Flattering Hairstyle Cuts For Round Faces | Rush

When deciding the best hairstyle for your look, your face shape plays a key role. A round face shape is recognised by its soft jawline and naturally curved features. Their balanced features shine best with styles that add structure and elongate the face. At Rush Hair, our stylists are experts in tailoring your cut to harmonise your face shape, helping you look and feel your best. Discover the best styles, what to avoid and professional styling tips with this helpful guide.  

How Face Shape Influences Haircuts

The geometry and proportions of your face play a key role in finding a flattering haircut. Each face shape compliments different styles – for example, square faces benefit from soft layers to offset their strong jawlines, whilst heart shaped faces look great with cuts that balance their wider forehead and narrower chin. By understanding your face shape and proportions, you can choose a hairstyle that highlights your best features and creates a naturally harmonious look.

Understanding Round Face Shapes

A round face shape is typically defined by full cheeks, a soft jawline and a shape which is both equal in width and length. If your cheekbones are the widest part and your jawline is curved, you likely have a round face. When choosing a haircut to flatter your round face shape, certain styles work better than others – we’d recommend cuts that add definition to sharpen features and elongate the face. Remember that your face shape should be a guide for the style which would complement your features, it shouldn’t limit you – styling is about balance and personal expression.

11 Best Hairstyle Cuts For Round Faces

Short Hair Length

1. Layered pixie bob

The layered pixie bob is a chic, modern hybrid between a short pixie and a classic bob, offering the perfect balance between edge and femininity. This cut features short, feathered layers throughout with slightly longer pieces around the crown or nape, creating texture, volume, and a flattering silhouette for round faces. Think Florence Pugh or Michelle Williams – both have sported layered pixie bobs that beautifully frame their round face shapes.

Why it suits round faces:

A layered pixie bob adds height at the crown and texture throughout, helping to elongate and slim the appearance of a round face. The softly tapered sides and longer top layers create the illusion of a longer face, making for a balanced, sculpted silhouette that draws attention upward and accentuates the eyes and cheekbones.

Styling advice:

• Blow-dry using a small round brush to enhance volume at the crown.
• Use a lightweight texturising cream through the ends of the hair to define the layers and create a choppy texture.
• For a polished finish, tuck one side behind the ear to the side to elongate the face shape and create an elegant silhouette. 

Colour suggestions:

Opt for multidimensional tones that accentuate the cut’s texture – soft balayage, ‘lived-in’ blondes and subtle highlights work great for this cut. Adding brightness to your base will enhance the cut’s natural shape.

Maintenance tips:

• Schedule trims every 6 – 8 weeks to keep the silhouette sharp.
• Regularly deep condition the hair to maintain softness and shine.
• Shorter layers can dry out more easily due to frequent styling.

2. Long choppy pixie with side-swept fringe

The long choppy pixie with a side-swept fringe is a modern, effortlessly chic style that blends the ease of a short cut with the softness of longer, textured layers. This look features tapered sides and back with longer layers throughout the body to create movement and volume while beautifully framing the face. Think Michelle Williams or Lily Collins – both have embraced variations of this cut that balance femininity and edge, making it ideal for those with round face shapes.

Why it suits round faces:

The asymmetry of the side-swept fringe and the elongated top layers help visually lengthen the face. The choppy texture adds height and definition without drawing attention to the cheeks, subtly slimming the face’s appearance. By keeping one side slightly longer, the cut uses angular lines that soften the roundness, making for a more sculpted silhouette.

Styling advice:

• Spritz a sea salt spray into damp hair to enhance natural movement.
• Blow-dry the fringe from the root using a small round brush to achieve that sweeping effect.
• Finish with a texture spray to maintain volume and hold without stiffness.

Colour suggestions:

Lighter pieces around the fringe can draw attention upward, enhancing facial elongation and highlighting the cut’s movement, think a gorgeous, contrasting money piece!

Maintenance tips:

• Schedule trims every 6 – 8 weeks to keep the pixie’s shape and fringe sharp.
• Refresh layers between salon visits with a texture spray or light heat styling for bounce and movement.
• Use a leave-in treatment to maintain softness without weighing hair down and ensure the hair stays in optimal health.

3. Short angled bob with longer front pieces

The short, angled bob with longer front pieces is a sleek, sculpted style that combines structure with modern sophistication. This cut features shorter layers stacked at the back that gradually lengthen toward the front, creating a clean, angled line that beautifully frames a round face shape. The longer front pieces add movement and a touch of softness, while the shorter back provides lift and volume. Think Victoria Beckham or Keira Knightley, who have both been seen sporting this iconic cut thanks to its ability to blend elegance and confidence.

Why it suits round faces: 

The diagonal lines of the angled bob naturally elongate the face, giving the illusion of a slimmer, more defined shape and enhancing the jawline. By keeping volume concentrated at the crown and nape, the cut creates height and a graceful, lengthened silhouette.

Styling advice:

• Blow-dry with a round brush, angling the ends inward for a fashion-forward, trendy finish.
• Apply a volumising mousse before drying to add fullness at the back of the head.
• Finish with a shine serum or styling oil to enhance the cut’s clean lines.

Colour suggestions:

Subtle balayage or a soft gradient that lightens toward the front accentuates the cut’s angular appearance and frames the face beautifully. Adding a shadow root can add depth and make the front lengths appear even more striking. 

Maintenance tips:

• Schedule trims every 6 – 8 weeks to preserve the precision of the angle and maintain clean lines.
• Use a smoothing shampoo and lightweight conditioner to maintain the hair’s shine.
• Between salon visits, opt for a deep-conditioning treatment to prevent dryness at the ends.

Medium Hair length

4. Deep side-parted lob

The deep side-part lob is a timeless, effortlessly chic hairstyle that combines elegance with versatility. This cut falls somewhere in between the chin and the collarbones, featuring a pronounced side part, which creates an asymmetrical frame that flatters a variety of face shapes. Think Jennifer Aniston or Rosie Huntington-Whiteley – both have popularised the lob for its ability to enhance facial features while remaining low-maintenance and stylish.

Why it suits round faces:

The deep side part creates an angular line across the face, breaking up roundness and adding visual length. The asymmetry elongates the face and slims the cheeks. Shoulder-grazing lengths maintain softness around the jawline while the side part adds a touch of drama, giving a more sculpted and balanced appearance.

Styling advice:

• Apply a volumising mousse before drying to add height and fullness. 
• Use straighteners to create sleek, straight ends for a polished yet edgy finish. 
• Spritz a lightweight shine spray to maintain shine without stiffness.

Colour Suggestions: 

Face-framing highlights or balayage can enhance the lob’s natural movement and dimension. Lighter tones near the front can create the illusion of a slimmer face, while subtle lowlights at the back add depth and contrast. 

Maintenance tips:

• Use a lightweight conditioner or leave-in treatment to prevent heaviness and maintain natural shine.
• For added lift, gently tease the roots or use a volumising powder.

5. Messy/wavy lob

The messy/wavy lob is a relaxed, effortlessly chic, stylish cut that combines the sophistication of a bob with natural texture. Falling between the chin and collarbones, this cut works beautifully with amplified natural texture to achieve soft, tousled layers that add volume and dimension. Celebrities like Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence have worn wavy lobs, making it a go-to choice for a chic, modern, and low-maintenance hairstyle.

Why it suits round faces: 

The waves add texture and movement that help to elongate the face and soften round features. Loose, tousled layers break up symmetry, drawing attention away from the width of the cheeks, which creates a more sculpted appearance. A side or deep side part can give the illusion of a longer face, a key in balancing the proportions of a round face.

Styling advice:

• Apply a salt spray to damp hair to encourage natural waves.
• Allow the hair to air-dry for soft, effortless texture.
• Enhance waves with a curling wand for a relaxed, beachy look.

Colour Suggestions: 

Soft balayage or sun-kissed highlights enhance the depth and texture of waves – whilst also paying homage to the style’s boho roots. Lighter pieces and multi-dimensional colour can help in creating the illusion of a slimmer, more elongated face.

Maintenance tips:

• Trim every 8 – 10 weeks to maintain shape and prevent split ends.
• Use a lightweight conditioner to preserve the hair’s natural texture and avoid weighing down the waves.
• Always use a heat protectant if styling with a curling wand to maintain healthy, soft waves.

6. Blunt-cut wavy lob

The blunt-cut wavy lob is a modern, polished twist on the classic long bob, combining the sharp, clean lines of a blunt cut with the relaxed texture of waves. Falling just above the collarbones, this style features a straight-across, even length at the ends, with the natural waves creating softness and movement throughout.  Celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber have showcased this look, proving its chic, versatile appeal.

