The right haircut isn’t just about following trends—it’s about finding a style that works with your face shape and enhances your look. Whether you want a timeless cut or something bold, knowing your face shape is the first step. Here’s a solid guide to get you started:
Understanding Your Face Shape
Understanding your face shape is crucial in selecting a hairstyle that enhances your natural features. At The Shave Cave, we've previously discussed the 9 Basic Face Shapes, providing an in-depth foundation for identifying your own face shape. Building upon that, this guide will help you match each face shape with hairstyles that complement and balance your unique structure.
Oval Face Shape: The Balanced Canvas
Lucky you! The oval face shape is the most balanced of all, with proportions that make almost any hairstyle a great choice. People with this shape have a longer rather than wider face, with the cheekbones as the widest point and a rounded but not weak chin and jawline.
With this natural symmetry, you have options. A well-groomed, tight cut with hair off the face or parted to the side enhances your features. Avoid heavy fringe, as it shortens the face’s appearance. When it comes to facial hair, you’ve got flexibility—whether it’s a mustache, full beard, or clean-shaven look, your face can carry it well.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 Heavy Fringe (shortens face)
🚫 Overly Long, Flat Styles (can make the face appear too elongated)
🚫 Extreme Undercuts with No Volume (can make the face look too narrow)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Textured Crop
✅ Taper Fade with Long Layers
✅ Classic Side Part
✅ Pompadour
✅ Slicked Back Undercut
Square Face Shape: Strong and Defined
A square face has sharp angles, a strong jawline, and a straight hairline, creating a bold and masculine look. The length and width of the face are nearly equal, with a prominent forehead.
The key here is softening those angles while keeping a structured look. A style with volume—such as a tousled side-part or a classic layered cut—breaks up the vertical lines and creates balance. Avoid anything too short on the forehead, as it can make the face appear boxier. For facial hair, an anchored mustache with a goatee elongates the face and enhances symmetry.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 Flat, Center-Parted Styles (emphasizes squareness too much)
🚫 High and Tight Cuts with No Volume (can make the face look boxy)
🚫 Buzz Cut with No Fade (can make features appear too harsh)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Side Part with Volume
✅ Tousled Medium-Length Cut
✅ Classic Layered Cut
✅ Buzz Cut with a High Fade
✅ Soft Quiff
Round Face Shape: Creating Definition
A round face is almost as wide as it is tall, with fuller cheeks, a slightly rounder jawline, and facial features that sit lower. The goal with this shape is to add height and create the illusion of a longer, more defined face.
Lean sides with volume on top work best—think modern quiff or a slick fade. Angular styles are your friend, giving the face structure and sharpness. Avoid fringe or bangs, as they can make the face look shorter. And when it comes to facial hair, a mustache should always be paired with a beard or goatee to prevent a too-wide appearance.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 Heavy Fringe or Bangs (shrinks face further)
🚫 Rounded, Bowl Cuts (makes the face look fuller)
🚫 Wide, Bushy Sides (emphasizes roundness)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Modern Mullet
✅ Slick Fade
✅ High Pompadour
✅ Angular Fringe
✅ Side-Swept Undercut
Rectangular Face Shape: Balanced and Versatile
The rectangular face shape is longer than it is wide, with an evenly spaced forehead, cheekbones, and jaw. With its natural symmetry and strong angles, this shape can pull off many styles—but balance is key.
To avoid over-emphasizing length, go for styles that add width, like textured crops or layered cuts with volume at the sides. A clean shave or short stubble works well, keeping the look fresh and sharp. Avoid overly angular cuts like a high crew, as well as chin straps or lowrider beards, which can make the face look too elongated.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 High and Tight Cuts (elongates the face too much)
🚫 Slicked-Back Styles with No Volume on Sides (exaggerates length)
🚫 Super Short Cuts with No Texture (sharpens the face too much)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Textured Crop
✅ Medium-Length Waves
✅ Side-Swept Layers
✅ Crew Cut with Volume on Top
✅ Classic Comb-Over
Oblong Face Shape: Balancing Long and Narrow
An oblong face is characterized by a wider forehead, a long and narrow bone structure, and typically a softer jawline. The key to styling this shape is balancing proportions by keeping hair length equal on top and the sides.
