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38 Flattering Haircuts for Square Faces, According to Experts

Some inspo for your next appointment

haircuts for square faces category

Presumably you clicked this article because you think you have a square-shaped face. Here's a quick test if you’re not entirely sure: Looking straight on into a mirror, are your forehead and cheekbones roughly the same width? Do you have a strong jawline with sharp angles on either side? If so, you’re in the square face club with the likes of Zendaya, Olivia Wilde, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz—which is to say, you’re in good company.

Meet the Experts:

  • Joseph Maine is a celebrity hairstylist and artistic director for ColorWow. He is also the founder of Trademark Beauty and a highly sought-after editorial and bridal stylist represented by The Wall Group Global Talent Agency. Some of his clients include Kate McKinnon, Katie Holmes, Sophia Bush, Jennifer Aniston and Gemma Chan.
  • Bryce Scarlett is a celebrity hairstylist for Moroccanoil. His clients include Natalie Portman, Margot Robbie, Gigi Hadid, Brie Larson and Lily Aldridge. Scarlett has collaborated with brands such as Christian Dior, Victoria’s Secret and Mansur Gavriel, and his work can be seen in Vogue, ELLE and Marie Claire.

How to Choose the Right Hairstyles for Square Faces

If you’re looking for haircut ideas to flatter your face shape, there is one main guidepost that celebrity hairstylist Joseph Maine recommends. “Try styles that begin at the collar bone or longer to elongate the overall appearance of your face.” This goes for any layers or bangs as well. Keep them on the longer side so they don’t visually cut off your features, and instead, offer balance to your facial proportions. Maine adds, “You always want to concentrate the cut towards the ends of your hair, so it lengthens the face and softens the outer corners.” Ahead, 38 of the most flattering haircuts for folks with square-shaped faces.

Let’s Settle This What Face Shape Do I Have?


haircuts for square faces cameron diaz
JB Lacroix/Getty Images

1. Long and Layered

“A long, layered cut is a classic choice for square face shapes, as it offers movement but concentrates the style towards the ends so it will still elongate the face and close off the corners,” says Maine.

haircuts for square faces gabrielle union
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

2. A Long Lob

Similar but a bit sharper and sleeker, a lob is another good option because “it lengthens the face and is typically created without any shorter layers, so it frames your face by closing off the edges of the jawline a bit,” explains Maine.

haircuts for square faces margot robbie
David M. Bennett/Getty Images

3. A Side-Parted Lob

Once you have a lob, you can always switch up the part to one side, which changes up the look considerably. (It’s also a great way to disguise day two oily roots in a pinch.)

haircuts-for-square-faces-olivia-wilde: a photo of actress olivia wilde
Toni Anne Barson/Getty Images

4. Side-Swept Bangs

“If someone with a square face is considering bangs, I recommend a long side swept bang that doesn’t start too deep on the side,” says Maine. “The long nature of a side swept bang will soften the overall look without pulling the face horizontally the way other bang types (i.e., straight across or blunt bangs) might.”

haircuts for square faces natalie portman
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

5. A Soft Bob

Have the ends cut just a couple inches below your jawline and pair the style with tousled waves to soften up any angular features like Natalie Portman here.

haircuts for square faces demi lovato
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6. A Sharp Bob

“One haircut I love for a square face is a sharp, angled bob, that hits about an inch below the jaw line,” shares Scarlett. “A great tool for styling these types of haircuts is a ceramic heated brush, which is the fastest and gentlest way to get sleek hair,” he adds.

haircuts for square faces lucy liu
David Livingston/Getty Images

7. A Slightly Longer Bob

Same idea, but a bit longer, with the ends hitting the sweet space between your jawline and tops of your collarbones like Lucy Liu here. (A tip for deciding the length of your bob: Consider the fullness of your face. According to Bryce, “the fuller the face the longer the bob should be.”)

