If you’ve left a hair salon feeling disappointed, your stylist may have added width to your face instead of length. You’re not the only one feeling disappointed, and you’re not the only stylist feeling this.
When it comes to many hair stylists, it seems to be a common mistake to think that layers are the answer to everything. Years ago, I had the privilege of working with a very pretty woman. Over the years, she had several shoulder length cuts with layers down to her cheekbones, and she would always come to me saying other stylists seemed to make her face look wider than it really was. She would come in looking very slumped over like her face was the issue, and I can assure you that it was not your face that was the issue, it was the cut.
I always recommend that my clients avoid having volume and height at the cheekbone level, and this includes bangs. For bangs, curtain bangs and bottleneck bangs tend to be the best choice because they provide gentle vertical lines and help to open the face. If you want to minimize the amount of styling you have to do each day, these options are the best. Get ready for a big change and save the inspiration photos that suit your face best.
#1: Layered Medium Length with Soft Waves That Actually Move
This is a typical “set it and forget it” hairstyle. You really just need to wash your hair and possibly put some product in it to walk out the door looking like you put in a ton of effort. The layers in this hairstyle are soft and don’t remove a lot of the weight, which is best for hair that looks finer. You want to remove as little weight as possible while still creating some movement. The best part about this hairstyle is the soft waves around the face. They’re not too tight or too relaxed. If your hair goes flat on day two, you may want to steer clear of this haircut because volumizing mousse will make your hair look full but it also might make your hair crunchy.
#2 Mid-Length Layers with Those Perfect Soft Bangs
Bangs are very soft and will not box in your face. If the bangs are too blunt, it frames the face in an unflattering way. These bangs are airy, and you won’t be able to tell where the bangs are, and where the layers start. For this to work, hair length should be just past the shoulders so you have enough length to wear it wavy or straight without losing the shape. If you have thick hair, ask your stylist to remove some internal weight so it doesn’t puff in the wrong places.
#3 Warm Ombre with Bangs That Frame Without Closing In
I absolutely adore this color! The gradient from dark roots to warm caramel is gorgeous! It does something sneaky for round faces – with this color change, the eye is drawn vertically! The bangs are also styled wonderfully! They are nice and separated enough to avoid having a barricade across the forehead. There is a misconception that bangs and ombres look busy/chaotic and she proves that wrong. The warm tones are blended well and create a cohesive look. These bangs will require a lot of maintenance though, maybe every 3-4 weeks. It’s also something to think about if you want that effortless look or if they will hit your eyes and lose that look really quickly.
#4 Medium Cut with Face-Framing Layers and a Little Bit of Light
Even though it may not seem like much, what is actually happening is a lot of quiet work! The layering around the face is very strategically placed, and because they sit low enough to stretch the face vertically rather than widen it, there is a little fold in the hair to keep it from looking flat and boring. The highlights do most of the work here though, as they do a lot to open up the face and provide some added angular effect especially to rounder faces. For those people that do not like having to put a lot of work to their hair every single morning, this is a great style to get because it will make your hair look so well structured even as it air dries and it will look great even on the 3rd day!
#5 Copper Lob with a Fringe That Warms Everything Up
This style is amazing. I love the copper color, and it’s glowing even more with the great haircut! The lob length is genius because it sits at the collarbone, which helps the length from dragging the whole look down. The bangs are soft and rounding the face instead of crossing it. Everything looks so effortless and polished like you just got out of a film in France. One thing to keep in mind, this copper color will fade quicker than any other shades so if you fall in love with it, a color shampoo will help you put off going to the salon for a bit longer.
#6 Textured Mid-Length with Waves That Have Some Personality
What grabs my attention about this cut is how raw and real it is, without being overly polished, smoothed, or perfected. The waves have some grit, a bit of that ‘I’ve been outside living my life’ vibe. It works exceptionally well on round faces as the movement breaks the shape and is asymmetrically flattering. The layers are subtle, but she has enough to let the hair move freely and independently rather than hanging in one block. You can tell the cut was done on dry hair or at least finished dry, because of how relaxed it all is. This cut type looks best on second day hair, which is honestly my favorite type of hair to do someone.
