Finding the Best Hairstyle for Your Face Shape the Squatch Way

You've probably noticed that some hairstyles just don't look right on certain people. Alas, we can't all pull off a 12-inch mohawk or a slick-back quiff. What works for someone else's face shape might look awkward on yours, and it isn't always easy to put your finger on why. So, we went ahead and did all the research to solve that exact conundrum.

The first thing to do is to make sure you know your own face shape, so we'll show you how to get that sorted once and for all. Then, we'll show you which haircut suits your face and accentuates your natural good looks. You'll also learn other factors that affect the best haircuts for men, like hair density and texture. Then, we'll wrap up with some styling tips to make the most of your new 'do.

How To Determine Your Face Shape

To determine your face shape, compare its length, width, and outline to find which basic shape it most closely resembles. Here's how:

• Tape measure: Look in the mirror, and measure the length and width of your head. Check from chin to hairline and from cheekbone to cheekbone.
• Mirror trace method: Get a dry-erase marker, look in the mirror, and trace all around that handsome face looking back at you. Then, step aside and look at the shape you ended up with.
• Talking to the pros: Ask your barber for their expert opinion on your exact face shape. These folks know their business and might even take measurements to be sure.

Now, what measurements did you end up with? Is your face taller than it is wide or the other way around? How much does it curve down to the chin, or does it curve at all? Consider those questions and look at the following list to determine which shape your face is:

• Oval: Tall, with some width on the sides around your cheekbones that narrows out gradually toward your chin
• Oblong: Tall, with sharp angles that frame your face from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your jaw
• Round: Nearly equal length and width with round edges that frame your face with curved sides
• Square: Nearly equal length and width with sharp angles around your forehead, jaw, and chin
• Triangle: Wide, with a small forehead and a sharp jaw accentuated by wide cheekbones
• Diamond: Wide, with your cheekbones making up the widest part of your face and your forehead and jaw forming the narrowest parts

The Best Hairstyle for Every Face Shape

Now that you know your face shape, it's time to check out which haircut you should get to make it look its best. Ideal styles soften angles that are too sharp and add angles to areas that aren't sharp enough. It's a balancing act, and with the right products, each of these hairstyles achieves just the right balance for a given face shape.

Best Hairstyle for Oval Face Shape

Being the most common face shape has some perks; it means there's a wealth of tried-and-true hairstyles just for you. Here are a few of the best haircuts for men with an oval face:

• Pompadour: A tall, slicked-back quiff with shaved sides that balances your face's height with its width
• Crew cut: A short, flat cut that adds a sharp angle to either side while being low-maintenance
• Textured crop: Similar to the crew cut, but with fringe bangs that frame the face and shorten the forehead

Best Hairstyle for Square Face Shape

The symmetry of a square face gives you a lot of options, as do the handsome angles that frame your face. The best hairstyles for square faces either lean into those features or soften them a bit:

• Classic side part: A classic medium-length cut with your hair parted to one side to soften angular foreheads
• Textured quiff: A medium-length quiff with a swoosh at the front to adds some length to your face shape
• Buzz cut: A short, blocky cut that accentuates your sharp angles while adding a touch of height to your profile

Best Hairstyle for Round Face Shape

A round face shape has some nice symmetry to work with, but it needs some angles or length to add some edge. Here are some hairstyles that'll add some height and angles to your mane:

• High fade: A short haircut with faded sides that adds texture and a bit of length up top
• Faux hawk: Shaved sides with a fading, medium-length haircut that comes to a point at the center
• Modern pompadour: A shorter version of the pompadour with a less pronounced quiff; slightly raised center creates volume

Best Hairstyle for Oblong Face Shape

An oblong face shape is a handsome facial structure, indeed. It has the length of an oval face shape with the sharp angles of a square. Making it look its best is just about adding a bit of width without overaccentuating your other features:

• Caesar cut (no fade): A short haircut with fringe bangs and no part — no fade saves the width on the sides.
• Classic taper: A medium-length cut with a part and your hair swept to one side, highlighting face length
• Long flow: Long hair slicked back to flow out to either side, adding volume and dimension to your profile

Best Hairstyle for Diamond Face Shape

A diamond face shape has sharp, long cheekbones to work with and a chiseled chin with a strong jawline. The best hairstyles for diamond faces balance that out by widening the forehead a bit:

• Textured quiff (no fade): A short or medium-length quiff with full sides that adds some volume to the upper half of your profile
• Long sweeping fringe: A medium-length cut with fringe bangs that hang over the forehead at an angle
• Man bun: Tied-back long hair that pulls everything back

Factors Beyond Face Shape for Picking the Best Hairstyle

Your face shape does determine a lot about which hairstyles will look best on you, but the idea that it's the same for every man with a similar face shape is an all-too-common myth. You'll also want to consider your hair type to find a style that works for your unique head of hair, which means understanding your hair's density and texture.

Hair Density

Hair density describes how densely packed your follicles are. The denser your hair, the more you can get away with extremes like a buzzcut or a faux hawk. With thinner hair, you have to play it more safe, using a flow or a quiff to add volume and keep your scalp well covered.

Hair Texture

Hair texture is how fine or coarse your hair is, and it affects whether it's straight or curly. The coarser your hair, the bigger each individual strand is. That gives you more hair to work with for a pompadour or a high fade, but it also requires more maintenance. Meanwhile, fine hair that's dense can take most any style, but fine hair that's thin means you have fewer options. You'll want something like a flow or a classic side part to fill in your scalp where needed.

Your Haircut Is Just the Starting Point

Choosing the right hair and beard styles does a lot to accentuate your features and keep you looking your best, but it's really just the first step. The next step is maintaining it and fine-tuning your style to bring out your most handsome features every day. That means establishing a regular grooming routine and using the right products.

Dr. Squatch's lineup of natural haircare products offers everything you need to keep your 'do clean and maintained. Our natural shampoos and conditioners refresh your mane, and our shave products are designed with precision and top-notch styling in mind. Everything we make comes from Mother Nature's finest ingredients that help you feel like a man and smell like a champion.