The secret to a great haircut isn’t just the skill of your barber — it’s choosing a style that matches your face shape. The right cut can enhance your best features, balance your proportions, and completely transform your look.
So before you sit in the barber’s chair, let’s break down how to find the perfect haircut for your unique face shape.
1. How to Determine Your Face Shape
Before choosing a hairstyle, you need to know your face shape.
Stand in front of a mirror, pull your hair back, and look closely at your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.
Here are the most common men’s face shapes:
- Oval – Balanced proportions; forehead slightly wider than the chin
- Square – Strong jawline and broad forehead
- Round – Equal width and height with softer angles
- Rectangle (Oblong) – Longer than it is wide, with a square jawline
- Diamond – Narrow forehead and jawline, with broad cheekbones
- Heart – Wider forehead tapering down to a narrow chin
Once you identify your shape, choosing the right style becomes much easier.
2. Best Haircuts for Each Face Shape
Oval Face Shape
Lucky you! The oval face shape suits almost every haircut.
From buzz cuts to textured quiffs, most styles will look balanced and natural.
Best choices: Pompadour, crop, side part, or fade
Avoid: Styles that hang too low on your forehead — they can make your face look rounder.
Square Face Shape
A square face has strong, masculine angles — which is perfect for sharp, structured haircuts.
Keep your sides tight to emphasize the jawline and add volume on top for balance.
Best choices: High fade, side part, or undercut with volume
Avoid: Boxy or flat-top styles that make your head look too angular.
Round Face Shape
If you have a round face, you’ll want a haircut that adds height and structure to elongate your features.
Go for styles with short sides and more length on top.
Best choices: Pompadour, faux hawk, or high fade
Avoid: Full fringes or buzz cuts — they make the face appear rounder.
Rectangle (Oblong) Face Shape
Rectangular faces are long and narrow, so balance is key. Avoid adding too much height on top — instead, add width to the sides.
Best choices: Side part, crew cut, or layered medium styles
Avoid: Very short sides with extra tall tops (like tall pompadours).
Diamond Face Shape
Diamond faces are defined by strong cheekbones and a narrower forehead and chin.
Choose a style that adds width at the forehead and jawline to soften your features.
Best choices: Textured fringe, medium-length side part, or messy quiff
Avoid: Styles that are too short on the sides — they can make your face appear too narrow.
Heart Face Shape
Heart-shaped faces are wider at the top and narrower at the chin.
You’ll want a haircut that balances the upper face and adds volume around the jawline.
Best choices: Medium-length textured styles, fringe, or swept-back hair
Avoid: Very short fades or heavy volume on top — they exaggerate the forehead.
3. Don’t Forget the Beard
Your beard shape can also balance your face.
For example:
- A square face benefits from a rounded beard.
- A round face looks sharper with an angular beard.
- A heart-shaped face pairs well with fuller facial hair to add weight around the chin.
Ask your barber to help you match your beard style to your haircut — it’s the ultimate finishing touch.
4. Trust Your Barber
Barbers are experts in face shapes and styling balance.
When you visit your London barbershop, describe the look you want — but also listen to your barber’s advice. They’ll tailor the cut to your hair type, growth pattern, and face shape for a result that fits you perfectly.
Final Thoughts
The best haircut isn’t just trendy — it’s the one that enhances your natural features.
By understanding your face shape and working with a skilled barber, you can achieve a hairstyle that looks effortlessly sharp and completely personal.
So next time you’re ready for a fresh look, visit your trusted London barbershop — and let the experts craft a style that’s made just for you.