Choosing the right short hairstyle for a fuller face requires an understanding of a cut’s ability to frame the face, add fullness, and overall balance, proportion, and shape of the face.
Most people don’t realize how a short haircut’s length is not the determining factor for how short someone with a rounder face can go. It’s all about where the weight sits. One of my lovely clients was told at a different salon that because of her face shape, she could go no shorter than shoulder length, and to be honest, I was a little annoyed because that is such a terrible and completely false statement. We gave her a very textured pixie cut with some height at the crown and she actually cried in the chair because she looked so gorgeous and had spent so many years avoiding short hair when there was absolutely no reason to.
When you go to the hairdresser, think of styles that add height and not width. With the right cut, they will have volume more at the top and around the crown and not widen the sides that are by everyone’s fullest part of the face. Chin layers are really good and an added little angle will help a lot. Also, nobody wants blunt lines that are right at the widest part of your face, so why box yourself in? Don’t forget to consider your texture. It will create movement that keeps the style looking like a helmet. So save the styles that actually suit your face shape and not what is over used on Instagram.
#1: Soft Wavy Lob with Those Perfect Little Bangs
What I like even more about this style is how soft and piecey the bangs are. Because of the lightness, they will not feel heavy across the forehead, which makes a bigger difference on a fuller face than some people may believe. The length of the hair, which is a little past the collarbone, offers some versatility. You can tuck one side behind your ear and have the other side down, and it will still look purposeful. The warm blonde highlights running throughout the hair are what stands out to me the most. They’re not just beautiful; they help create depth and dimension by drawing attention to all the right spots. You will likely want to keep trims every six to eight weeks because the subtle layering will prevent you from looking like a completely different person from day two on.
#2 Bouncy Curly Crop with Gorgeous Ringlets
This haircut is amazing and the natural curls are just icing on the cake! It appears this stylist actually understands how to cut hair rather than fight the texture as many others seem to. The chin length cut was an excellent choice, because it allows the ringlets to bounce, and without spreading too wide at the sides — which is ideal with rounder faces. The color looks warm and rich like a beautiful light catching chestnut and it really completes the look. I can’t say the same about the look, however, if your curls have a tendency to get frizzy you will want to get a good leave in conditioner to keep your ringlets looking clean and defined between washes.
#3 Textured Wavy Bob That Just Works
I like how the style looks effortless and natural because it means a lot of intent and decision went into the styling. The cut is at the jawline, and for more rounder face shapes, it can draw the eye up rather than widen it. The warm brunette color gives a lot of depth to the hair and makes even the simplest styles look super expensive. The subtle layers also bring necessity with movement to avoid looking too flat. Some waves will definitely require daily styling and some additional skills – there’s a bit of a learning curve with the curling iron as well as with how to scrunch and diffuse!
#4 Textured Bob with Bangs That Actually Flatter
Bangs on a round face can be a little risky. I’ve seen it work out beautifully and I’ve seen it go the opposite direction, usually because of the texture. These bangs are good because they are not thick and blunt. They actually have movement to them and because they blend into the rest of the cut, nothing looks like it was just stamped on. Shoulder length gives you options. You can wear it down or half up and it’s flattering both ways. The warm brown color with those loose waves do a lot of heavy lifting here making fine hair look like it has more body than it actually does. Just know that if your hair is thick you’ll be in my chair a little more often to keep this from getting bulky.
#5 That Easy Lob with the Softest Bangs
This is a laid back style that is surprisingly effortless and looks incredible. I love doing these cuts. These bangs are light and soft and give a gentle opening around the face, softening the look around the forehead and temple area without further shrinking the appearance of the face. The highlight of this style is the texture from the middle to the ends. There is enough wave in the hair to keep it interesting, and the texture work is not overdone. I love that this cut looks better as it gets older, in fact, the second day is my favorite after it has properly settled. This light brown color looks so good because it is healthy and hydrated which is a great because this style requires the hair to be smooth, and touchable. And just a heads up, it will be necessary to trim those bangs every three weeks if you want to be able to see your eyes.
