1. Introduction
Having a round face shape means your face has balanced proportions, with a width and length that are nearly equal and softer, curved angles. While this face shape naturally gives off a youthful and approachable vibe, the right hairstyle can enhance your features, adding dimension, structure, and the illusion of length.
The key to flattering hairstyles for round faces is to create height, volume, and definition—whether through layered cuts, asymmetrical styles, or face-framing pieces. Long layers, curtain bangs, and deep side parts help elongate the face, while textured pixie cuts and voluminous lobs add shape without emphasizing roundness.
From sleek and straight to soft waves and bouncy curls, we’ll break down the best hairstyles to complement your face shape while embracing your natural beauty. Whether you prefer a classic, trendy, or bold look, there’s a perfect style to help you feel confident and stylish.
2. How to Determine If You Have a Round Face
A. Features of a Round Face
A round face shape is defined by its soft, curved contours and balanced proportions. Unlike square or heart-shaped faces, round faces have no sharp angles—giving them a naturally youthful and approachable appearance.
Key features include:
· A curved jawline with minimal definition.
· The width and length of the face are nearly equal, making the face appear circular.
· Fuller cheeks that create a softer, more rounded silhouette.
If your face appears shorter and wider with a rounded chin, you likely have a round face shape.
B. Celebrity Inspiration
Many celebrities rock round face shapes with confidence by choosing hairstyles that enhance their features:
Selena Gomez – Masters soft waves and long layers to elongate her face without losing volume.
Chrissy Teigen – Shows how layered shoulder-length cuts add structure and movement while balancing fuller cheeks.
Emma Stone – Proves that side-swept bangs and textured lobs can create the illusion of a more defined jawline.
Looking to highlight your best features? These stars show that the right hairstyle can make a round face shape look effortlessly sculpted and stylish.
3. Best Hairstyles for Round Faces
A. Long Layers for Added Length
Long layers create the illusion of a longer, more oval-shaped face, drawing the eye downward instead of across. They help to break up the width and add movement without bulk.
Opt for subtle face-framing layers that start below the chin. Avoid layers that start too high, as they can add width rather than elongation.
Best hair type:
· Straight hair: Creates a sleek, effortless look.
· Wavy hair: Enhances natural movement while elongating the face.
· Curly hair: Softens the roundness with cascading volume.
B. Side-Swept Bangs for an Instant Lift
Side-swept bangs help to break up the roundness of the face and create a diagonal focus, making the face appear more sculpted.
Avoid full, blunt bangs, as they accentuate the width of a round face. Instead, opt for angled, side-swept bangs that blend into the rest of your hair.
Best hair type:
· Straight hair: Looks sleek and polished.
· Wavy hair: Adds soft movement for a natural finish.
C. The Lob (Long Bob) for a Sleek Look
A lob (long bob) that falls below the chin helps elongate the face while maintaining a chic, polished look. It’s a great alternative for those who don’t want to commit to super-long hair.
Try a textured lob with soft waves to add volume and movement, or a blunt lob for a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Best hair type:
· Fine to medium hair: A blunt cut can add density.
· Thick hair: A lightly layered lob prevents heaviness.
D. Curtain Bangs for Soft Definition
Curtain bangs frame the face without adding bulk, softening the overall shape while drawing attention to the cheekbones and jawline.
Pair curtain bangs with long or medium-length layers for a seamless, effortless style.
Best hair type:
· Straight hair: Falls naturally for a sleek finish.
· Wavy and curly hair: Blends into the texture for a soft, romantic effect.
E. Shoulder-Length Waves for a Balanced Look
Soft waves create dimension and texture without making the face look wider. A deep side part enhances the slimming effect by breaking up the symmetry.
Use a large-barrel curling iron to create loose, effortless waves. A bit of volume at the roots also helps lengthen the face.
Best hair type:
· Naturally wavy hair: Can be styled with minimal effort.
· Thick hair: Holds waves well and adds volume.
F. High Ponytail or Updos for an Instant Lift
A high ponytail or updo draws attention upward, making the face appear longer and more sculpted.
Try a snatched high ponytail like Ariana Grande’s for a sleek, modern look. If you prefer something softer, go for a messy updo with loose strands for a more relaxed vibe.
Best hair type:
· Straight hair: Sleek and polished ponytails.
· Curly or wavy hair: Adds volume and texture to updos.
With the right cut and styling, a round face shape can look beautifully sculpted and elegant with any of these hairstyles!
4. Hairstyles to Avoid for Round Faces
A. Blunt Cuts That End at the Chin
Why avoid it?
A blunt cut that stops right at the chin creates a horizontal line that emphasizes the width of the face rather than elongating it. This can make a round face appear even fuller.
Better alternative:
Instead of a chin-length blunt bob, go for a lob (long bob) that falls below the chin. Adding soft layers can also help create movement and prevent a boxy look.
B. Full, Straight-Across Bangs
Why avoid it?
Blunt, straight-across bangs cut the face in half, drawing attention to the widest part of the face rather than elongating it. They can also make the forehead appear smaller, which may not be the most flattering choice for round face shapes.
Better alternative:
Go for side-swept bangs or curtain bangs that blend into the rest of your hair. These styles create angles and definition, helping to lengthen the face while keeping it soft and flattering.
C. Super Short Pixie Cuts Without Volume
Why avoid it?
A very short, close-cropped pixie without volume can make the face look even rounder since it removes length from the hair entirely. Without added height or angles, it doesn’t provide the contrast needed to balance the face shape.
Better alternative:
If you love pixie cuts, opt for a voluminous pixie with side-swept bangs. This adds movement and height, creating the illusion of a longer face. A textured or asymmetrical pixie can also break up the roundness and add structure.
By avoiding these styles and choosing flattering alternatives, you can create a more sculpted, elongated look that enhances your natural beauty!