haircuts for square faces ciara
David M. Benett/Getty Images

8. A Shag with Bangs

“I also love a layered shag with bangs. Think modern Farrah Fawcett. This shape really opens up the corners of the jaw, again highlighting the sharpness of the jaw line yet leaving lots of soft hair around the face,” says Scarlett.

haircuts for square faces jennifer aniston
Axelle Bauer Griffin/Getty Images

9. Teased Roots

“For styling any of the cuts above, I recommended adding some volume into the hair using a blow dryer and root boosting spray,” shares Maine. Volume on top lengthens the appearance of your face overall, which has a balancing effect on square shapes.

haircuts for square faces rosario dawson
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

10. Soft Waves

For those of you with naturally curly or wavy hair, rocking your natural texture is a good way to effortlessly soften any sharper features. Bryce recommends misting a dry texturizing spray throughout to keep your hair “full and flowing.”

haircuts for square faces zendaya
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11. Deep Side Part

No matter the length or texture, a deep side part is always flattering option for square shaped faces. Bonus tip: Keep extra volume up top to maintain an overall elongating effect.

haircuts for square faces zoe kravitz
Jim Spellman/Getty Images

12. A Tapered Pixie

Always wanted to try a pixie but worried that it might not work with your features? Here’s proof that a cropped cut can work for you. Keep the overall length shorter in the back and a few inches (think four to five) long in the front and along the sides of your face to frame it nicely.

haircuts for square faces priyanka chopra
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

13. A Curtain Bang

The ever popular curtain bang looks especially flattering on square shaped faces when paired with long layers that fall beneath the collarbones. The bangs themselves should also be on the longer side, parting to either side and blending softly into the rest of your hair.

haircuts for square faces jennifer garner
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

14. Bouncy Waves

Here’s Jen Garner showing the power of a little volume. Bigger, bouncier hair adds a touch of softness to more angular jawlines. To style, use a texturizing spray and a 1.5-inch curling iron to add a few bends throughout the lengths of your hair. Brush through them to break apart the waves and give a final mist of spray to set it all in place.

haircuts for square faces jennifer lopez
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

15. Flipped Out Ends

If the whole bouncy blowout look isn’t for you, take a page from J.Lo’s book and try a sleeker style with flipped out ends instead. You can tailor this look to fit your face by keeping the ends beneath your collarbones and ever-so-slightly parted to one side.

haircuts for square faces sandra bullock
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

16. Stick Straight Bob

You can also opt to have the ends cut in an A-line shape (shorter in the back and gradually longer towards the front) to gently hug the sides of your face like Sandra Bullock here.

haircuts for square faces keira knightley
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

17. Long, Loose Waves

A classic square faced beauty, Keira Knightley rocks a perfectly balanced cut with long, loose waves and a center part. Tip: Using a shine serum or spray as a finishing touch to add soft definition (and sheen).

haircuts for square faces michelle obama
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

18. Curly Lob

No surprises here, the former First Lady’s sensibility extends beyond her sartorial choices. This textured lob has all of the right elements to flatter her face shape: volume on top, soft texture and a collarbone skimming length.

haircuts for square faces gwenyth paltrow
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

19. Beachy Waves

GP has been wearing some iteration of this style for many years and for good reason: it works. The longer, subtly layered locks and center part softens the angles of her lower face, while keeping her high, sharp cheekbones on full display.

haircuts for square faces mandy moore
Alison Buck/Getty Images

20. Tapered Ends

When in doubt, a lob is a failsafe bet for square face shapes. The collarbone length is extremely versatile for styling (see Mandy Moore's half bun here) and takes the eye line away from a stronger jawline and puts the focus on the overall length of your hair. Ask your stylist to keep the ends tapered and light so they fall nicely against your shoulders without adding bulk.

haircuts for square faces paris hilton
Monica Schipper/Getty Images

21. Round Bob

Using a round brush, curl the ends of a blunt bob inward so they curve in just below the chin to soften the angles.

haircuts for square faces jennifer hudson
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22. Natural Curls

