Does this sound familiar? You have gorgeous curly hair that everyone loves, but you’d rather have it straight. Or maybe it’s the opposite: your sleek, straight hair is the envy of people who spend hours with flat irons and styling products, but you find it dull and want more volume. Or perhaps you have a round face and wish it looked longer—while those with long faces often want the exact opposite.
That’s life’s little irony: we always want what we don’t have. This is especially true with our hair. We want it blonder, darker, longer, wavier, thicker, straighter—anything but how it currently looks.
But instead of fighting what nature gave us, why not learn to make the most of it? The right haircut can do exactly that. Just as certain cuts can highlight or soften different face shapes—round, long, square, oval, heart-shaped, and everything in between—they can also create balance and draw attention to your best features.
Of course, there’s no single haircut that works for every round face—and words like “never” or “always” don’t help when it comes to the nuanced world of beauty. After all, hair texture, density, personal style, and individual features all matter. That’s why it’s key to consult an experienced stylist who can tailor a cut specifically to you.
Still, it helps to know some general guidelines. Here, Eduardo Sánchez of Maison Eduardo Sánchez and Quique Sánchez of Espacio Q share the haircuts they recommend most often for round faces—and the styling tricks that can help visually elongate and balance your features.
A midi haircut with long layers
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According to Eduardo, a good starting point is “any cut that visually elongates the facial features.” So, he says framing the face is always smart and recommends “layered cuts with long layers that fall at the front, between the nose and the mouth,” which can help create balance and dimension.
Length matters too. Ideally, Eduardo suggests something between very short and very long. “For very round faces, I don’t recommend styles that are too short—but styles that are too long aren’t flattering either,” he explains.
Of course, these are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules. The right length ultimately depends on your individual features, hair texture, and the overall look you want to achieve.
Long—but not too long
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Long hair and round faces can absolutely work together. “Long hair paired with curtain-style bangs and plenty of movement at the ends is perfect for slimming down very round features, as it visually elongates the face,” explains Quique.
The key is length and movement. Rather than extra-long hair, think of a cut that falls somewhere below the collarbone, with enough layering or movement to keep it from feeling heavy. Consider the myth debunked: long hair can be a very flattering choice for round faces.
Side-swept bangs
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If bangs are on your wish list, Eduardo recommends side-swept bangs with a side part rather than straight-across bangs with a middle part. The asymmetry can help visually lengthen and balance a round face.
Longer, side-swept bangs also offer plenty of versatility: they work just as well with your hair down as they do with ponytails, buns, and other updos. Those with curly hair should pay particular attention to the length and placement of their layers. “Be very careful with layered cuts. Make sure the layers are long and that the final length reaches at least to the shoulders,” Eduardo advises.
A pixie or bixie
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Short hair isn’t necessarily off-limits for round faces. The trick is choosing a cut that creates length and dimension in the right places. “For example, a pixie or bixie in which the sides, sideburns, and bangs are slightly longer usually works,” says Quique. “Just be sure to leave enough length to style them to the side.”
That extra length aThe shape of the face makes all the difference. “Having the sideburns and bangs longer than the rest of the hair helps create the illusion of a more elongated face,” he explains.
A soft lob
Sydney Sweeney in Paris.
© Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
Another flattering option is a sleek, shoulder-length cut with subtle layers—also known as a soft lob. It can be worn straight or styled with soft, barely-there waves for a little extra movement. The key, according to both experts, is avoiding too much width around the face. Eduardo just advises being cautious with cuts featuring very blunt, straight lines, such as squared versions of the bob, which can emphasize roundness.
And don’t underestimate the power of your part. For those looking to visually elongate a round face, Sánchez favors a side part over a center part. “By parting it to the side, you achieve more volume on top and, furthermore, it better balances the facial features.” It’s a tiny styling change that can make a surprisingly big difference.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about the best haircuts for round faces based on celebrity styles
General Definition Questions
1 How do I know if I actually have a round face shape
Measure your face A round face is roughly equal in width and length The widest part is at the cheeks and you usually have a rounded jawline and hairline rather than a sharp or angular one
2 What is the main goal when cutting hair for a round face
The main goal is to create the illusion of length and angles You want to add height at the crown and keep volume away from the cheeks to slim and elongate the appearance of the face
3 I have a round face but I love my long hair Do I have to cut it short
Absolutely not Long hair looks great on round faces The key is to add long layers that start below the chin and avoid blunt onelength cuts that end right at the jawline
4 What is the rule of thumb for bangs on a round face
Avoid heavy blunt straightacross bangs as they make the face look wider and shorter Instead opt for sideswept bangs curtain bangs or wispy bangs that are longer on the sides
Benefits StyleSpecific Questions
5 Why are long faceframing layers so popular for round faces
They create vertical lines that draw the eye up and down which makes the face appear longer and narrower They also soften the cheeks without adding width
6 My hair is very straight and fine What is the best celebritystyle cut for me
A long sleek lob with a deep side part like the style often seen on celebrities such as Selena Gomez or Kerry Washington works wonders It adds a sharp vertical line that slims the face
7 I have curly hair Can I still get a good cut for my round face
Yes The best option is a shoulderlength or longer cut with long layers Avoid tight rounded curls that add width at the sides Ask your stylist for a curly shag which adds volume at the top and deemphasizes the width of the cheeks