5. The Best Hair Colors to Slim and Flatter a Round Face
A. Face-Framing Highlights
Why it works:
Strategically placed face-framing highlights draw attention to the cheekbones and eyes, creating a more defined and sculpted look. The contrast between the lighter strands and the natural base helps elongate the face instead of emphasizing its roundness.
Best shades:
· Blondes: Soft caramel or honey highlights
· Brunettes: Golden brown or chestnut highlights
· Black hair: Subtle auburn or mocha highlights
Pro Tip: Ask your colorist for money-piece highlights, which are brighter strands around the face, to lift and contour your features.
B. Darker Roots with Lighter Ends (Balayage or Ombre)
Why it works:
A balayage or ombre effect creates a gradient of color, which naturally draws the eye downward, giving the illusion of a longer face. This depth and contrast help break up the roundness and add visual length.
Best shades:
· Blondes: Darker roots fading into soft, creamy blonde ends
· Brunettes: Espresso roots melting into warm caramel tones
· Redheads: Deeper auburn transitioning into copper or golden red
Pro Tip: Keep the lightest tones below the chin to avoid adding unnecessary width at cheek level.
C. Soft, Natural Lowlights
Why it works:
Adding subtle lowlights throughout your hair creates depth and dimension, which helps sculpt the face rather than make it appear fuller. Lowlights also work well in blending naturally with your base color, making them a great option for those who prefer a more understated look.
Best shades:
· Blondes: Ash brown or honey lowlights
· Brunettes: Dark chocolate or cool espresso tones
· Redheads: Rich mahogany or cinnamon hues
Pro Tip: Lowlights pair beautifully with soft waves or layers, as they create movement and prevent the hair from looking flat.
With the right hair color, you can subtly contour your face and enhance your best features while keeping your style fresh and modern!
6. Styling Tips for Round Faces
A. Use Volume to Your Advantage
Why it works:
Adding height at the crown creates the illusion of a longer face, making it appear more oval-shaped. Flat, limp hair can emphasize roundness, while volume helps to elongate and balance your features.
How to achieve it:
· Use a root-lifting spray like Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray before blow-drying.
· Flip your head upside down while blow-drying for instant lift at the roots.
· Apply a lightweight dry shampoo at the roots on second-day hair to maintain volume.
Pro Tip: Avoid too much volume at the sides, as it can make your face look wider. Focus on lifting the top and crown instead.
B. Play with Parting Styles
Why it works:
A simple change in your part can reshape the way your face is perceived. Middle parts can sometimes emphasize width, while an off-center or deep side part adds asymmetry, which slims and elongates the face.
Best parting styles:
· Deep side part: Creates instant lift and a structured, elegant look.
· Off-center part: Adds just enough asymmetry to prevent a “fuller” look.
· Zigzag part: Breaks up the roundness and adds extra volume.
Pro Tip: Try a swooping side bang with a deep part for a face-framing, slimming effect.
C. Soft Waves Over Tight Curls
Why it works:
Soft, loose waves add movement and dimension without creating bulk at the sides of the face. In contrast, tight curls or ringlets can make the face appear wider and rounder.
How to achieve it:
· Use a 1.25-inch curling iron for loose, beachy waves instead of tight curls.
· Wrap hair around the barrel in large sections and leave the ends out for a relaxed look.
· Brush through the waves with a boar bristle brush to soften them even more.
Pro Tip: For a longer-looking face, keep waves below cheek level, starting at the jawline or lower.
By incorporating these styling tricks, you can enhance your features while giving your round face a more sculpted, flattering appearance!
7. FAQs
Can short hair work for a round face?
Yes! Short hair can be incredibly flattering on a round face—as long as it’s styled with volume and texture. The key is to avoid blunt cuts that hit at the widest part of your face. Instead, opt for:
· Textured pixie cuts with added height on top.
· Angled bobs that are slightly longer in the front.
· Choppy layers to create movement and definition.
Pro Tip: If you love short hair but want a slimming effect, try a side-swept fringe to add some asymmetry.
What’s the best updo for a round face?
A high bun or ponytail is perfect for a round face because it creates height and elongates your features.
Best updo styles:
Snatched high ponytail: Like Ariana Grande’s iconic sleek pony, this style pulls the face upward.
Messy top knot: Adds volume without making the face look wider.
Half-up, half-down styles: Keeps some length to frame the face while still adding height.
Pro Tip: Leave a few face-framing strands or curtain bangs out to add softness.
Do layers make a round face look slimmer?
Absolutely! Long layers help break up the roundness, creating a more sculpted look.
Why layers work:
· They add dimension and prevent hair from looking too bulky.
· Face-framing layers can slim the cheeks and highlight the jawline.
· They add movement and volume without widening the face.
· Pro Tip: Ask for long, blended layers that start below the chin for the most flattering effect.
8. Conclusion
The right hairstyle can completely transform the look of a round face by adding length, dimension, and movement. Whether you prefer long layers, soft waves, or face-framing bangs, choosing the right cut and style can help create a more sculpted, elongated appearance.
If you love shorter styles, textured bobs and layered pixies can work beautifully with the right volume and styling techniques. For those who prefer longer locks, curtain bangs, side parts, and cascading layers help balance the face while enhancing natural beauty.
Color also plays a role—face-framing highlights, balayage, and lowlights add depth and definition, making the face appear more contoured. And when it comes to styling, a little root lift, soft waves, or a sleek high ponytail can go a long way in enhancing your look.
Want to elevate your style instantly? Fabulive’s premium hair extensions give you the extra volume, length, and movement needed to achieve your dream hairstyle effortlessly. Whether you're going for effortless waves, glamorous blowouts, or sleek updos, the right hair extensions can take your look to the next level!