Flow and width at the top create a more oval appearance, making textured or wavy styles an excellent choice. A goatee works well as an anchor, but go light with a full beard to avoid elongating the face too much. And for those embracing the bald look—this shape is ideal.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 Very Short Buzz Cuts (accentuates face length)
🚫 Slicked-Back Styles with No Width (elongates face even more)
🚫 Tall Pompadours or High Spikes (adds unnecessary height)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Medium-Length Flow
✅ Tapered Crew Cut
✅ Natural Side Sweep
✅ Soft Layers with Textured Ends
✅ Loose, Wavy Style
Triangle Face Shape: Enhancing Natural Angles
The triangle face shape is defined by a strong, broad jawline, fuller cheekbones, and a narrower forehead. This creates a sharp and masculine look that benefits from styles that add width up top.
Haircuts with some forehead coverage—like soft layers or curtain-style fringes—help balance the proportions. A clean-shaven look highlights the jawline beautifully, but if you opt for facial hair, keep it well-structured to maintain symmetry.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 Super Short Sides with Long Top (makes forehead look even smaller)
🚫 Flat, Slicked-Back Looks (highlights jaw imbalance)
🚫 Heavy, Angular Cuts (overemphasizes jaw width)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Curtain Fringe
✅ Side-Swept Quiff
✅ Medium-Length Messy Layers
✅ Soft Flowing Waves
✅ Cropped Textured Cut
Diamond Face Shape: Going Wide, Not High
With a narrow forehead, wider cheekbones, and a tapered chin, the diamond face shape is striking and naturally angular. This shape benefits from rounded styles that create width rather than height.
A textured, slightly wider cut softens sharp angles and adds balance. Avoid excessive volume at the top, as it can make the face appear too long. Facial hair can go either way—clean-shaven looks great, but a well-groomed full beard can add structure and balance. Stay away from narrow beards that overemphasize the angles.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 High Volume on Top with Tight Sides (exaggerates narrow chin)
🚫 Center-Parted, Flat Styles (doesn’t complement cheekbone width)
🚫 Too-High Pompadours (adds unnecessary height)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Side-Swept Fringe
✅ Tapered Cut with Volume on Sides
✅ Soft Undercut with Flow
✅ Medium-Length Messy Crop
✅ Short, Natural Waves
Pear Face Shape: Creating Proportion
This shape is known for its wider jawline, pointed chin, and larger forehead. The goal when styling is to balance the jaw’s width by adding soft volume on top and through the sides.
Longer, structured cuts with some natural movement work best, as they create width at the top without overpowering the face. A well-groomed, angular beard helps define the jawline, but avoid rounder beard styles. Anything too high and tight can make the jaw look even wider.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 High and Tight Cuts (makes jaw look even wider)
🚫 Close-Cropped Styles (exposes jaw imbalance)
🚫 Overly Angular Beards (can make the face look too structured)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Medium-Length Soft Layers
✅ Loose Quiff
✅ Side-Swept Undercut
✅ Messy Layered Cut
✅ Structured Pompadour
Heart Face Shape: Softening with Structure
A heart-shaped face is widest at the forehead and cheekbones, with a narrower jawline and often a pronounced widow’s peak. The goal here is to add structure without emphasizing the chin’s narrowness.
Textured, natural-looking styles that stay off the face work best. Keep the sides tight while allowing movement on top for a balanced, effortless look. Short, shaped stubble can complement the jawline, but avoid styles that make the chin appear even slimmer.
Styles to Avoid:
🚫 Short, Buzzed Sides with Long Top (makes forehead look larger)
🚫 High Volume, Tight Styles (exaggerates narrow chin)
🚫 Super Short Bangs (draws too much attention to forehead)
Recommended Styles:
✅ Textured Side Part
✅ Loose, Messy Waves
✅ Medium-Length Crop with Flow
✅ Tapered Cut with Soft Layers
✅ Short Styled Pompadour
Final Thoughts
Your haircut says a lot about you—make sure it’s saying the right thing. At The Shave Cave, we take the guesswork out of grooming with precision cuts tailored to your face shape and style. No gimmicks, no fuss—just sharp, confident looks that set you apart.
Ready for your next haircut? Book an appointment today and let us help you find the perfect style!
- Max