#7 Natural Waves with Texture That Does the Work for You
The cut looks effortless, and that is not easy to accomplish. I can tell the hair is healthy, thick, and wavy, and the cut is designed to work with her waves, rather than against them. I also like that the cut is above the shoulders, that is flattering round face length. It clears the jawline and gives the neck the appearance of being longer, which is a nice. If I were to do this cut I would probably add a subtle mid-balayage for some dimension, but it honestly looks good like this and sometimes the best thing is to leave it as is.
#8 Curly Mid-Length with Soft Bangs That Actually Work with Curls
Wavy hair bangs are tricky and this one is perfect. The bangs are cut to account for how much curly bangs shrink as they dry. You’d think all stylists would know this, but a lot cut bangs wet and leave the salon looking shocked that the bangs are above the eyebrows. This style beautifully opens up the whole face, with soft and separated bangs, and gives a nice balance and opening to the top of the face. All the layers throughout the cut that are not disrupting the curl pattern help you see how nice the curl is. If your curls tend to lose definition, a good curling cream applied to wet hair will keep this style all day.
#9 Softly Waved Mid-Length That Feels Easy and Looks Intentional
We really enjoy the haircut! We think it gives off a relaxing vibe like a comfy linen shirt. The waves are effortless and natural which is amazing. You can easily get the waves by twisting sections of your hair around a large-barrel curling iron for about ten minutes. Or, you can get the look by braiding your hair the night before. The cut extends just past the shoulders so it creates a really nice downward visual line without going into the “long hair, no shape” territory. The subtle layering is awesome. The ends of the hair move and it doesn’t look like all the ends are blunt and cut in a straight line. Most people think about this kind of style but it can be easy to forget. Most importantly this style is going to grow out beautifully.
#10 Layered Mid-Length with Highlights That Add Depth, Not Drama
I think the color is great! The highlights are nicely blended and centered around the face and top layers which is ideal for creating an illusion of dimension on a round face. The cut is a classic layered look where the bottom half of the hair is more layered while the top is less layered so there’s a nice smooth shiny crown that photographs well. It’s the type of cut that works straight hair, wavy hair, and everything in between which is why it’s so versatile. The only recommendation I have is that this style looks best with a blowout, so if that’s not your thing, just know that an air dried version will look a bit different. It will still look good just different!
#11 Sleek Medium Cut That Keeps Things Simple and Clean
This looks like a healthy cut. Hair often looks glossy because of some good serum or good genes. I like the subtle layering, because it doesn’t look curtained. It also works with round faces. This cut is long enough to sit above the collar bone and create a line that slims everything down. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to look good and put together because it’s effortless with the hair. You just blow dry it smooth and that’s it.
#12 Sleek Mid-Length with Layers That Barely Whisper
This resembles a one-length style, but there’s just the right amount of layering to keep all the movement without losing that sleek heavy feel. The layers start below the chin, which is especially important for round faces. Anything that kicks out or flips at the jawline is going to add width at the wrong place. I love the good condition of the hair, the sheen shows that whoever is doing her color and cuts is not over-processing. It’s a style that will look smart however you wear it, like this, straight or air dried with a bit of natural texture. The only thing I would say is if your hair is really fine, you might want to not have as many internal layers and just have the face framing ones so you keep the thickness.
#13 Ash Blonde to Lavender, Because Why Not Have Some Fun
This hairstyle shows good use of color! Blended ash blonde and soft lavender tips is a unique way to play with color and the round face shape is flattering. The vertical color shift draws the eye down through the length of the hair instead of across the face. The hair cut is simple just a shoulder length cut with some texture added to the ends and that is a good choice because the style does not compete with the hair color. Now I get preachy as with all lavender or pastel colors your hair has to be bleached first and fades very quickly so be prepared for the maintenance. The color journey is beautiful if you don’t mind it shifting into a silvery pink but if you want the hair to look exactly like it does in the picture all the time you will need a toning conditioner and regular salon visits to keep it maintained.
