understands face shapes and can adapt these principles to work with your individual features, hair texture, and lifestyle needs. Use our free hair simulator to try these six hairstyles - and many more - on a photo of yourself!
 
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