#6 Short Curly Crop with All the Right Bounce
If you have natural curls, don’t hesitate to try this cut. This cut will highlight your natural curls and show off the beautiful hair you already possess. The hair will fall close to the head and narrow the appearance of your face, showing off your cheekbones and eyes beautifully. There is no need to add to the already voluminous curls on their own. I love how playful this cut is since it’s short but still soft. A good curl cream will be needed to control the definition and frizz, but besides that not much styling will be required.
#7 Layered Textured Pixie with Real Movement
This is a pixie I can get excited about because it won’t be one of those flat-to-the-head pixies that makes everyone look the same. This particular style is layered and textured and has that cute tousled and messy look that gives it personality. On round faces, the extra volume on top is all you need because it creates the illusion of length without the need to grow it out. The wave in the hair is a plus because instead of having to spend time styling it, you can just put some hair product in it and it’ll look like you spent a good 20 minutes on it. I would suggest a texturizing spray to achieve that nice piece-y look, and don’t put off those trims because of a pixie cut; once you leave it (even just a little) to grow out, it can lose its shape really quickly. If you want to add some dimension and depth you can think about a soft balayage, but that means that you’ll have to book another appointment.
#8 Soft Wavy Bob with That Easy Lived-In Feel
The white t-shirt of haircuts has arrived! It takes minimal time and effort to style this cut. It has nice hairstyle written all over it! Sublte layered haircuts look great and avoid the flat curtain look. They avoid making rounder faces look wider as well. Hair that sits just above the shoulders adds lift and movement to the hair creating that perfect length finish. It remains airy and light with the fine to medium hair density. I will be honest depending on the hair type this cut may need some encouragement to hold. Straight hair would look nice as well. I cut this style for my unsure clients and those that come back for it quite often.
#9 Tousled Textured Bob with Effortless Waves
I keep coming back to this one. The way it sits almost feels natural, like the hair just decided to do this. The loose waves soften the jawline which is what you want when your face carries a little more fullness. The subtle layers through the ends stop it looking like a blunt block of hair. The cut holds its shape because the medium density don’t let it look too done and the length above the shoulders is a sweet spot that a lot of people overlook because they think they need to go shorter to make a difference. You will need to put in a little work each morning to get those waves looking this relaxed, but once you find your routine, it becomes second nature to keep them this way.
#10 Textured Pixie with a Soft Little Fringe
This haircut has adorable bangs that really make the look pop. Bangs being soft makes them sit at the perfect angle. They aren’t concealing your face, but they give the whole cut a polished appearance that a lot of pixie cuts don’t have. The color adds a lot too. Warm tones combined with some subtle highlights create a nice glow around the complexion, and the skin appears brighter. On a fuller face, the warmer color contrasts bring focus to your eyes and smile instead of drawing attention to the shape of your jaw. Finer hair with lighter density works best, as you don’t want a pixie that looks heavy. You want it to feel light and playful. It is non-negotiable to trim every four to five weeks because an overgrown pixie cut just looks like you’re trying to grow your hair out.
#11 Short Textured Pixie with Soft Movement
What really catches my eye about this pixie is the lovely texture throughout the crown, and it gives almost a teasing effect without looking overdone. It creates just the right amount of lift that draws the eye up, and makes a round face look longer. The waves offer a much wanted softness because the most frequent pushback I hear is that going this short means losing that, and it doesn’t have to be that way. The layered texture all around the top helps to maintain a nice and fresh feel, and it gets better as the day goes on because natural oils catch right where you want it and add definition. If your hair is particularly fine, you may need some volumizing powder to achieve this level of body at the roots, but that is a quick step that makes a huge difference.
#12 Bold Short Cut with Bright Highlights
I like the attitude! The bold highlights will give dimension and stop the hair from sitting as one solid shape on top of your head. On a rounder face, that variety will be more helpful. The longer layers on top will give height and movement. The shorter sides will keep it all looking clean and manageable. That is what makes this cut flattering and not just trendy. Your medium density hair has just enough body to support the layers without looking thin and scraggly, very little product is needed. I’d say grab a light mousse for the days you want some extra texture and hold. It’ll take you about two minutes and the difference is worth it.
