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These 25 Haircuts are the Most Flattering for Square Shaped Faces
Finding the right haircut largely depends on understanding your face shape.
When deciding on your next haircut, face shape is animportantfactor to consider. Square face shapes can be particularly challenging to style. “A square faceis characterizedby a broad forehead,prominent cheekbones, and a strong, angular jawline,” saysRogerio Cavalcante, a professional hairstylist, colorist and the owner ofSecond Floor Salonin New York City. “The face width and length are usually similar, giving it a boxy appearance.”
He suggests looking for a haircut that softens the strong,angular jawline. Styles like layered cuts, soft waves, and cuts that add volume and movement around the face create a more balanced look.
For example,Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist atMaxine Salonin Chicago, suggests lobs or longer bobs andbutterfly cutsfor those with more angular features.
Ahead, we rounded up 25 other expert-recommended haircuts for square faces and tips forhow to best stylethem.
Featured Experts
- Rogerio Cavalcante is a professional hairstylist, colorist and the owner of Second Floor Salon in New York
- Amy Abramite is a creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
Haircuts forsquarefaces as seen on celebs
Rosario Dawson’s Micro Bowl Cut
Square face shapes typically come with a sharp, angular jawline, and because of that, some may be tempted to avoid bold cuts like the oneRosario Dawsonis picturedwearing. Consider thathair mythbusted. This microbowl cutshows off the high points of her face without overemphasizing them.
Angelina Jolie’s Relaxed Mid Length Layers
If a bold style like Dawson’s isn’t your taste, try this easy, breezy layered look fromAngelina Jolie. She’s rocked everything from a bold buzz cut to a tousled bob, but our beauty team is partial to this versatile ‘do. The light layers soften the face,and the length iseasy to style.
Jennifer Aniston’s Shoulder Length Lob
Jennifer Anistonhas been the queen of hair inspo since the nineties, and by the looks of it, she isn’t giving up her title any time soon. Our experts love this look for square faces, but it’suniversally flattering. “A bob that has a length longer than the chin is best for a square face to conceal the strong angles and alter proportions,” says Abramite. Aniston’s longer lob hits just beneath the jawline, which softens the angle of the jawline instead of emphasizing it.For curved ends,useThe WetBrush Easy Blowout Brush($17)on damp hair.
Zoë Kravitz’s Slicked Back Bun
If youare blessedwith aprominent bone structure, show it off. Whethersheison a red carpet or heading to brunch,Zoë Kravitzconsistently rocks a slicked back bun.Thistakes any and all distractions away from your best features. To keep unwanted flyaways tucked away, use a hair gel like theTresemme Extra Hold Alcohol-Free Hair Gel($8).
Margot Robbie’s Wavy, Layered Look
Cavalcante loves this wavy style onMargot Robbie. “The flattering hairstyle for the square face is middle parted to repeat the geometrical symmetry present in her face shape, cut in long layers, and styled in soft waves to soften the jaw.” Finish styling your look with theDavines Shimmering Mist($38)to ward offanyfrizz.
Gwenyth Paltrow’s Signature Long Layers
Not all square face–friendly hairstyles have to sacrifice your length. Calling all long haired, square-faced ladies: this is the style for you to try.Gwneyth Paltrow has kept her length for most of her timein the spotlight.Her longer length softens the shape of the face and offers many different styling options.
Zendaya’s Deep Side Part
If youare lookingto make your features look rounder, opt for a side part like Zendaya. Her flipped-inbob paired with a dramatic side part helps elongate features. Use a tool like theMachete No. 3 Comb($35)to separate your hair into even sections.
Demi Moore’s Extra Long Strands
Speaking of elongating your features, the easiest way to do this is to prioritize your length.Demi Moore’s waist-defying strands prevent a strong jawline and prominent cheekbones from looking boxy.
Renee Zellweger’s Casual Curtain Bangs
Cavalcante loves adding a bang to square face shapes, however, theyneed tobe donecorrectly. He prefers wispy, piecey bangs to a blunt cut. Renee Zellweger’s longer bangs break up her haircut.
