If you’ve been teetering on the edge of scissors-induced reinvention, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing nobody tells you: finding the right short haircut isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about working with your natural features. Your face shape matters. A lot.
So, before you book your next hair appointment and march in with a random Pinterest screenshot, I’ll be sharing short haircut ideas for every face shape that will make you look (and feel) unstoppable.
First, How Do You Know Your Face Shape?
You must have tried that flattering hairstyle that looked so good on your friend, but somehow it just doesn’t complement your face. Knowing your face shape is important, from how you style your hair to how you do your makeup.
Before we get into haircuts, let’s figure out your face shape first.
Here’s how to do it:
- Tie your hair back tightly so your entire face is visible.
- Stand in front of a mirror and look straight ahead with a neutral expression.
1. Oval Face
Oval faces are very balanced, meaning almost any haircut complements this face shape. So, it’s important to stick to styles that highlight your natural symmetry without overwhelming your features.
Characteristics:
- The width of your forehead and cheekbones is similar.
- The jawline is softly rounded, not sharp.
- The jawline is narrower than the forehead and cheekbones.
- The width of the face is about two-thirds of the length.
2. Heart-Shaped Face
Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead and narrower at the chin. Soft bangs or face-framing layers help balance the wider forehead and soften the chin.
Characteristics:
- The forehead is wider and fuller than the jawline.
- Cheeks are less full, giving the lower face a slimmer look.
- The chin is sharp and pointy.
- The jawline tapers down from the forehead.
- Your face gives a “V-line” structure.
3. Round Face
Round faces have fuller cheeks and a softer, circular appearance. To elongate the face, go for cuts that create the illusion of length and angles.
Characteristics:
- The width and length of the face are almost the same.
- The forehead and jawline are similar in width.
- Cheekbones are the widest part.
- The chin is soft, rounded, and less prominent.
- Softer bone structure and fuller cheeks.
4. Square Face
Square faces have strong jawlines and broad foreheads. If you have this face shape, you should soften the angular features with textured layers or soft waves.
Characteristics:
- The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are almost equal in width.
- Both the forehead and the jawline are more angular.
- The chin is shorter and squared off.
- The overall face appears strong and structured.
5. Rectangular Face
Rectangular faces are longer and have a strong jawline. Choose styles that add width and avoid too much height on top, which can elongate the face further.
Characteristics:
- Similar to the square face but longer and slimmer.
- The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline align closely in width.
- The face length is noticeably greater than its width.
- Features appear elongated, especially at the jawline.
6. Diamond Face
Diamond faces have narrow foreheads and jawlines with prominent cheekbones. Choose styles that add width at the forehead and jawline while highlighting the cheekbones.
Characteristics:
- The cheekbones are the widest part of the face.
- The forehead and jawline are narrow.
- The chin is pointed.
- Facial contours are sharp and defined.
23 Shortcut Hairstyles for Different Face Shapes
1. Classic Pixie Cut
The classic pixie cut features closely cropped sides and back with slightly longer layers on top, framing the eyes and highlighting the cheekbones. It brings attention to the upper face and creates a fresh, youthful look.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Heart, Square, Diamond
2. Short Bob
The short bob is cut at or just above the cheeks, allowing the hair to fall straight around the head. Its simplicity flatters most face shapes by creating a clean, structured silhouette.
Recommended Face Shape: Round, Heart, Oval, Square, Diamond, Rectangle
3. Angled Bob Cut
This haircut is shorter at the back and longer at the front. The angled bob creates a sharp, elongated effect that slims the face and accentuates the jawline.
Recommended Face Shape: Round, Heart, Oval, Square, Diamond, Rectangle
4. Textured Pixie
This choppy variation of the pixie cut adds layers and volume, offering a playful, effortless feel. It softens strong jawlines and highlights facial features like the eyes and cheekbones.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Heart, Square, Diamond
5. Short Mullet
With short sides and a longer back, the short mullet introduces edgy volume that accentuates the cheekbones and jaw. It’s a bold, fashion-forward option for balanced or angular face shapes.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Heart, Diamond, Square
6. French Bob
A shorter bob cut right at the chin with soft bangs, the French bob exudes effortless elegance. It frames the mouth and eyes, emphasizing symmetry.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Heart, Square, Diamond
7. Asymmetrical Bob
Longer on one side than the other, the asymmetrical bob naturally slims the face and creates a modern, architectural silhouette.
Recommended Face Shape: Round, Heart, Oval, Square
8. Tapered Cut
A tapered cut gradually shortens the hair at the nape and sides while maintaining length at the crown. It creates vertical lift, elongating the face and sharpening the profile.
Recommended Face Shape: Round, Square, Heart, Oval
9. Buzz Cut
Bold and minimal, the buzz cut strips away all distractions, emphasizing bone structure, eyes, and symmetry.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Diamond, Square
10. Curly Bob
Natural curls cropped into a bob add width around the cheeks, creating balance for narrower or heart-shaped faces.
Recommended Face Shape: Heart, Oval, Pear, Diamond
11. Undercut Pixie
This daring cut pairs shaved sides with longer hair up top, playing up the crown and making cheekbones pop dramatically.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Square, Heart, Diamond
12. Short Shag
Messy layers and plenty of volume define the short shag. It breaks up harsh angles and adds a soft, tousled frame to the face.
Recommended Face Shape: Rectangle, Oval, Heart, Diamond
13. Cropped Curly Cut
A very short style for curly hair, offering lift and bounce at the top while narrowing the appearance of a strong jaw or wide cheeks.
Recommended Face Shape: Pear, Oval, Heart, Diamond
14. Side-Swept Pixie
This pixie features longer layers brushed to one side, creating asymmetry that softens wide foreheads and draws attention to the eyes.
Recommended Face Shape: Heart, Oval, Round, Square
15. Bixie Cut (Bob + Pixie)
A cross between a pixie and a bob, the bixie provides volume and movement while maintaining a structured shape, flattering most balanced faces.
Recommended Face Shape: Heart, Oval, Round, Diamond
16. Bowl Cut
This rounded shortcut sits evenly across the forehead and around the head, emphasizing bone structure and giving a high-fashion edge.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Heart, Square
17. Slicked-Back Short Hair
Hair styled back close to the scalp elongates the face and defines the cheekbones and jawline, offering a clean, striking look.
Recommended Face Shape: Round, Oval, Square, Heart
18. Layered Shortcut
Short layers create volume and movement, ideal for adding dimension to angular faces or softening strong jawlines.
Recommended Face Shape: Square, Oval, Heart
19. Wavy Short Lob
A wavy lob cut at a shorter length brings soft waves around the face, adding width and flattering longer or slender face shapes.
Recommended Face Shape: Rectangle, Round, Oval
20. Ear-Length Bob with Bangs
The ear-length bob with fringe frames the eyes and lifts the cheekbones, giving a playful and modern edge.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Heart, Round, Diamond
21. Short Afro
A tightly coiled short afro emphasizes volume on top while balancing the lower half of the face, offering symmetry and structure.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Square, Heart, Pear, Diamond
22. Soft Spiky Pixie
A pixie with soft, upward spikes creates lift and a playful texture that opens up the face and draws attention to the eyes and forehead.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Heart, Square
23. Blunt Cut Bob
A straight-across, blunt bob creates a bold, defined frame around the face, enhancing a strong jaw and sharpening facial angles.
Recommended Face Shape: Oval, Round, Heart, Square