41 Amazing Hairstyles For Round Faces That Look Flattering

A little snip here, a bit of styling there, and you have the best hairdo for your face!

Reviewed by Nick Arrojo, Hair Stylist
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Edited by Shatabdi Bhattacharya, BSc
Fact-checked by Joyce Joyson, MA (Mass Communication & Journalism)  • 

Contrary to popular belief, it is not difficult to pick a hairstyle for round faces. However, there are a few pointers you need to think about when choosing a hairstyle if you have a round face. For example, you may want to draw attention to your forehead or jawline. There are umpteen hairstyles that can help with that. You can experiment with bangs, layers, and more to find the right hairstyle for you.

“Another important thing to remember,” says Nick Arrojo, “is to get a style that suits the shape and the texture of your hair, as well as your face. I recommend low-maintenance styles that work with your natural texture and shape. This will help keep you looking fresh and modern, and styling your hair will be easier. As an example, let’s say your hair texture is somewhat curly and unruly. There’s no point picking a style designed to be super sleek and smooth every day. Even if the cut suits your face, managing the styling day to day will leave you fighting your hair. Find styles that suit your face, but also your natural texture.”

To help you out, we have made a list of the most flattering hairstyles for round faced women. Before that, here is how to determine if you have a round face or not. Scroll down to know more!

protip_icon Before You Get Started
  • The best hairstyles for round faces are those that add angles and balance the roundness. You can achieve this with the help of texturizing sprays that help slim down your cheekbones.
  • Any flat-laying hairstyle is a complete no-no for round faces.
  • Additionally, pick hair colors that can complement your skin’s undertone.
    Warm undertone – brown, blonde, bronde shades
    Cool undertone – shades closer to the original hair color in depth
    Neutral undertone – bold, vibrant, experimental colors
  • Also, check out hair coloring techniques like highlights, lowlights, balayage, and ombre to get the desired look.

How To Find Out If You Have A Round Face

You have a round face if:

  1. Your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline fall in the same line and are almost the same width.
  2. The width and length of your face are roughly the same size.
  3. You have soft features and have no sharp angles on your face.

Now that you’re sure that you have a round face, let’s look at some simple tips you can follow to choose hairstyles that will complement your round face perfectly.

Tip And Tricks For Styling Your Hair For Your Round Face

  • Your primary focus when styling your hair should be to elongate your face. So, high updos that add drama are great ways to add height at the top of your head. If you need an accessory to help add height, rather than old fashioned bumpits, use bobby pins or some hair jewelry.
  • Long layered hair has a tapered effect and draws the eye downwards and makes your round face look longer.
  • If you want to go for a curly look, go for loose, cascading curls. Tight curls will only add to the width and roundness of your face.
Round face shape
Image: Shutterstock
  • Avoid going for a sleek ponytail look as it will pull all your hair back and away from your face, thus accentuating its roundness.
  • Steer clear of straight-cut bangs that will make your round face look too small. Edgy side-swept bangs will add some much-needed angles to your face and make it look thinner.
  • When going for a short hair look, add volume at the crown of your head, and opt for an undercut for an edgy look. Or keep the style loose and messy with a sweeping or choppy bang. This makes your face look longer than it actually is.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Aim to cut hair below the chin level at an angle if you are going for a short haircut. This will pull away focus from the roundedness of the jawline and create an illusion of structure.

Keeping in mind these few simple tips, let’s now jump into our rundown of the best hairstyles for women with round faces!

40 Best Hairstyles For Round Faces

1. Swept Back Hair

Swept Back Hair
Image: Shutterstock

The combed-back hairdo is a classic hairstyle that has been popular for many years. Kelly Clarkson has her hair swept back without gelling down her locks. Her hair is backcombed to give her more height and make her face look more streamlined. This hairstyle accentuates cheekbones and jawline.

2. Side Parted Hollywood Waves

Side Parted Hollywood Waves
Image: Shutterstock

Isn’t Michelle Williams nailing this look? While the Hollywood glam look is normally styled in curls, Michelle Williams styles her with a twist – waves! The gentle waves in her tresses contrast with the soft curves of her face. This hairstyle exudes elegance and sophistication, perfect for the red carpet and other events.

3. Lion Mane Coily Hair

Lion Mane Coily Hair
Image: Shutterstock

Only Gabrielle Union could pull off a deep side part and ‘lion’s mane’ curls. She changed the game for all the curly-haired girls out there. She accepted her naturally curly hair and walked the red carpet wearing that mane. Her thick coily hair frames her face, elongating and slimming it.

