There are different face shapes: rectangular, round, heart-shaped, and diamond-shaped. Your face shape will be origo when deciding which haircut would suit you best. So how can you tell what kind of face shape you have? 

Grab a tape measure and take your measurement like here:

The first step is to measure your forehead: place the tape measure in the middle of your forehead, at the point where it is widest/tarting from the tip of one eyebrow, take the tape measure to the tip of the opposite eyebrow.

The second step concerns the cheekbones. Here you start from the most prominent part of the cheekbone and passing over the nose you measure up to the tip of the other cheekbone. If the cheekbones are not very evident, feel with your fingers to find the part where the bone becomes more prominent. It is usually just below the eye, towards the outside. Very prominent nose? If you are worried that it might interfere with the measurement, altering the result, hold the tape measure parallel to the face, without touching it.

For the jaw, start from the point just below the ear, where the mandibular bone creates a 90° angle, and go up to the middle of the chin. Multiply by two and you get your jaw length.

The length of the face is the last and easiest measurement to take and is obtained by measuring from the centre of the forehead, from the hairline to the tip of the chin. 

There are generally seven face shapes, with some variations. 

Once you have taken all the measurements, you only need to identify which group you fall into. 

Are you ready to find out the results? Then read on.

Oval face

This category includes faces where the length is greater than the width, and the forehead is wider than the jaw.

This is the shape most desired by women, synonymous with the perfection of their features; men, on the other hand, tend to underestimate this type, which has the advantage of being extremely versatile.

One tip for a haircut for men with an oval face could be to create a little volume at the corners of the head. With a classic style you will certainly not go wrong: shorter hair at the sides, even if almost shaved, and a parting on one side.

Avoid fringes and quiffs which cover the forehead, creating a rounded effect on the face. 

The oval is a beautiful shape, show it off without fear.

Rectangular face

You fall into this group if, of the four measurements you have taken, the largest is the length of your face, while the other three are more or less equivalent.

If you have this type of face, you’ll need to take a few extra precautions when choosing your hairstyle to ensure that the proportions between the various parts of your face are harmonious.

If you have a rectangular face, which is a bit of a mix between an oval and a square, you should favour suitable hairstyles which do not make your face look longer.

All haircuts where the hairstyle is upwards, combined with short or even shaved sides, should be avoided. 

This type of cut lengthens the length of the face and is therefore not suitable for those who already have a naturally long face. Harmonious and well-proportioned cuts, where there is not too much of a gap between the sides of the head and the top, are preferred.

Hairstyles, where the hair falls to the sides or on the forehead, are also very good, giving volume and creating an optical effect of greater width. Fringes and forehead tufts are very suitable for these types of faces, as they give character and rebalance the proportions.

Triangular face

If your jaw measures more than your cheekbones, there is no doubt that your face belongs to the triangular family.

The most famous example is undoubtedly Ryan Gosling. As in his case, he favours all hairstyles that give volume to the top of the head. 

All-natural, easy-care cuts that follow the natural growth of the hair, possibly with a quiff or fringe, are OK.

The keyword for a triangular face is volume: stick to this rule, and for the rest, indulge yourself as you like.

Round face

Here the measurements are two by two similar, with cheekbones and facial length being equivalent. The same applies to the jaw and forehead, which are smaller than the first two.

A short hairstyle at the sides and high up on the head, perhaps with a nice quiff, will look great.

On the other hand, a red light is given to drooping topknots that fall down: they give the impression of a flattened face, whereas you aim to lengthen it; a covered forehead is only OK if you choose a long, well-groomed cut.

Heart-shaped face

Pointed chin and wide forehead? 

If it is wider than the jaw and cheekbones, then you have a heart-shaped face.

The heart-shaped face, like the diamond-shaped face, is also quite rare. It is a versatile shape but requires a few adjustments in the choice of hairstyle to make it perfectly proportionate.

Tight haircuts should be avoided, as they would only make the forehead appear wider, to the detriment of the chin.

In these cases, you will make the right choice by opting for medium lengths, which optically make the forehead look less important.

Square face

A jaw that forms an acute angle and four similar measurements are the characteristics that identify a square face.

It is one of the most masculine of all face shapes.The ideal, if you have a square face, is to go for simple and classic cuts, avoiding anything too showy.

A straight cut will enhance your strong features. So, go for short cuts, ultra-short cuts, and even shaved cuts. If you are one of those people who can’t imagine themselves at all with short hair, you can opt for a medium length, with a side tuft on the forehead.

In this type of haircut, asymmetry gives character to the face, so don’t be afraid.

Diamond face

As in the triangle, the chin is pointed, but the length is the greatest, followed by the cheekbones, the forehead, and finally the jaw.

The diamond shape is unusual and very popular with women. Because it is so unusual, it requires a cut that highlights the features and makes the most of the whole.

The aim here is to give width to the forehead and chin, so cuts suitable for this purpose are your best bet; tufts and fringes are also good, falling softly onto the forehead. If, on the other hand, you want to emphasise your strong features, even more, go for a medium or medium-long cut, to be worn cropped behind the ears.

The only thing you need to be careful of is avoiding cuts that leave the sides short or shaved, as this could create an enlarged effect on the ears.

So choose your haircut carefully according to your face shape. 

You no longer have to hide certain points that set you apart. 

Now you will know how to choose correctly the haircut which suits you best and be proud to show it off.

Love, 

Figaro London 💚