How To Cut Your Bangs To Flatter Your Face Shape

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When it comes to beauty, cutting bangs is a pretty big deal: a decision most people spend months deliberating over… To cut bangs or not to cut bangs? While it may not be as dramatic as a Shakespearian play, it damn well feels like it.

Don’t panic, we’re not here to freak you out; we’re here to give you some helpful tips to ensure you leave the salon happy. One key piece of advice is to choose a fringe that suits your face shape. Working with your facial dimensions is essentially THE most important beauty rule in the handbook, and by doing so, you’ll always accentuate your best features.

Take our guide for bangs to suit your face shape as a rough guide, then work with your hairdresser to find a style that’s suitable for your texture and daily routine. Celebrity hairstylist Eduardo Bravo says, “The secret is customization. Find a style that best suits your face and have a stylist customize accordingly.” We’re breaking down all of the above and throwing in some major #hairspo. 

What is my Face Shape?

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Before we get into the hairstyling secrets, Eduardo explains how to identify your face shape, “There are six different face shapes most commonly identified; long, oval, round, diamond, square, and heart. It’s also very common that someone can have a mix of different shapes. However, don’t let this confuse you! To find the best haircut and style; focus on the eyes, cheeks, and jawline.”

The Best Bangs for Your Face Shape

Bangs for Oval Faces

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Face shape: The forehead is slightly wider than the chin, with high cheekbones
Celebs with oval-shaped faces: Lupita Nygong’o, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba, Cara Delevingne, Bella Hadid

According to celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos who works with celebs like Olivia Culpo and bang queen, Camilla Cabello, “When you have an oval face shape, any kind of bangs can look good! Although, you should definitely try soft, blunt bangs that are cut straight across.” Adding that “Bone straight hair always looks good with this bang style.”

Bangs for Heart-Shaped Faces

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Face shape: Forehead is wider with a sharp chin
Celebs with heart-shaped faces: Reese Witherspoon, Zendaya, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry

Dimitris begins by saying, “For a heart-shaped face, you should opt for curtain bangs with longer outer edges that are slightly shorter in the middle! This will give a little more symmetry to the face and make it look more oval!” Adding, that you should “Keep the bangs straight with a soft bend at the ends and finish with some texture. This will be the perfect style for a heart face shape!”

Eduardo agrees, “Bangs are the best option to conceal and balance the width; style the bangs just above the eyebrows or cut a long, side-sweeping fringe. A favorite trend that’s in style at the moment is the curtain bang for this face shape. It’s modern, versatile and brings attention to the eyes, and is beautiful worn with center and side partings.”

Bangs for Square Faces  

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Face shape: Forehead, jawline, and cheekbones are all the same width
Celebs with square-shaped faces:  Sofia Vergara, Angelina Jolie, Olivia Wilde

“If you have a square-shaped face, you should definitely try A-shape bangs! It works best for women with square faces” says Dimitris, which is essentially when the bangs part in the middle, like an A. He also suggests to “Add some layers at the ends for a more edgy look.”

Bangs for Diamond Faces 

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Face shape: Forehead and chin are narrow and elongated
Celebs with diamond-shaped faces: Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Megan Fox, Kylie Jenner

“If you have a diamond face shape, it means you have really strong features! In this case, a long, layered fringe can help soften and balance your features! A soft blowout with a side parting can also work well,” says Dimitris.

Bangs For Long Faces 

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Face shape: Forehead, cheekbones, and chin are of a similar width
Celebs with long faces: Kendall Jenner, Alexa Chung, Kim Kardashian, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Beckinsale

According to Dimitris, “If you have a long face shape, avoid short bangs! Instead, try to keep your fringe line low, right around your eyebrows. This will work with your face shape as the focal point will be on your eyes and lips.”

Eduardo adds, “Layers around the face will help emphasize the cheekbones, and creating waves using a curling iron or flatiron can help create width.”

Bangs For Round Faces

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Face shape: Facial width and length are roughly the same sizes
Celebs with round-shaped faces: Selena Gomez, Emma Stone, Miranda Kerr

If you have a round-shaped face, Eduardo advises you to “Avoid blunt haircuts and styles that shorten the appearance of the face, like heavy bangs and tight curls.” Instead, Dimitris says you should opt for side bangs “A side-swept fringe is a go-to styling for a round face!” Look to celebs like Emma Stone for inspiration, who styles her auburn hair with a long, sweeping fringe, or Selena Gomez, who looks great with A-bangs that sweep softly to either side.

For more hair secrets, check out how to get your best hair ever in three easy steps.