#14 Textured Waves with Highlights That Catch the Right Kind of Light
This hair’s thickness works in its favor, allowing it to hold the wave pattern without falling flat in between washes. The highlights add a natural look to the hair’s dimension, enhancing the texture. The layers are well placed for a round face. They start just below the cheekbone, and because the ends are more textured, the bottom half of the hair is fuller. It’s the type of haircut you can just wake up and run your fingers through and instantly just look put together. I wouldn’t do much to the hair. It could do wonders with a bit of texturizing spray, and then I’d let the cut do all the work. The front pieces might get a little more attention just in case I decide to go somewhere nice, but otherwise, I wouldn’t do much and let the cut do its thing.
#15 Defined Curls with Face-Framing Layers That Know Their Job
These curls are very pretty, and this hair cut is designed to make the curls the center of attention. The front-section layers that are around the cheeks and jaws are cut shorter, so with a curly texture, the effect is awesome. The curls promote the look, and create a frame around the face instead of claustrophobically smooshing the face. I appreciate that this hair cut shows whoever did it knows how to work with curly hair, because most people do face framing layers that are the same as what you would do with straight hair. But instead, they cut where the curl is supposed to spring up to, and this is a completely different mindset. The hair cut works for a round face because with the vertical movement from the curl pattern deceivingly elongates the face. Also the length around the shoulders is balanced with the hair length around the shoulders. This is the type of hair cut that gets better after the curls have set for about a week.
#16: Rich Dark Curls with Face-Framing Bangs That Open Things Up
The bangs, curls, and entire hairstyle come together for an amazing result.
The bangs look soft, separated, and look as if they naturally fell like that. She has revealed a slight triangle on her forehead, which brightens her look and makes her face more open.
Her rich, dark brown hair has an amazing shine, which means her hair is well-maintained. Healthy hair with curls looks better and is more formed, and this is true without exception. The length of hair looks perfect for her because it has enough weight to pull the curls down, resulting in extensions, rather than an accumulation that adds to the roundness of the face.
If you’re thinking of adopting this hairstyle, the most important thing is to find someone who does dry cut on curls, because otherwise, you risk the style turning out very poorly. If someone trims wet hair, you can bet the bangs will end up two inches shorter than you had in mind.
#17 Auburn Waves with That Rich Warmth You Can Almost Feel
The color looks like warm auburn and looks very nice because it looks like four different shades within the color and it brings the whole hair cut alive. The way the texture looks is soft and effortless like she just ran her fingers through it and it air dried. On thick and wavy hair that look is easy to get which is not the case with every style. The layers frame the face well because they keep the volume at the jaw and neck and not at the cheeks. If you have a round face, that is a good choice. The thing that makes this cut different is the color and the texture working together. It also has a warm and approachable feel to it and is not overly complicated.
#18 Bouncy Curls with a Soft Fringe That Plays Nice
The soft bounce of the curls and how the bangs blend with the curls so seamlessly, with no clear beginning and no clear end. With round faces, it is usually a mistake to have hard bangs, but this soft curly fringe works to soften it and gives a nice pause across the forehead. The rest of the layers in the back allow each curl to properly spring into its own shape while still being in competition with the others around it. The overall look is fun and full but not too much. If your curls tend to be a little frizzy, you’ll have to be a little more thoughtful about how you layer. With fine, delicate curly hair, too many layers just gets wispy in ways you didn’t mean to sign up for so be sure to communicate to your stylist where your specific curl type needs a little more weight.
#19 Textured Waves with Face-Framing Bangs That Earn Their Keep
The bangs look great! They are at that ideal curtain length where they split by themselves and fall beside the cheekbones, which, with a round face, is producing the exactly right vertical lines. The rest of the cut is medium length and has soft waves that appear like they are done with a twisted flat iron bend instead of a curling iron, which makes them look more effortless with a modern wave. The hair has fantastic density, enough to sustain the texture without appearing thin at the ends, and the overall look is super relaxed. If you have fine hair and want this look, I’d suggest telling your stylist to maintain a bit more volume in the hair, and to suggest fewer layers as the last thing you want is to layer out the fullness you actually need.
