“Face shape is a key part of a hair cut, and what is interesting with the celebrities we’re talking about here is that they’ve had the same or similar hair for awhile because it’s what works best for them,” says Brennen de Melo, owner of De Melo Studio in Toronto. “A lot of Hollywood’s A-list actresses keep it simple when it comes to hair.”

He adds, though, that there really is no set rule that says certain face shapes need certain hair cuts. “It’s just more of a guideline that you can use,” he says. “So when you’re wondering why certain hair cuts don’t look good on you, it’s usually your face shape that comes into play.” Not to worry, though. “There is a perfect short, long and mid-length haircut for every face shape—you just need the find the custom cut for you.”

Here are some of our favourite hair cuts to flatter five common face shapes and why they work.

Oval

You have an oval face if the length of your face is greater than the width of your face.

Celebrity inspiration: Jessica Alba

The key with an oval face type is that your haircut can really change the shape of your face—and lucky for you, oval faces can really play with all types of haircuts, says De Melo, from short to long depending on your hair texture. Add a fringe on an oval face and your face will become more square looking, while a mid-length cut with some layers adapted to your hair texture to create movement is another good look for this length.

Square

You have a square face if the width and length of your face is very similar and you have a broad jaw line and forehead.

Celebrity inspiration: Olivia Wilde

If your face is square, your face allows you to go with harder lines in your cut, such as a shorter bob. From
cutting a fringe to accenting the jaw line or going with longer hair with shorter layers to add texture and soften the face shape—all of this is do-able with your face shape. One thing you may want to avoid? Slashing off too much length. “Very short hair can look very hard on a face shape like this,” says De Melo.

Before you snip, check out more of our celebrity-inspired hair cuts on the next page …
Round

Your face is round if the width and length of your face is quite similar, but there’s a circular feeling to the overall shape of your face.

Celebrity inspiration: Ginnifer Goodwin

Short hair is for you! “But if short hair is not your thing, keep it longer at all one length and or mid-length,” says De Melo. Also, he recommends sticking to more classic cuts that are mid-length or long, if you’re not going very short. “Bobs can make the face look rounder and often are not flattering with round faces.”

Heart

Your face is heart-shaped if your cheekbones and forehead are wider than your forehead and you have a delicate chin.

Celebrity inspiration: Christina Ricci

If you have a heart shape face, you’re a candidate for a straight across fringe. “A heart-shape face is close to an oval,” he notes, so you, too, have versatility when it comes to the styles you can pull off. Another look that you can rock? A shorter disconnected bob.

Long

You have a long face if your face is longer than it is broad – often quite narrow in width, and with high cheekbones.

Celebrity inspiration: Jennifer Garner

With a long face, longer hair works best, with some shorter layers cut in to add shape and framing to the face, says De Melo. Bangs can also help in making your face appear shorter—the idea being that adding width will create the perception of less vertical length to your face.

Read more:

Our 7 favourite short hair styles

5 short hair cuts to try now

5 healthy hair secrets

Test out the latest celebrity hair styles with our Virtual Makeover Tool!