Round-faced people are considered youthful and beautiful because they have curves instead of angles. Many people spend a lot of money to get the appearance of eternal youth. There are many hairstyles that are complementary to rounded faces. However, some can create definition and balance by elongating your face.
We asked Adam Federico, Gretchen Friese and Scott Ade to give us the definitive rules for finding a hairstyle that flatters a round-faced face. We also selected our favorites from A-listers with rounder faces. Browse our gallery to see 36 hairstyles for round faces.
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Crinkled Lob
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This air-dried look gives Mindy Kaling’s loose lob lots of texture. After air-drying, spray texture spray into the ends of the hair and scrunch them with your fingers.
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Old Hollywood Waves
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Chloe Bailey is not for the weak-hearted. Her silver-screen siren style isn’t for everyone. These old-hollywood waves, perfectly coiffed and arranged, were meant to be admired (and seen!). Friese says to use a volumizing mousse and blow-dry with a large brush. To add definition, she uses an extra-large barrel curling iron.
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Textured Lob with Feathery Fringe
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Jenna Ortega’s textured lob has a messy look, but in the best possible way. Ade says that a little height at the crown can elongate your face perfectly. A side parting is also a great way to compliment your shape. Use a product to enhance dimension and tease your hair just a little for this look. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is suited for it.
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Long Blunt Waves
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Isla’s hair is modern and stylish thanks to the blunted ends. She knows how to do the right hair routine. Federico notes that “every great style starts with the preparation of the hair.” Federico recommends spraying liberal amounts of R+Co Prep Spray ($35), which “acts like a primer, balancing porosity in the hair.” Use a medium-barreled curly iron to create the look. Then, brush out the waves with your fingertips.
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Sleek Lob
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The words sleek and bouncy rarely go together, but Zoe Saldana’s chic, rounded, lob does just that. The smooth style isn’t at all void of volume.
Byrdie Tip
When blow-drying fine hair, use a brush made of ceramic. It will give your hair more volume.
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Smooth Waves
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Long, side-parted hair is glam on its own, but add a loose, is-it-or-isn’t-it-there wave and it’s even more bold. This look is more about a wave that looks lived in than tight curls. Use your fingers to loosen up the hair.
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Long, Wavey Layers with Boosted Side Bangs
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Long, cascading curls are the ultimate hairstyle for red carpets. They complement round faces perfectly. Chrissy Teigen’s side bang, which is similar to a quiff, boosts the overall length by lifting and heightening hair.
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The Ultimate Blowout
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Selena Gomez’s ultra-smooth and bouncy blowout will make you dream of a smooth, shiny hairstyle. Although her layers have a lot of body and volume, they are not weighed down by curl. This style, unlike Chrissy Teigen’s cascade, is all about brushing hair up and back for the ultimate windswept perfection.
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Close Crop
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Lupita Nyong’o’s hair is absolutely perfect. It shows how you can also elongate your face by having short hair. It’s important to keep your hair up, not down. The volume is increased at the top, while the sides remain very close. This creates a great shape.
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Glam Mermaid Waves
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We would choose Mindy Kaling’s mermaid waves if we had to pick one hairstyle for the summer. The undulating waterfall of waves lengthens Mindy Kaling’s face, especially since the volume is concentrated at the center of her hair. Meanwhile, the side part prevents the look from becoming too casual.
Byrdie Tip
To achieve beachy waves, curl your hair in sections in different directions.
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Rounded Bob with Deep Side Part
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It’s true that bobs are not for round faces, but it isn’t entirely accurate. Taraji P. Henson’s bob is a great example because it sits below her jawline, giving the appearance of a longer facial. The deep side-parting also helps to slim the face.
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Retro Bob with Deep Side Part
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What versatility! Taraji P.Henson, never one to let her hairstyles go stale or boring, flipped the rounded bob back to the golden era of glamour. Literally. The bob has been completely transformed.
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Piecey Pixie
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Michelle Williams shows that a pixie can be a great option for those with round faces. This is an adorable way to adhere to the rules for round faces. Baby bangs with side-swept pieces? Check. Ultra-sharp deep part? Check.
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Bouncy Lob
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The long bob on Jennifer Hudson gives the appearance of length, without having to actually grow it out. This style is suitable for anyone, but works best on those with rounder faces because of the lift at the roots and the perfect middle part.
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Ballerina bun with curtain bangs
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Miranda Kerr has a number of amazing hair moments. The bun is positioned to add height and cap the crown of the hair.
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Untied Messy Bun
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The same, but different. Ana de Armas’s perfectly undone mess bun is a less-buttoned version of the polished updo. We’re here to celebrate the 90’s trendiest girl.
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Curtain Bangs
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Kirsten Dunst’s curtain bangs have a soft, eyelash-skimming texture. The small part in the center keeps them from looking too heavy on a round-face. This style can be achieved with a good volumizing mousse, a medium-sized brush and voluminous mousse. Focus on creating volume in your hair and bending it. Friese says that a large barrel will give you more curl.
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Straight Tresses
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Mila Kunis has long straight hair that is flattering due to the lift at the roots and the sharp central part. Federico says that a light mist of texture spray will give your hair volume, texture and attitude.
