These Are The Best Haircuts If You Have A Big Forehead

Let's make one thing clear right off the bat: Having a big forehead is not a bad thing. Throughout history, high foreheads have been noted as a symbol of attractiveness — Renaissance women would even pluck their hairlines to make their foreheads appear larger, and paintings of women from the time show that high foreheads were a symbol of beauty.

And in current times, some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, like Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, and Tyra Banks have larger foreheads. With all of that said, having a big forehead can be tough if it's not a feature you're super comfortable with. You may find that certain hairstyles look different on others with smaller foreheads than they do on you, and you may not be sure which styles will suit you best. You may be torn between wanting to emphasize your broad forehead and wanting to minimize it. At the end of the day, you should choose whichever haircut makes you feel your best. But if you're looking for a little inspiration, we've compiled a list of the haircuts best suited to those with big foreheads.

People have been getting layers in their hair for decades, and for good reason — they add dimension and movement and tend to make any haircut more dynamic. Layers can also be an incredibly flattering option for different face shapes and features, especially when the layers are combined with bangs or fringe. According to hair expert and founder of Spoke & