Whether it’s picking out clothes, glasses, or finding the right haircut, there’s one rule that rules them all: know your face shape! Especially with hair—it’s a commitment. You can’t just swap it out if your friends raise an eyebrow.
A trim here, a snip there, and suddenly your whole look’s either a win or… well, not. So, if you’ve read those “perfect haircut for your face shape” guides but still have no clue what shape you are, keep reading!
How to Determine Your Face Shape
Men’s face shapes generally fall into seven categories. If you can’t instantly tell your face shape—or if you’re unsure whether it’s more oval or long—you can figure it out with a few quick measurements. This will help you find the perfect style that suits your unique look!
Grab a tailor’s measuring tape and stand in front of a mirror to take the following measurements. Record the data to identify which parts of your face are longer or shorter. Then, compare your results with the defining characteristics of each face shape to find your best match.
1. Measuring the Forehead:
To measure your forehead, place the tape measure across the widest part, which is usually midway between your eyebrows and your hairline. This will help you get an accurate idea of your forehead’s width for comparing with face shape characteristics.
2. Measuring the Cheekbones:
To measure your cheekbones, place the tape measure across the most prominent part of your cheeks, just below the outer corner of each eye. Cheekbone width is crucial when selecting a hairstyle—ignoring it can make features like your ears appear disproportionate.
3. Measuring the Jawline:
Measure from the corner just below your ear down to the tip of your chin. This length will help determine the overall shape of your jawline, which is another key factor in identifying your face shape.
4. Measuring Face Length:
Measure from the center of your hairline down to the tip of your chin. If you’re bald, just estimate where your original hairline used to be. This measurement is essential to determine the overall length of your face, helping to confirm your face shape.
Once you have your measurements, compare your data with the descriptions of common face shapes to see which one matches best. Each shape has unique characteristics that your measurements will align with to reveal your face shape, making it easier to choose a suitable hairstyle.
Round Face:
If your cheekbone width and face length are close in measurement, you likely have a round face shape.
Another key indicator is that your forehead and jawline measurements are also similar and slightly smaller than your cheekbone and face length. Round faces generally have a softer chin and a less defined jawline.
Oval Face:
An oval face shape is characterized by a rounded lower contour.
If your face length is greater than the width of your cheekbones, and your forehead measurement is larger than your jawline, you likely have an oval (or “egg-shaped”) face. This face shape has balanced proportions, making it well-suited to a variety of hairstyles.
Rectangle/Oblong Face:
If you have a long face, your face length will be the largest measurement. The measurements of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline will be relatively similar. This face shape typically benefits from hairstyles that add width to balance the length.
Square Face:
If all your measurements are very similar, you likely have a square face shape.
A defining feature of this shape is a strong, angular jawline with a square rather than rounded chin. This balanced, symmetrical structure lends itself well to hairstyles that soften the edges.
–2024 Top 10 Men’s Hairstyles For Square Face Shape
Heart Face:
If your forehead measurement is larger than your cheekbones and jawline, and you have a pointed chin, you likely have a heart-shaped face. This face shape is less common and often gives a unique, striking appearance that works well with hairstyles adding volume around the jawline for balance.
–The Ultimate Guide to Toupee Hairstyles for Men Heart-Shaped Faces