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Loose updo
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You can rock the look with an updo. Try a low, soft bun. Be sure to leave a few tendrils around your face. Choose a side parting, like Emma Stone.
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Center-Parted Tightly Tousled Lob
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Gabrielle Union has long layers that give her hair volume. “[Her] long lob has textured edges that fall to her shoulders, bringing attention to her jawline. Friese says that the middle part helps to elongate your face. Middle parts are often seen on faces with round shapes. This cut is beautiful on relaxed or natural hair.
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Asymmetrical Bob
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Jennifer Hudson’s asymmetrical cut and style is a winner. She uses layers to create volume and then adds retro, crinkle curls. Flip your hair upside-down while drying to add fullness and volume.
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Shoulder-Length Waves
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Shoulder-length styles are flattering for all face shapes. Miranda Kerr’s hairstyle is long enough to balance her features, and the waves that frame her face slightly slim her cheekbones. Friese suggests using a round brush to apply a thickening product before blow drying. She adds that “a large barrel curling-iron can be used if you want more texture.”
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Lived-In Beach Waves
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The hairstyle does not look too voluminous but has enough height to make Drew Barrymore appear taller. Beach waves also make her face appear slimmer. If your hair is not naturally curly, you can curl it before spraying a texturizing mist like Sachajuan’s Ocean Mist Texturizing Spray ($38) to achieve this look.
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Curly Pompadour
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Janelle Monae’s curly pompadour is a head-turning style that works for most hair textures and types. You can fake volume if you have fine hair by spraying a texturizing spray on your hair before styling.
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Boho-Chic Waves
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Olivia Munn’s long, wavy, hair with or without bangs is a boho-chic style that allows you to experiment with your own style. Flip your hair upside down and blow dry it with high heat. After the hair is semi-dry use a round brush and blow dry it to add volume.
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Half-Up, Half-Down
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The ‘do of Gemma Chan is both stylish and practical. A few loose tendrils are a great way to keep the look casual, but out of your face. Ade suggests that a half-up/half-down style is a good option for flattering round faces. It allows for some height and loose hair can be tucked in to soften the appearance.
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Textured Bob with Center Part
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Lucy Hale keeps her bob casual with matte texture. Spraying It’s A 10 Miracle Texture Fibre ($22) over dry hair adds light dimension and prevents flyaways.
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Natural Curls
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Tatyana Ali’s natural curls are a great way to open up the face and give it a youthful glow. The slightly off-centered section narrows her beautiful features and accentuates those covetable cheekbones. To prevent frizz, use a leave-in conditioning product like Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Nourishing Treatment (44 dollars).
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Pixie with Long Bangs
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Ginnifer has worn a variety of pixies, but with this one, complete with a side-swept, heavy bang, her face is beautifully highlighted. This pixie cut with its thick, angled fringe opens up her face. Apply BosleyMD Blowdry & Styling Gel on wet hair. Use a paddle or flat brush to create separation and smooth out the hair. Friese suggests using a paste or pomade to create the desired style.
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A Lob with Razored Ends
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The glossy look of Queen Latifah adds a little pizzazz to the standard lob. Ask your stylist to cut with a straight edge razor blade. This will give you softer strands. Try Ghd Heat Protection Spray ($28) to give your hair a little extra boost. It will keep it smooth and damage-free.
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Curly Updo
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Both casual and fancy updos are great for highlighting a rounder face. In this curly-updo, tight tendrils frame Sarah Hyland’s face. For those with round faces, voluminous updos will create height and balance.
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Modern Mullet
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The new mullet style is more wearable and softer than the original mullet from the 1980s. Miley Cyrus’s modern take on the mullet is elevated thanks to its varying lengths, layers and textures. Federico suggests R+Co’s Two Way Mirror Smoothing ($37), “a smoothing and shiny oil to keep hair looking luxurious.”
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Blunt Bangs
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Christina Ricci is known for her angular hairstyles. The piecey texture makes her beautiful eyes and round face shine. The heavy bangs, however, are the stars of the show. They create balance and sculpt a round face.
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Layers with a Bouncy Mid-Length
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The layered, medium-length style of Octavia’s hair will complement her features. Friese says: “The middle section and length of the haircut creates symmetry and draws attention towards the jawline, which elongates your face.” The layers that fall just below or at the cheekbones work as contouring. They are also much easier to apply than bronzer.
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Long Layers
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Kate Bosworth has a side part with lightly curled ends. Friese says that long layers can be a great way of framing a rounder face. Start with BosleyMD Bos Volumeumize Volumizing and Thickening Nourishing leave-in ($19) to get the look. Blow-dry your hair with a large round comb and curl it gently with an extra-large barrel curling iron. She says to set with a hairspray and adds that the key is not to weigh down fine hair.
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Side Swept Waves
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Asymmetrical styles with different lengths can bring definition and sharpness to rounder faces. Lana Condor has her hair swept dramatically to one side. This draws the eye downward and slims her face. Add a strong, angular fringe to your hairstyle to draw attention to your eyes.