What are the best haircuts for a round face? There is no one straight answer to this question. While a celebrity’s latest chop may inspire you to get the same, it may not be the most flattering hairstyle for you and your face. Other than your hair type and texture, the right haircut also complements the shape of your face, accentuates your best features, and balances out your facial proportions—in the case of round faces, it adds length and not width.
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But First, What Is a Round Face?
A round face is typically characterised by lovely, soft features and similar dimensions. Take a look in the mirror – are your forehead, cheekbones, and jaw around the same width? Yes? You have a round face!
Luckily, there are loads of lovely round-face stars to inspire your hair goals, such as:
- Emma Stone
- Chrissy Teigen
- Selena Gomez
- Gigi Hadid
- Lupita Nyong’o
- Gabrielle Union
- Janelle Monáe
- Gemma Chan
- Priyanka Chopra
Most Flattering Hairstyles for Round Faces
Whether you like to wear your hair long or short, straight or curly, there’s a hairstyle that’ll suit your preferences and put your best features on full display. Keep scrolling to discover 30 of our all-time favourites.
Long Layers
Long layers are, arguably, flattering on just about everybody, but they’re especially well-suited for those with round faces. The length helps visually elongate your face, while the layers add body, volume, and texture for an effortlessly chic look. If you love layered styles, you can also explore the butterfly cut for a modern take on long, voluminous layers.
Shoulder-Skimming Bob
In our experience, some of the best haircuts for round faces are on the shorter side. If you’ve never tried a short haircut before, consider easing yourself in with a long bob—AKA a lob—that stops right atop your shoulders. It’s trendy, flattering, and easy to maintain, and a great way to go shorter while still maintaining a bit of length.
Wispy Fringe
When you want to start rocking bangs, it’s important to find the bangs that suit your face shape. If you have a round face, we suggest steering clear of thick, blunt bangs and opting for a lighter, wispier fringe instead. The airiness is super flattering when paired with your softer features. Understanding different hairstyling techniques can also help you choose and style a fringe that works well with your overall look.
Angled Bob
The classic blunt bob is chic and timeless but tends to complement more angular features better than round faces. If you’re looking to try a bob, try a slightly angled version—the sharper shape will flatter your rounded features beautifully.
Curly Layers
If you have naturally curly hair, you don’t need to avoid volume altogether. The key is to place volume strategically so that your curls enhance rather than widen the appearance of your face. Learning how to curl your hair and define your natural texture can help you create a more elongated, balanced shape.
Side-Swept Style
A deep side part can instantly change the visual balance of a round face. Instead of creating equal width on both sides, the asymmetrical part draws attention diagonally and adds definition. Pairing it with long layers or soft waves can make the overall hairstyle even more flattering.
Face-Framing Layers
Face-framing layers can be customised to highlight your best features. Ask your stylist to begin the shortest layers around or below the cheekbones rather than directly at the widest point of the face. This technique can help create a more elongated appearance.
High Bun
A high bun is a simple yet effective hairstyle for a round face. The added height draws the eye upwards and gives the illusion of a longer face. Keep a few soft strands around the front if you want a more relaxed and romantic finish.
Long Shag
A long shag combines layers, texture, and movement to create a flattering shape. The uneven layers help prevent the hair from sitting heavily around the cheeks, while the additional length creates a visually elongated silhouette.
Curtain Fringe
Curtain fringe can work beautifully on round faces when it is longer and parted in the centre. The two sides frame the face vertically, creating the appearance of more length. For the most flattering result, choose a fringe that blends naturally into your layers.
Pixie With Volume
If you love short hair, a pixie cut does not have to be off-limits. A pixie with height and texture on top can balance the softness of a round face. Keeping some length or volume at the crown is particularly helpful for creating a more elongated appearance.
Asymmetrical Bob
An asymmetrical bob introduces angles that contrast nicely with softer facial features. Keeping one side slightly longer than the other creates visual movement and prevents the haircut from making the face appear overly round.
Long Side Part
Sometimes, a simple change in your parting can make a noticeable difference. A long side part shifts the visual focus away from the centre of the face and creates an angular effect that complements rounded features.
Layered Curls
Layered curls can look stunning on a round face when they are shaped correctly. Instead of allowing all the volume to sit around the cheeks, ask your stylist to create longer layers that encourage the curls to fall downwards. This maintains definition without adding unnecessary width.
Sleek Low Ponytail
A sleek low ponytail provides a polished alternative to a high ponytail. Keeping the hair smooth and close to the head reduces extra width, while the length of the ponytail draws attention downwards.
Deep Side Part With Waves
Combining a deep side part with loose waves gives you both asymmetry and length. The part creates an angled visual line, while the waves add texture without making the sides of the face look too broad.
Long Blunt Cut
Although extremely blunt bobs can sometimes emphasise facial width, a long blunt cut can have the opposite effect. Keeping the hair below the shoulders creates a strong vertical line that can visually lengthen a round face.
Final Thoughts
The best haircut for a round face is ultimately the one that makes you feel confident while working with your natural hair type, texture, and personal style. Long layers, angled bobs, side-swept fringes, textured lobs, and hairstyles with added height can all help create a balanced appearance.
If you are considering a new cut, discuss your face shape and hair texture with your stylist before making a major change. You may also want to consider how your hair will look when it grows out and how much daily styling you are willing to do. For those who are embracing natural greys while changing their hairstyle, transitioning to grey blending for dark hair can also provide inspiration for a softer, more dimensional look.