4. Textured Pixie

Textured Pixie
Image: Shutterstock

Black women are embracing their natural hair and what a better way to celebrate this than with a textured pixie. Whether you have 4A, 4B, or 4C hair, this pixie is sure to stun! Not to mention how easy it becomes to maintain and style your coily locks. Regardless of your style, the goal is to maintain your hair longer on top and shorter on the sides to balance out a round face shape.

5. Messy Side braid

Messy Side braid
Image: Shutterstock

Messy side braids are one of the most elegant hairstyles you could try. Keep the braid loose to balance out the roundness of your face shape. You can add some light waves to your tresses to add some texture to the hairstyle.

6. High bun

High bun
Image: Shutterstock

Going all out and choosing the high bun is one of the simplest ways to give the appearance that your face is leaner. Sarah Hyland’s incredible updo at the Emmys stole the show back in 2014. A high bun gives the illusion of height and will make it appear as though your face is longer. Furthermore, you can add soft tendrils at the hairline, adding dimension and face-framing layers to the style.

7. Low Bun With Side-Swept Bang

Low Bun With Side-Swept Bang
Image: Shutterstock

Selena Gomez’s romantic low bun is a beautiful mix of elegance and style. Her bangs have been strategically parted at the top and curled at the ends to frame her face shape and facial features.

Songhwa Lee, a YouTube vlogger, shows through her video how to do a low bun with easy steps. She says, “I’m just going to twist my hair into a low bun, and with the leftover just pull it up and I’m just going to clip it. This is more efficient and easier (i).” This styling is perfect for a casual day out or for when you are out running errands.

8. High ponytail with curtain bangs

High ponytail with curtain bangs
Image: Shutterstock

Curtain bangs look best on people with straight hair and full faces. These styles are frequently delicate, feminine, and attractive. If you want to update your hairstyle, style it with a high sleek ponytail for a refined, tidy appearance.

9. Voluminous crown

Voluminous crown
Image: Shutterstock

Michelle Williams stole the show with her dramatic voluminous coiffure. With short, neat sides and tousled side-swept hair at the front, this hairstyle subtly changes her face shape to look heart-shaped so the focus rests from her cheeks to the jawline. This is one of the most flattering haircuts for round faced women, as it gives an elongated appearance and softens the shape of the face.

10. Curly Curtains Bangs Afro

Curly Curtains Bangs Afro
Image: Shutterstock

The height of an afro naturally lengthens a round face, drawing attention to the facial features, particularly the eyes. If you have a round face, you might not think it would be a good idea to sweep your hair out of your face, but this look can work well thanks to the curly curtain bangs added.

11. Slicked Back Lob

Slicked Back Lob
Image: Shutterstock

Slicked-back styles are universally attractive since it brings attention to the eyes, lips, and nose. This hairdo focuses on the face’s central features countering the round face silhouette. The slicked-back hair adds a faux face-lift effect as well.

12. Long Hair With Layers

Long Hair With Layers
Image: Shutterstock

This is an elegant and typically flattering hairstyle for all face shapes, but it works especially well on round faces. The long length of the hair balances out the wideness in round faces. This face shape is wonderfully offset by the angles created by the layers.

13. Slick Platinum Bob

Slick Platinum Bob
Image: Shutterstock

No one does style as good as Cara Delevingne. The platinum bob with dark roots paired with contrasting eye makeup brings out her gray eyes beautifully. The chin-length bob with curved-in ends and a curved-out front help frame her face so her wide cheeks are covered but her jawline is on full display.

14. Asymmetric Pixie

Asymmetric Pixie
Image: Shutterstock

Don’t be hesitant to cut it short. Michelle Williams’s wide face is balanced by her side-swept piecey bangs and short, tapering sides. A section of the hair covers the forehead to some extent. For a more feminine appearance, keep it soft around the ear. You can wear this look almost anywhere.

15. Razor-cut lob

Razor-cut lob
Image: Shutterstock

This stunning hairstyle has both a smooth texture and sharp angles, and their contrast creates a lovely appearance! It is critical to focus on the areas you want to draw attention to. For instance, if the length of the cut is below the chin, the eyes will naturally be drawn to the jawline.  A haircut is nothing without style, particularly with lobs when the hair falls and frames the face.