#13 Short Textured Crop with a Gentle Fringe
I think this style feels really true, and, in a sense, it feels like they’re not being dramatic or editorial in any way. It’s a nice, simple, and short crop, and it flattering on fuller faces. We love it! The soft bangs are essential here, as they create that diagonal line across the forehead which elongates the face and makes everything super defined. The top layers are also beautifully textured to give her just the right amount of volume (not too much). Many of my clients are after low maintenance styles, and I can confidently say this is one of the simplest cuts to style. You just run your fingers through it, and it’s ready to go! The slight wave adds to the style and ensures that the look is not too clean, which is a vice for a helmet like final result.
#14 Curly Crop with Soft Tapered Layers
I love it when clients with curly hair want to do a big chop! I get to style an amazing look that will help the client love their hair again. With the right soft layers that blend beautifully with the curl pattern, and creating shape and volume sitting up high, I get to achieve the client’s goals. When cutting a round face shape, the technique is to cut with the volume high on the head. What really makes this cut different from most is nape tapering. While subtle, it gives an elegant look to the neck and the overall shape. Regular trims will keep those curls bouncing! If there is an extended period of time before a haircut, some unruly curls will develop around the ears.
#15 Textured Short Crop with Fun Wispy Bangs
This hairstyle has a fun, youthful quality due to the bangs and layered texture. When the hair moves, the bangs have more of a wispy feel rather than a blunt feel. On a rounder face, this cut draws the focus upwards around the eye area. Top soft waves aim to create volume in the areas that you want most, while avoiding areas that may work against you. The length at the nape of the hair is short enough to provide a nice elongation of the neck, which is a small detail that adds so much to the overall look. This is a great option if you want a low maintenance style. Literally all you have to do is work with what the cut gives you, and you won’t have to fight with that style every morning.
#16 Copper Pixie with Soft Textured Waves
The light copper color looks warm and inviting without being obnoxious. It also does wonders for light skin tones as it really gives a sun-kissed glow. The jawline cut has a good amount of layers to prevent the look from being too harsh. This is really important for round face shapes – you want to add to your face and not detract from it. If you want to style it, I would suggest a light holding cream so the waves don’t feel crunchy. Aside from that, you have really simple styling time in the mornings. Copper does fade a lot though, so to keep it looking bright, you should be prepared to visit the salon for a toner every few weeks.
#17 Short Curly Crop with Natural Definition
If you have curly hair and have been considering cutting it, here is what I recommend. With the length taken away, the curls will define the frame of your face rather than spread out. This will enhance your features in a way that longer hair sometimes disguises. This style suits fuller faces as the volume is more concentrated at the top instead of at the sides. If your hair is thick and you’re finding it hard to manage it, an undercut can be a great way to get rid of some of the bulk while also keeping the style intentional. You will need to use a good curl defining product that keeps the curls bouncy and weighs them down, so avoid anything that gives a crunchy feel.
#18 Curly Bob with Gorgeous Bounce
This curly bob cut encourages me to ditch the heat and embrace my natural texture. After trying so many heat-free techniques to have soft, bouncy, defined curls, it is unlikely that my results would look anywhere near this amazing. I love how the volume at the crown pulls the shape upward. It also helps to soften rounder face shapes like mine. It’s an ideal length since it hits just above the shoulders. This makes it long enough to tie back but short enough to actually feel like a change. I almost hate to mention it since I love this cut so much, but the humidity is going to make this style really difficult to manage. It would be a good idea to keep an anti-frizz serum close by on these days. From the cut itself to the styling options, I think this look is really fun and versatile. I’m so excited that it works for such a wide range of ages.
#19 Copper Textured Bob with a Wispy Fringe
This shade is so stunning because it works so well with the warm tones in my face giving my complexion a lovely refreshing look. The soft fringe is absolutely the finishing touch! It draws the eyes and cheekbones up and away from the jawline. The modern feel the loose, tousled layers give is fabulous! The shoulder length is a great length giving enough to style it in a number of ways without dragging the shape down. With the cut’s natural waves, air drying the hair gives a very put together look. Copper is a lovely color, but It does take a commitment to maintain. Every six weeks you will need to get it toned and it requires a color safe shampoo to keep it looking nice, so the upkeep is the payoff, but the payoff is well worth the commitment!