Naturally curly hair and a square face shape are a match made in heaven. The bouncy spring lends a softness to an angular jawline, creating a nice balancing effect.

haircuts for square faces salma hayek
RB/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

23. Rounded Layers

Thicker hair works really well with longer, rounded layers. And longer, rounded layers, as you know, work well with square face shapes.

haircuts for square faces heidi klum
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24. Tapered Bangs

Soft, tapered bangs that fall on and around the forehead take attention away from the jawline and puts it on the upper third of your face.

haircuts for square faces indya moore
Samir Hussein/Getty Images

25. Cropped Pixie

One of the hallmarks of a square face is sharp cheekbones. And what better way to show off that incredible bone structure than with a cropped pixie like Indya Moore here?

haircuts for square faces angelina jolie
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

26. Volume Waves

A loose, tousled blowout with plenty of volume is always a good look—no matter your face shape—but it's especially flattering on angular faces.

haircuts for square faces mila kunis
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

27. Graduated Layers

Graduated layers are great for square face shapes because they soften the jawline and create height and volume in the crown. Plus, they're versatile, as you can wear your hair parted down the center or swept over to one side.

haircuts for square faces kristen bell
Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

28. Slicked-Back Bob

Kristen Bell balances her sleek style with her face shape by slicking her strands over to one side to add some height to the crown and tucking both sides behind her ears.

haircuts for square faces yara shahidi
Leon Bennett/Getty Images

29. Asymmetrical Curls

Volume is key when it comes to working with a square face, and Yara Shahidi's buoyantly coiffed curls are perfection. We love the way the cut is slightly asymmetrical which removes any weight or bulk from the ends.

haircuts for square faces gemma chan
Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images

30. Side-Parted Lob

Actress Gemma Chan softens her just-below-the-collarbone cut (and angular jawline) with an off-centered part and loose curls. Tip: After curling your hair, finger-comb the ringlets out so the overall look is polished without looking stiff.

haircuts for square faces sandra bullock
George Pimentel/Getty Images

31. Voluminous Lob

Fact: Full and fluffy looking hair complements a square face. The easiest way to fake volume if you have finer strands is to add a little bend throughout using a flat iron and a generous misting of texturizing spray.

haircuts for square faces kate moss
Marc Piasecki /Getty Images

32. Zig Zag Part

Can't choose between a center or side part? Try an uneven part like Kate Moss, which adds more volume on top and brings the gaze upwards. The blend of highlights and barely-there waves further soften her sharp features.

haircuts for square faces jeanne damas
Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

33. French Fringe

The French sure know their fringe. Just ask Jeanne Damas, whose feathered bangs are cut in that perfectly uneven length with just enough forehead peeping through. And their slightly curved shape adds roundness to your angles.

Haircuts for Square Faces Minnie Driver: a photo of actress Minnie Driver
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

34. Face-Framing Tendrils

Regardless of the cut or color, a failsafe way to flatter square-shaped faces is to pull out some face-framing pieces in front.

Haircuts for Square Faces Jennifer Garner: a photo of actress Jennifer Garner
Michael Tran/Getty Images

35. Choppy Bob

Pair it with a center part to elongate your features, which has an overall balancing effect on the rest of your face. Bonus: Choppy ends also add fullness to fine strands.

Haircuts for Square Faces Tess Thompson
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

36. Retro Waves

Tessa Thompson's medium-length style is simple and sleek (and perfect for any holiday fête you might have coming up).

Haircuts for Square Faces Katie Holmes
Monica Schipper/Getty Images

37. Side-Parted Pixie

Katie Holmes complements her features with a side-parted pixie that maintains some length and height at the crown, which keeps the overall cut from shortening her face.

Haircuts for Square Faces Ciara
Axelle Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

38. Long, Full Fringe

Ending things with an (ahem) bang is Ciara, with her full fringe that has choppy ends of slightly varying lengths. Hitting right below her brows, they work to draw attention to her eyes.


Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...