Face Shape Style Guide: Unlock Your Look with Perfect Hairstyles & Accessories

Face shape style plays a major role in how your personal style is expressed, from the way your hair looks to the accessories you choose. Whether you have an oval, round, square, heart, or oblong face, understanding your face shape style can help you make confident fashion decisions that enhance your natural beauty.

Let’s explore how your face shape might be influencing your style without you even realising it!

Oval Face Shape: The Balanced Beauty

Portrait grid of women with different face shapes, used to illustrate how face shape influences personal style. — Different face shapes—from oval to square—each bring unique traits that influence hairstyle, accessories, and fashion choices.

Key Traits: Balanced proportions, gently rounded jawline, slightly wider forehead.

An oval face shape is often considered the most versatile of all shapes because of its well-balanced proportions. The forehead is slightly broader than the jawline, and the face has soft curves without sharp angles. This symmetry makes the oval face adaptable to a wide variety of styles. If you have an oval face, you’re in luck—you can experiment with just about any haircut or accessory.

Style Influence:

Hair: Most hairstyles complement an oval face. Whether you prefer long, layered locks or a short, edgy pixie cut, your balanced face shape can carry it off. Bangs? Absolutely. They can frame your face beautifully without overwhelming it.
Accessories: Oval faces can handle a variety of accessory styles. From large statement earrings to delicate studs, almost everything looks great.
Necklines: Boat necks, v-necks, and even high necklines work well, as they don’t compete with your naturally balanced face shape.

Round Face Shape: Soft and Youthful

Key Traits: Full cheeks, rounded jawline, almost equal width and length.

A round face shape is often associated with youthful, soft features. The width and length of the face are nearly the same, with full cheeks creating a charming, approachable look. While this face shape exudes friendliness, some people may aim to elongate their appearance with the right style choices.

Style Influence:

Hair: To elongate the face, many people with round face shapes opt for longer hairstyles that add verticality. Layers, especially around the face, can create the illusion of more length. Avoid blunt cuts at the chin that can emphasize roundness.
Accessories: Long, dangling earrings and vertical lines are perfect for adding length to your face, balancing out the rounded shape.
Necklines: V-necks and scoop necks work best, as they elongate the appearance of the face. Avoid rounded necklines, which can accentuate the roundness of your face.

Square Face Shape: Bold and Structured

Key Traits: Strong jawline, angular features, equal width at forehead, cheeks, and jawline.

A square face shape is defined by its sharp, angular features, particularly a strong jawline. This shape conveys confidence and strength, and people with square faces often lean into this bold, structured appearance.

Style Influence:

Hair: Soften the angles of your face with soft waves or layers. Longer hairstyles with texture are ideal, while short cuts that accentuate the jawline may enhance the angularity.
Accessories: Round or hoop earrings can soften the edges of a square face. Avoid square or angular accessories, as they can emphasize sharp lines.
Necklines: Round necklines, like scoop or sweetheart styles, help to soften your jawline, while square necklines can make your face appear even more angular.

Heart Face Shape: Feminine and Striking

Key Traits: Wider forehead, prominent cheekbones, narrow or pointed chin.

Heart-shaped faces are often considered feminine and delicate, with a broader forehead tapering down to a pointed chin. This shape lends itself to a striking, balanced appearance that highlights the eyes and cheekbones.

Style Influence:

Hair: Soft, side-swept bangs or chin-length bobs can help balance the width of your forehead with the narrowness of your chin. Avoid heavy, blunt bangs, which can make the forehead appear wider.
Accessories: Drop earrings or teardrop shapes can balance the face by adding volume at the jawline. Avoid accessories that draw attention to the width of the forehead, like headbands worn across the forehead.
Necklines: V-necks and sweetheart necklines work well, as they mimic the natural taper of your face and draw attention away from the forehead.

Oblong Face Shape: Sleek and Refined

Key Traits: Longer than it is wide, straight forehead, and long jawline.

Oblong face shapes are elongated, with a long jawline and forehead. The goal with this shape is often to create balance and reduce the appearance of length by adding width or volume in certain areas.

Style Influence:

Hair: Shoulder-length or shorter styles with layers or waves can add width and balance out the length. Avoid extremely long, straight hair, which can elongate the face even more.
Accessories: Chunky necklaces or bold, statement earrings can help create balance by adding width to the face.
Necklines: Crew necklines, collars, or boat necks can add width and balance to a long face. Avoid plunging or deep V-necks, which elongate the face further.

Your face shape is a guiding factor in your personal style, often influencing what looks and feels best for you. By recognizing your unique face shape and understanding its characteristics, you can make informed choices that enhance your natural beauty and highlight your best features. Whether you’re picking out a new haircut, choosing accessories, or deciding on a neckline, your face shape is always at play. To simplify this process, try our Face Shape Detector for quick and accurate results, helping you confidently express your individuality with styles that complement your features.