Why it suits round faces: 

The blunt ends provide structure, whilst the waves movement and texture elongate the face. The combination of softness and precision helps to balance rounder cheeks, giving the appearance of a more sculpted jawline. 

Styling advice:

• Apply a lightweight curl-enhancing cream to define and encourage natural waves.
• Let the hair air-dry for an effortless texture.
• Finish with a sea salt spray to maintain movement and a soft, lived-in look without frizz.

Colour Suggestions: 

Incorporate face-framing highlights or subtle balayage to add dimension and contour looks beautiful on a blunt-cut wavy lob. Contrasting lighter pieces on a dark base also works well, adding to the cut’s edgy nature and creating a slimming effect that helps to define round features.

Maintenance tips:

• Trim every 8-10 weeks to maintain the blunt silhouette. 
• Refresh texture with a sea salt spray or curl-enhancing cream between washes.
• Apply heat protectant when using styling tools to keep waves soft and the hair protected.

7. Shoulder-length shag 

The shoulder-length shag is a modern, textured cut that combines effortless volume with playful, lived-in layers. This style features choppy, feathered layers throughout the hair, often paired with soft fringe or face-framing pieces. The shag works beautifully with natural waves or straight hair, creating movement, body, and a carefree, stylish vibe. Celebrities like Taylor Swift have been spotted sporting this look, thanks to its versatility and low-maintenance appeal.

Why it suits round faces: 

The layered, choppy texture of a shag elongates the face, drawing attention away from the cheekbones. Face-framing layers and side-swept fringe help create angles and definition, subtly sculpting the jawline and balancing round features. The natural, tousled movement keeps the overall look soft and flattering.

Styling advice:

• Apply a lightweight texturising spray to damp hair to boost volume and definition.
• Blow-dry with a round brush to lift the roots and shape layers.
• Finish with a sea salt spray to separate layers and maintain a tousled, lived-in effect.

Colour Suggestions: 

Subtle balayage, highlights, or face-framing pieces work well to emphasise the shag’s layers, movement, and natural lived-in look. Lighter tones around the face can create shadowing that slims the cheeks – multi-dimensional tones are great for enhancing the texture, depth, and definition of the cut.

Maintenance tips:

• Trim every 8 – 10 weeks to keep layers fresh and maintain the shape of the shag.
• Use lightweight, nourishing products to ensure the hair maintains its shine.
• Use a root-lifting spray to maintain lift and volume.

Long Hair Length

8. Long Layers with face-framing angles

The long-layered cut is a versatile and flattering style featuring soft, cascading layers that begin below the chin or around the collarbone. This classic look maintains length while adding movement, shape, and volume throughout the hair. Think Selena Gomez or Kate Bosworth, both of whom have worn long layered cuts that add elegance and vertical balance to their round face shapes.

Why it suits round faces:

Long layers help to elongate the face by drawing the eye downward, creating a balanced silhouette. By starting the layers below the chin, the cut avoids adding width around the cheeks, giving the face a more sculpted and refined appearance.

Styling advice:

• Blow-dry with a round brush to create lift at the crown and smooth, face-framing bends through the ends.
• Apply a volumising spray or lightweight mousse at the roots before drying for extra height.
• Finish with a soft hold shine spray to enhance natural movement and polish.

Colour suggestions:

Incorporate face-framing highlights or subtle balayage to add dimension and contour. Lighter tones around the face can create a gentle shadowing effect that slims and defines round features.

Maintenance tips:

• Schedule trims every 8-10 weeks to maintain healthy ends and layer definition.
• Use a light, nourishing conditioner to prevent weight or build-up that could flatten volume.
• Refresh layers between salon visits with a texture spray or light heat styling for bounce and movement.

9. Sleek, straight lengths with centre part and curtain bangs

This style features long, straight hair parted down the middle, complimented by curtain bangs that frame the face. The sleek, smooth lengths create a polished, sophisticated look, while the centre part fringe adds an essence of symmetry. Celebrities like Dakota Johnson love this look, demonstrating how it can balance structure with softness for a chic, modern aesthetic. It’s the style that all the ‘It-Girls’ are loving!