16. High Ponytail With Choppy Bangs

High Ponytail With Choppy Bangs
Image: Shutterstock

Choppy eyebrow-length bangs draw the attention to the eyes, which is great when you have a light eye color like Olivia Munn. The graceful wavy ponytail, paired with the bangs and the contouring makeup, highlights a round face in the best way!

17. Full Bangs With A Lob

Full Bangs With A Lob
Image: Shutterstock

One of the best haircuts for a round face shape is a long bob. Keep your bangs choppy but the rest of your hair at one length to draw focus on your facial features. Blunt short bangs should be avoided because they will make your round face appear too small.

18. Short And Curly

Short And Curly
Image: Shutterstock

Although it may seem counterintuitive, fuller hairstyles can enhance rounder looks. When done correctly, especially if you have medium-length, 3A-4C hair, it can truly embrace and frame a round face. Curly bangs open up the face especially if they are cut such that the forehead can be seen through the curls.

19. Long And Layered

Long And Layered
Image: Shutterstock

Want to cause a stir? Try this lengthy, layered hairstyle like Amy Adams.

Waves or curls ensure that it seems fresh and modern, while accentuating the jawline. Notice how her hair is thin beside her cheeks? This draws the attention away from wide cheeks. The deep side part minimizes the fullness of the face. Together, those factors make this style particularly suited to round faces.

20. Updo With Bangs

Updo With Bangs
Image: Shutterstock

Uneven face-framing fringes can go a long way when it comes to round faces and tight hairstyles. The uneven bangs with long sides place the focus on the facial features instead of the face shape. The subtle bouffant before the ponytail adds height to a round face. The striking combination of these bangs, the bouffant, and then high updo lifts the cheekbones while slimming and elongating the face.

21. Shaggy Bob 

Shaggy bob hairstyle for round face
Image: Shutterstock

Jennifer Lawrence is, without a doubt, the person to look up to for hair styling inspiration for your round face. She’s absolutely rocking her asymmetrical bob that draws the eyes downward. Styled in shaggy waves and a side parting, this bob works wonders at offsetting her round face structure.

22. Fauxhawk

Fauxhawk hairstyle for round face
Image: Shutterstock

As we all know by now, the best haircut for a round face is one that adds height and has an elongating effect on your face.  And Ginnifer Goodwin’s fauxhawk does just that. She has transformed her cute pixie into a badass fauxhawk with hair gel and a comb.

23. Side Bun With Bangs

Side bun with bangs hairstyle for round face
Image: Shutterstock

Isn’t Lucy Hale cute as a button with that round face of hers? And she sure knows what she’s doing with her hair. Here, she has gone for a low bun that sits prettily on one side of her head. Her center-parted bangs in the front hide the width of her face and make it look less round.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Opt for a side part if you have a round face with a long forehead as you would want to hide and break up the length with the side swept hair strands.

24. Short Bob With Side Swept Bangs

Short bob with side-swept bangs hairstyle for round face
Image: Shutterstock

Remind me to take lessons from Hayden Panettiere on how to look sexy and cute at the same time. Just look at her with that bomb hairstyle of hers! While the straight short bob adds length to her face, her edgy side bangs add angles that counteract its roundness.

25. Big Swoop Bangs

Big swoop bangs hairstyle for round face
Image: Shutterstock

America’s sweetheart Kelly Clarkson makes sure that whatever hairstyle she sports flatters her round face. While the short curly bob would have been a huge no-no for a round face, she manages to rock the look by pairing it with big bangs that are swooping down her face and streamlining the top half of her face.

26. Voluminous Waves

Voluminous waves hairstyle for round face
Image: Shutterstock

Now here’s a look that is bound to transform you into a total bombshell. Kelly Osbourne has gone for a wavy style with oodles of volume that hides most of her cheeks. Parted at the center, the dent of her waves fall perfectly at her cheekbones and alters the round silhouette of her face.

27. Sleek Straight Long Hair

Sleek straight hair hairstyle for round face
Image: Getty

Mila Kunis has a round face. Does that stop her from being one of the biggest actors in Hollywood? We all know the answer to that question.

A great hairstyle for a round face is the long, sleek look. This hairstyle frames the face without adding a lot of volume. Since a round face lacks length, opting to wear long hair in a sleek and straight manner is an ideal choice. It tricks the eye by creating the illusion of length and definition. This hairstyle is also great for finely textured hair because of its ability to move and you can always add volume at the crown with just a little bit of teasing and shaping.