#20 Soft Layers with Bangs and Just Enough Warmth in the Color
Let’s begin with the color. There are multiple tones which have been used and layered for an added effect. Most impressive, sunlight brings out some honey tones which further emphasizes the highlights and the added depth they create. Bangs which are a bit soft and pushed aside, are great for round faces. Offsetting the bangs helps to avoid a bulky look and creates a little lift which elongates the entire face. The classic look has been enhanced with some soft waves, and the overall style means it’ll move naturally and freely. From the looks of it, the waves should be easily created with some styling cream, and a bit of patience while it dries. The overall effect of the cut should require little work, and I mean that in the best way possible, it’s a Tuesday haircut.
#21 Warm Brown Layers with Bangs That Soften Everything Just Right
This look is timeless and can be styled in multiple ways! I love the warm brown, face framing bangs, and soft layers that move with you! Bangs are the main focus of this hairstyle on a round face, and so are those zen waves! Bangs on the face do not make a line look horizontal across the face. They are *bangs*, not elongated face framing pieces. The waves look like they were done with a curling iron and then brushed out, giving them a soft blended look instead of rigid and defined ringlets. That added softness flatters rounder features like on this look. I believe this is a great look for those with fine to medium hair to grow into, as the layers will blend out and you won’t feel stuck in an awkward phase every six weeks.
#22 Layered Mid-Length with Bangs and Natural Wave That Just Works
Getting hair cut so that it looks like it falls naturally can be difficult, as it can seem like the cut was done randomly. A cut designed specifically for the way hair waves naturally will help the look so much. For instance, the bangs are the right weight for rounder faces, so it doesn’t look too heavy or too sparse, etc. The uncombed layers that are loose help to give bangs more volume, and the wavy pattern stops the ends from looking too stiff. Hair of this type often requires virtually no styling. This means you should just let it be. If anything, it would be best to use a light leave-in conditioner, but styling products are not really suggested. Ironically, to keep the best look, this cut requires the most hands-off approach.
#23 Curly Mid-Length That Embraces the Volume Instead of Fighting It
I love when a curly-haired person comes in and says, “I want to work with it, not against it” because it means I get to do some of my favorite work, and a cut like this really showcases that! The curls and layers are defined so beautifully, and this really helps emphasize the pattern, which is something that’s often overlooked in curly cuts. The bangs are awesome because they blend into the face and create a stunning halo effect, which is nice because it adds volume without a ton of width at the cheeks. The hair is already half the battle for curly hair and is so well moisturized. If you are considering this look, you need to have a good product investment before the cut because dry curls = frizz, and they will lose shape. Your curls will not look great if you stylist does not put in the work.
#24 Modern Layers with Natural Waves and a Hint of Balayage
The subtle balayage on this cut features summer sun-kissed highlights. Their restraint makes it look expensive rather than too over done. The nice soft graduated layers allow the natural wave pattern to come through with ease. This is especially important for round faces since you want to avoid adding more bulk at the ends. The shape of the hair instead needs to taper a bit to create that nice elongating effect. This is the kind of cut I would give to someone who comes in saying they want something that doesn’t look like anything drastic because it really doesn’t. It looks like amazing hair. The waves will really depend on whether you diffuse or air dry and honestly, both will be nice so don’t stress about it.
#25 Mid-Length with Playful Bangs and Texture That Has Some Attitude
I think these bangs have a lot more personality. They are obvously slightly chunkier, but work with the rest of the cut that has some texture to match. The movement in the layers of this cut when styled on a round face helps break up what potentially could be a stick straight round face and make it more interesting and angular which is always the goal. The midlength waves have an almost peicey quality and that looks very current and cool. Like you styled it, and then just stopped before it became too precious. I’d say this is a haircut with a point of view and if you’re attracted to it in the photo then you should definitely trust that instinct because this is the type of cut that will look even better in motion.