Why it suits round faces: 

The centre part visually divides the face, creating the illusion of length and reduces the appearance of width that round faces are recognised for. Curtain bangs softly frame the cheekbones, elongating the face.

Styling advice:

• Apply a smoothing serum to damp hair before blow-drying for sleek, polished lengths. 
• Blow-dry using a round brush, directing curtain bangs away from the face for soft, natural movement and glass-like shine. 
• Use a straightener for a sleek, sophisticated finish.

Colour suggestions:

Single-toned, rich shades work well to emphasise the sleekness of the cut, whilst subtle highlights around the face can enhance dimension and create a soft face-framing effect, helping to contour and sharpen round features.

Maintenance tips:

• Use a smoothing shampoo and lightweight conditioner to keep the hair looking sleek and shiny. 
• Focus on hair health and maintain a health-balanced diet.
  Apply a heat protectant before styling to prevent damage and keep hair glossy and smooth.

Shag/texture & fringe

10. Shag with curtain bangs

The shag with curtain bangs is a textured, modern hairstyle that blends effortless volume with soft, face-framing layers – perfect for a round face shape! Falling just above the collarbones, this cut features choppy, feathered layers throughout the hair and soft, parted curtain bangs that open the face. Celebrities like Alexa Chung love the shag with curtain bangs for its rock chick appeal.

Why it suits round faces:

The layered, choppy texture adds vertical lines that help elongate the face, while the curtain bangs create soft angles around the cheeks and jawline. This combination draws the eye downward, subtly slimming the face and balancing roundness. Tousled layers keep the look soft and playful, avoiding heaviness that can widen the face.

Styling advice:

• Apply a lightweight texturising spray to damp hair for extra movement and volume
• Blow-dry using a diffuser for natural waves or let the hair air-dry.
• Finish with a light-hold hairspray to amp up the volume and maintain the lived-in, effortless look.

Colour Suggestions:

Balayage, face-framing highlights, or subtle lowlights work well to emphasise the disconnected layers. Lighter tones around the face can help slim the cheeks, while multi-dimensional shades enhance texture and depth throughout the cut.

Maintenance Tips:

• Trim every 8 – 10 weeks to keep layers and curtain bangs fresh and defined
• Use lightweight, nourishing hair products to avoid losing volume and texture.
• Refresh texture between washes with a texturising spray for added movement. 

11. Wispy bob with curtain fringe

The wispy bob paired with a curtain fringe is a soft, modern take on the classic bob, combining light, airy layers with a face-framing fringe. Typically falling between the chin and shoulders, this cut features delicate, feathered ends and a parted curtain fringe that gently sweeps across the face. Celebrities like Margot Robbie and Lucy Hale have showcased this style, striking a perfect balance between structure and effortless texture.

Why it suits round faces: 

The wispy layers reduce bulk around the cheekbones, whilst the curtain fringe elongates the face. The light, airy ends create movement that prevents the cut from becoming too round, while the fringe frames the face softly, helping to sharpen the jawline and cheekbones.

Styling advice:

• Blow-dry the fringe using a round brush, sweeping it gently to the sides for a natural, face-framing effect.
• Use a curling wand to create tousled waves for added texture.
• Finish with a texturising hairspray to maintain airy movement without stiffness.

Colour Suggestion:            

Soft balayage, subtle highlights, or lowlights can enhance the layered texture and give depth and dimension to the fringe. Lighter tones around the face help to create a slimming effect for the face, while tonal variation throughout the bob adds dimension and visual interest.

Maintenance Tips: 

• Trim every 6 – 8 weeks to keep the fringe in shape and the bob’s layers fresh.
• Use lightweight conditioning products to maintain softness without weighing the hair down.
• Apply a heat protectant when styling with tools to maintain healthy, smooth ends.

Hairstyles To Avoid

Certain haircut and styling choices can make a round face appear wider, so it’s helpful to be mindful of them. Blunt cuts that end at the jawline or heavy, blunt fringes often emphasise the fullness of the cheekbones, making for a boxier look when paired with a round face shape. Tight curls can also contribute to a wider appearance by adding volume evenly around a round face shape. Overly heavy styling products, like thick gels, creams, and waxes, can weigh hair down, often drawing attention to the roundness rather than balancing it. Opting for cuts and styles that create the illusion of a longer face, or asymmetrical styles are generally more flattering for round face shapes. 