28. Long Hair With Layers

Long hair with layers hairstyle for round face
Image: Getty

Who doesn’t want the same hair as the most beautiful woman in the world? What makes it so much easier is that she (Aishwarya Rai, I mean) has done something that anyone can do. That is, getting her hair cut in layers. But there’s one thing you must keep in mind. Whether you have straight or curly hair, make sure that the layers don’t end exactly at the chin. Doing so will draw attention to the roundness of the face instead of giving it an elongated effect. Longer layers give the face an oval shape and thus help in creating an illusion of less width.

29. Long Hair With Fringe

Long hair with a fringe hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

 Don’t want to go for layering? No problem. Getting a fringe is another option to break the monotony. But don’t go for a short blunt fringe – it will only emphasize the roundness of the face. A long wispy fringe will look great and suit fine hair. And if your hair is thicker, a longer fringe that you can sweep to the side will lengthen your face.

30. Middle Parting

Middle parting hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Drew Barrymore has the cutesiest of round faces. Here she has gone for a look that has a center part which makes her face appear longer and slimmer. Opt for this hairstyle when you are in the mood for a casual and effortless hairdo.

31. Curly Hair

Curly hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Here’s a thought—just because you have a round face doesn’t mean your only option is to hide it with your hair. There are a lot of styles that can flatter your face while highlighting its roundness. Take Adele, for example. She has gone for a beautiful side ponytail done up in curls and teased the hair down on top to create volume.

When you go for layering, try the triangle layers haircut. Choppy layers through the back and bottom of your hair is another good option as a round face hairstyle.

Soft curls, on the other hand, look great with a round face but the curls need to be below the chin line. Curly hair looks a bit heavy if left short as it adds width to the face.

32. Long Layers With Sea Wave Curls On Long Bangs

Long layers with natural sea waves and long bangs hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Ahhh bangs— every round-faced girl’s best friend. Pair them with layers and suddenly your hair is on top of its game! But there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind when going for a layered hair and bangs look:

  • Sport a heavy bang or go for double-sided bangs with a middle partition that is at least two to three inches below the earlobe.
  • The layers should start where the bangs end.

If your hair is already wavy then it’s perfect. If not, you can curl them for just one to two minutes and let it be. It’s not curls that we want here, just waves. This is certainly a very trendy hairstyle for round faces!

But what if you’re not a big fan of long hair? Don’t worry! We have quite a few options you can try to keep it short, yet sexy. Read on!

33. Short Bob Hair Style

Short bob hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

The short bob is a classic. But listen up, my fellow round-faced lasses! We need to steer clear of the classic version of this look because it accentuates the roundness of the face.

But don’t worry! The classic bob is not the only kind of bob that exists. For us ladies with a round face, an angled bob is the way to go. In this hairstyle, the layers in front are dramatically sweeping the chin while the back layers are short. The hairstyle gives a structured look and the hard lines of the bob balance the soft lines of the round face and make it slimmer.

34. Modified Pixie Hairstyle

Modified pixie hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Pixie cuts have become all the rage these days, haven’t they?

A modified pixie with long layers that run across the forehead, cropped sides, and a couple of stacked layers down the back of the head draw attention to the forehead, which makes your face look thinner. The multiple layers draw emphasis on the eyes and cheekbones.

If your hair is not very heavy, keep the very top layers longer. While the hair is damp, style the top layer with a volumizing mousse to give it a lift. This is definitely one of the boldest haircuts for round faces that you can try.

35. Close-Cropped Hairstyle

Close cropped hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

The idea of going for a close-cropped hairstyle may be daunting to some. But you could take inspiration from Renee Zellweger! The longer bangs help in creating an illusion of length by reducing the apparent overall width of the face, making it look slimmer.

If you’re somewhere in between long and short in terms of length, and you’re tired of the straight look, then this next hairstyle will work wonders for you.

36. Wavy Mid-Length Hair

Wavy mid length hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Every woman wants to spend less than 5 minutes in styling her hair. So, all you have to do here is scrunch your hair tight after washing it. Another alternative is to get some real big Velcro curlers. Leave them on overnight or blow dry, to add those lustrous waves to your hair. And to keep the attention on your beautiful waves, make sure you don’t get your hair cut into any layers or steps. Leave the length about 2-3 inches below your jawline and part your hair down the middle to streamline your round face from either side.

