How To Get These Summer Haircuts Right For Your Face Shape

By Shalwah Evans · Updated December 6, 2020

When it comes to styling your hair, the motto should always be do what makes you feel good. A fauxhawk might be your favorite mode of self expression, and we dig that.

According to cosmetology experts, every hair style can be adjusted and manipulated to fit any face shape. But, they do take that shape into consideration when you request a style, and sometimes shift you into something different based on their expertise.

“When it comes to the perfect haircut you must first consider the client’s face shape. The worst thing you could ever do as a professional stylist besides a bad color service is a bad cut,” said Christina Grant, Salon Manager and Educator at Natural Sisters Salon, and The Weave Lounge, in New York. “Make it easy for them because most clients can’t, won’t, and don’t do the maintenance at home.”

Whether your face is long, oval, square, diamond, heart-shaped or round, there’s a cut that looks killer on you. So this summer, try a cute new cut to keep the hair, and heat, off the back of your neck. The 18-year vet gave us some tips on how to get the fit right.

01

Pixie Cut

Oval-shaped faces look like they were born into pixies. If you have a round or square face you want to add layers to the cut so that it doesn’t look like your stylist cut too far up. If you have a long face, don’t make it appear longer with too much hair at the top of the cut, keep it simple up there like Eve did.

02

Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA)

Any face shape can rock a TWA, it all comes down to the way you style it. Issa Rae keeps hers looking fresh on her diamond-shaped face by keeping the sides tapered. If your face is long or oval-shaped, keep it higher at the top and shorter on the sides as well. If you have a round or square face you want to let your sides grow out evenly with the rest of your hair.

03

Long Textured Bob (LOB)

Hoping you’ve got Bey’s face shape? If you’re an oval girl then you’re in luck. Lobs of all shapes, textures, and symmetry are great for oval faces like Beyonce’s. If your face is square or diamond shaped give your curls more volume. If you’re more round or heart-shaped, keep it longer in the front and shorter in the back to lengthen the face.

04

Bowl or Mushroom Cut

Bowls, also called mushroom cuts, can be tricky if you don’t get the length right. That goes for any face shape. Luckily, this cut is universally flattering when you do get it right. For round, square and diamond faces go longer in length so that you don’t risk looking like you threw on a toupee. For long, oval, and heart-shaped faces keep it shorter and don’t completely cut off your ears.

05

Close Cropped Curl

Willow Smith’s hybrid oval and square shape (rectangle) face easily rocks a close crop curl, just like her mother Jada Pinkett Smith. The success of this style for various face shapes comes down to volume. If your face is longer, you want to keep the hair shorter until you grow it out. If you have a shorter, fuller face, you can get away with letting the curls go bigger or longer to get balance.

06

The Bob

A bob is an ever-flattering cut that Taraji P Henson and her heart-shaped face can’t get enough of. And it works for her. She keeps it fresh by moving her part—an easy trick for styling without hitting the salon. If your face is round or more square go longer, or add bangs to your bob. If you have an oval, diamond, or long face frame, you can vary the length, but keep the volume light. Too much hair will hide your pretty face.

07

Mohawk

A mohawk can be super edgy, but also super cute if done right. If you have a diamond-shaped face like Alexandra Shipp, go bold and bald on the sides. If your face is fuller like a round or square shape, keep some hair on the sides and go very full on top. Long and oval faces should keep hair mid-length on the top (not too short or too long), but don’t overwhelm the style with too much hair. Heart-shapes can follow their diamond-face counterparts.

08

Buzz Cut or Fade

Anyone can wear a buzz cut or fade, your face shape doesn’t matter. This style comes down to the shape of your head, and the quality of your edges. If you’re suffering from traction alopecia and have bald spots or pushed back edges, this is not a good look. If your head is lumpy in various places, you might want to avoid this style. But if your hairline is good to go and you don’t care about the lumps and bumps of your dome, rock this style with confidence.