Sandra Bullock’s Middle Parted Mermaid Cut
Sandra Bullockmakes a strong case for length with her windswept waves. To recreate the look on your hair, use a medium-sized iron on one inch sectionsof your hairto build body and create uniform curls throughout. Spritz theMarc Anthony Style Flex Texture Hair Spray($11)to hold.
Salma Hayek’s Curtain Layers
If Bullock’s curls are not your style, opt for something sleeker like this lightly layered look onSalma Hayek. According to Cavalcante, blunt cuts can overly emphasize your face shape. Instead, opt for easy layers that create movement and dimension.
Kiera Knightley’s Tousled Lob
Lobs are great for square faces because the ends fall below the jawline, but this one is extra ideal thanks to the lightly choppy layers throughout. To mimic Kiera Knightley’s effortless movement, spray theamika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray($29)to emphasize your natural texture.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s Glamorous Waves
When in doubt, a polished look is always a safe choice.Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s glamorous ‘do uses loose waves to elongate her face.To add some bounce to your ends,use a large round brush and a blow dryer.
Taraji P. Henson’s Polished Bob
Bobsare often seenas limiting when it comes to styling.Taraji P. Hensonis here to prove that theory wrong. Add loose waves throughout, or opt for something more polished like a deep side part andamped-upshine.
Olivia Wilde’s Side Swept Style
If you Google “celebrities with square shaped faces,”Olivia Wildeisone ofthe most popular results.Thankfully, from chic lobs to side swept ‘dos, she offers plenty of salon-worthy inspiration photos.The best part? This deep side part style is achievable for medium-length hair.
Lily Aldridge’s Blunt Lob
If Aniston’s lob felta littletoo short for your taste, tryLily Aldridge’s take on the style instead. Our experts caution against blunt lengths. However, Aldridge’s style smooths out the top and keeps the dimension along the ends, drawing the eyes to the high points of her face.
Gabrielle Union’s Flipped Out Bob
Slicked-back bunsmaybe dominatingour Instagram feeds, but there are other ways to show off your face. By styling her bob in this way,Gabrielle Unionis able to keep the focus on her face and lovely features.
Ciara’s Slicked Down Cropped Cut
Think of Ciara’s styled bob as an edgier version of Union’s ‘do. She leaves a few pieces hanging in the front, and her blonde highlights areprominently on display. However, the effect is the same. The hair away from her face highlights her strong jaw and angled cheekbones.
Mandy Moore’s Mid-Length Voluminous Layers
Mandy Moore’s shoulder-grazing cutputs the focuson her length rather than her sharp facial angles. TheT3 Bodywaver 1.75 in. Professional Styling Iron($175)has a larger barrel than most curling irons and can deliver larger curls like Moore’s.
Jessica Chastain’s Dramatic Length and Side Part
“Any lengththat islonger than the jawline is going to balance bone structure on a boxy shape,” says Abramite.Jessica Chastaintakes that message to heart with her extremely long lengths. In order to keep your strands healthy enough to achieve this length,make sure toincorporate a restorative mask like theOlaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Hair Mask($30) into your hair routine.
Priyanka Chopra’s Face Framing Layers
“Thebutterfly cutcan soften a square shape by concealing sharper edges of the hairline and jaw, making the face appear more oval or round,” offers Abramite.Priyanka Chopra’s face-framing layers create volume and soften features.
Vanessa Hudgens’s Casual Shag
Low-maintenance takes on the shag orwolf cutare trending, andVanessa Hudgensis showing us why. This layered, mid-length style isversatile and works for many different hair types and textures.
Nicole Richie’s Pink Pixie
A textured pixie is a bold styleto try, but Nicole Riche makes a strong case for it if you have a square shaped face. If you want to try to don a bold color like Richie,make sure touse a color-safe shampoo like thePureology Hydrate Shampoo for Dry, Color Treated Hair($37)to keep your color lasting longer.
Indya Moore’s Curly Shag
Callingallcurly girls. Indya Moore’s springy shag is the perfect cut for sharp features. Our favorite part? The curly bangs. “Curtain bangsare very flattering on a square face by cutting off the angular corners of the hairline,” says Abramite.
Jennifer Hudson’s Side Part Pixie
For a more polished take on thepixie, mimicJennifer Hudson’s low-maintenance look. Alsonice: It requires little styling in the morning to keep your ‘do looking trim.