#26 Big Beautiful Curls That Know Exactly What They’re Doing
Curly hair is beautiful and should be worn with pride! Instead of thinking of how your curly hair will add extra width to your face and putting it up or down, try wearing your curls out! Take a look at this picture and see how it can add width to your face in a positive way. It is all about balance. Volume on the sides is great, but if there is none on top, then it creates an unbalanced look. That is not the case for this picture. The curls are gorgeous and not too poofy — a common issue I try to avoid when working with thick curly hair — and each curl is cut to be able to bounce at its own rhythm so there is no flat, triangle, or oddly shaped areas. This is a style that will look stunning freshly done, but will look just as stunning in days 2, 3 and 4 when the curls start to relax. This is the same thing most of my curly clients say they prefer.
#27 Medium Length Curls with Layers That Let Every Ringlet Breathe
I think the curls on this haircut looks really nice and satisfying. Each individual ringlet has its own special shape, but together they form a wonderful lively look. This style is especially flattering on round faces with the way it creates some face framing volume. The layers take off enough internal weight so the curls aren’t squished together. Every curl has space to grow and that is what gives this look the difference between heavy, curly hair and really light, buoyant, soft curly hair. The thick hair in this style is a benefit instead of a hindrance. If you have a similar hair texture and have been told to thin it out, it’s nice to hear the opposite for once! You will achieve this look by using a curl cream on soaking wet hair and then using a diffuser on low heat. If you’re in a humid area, you may want to use a light anti-humidity spray over the top once it’s dry.
#28 Beachy Waves That Are Softer Than They Look
Some hairstyles can look so casual that they almost appear to be unfinished. However, this is a hairstyle that should look unfinished. It’s soft, pretty, and the type of hairstyle that leads people to believe that you did something different to your hair, but they just can’t seem to put their finger on what. These waves aren’t just messy, they create the illusion of real beach waves as opposed to the kind of waves that have a really clean look due to the use of a curling iron. Face shapes that are round benefit from hair that has a little more looseness or imperfection to it as this approach avoids creating strong horizontal lines that can disrupt the face. The subtle balayage highlights provide contrast to the waves, making each one look even better and adding extra interest to the hairstyle as a whole. This is a haircut that I would do a little differently for each client based on their natural texture, because I want the end result to be that it looks like your hair just does this naturally.
#29 Textured Curls with Soft Face-Framing That Hits Different
The face framing stood out the most to me. There are some smaller pieces that highlight the cheekbones and are curling out a bit to form a soft border which helps remove some of the visual weight of the hair around the face. That is a really tricky thing to do with ringlets and a round face, so that is really great. Everything about this is great, the overall length is medium, the curls are soft and bouncy, and the density is just right. This is a perfect example of refining natural texture, working with what you have is really the best. The curls have clearly not been clumped together with heavy products, so I am guessing they have just been lightly encouraged into position rather than being placed into position. If your curls look like this, really don’t overthink it. You probably just need a trim every 8 weeks to maintain the shape, a good leave in, and you are golden.
#30 Warm Copper Mid-Length with Waves That Glow
Wow! The tones and wave textures of your hair are stunning! I love the way the light catches the warm tones in your hair, I think they work best with wavy hairstyles! Your cut sits nicely in the middle with soft layers, and the amount of texture is just right, interesting enough without being too high maintenance. It’s also nice to see that the warm tones in your hair are boosting the warm tones in your face, this combination really adds softness to your features! It’s such a shame that a color safe shampoo will be your best friend if you choose this route… It means copper is going to be on the edge of looking intentional versus grown out. It’s also going to be important for maintaining your hair at this length, giving you that effortless feeling. A cut this well put together makes it break it. The texture, length, and color are all spot on so you really just need to maintain the whole thing. And of course, to give it that good finish, make sure to avoid dry ends!
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