#20 Short Layered Cut with a Warm Auburn Glow
The haircut’s layers are working perfectly. This is because of how they were structured, creating body and movement instead of the fine hair lying dormant. The light auburn color is warm and alive, and I find that it makes the skin look even warmer and livelier. I especially notice this with clients who tend to wash out in cooler tones. The face framing layers are especially flattering here as they draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones in a lovely way that seems intentional. Fine to medium density hair actually works best for this style and cut since it gives volume from the layers without the hair getting really puffy or uncontrollable. The cut is forgiving enough that it still looks good on day three or four between washes. Of course the cut will look best with regular trims since the layers are meant to be uneven.
#21 Curly Bob with a Soft Wispy Fringe
The fringe works well because it is wispy and does not cover the entire face. It also adds a bit of polish to the cut compared to other curly bobs. The curly texture and added volume are also quite flattering on rounder face shapes. This cut works particularly well on medium to thick hair. With this hair type, the curls won’t become too flyaway and the bob length will keep things contained as opposed to adding more tangling and bulk. This means that while the style won’t be really high maintenance, it will need good wash routines to keep the curls looking nice and good styling product, but after that the cut will really take care of itself.
#22 Shoulder-Length Bob with Soft Wispy Bangs
I appreciate the fact that the subtle waves in the hair in combination with the bangs contribute to a polished look that is soft and not overly done. The warm chocolate color is rich and it enhances the texture in the hair. It makes the layers more pronounced which gives dimension and avoids a round face from looking one dimensional. The shoulder length on this cut is what I like to refer to as a comfort zone because it is long enough to feel safe while still being short enough to get some shape and form. The layered look means that you have versatility in how you wear it whether you like to do it is straight and sleek or wavy and relaxed. Just make sure to get your trims regularly as with this style split ends show easily and it will end up looking tired very quickly.
#23 Dark Textured Pixie with Lots of Dimension
A deep brown pixie of this much texture and layering is one of those cuts that is not only great in pictures, more importantly, looks fabulous in person when you are rushing out the door on a Tuesday morning. That’s honestly my test for how good a haircut is. The softer layers create lift around the crown and keep rounder faces balanced. Additionally, the dark shade grounds everything so it looks intentional and polished rather than messy. Fine hair is to your advantage here because it means the layers can create the illusion of fullness without becoming heavy or losing their shape, and if you wanted to take it further, you could definitely add a few highlights through the top for more dimension. This is a cut that requires some maintenance, though, so consider that before you come in. Shorter styles grow out faster than you think, and you’ll want to be in the chair every four to five weeks to keep it looking fresh.
#24 Clean Textured Pixie with Soft Layering
The pixie cut looks great! Your skill in achieving this cut looks impressive. I imagine the contrast between precision and shaped looseness in an approachable manner is difficult to create, so I really appreciate the craft that goes into it. I also think the slight extra layering is just right to elongate rounded features, even if in a subtle way that doesn’t draw too much attention to it. The length around the ears also helps keep the style tidy and out of the way. In my view, fine hair of medium density works best for this pixie because it creates good movement without excess bulk. The soft layered texture around the edges is pretty and ideal for a style that looks good with low maintenance. You will need to come in to maintain it for trims on a regular basis, as once your ears are covered, the cut starts looking quite messy.
#25 Warm Copper Bob with Soft Face-Framing Bangs
I really like how copper has been used here! The light and warmth of the color feels like it makes the cut look more expensive than it actually is, which is always the aim. The bangs are soft and really frame the face and do not hide it which is great for round and fuller faces as heavy bangs can make the entire look feel shorter and wider. The textured finishing on the lengths gives medium and thick hair structure without it feeling like a block. The length is also versatile enough to give a shoulder length feel. I think this style is best with a little effort like some scrunching but it’s not going to get totally messy if you leave it. I also think it could get a bit messy if you leave it a day or two. The bangs will look a little wild after a while so they’ll need maintenance every two to three weeks to stop them poking you in the eye and driving you insane!
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