If you have a round face, you'll typically have a smooth outline to your face with minimal angles and lines. The cheek area will be full, and the forehead area will typically be shorter than average. What does this all mean for your hair? It means that certain styles will work better for your face shape than others, so take note!
The main thing you want to avoid are cuts that end at jaw or cheek level - either go super short or let it grow at least to shoulder length. Long hair looks great on circles too, as long as there are layers cut in throughout. When it comes to bangs, side swept ones work best but there are some straight across fringes that work well too.
Round face shapes have a natural softness to them and often retain their youthful features well into old age. Celebrities with round face shapes include Michelle Williams, Kirsten Dunst and Adele to name a few. And while having a round face shape does come with its style challenges, there are many hairstyles that flatter this face shape beautifully. Before we get to the hairstyles, you may first want to check if you have a round face shape. Here are the main features to look out for:
- Soft lines all around the face- no square jawlines, cheekbones, chin or forehead area
- Equal, or close to equal, width and height in the face
- Usually the forehead is broad but not high
Here, Mila Kunis looks fabulous in a simple hairstyle that is made for circles. Long hair is flattering for round faces, as are long layers around the face, which create a more oval look. Mila has gone for an off centre part here too, which is a good little style trick for round faces. To liven this 'do up a bit, adding in some loose beachy waves is the way to go! Alternatively, sweeping the hair up into a ponytail or bun would look great too - just remember to leave some face-framing layers down if possible.
Mischa Barton shows us another look that is great for women who like shorter hairstyles. Mischa pulls of the center part here but a side part usually works better for women with circular face shapes. This is a blunt shoulder length cut which works well on round faces, and Mischa goes that extra mile by adding loose ringlets throughout. Keep the curls sleek and smooth by spraying them into place after they have set, rather than picking through or fluffing them up - this will only create added width in the face which circles need to avoid.
Krysta Rodriguez has more of a heart shaped face but this hairstyle is actually perfect for round faces as well. The deep side part, side swept fringe and jagged razor cut layers would all do very well on a circular face shape. The added volume that is created in the crown gives a nice balancing effect to round faces, while the ends sculpt a soft jawline nicely. Give this one a try if you like shorter hairstyles and aren't prone to wearing your hair up a lot.
If you want a short and trendy hairstyle to show off your round face, check out Karen Gillan's windswept 'do. This haircut is tapered on the sides and back while the longer layers are jagged cut for maximum styling power. This messy windblown look works great for round face shapes as it brings attention to their gorgeous cheeks while adding height at the crown.
If you're a fan of short hair, Kaley Cuoco's hairstyle is just right for your round face shape. The long side swept fringe in the front and the tapered sides and back flatter this face shape perfectly, while adding a nice slimming effect and balancing out any excess width in the face. This haircut has a lot of texture as well, which is a great feature for round faces to incorporate into their 'dos - blunt haircuts with little to no layering typically don't work that well. Another stand out feature of this haircut is the colour. Using highlights and lowlights to create dimension in the hair is a must for this face shape too!
Here, Justine Lupe demonstrates the ideal way for round faces to wear long hair. Her part is off centre (dead-centre parts are usually a no-no for round faces) and the hair has been heavily layered around the jawline all the way down to the ends. The hair has been blow-dried straight and sleek, which gives a nice sculpted look to a round face. Justine's colour looks fabulous here too as well, with a light buttery blonde base and sun-kissed highlights that add dimension and shine.
For all the ladies who love bangs and have a round face shape, this hairdo by Suzanne Somers may be for you! Suzanne is working the shag to perfection here, which flatters her round face shape and gives her a youthful, fun look! Round face shapes will benefit from this heavily layered 'do that creates a sculpted effect around the face, camouflaging extra width and giving it a more oval shape overall. This hairstyle will also look great when it's pulled back into a ponytail or bun, with the bangs providing some coverage on the face and framing the eyes.
For a more extreme look, check out Kelly Osbourne's windblown fauxhawk. This hairstyle may be a bit too edgy for most people, but the general idea of creating a ton of volume on top and keeping the sides short and sleek is essential for round faces. Keep in mind you don't need to shave the sides off! Simple hairstyles like slicked back ponytails with a bubble or bouffant on the top are a great way to wear the hair back. Or, try a short hairstyle with tapered sides and lots of volume at the crown.
As you can see, round face shapes have a lot to choose from when it comes to hairstyles. For more ideas, see our Hairstyles for Round Face Shapes!