37. Easy Waves

Easy waves hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Now, this is a show-stopper look for sure! This hairstyle brings the volume up to the crown of your head. The bangs that sweep at an angle across the forehead very nicely break the rounded curve of the hairline, lending length to your face. If you are looking for a shoulder-length medium hairstyle, then this is definitely the one!

38. Hot Curls

Hot curls hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Curls are definitely in and will always be!

If your hair is already shoulder-length then you should avoid going for wild total curly spirals. Tame your hair with some serum and then go for soft curls that will sway with the wind. If you have hair longer than shoulder length, then you can go in for totally spiraling curls and then ease them up with a strong hold hairspray to keep them from flowing all over the place.

 39. Ballerina Buns

Ballerina bun hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

Are you someone who likes to keep her hair long, but prefers to avoid too much styling? Then try this new hairstyle! You can go for high buns or ballerina buns. All you need to do is tie your hair into a bun at the top of your head. Secure the knot with bobby pins and use a strong-hold spray to secure it in place.

40. Palm Tree Ponies

Palm tree pony hairstyle for a round face
Image: Getty

A cute and simple ponytail can keep your hair neatly out of your face and give you an opportunity to show off your gorgeous makeup. After all, contouring makeup exists for the express purpose of reducing the roundness of your face.

41. Medium-Length Shaggy Hairstyle

Medium-length shaggy hairstyle
Image: Shutterstock

The medium-length shaggy hairstyle is a trendy choice that effortlessly blends modern elements and retro charm. It features layers of varying lengths and a soft, tousled texture, which adds volume to the hair. The layers create a dynamic and lived-in look that is ideal for those who want a playful vibe. A low-maintenance yet stylish option, the medium-length shaggy hairstyle complements not just those with round faces but also long and square faces. With its casual, undone appeal, this hairstyle can be customized to suit individual preferences, spruced up with highlights, and worn both casually as well as formally.

As you can see, there is no dearth of hairstyles that flatter round faces. But here are a few things you should most definitely avoid when styling your hair:

  • A strict no-no for chin length haircuts with rounded edges as they will make your face appear heavier than normal.
  • Always choose a hairstyle that will make your face appear longer.
  • As mentioned earlier, try and add some height to your hairstyle at the crown of your head as it will make your face seem longer than it really is.

Infographic: Dos & Don’ts Of Styling Hair For Round Faces

There is no way that these hairstyles could go wrong for your round face. But what if you knew some basic hacks that could help you style your hair more flatteringly? Wouldn’t it be fun to experiment and come up with new styles each time?

Check out the infographic below for some basic dos and don’ts to ensure you never go out of style!

dos & don'ts of styling hair for round faces (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Now you know how to pick hairstyles for round faces. To recap, a round face has equal width and length with soft features. Layers, high updos, and loose curls work wonders on this face shape as they make your face look longer and leaner. Stay away from austere hairstyles, like sleek ponytails, that may highlight the roundness of your face. From a shaggy bob to a ballerina bun, there are 40 versatile styles that suit round faces mentioned above for you to experiment with. Transform your baby face with these hairdos and turn into that sexy goddess you always wanted to be!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for a round face: long or short hair?

Long hair. Generally speaking, longer hairstyles lengthen your face and balance one’s broader overall face type.

Where should I part my hair for a round face?

You can part on the side or along the middle. You can achieve symmetry around your face with these hair parting styles.

How can you add volume to a hairstyle for a round face?

Add short layers to the crown, opt for messy styles, and use a texturizing spray when styling your hair are a few tips that can help those with a round face achieve a voluminous look.

What hair length is best for a round face?

Medium-length or longer is the ideal length for a round face as it helps create the illusion of a longer and slimmer profile.

Can layers help flatter a round face shape?

Yes, layers help contour and flatter the soft angles and roundness of the face, giving it an elongated look. Layers make the hair look fuller, giving your face a thinner appearance.

Key Takeaways

  • To minimize the width of the cheeks and to get a balanced look for round faces, opt for hairstyles such as layered cuts or updos.
  • To create an illusion of a longer face, choose face-framing layers or a long bob. These can add definition and perfectly complement the round face.
  • A voluminous pixie with side parting draws can draw attention to a broad jawline and chin.
  • For getting a slimmer face appearance, a ponytail paired with bangs can be an apt choice.


Check out the below video to discover the best haircuts and hairstyles for round faces and learn to style your hair for the perfect look. Get tips and tricks to make your face look slimmer and more defined.

Personal Experience: Source

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