Better Hairstyle Alternatives 

With the right approach, hairstyles can work with your features, not against them. Choosing the right hairstyles can enhance and elongate a round face, creating a balanced, flattering look. Adding height and volume at the top of the head helps to lengthen the face, while strategically layered or textured styles break up roundness and introduce movement. Simple style swaps – like opting for side-swept or curtain bangs instead of blunt, straight-across fringes, or choosing an angled bob over a boxy one-length cut – can dramatically change the silhouette, highlighting the jawline and cheekbones while maintaining effortless, natural-looking balance. 

How Hair Colour Enhances Round Faces

Hair colouring isn’t just about changing your shade – it’s a powerful way to shape and define your face, whilst adding dimension and depth. When used strategically, colour can create dimension, texture and shadow that enhance your natural features. Hair contouring uses light and shape placement to highlight our best features and visually sculpt your face. This means that lighter tones draw attention to an area, widening and making it more prominent, whilst deeper shades create the illusion of shadow and length.

Colour Strategies That Flatter Round Faces 

Balayage and Face-Framing Highlights: Balayage and hand-painted highlights placed through the mid-lengths and ends can visually elongate the face and slim the jawline.

Money-Piece Highlights: Brighter sections around the front of the face lift the eyes and make the face look longer. This technique works beautifully for those with medium to long hair length. 

Root Smudge/Shadow Root: Blending deeper roots into lighter lengths creates natural depth and the appearance of height at the crown. This not only softens the transition between shades for a low-maintenance regrowth, but also gives the illusion of a longer, more sculpted face shape.

Subtle Lowlights below the Cheekbones: Adding deeper tones just below cheek level helps contour the face by creating shadow and definition, ultimately slimming the face and defining the jawline.  

Cool vs. Warm Tones: Cool tones enhance structure with their striking contrast, making it ideal for sharper definition. Warm tones add radiance and softness, making them perfect for brightening the complexion and opening up the face. 

Combine Colour with Cut for Maximum Effect

The most flattering looks come from harmony between colour placement and haircut design. The right pairing enhances natural movement, depth, and shape:

• Long layers with balayage: Adds light through the mid-lengths and ends to create soft, effortless movement.
• Angled bobs with lowlights: Introduce deeper tones for contrast and structure, emphasising clean lines and definition.
• Face-framing highlights: Brighten around the cheekbones to accentuate layers and bring focus to your features.

When colour and cut work together, they define the flow of the hair and the shape of the face. Strategic placement enhances where your cut adds movement – creating a balanced, sculpted, and naturally lifted look.

Celebrity & Salon Examples 

• Selena Gomez: Soft caramel contouring around the face to elongate her round shape.
• Adele: Shadow root with golden highlights creating structured dimension.
• Lily Collins: Dark-to-light gradient that slims her rounded cheeks.

Everyday Styling Ideas for Round Faces

• Casual: Soft waves or a loose ponytail create gentle movement that elongate the round face shape and add effortless lift.
• Professional: A sleek bun with subtle volume at the crown gives a polished finish and visually lengthens the silhouette of the face.
• Evening: A half updo with soft tendrils framing the face adds glamour and balance, highlighting and accentuating the round face shape. 

Product Suggestions

• Root-lifting spray – Adds lift directly at the roots to create height and subtle elongation without the weight of a mousse.
• Lightweight glossing mist – Adds dimension and smoothness without heaviness—ideal for avoiding a flat look.
• Soft-hold styling cream – Defines natural texture with gentle control, helping maintain shape while allowing movement.

How To Work with Your Stylist To Flatter Your Face Shape

To find your perfect cut with a round face shape, chat with a stylist experienced in face-shape analysis who can tailor your cut to your features. We’d recommend bringing reference pictures, as well as considering your maintenance expectations to ensure your haircut fits your lifestyle. During your appointment, ask your stylist to assess your face shape before cutting, request to see examples of their work on similar face types, and discuss key details such as layering, fringe placement, and length adjustments to achieve balance and proportion. Rush stylists specialise in custom cuts that enhance every face shape through expert consultation and precision cutting.

Book Your Rush Appointment

Ready to find your most flattering hairstyle? Book an appointment now to find a haircut adapted to your face shape with Rush stylists today. Find your nearest salon here.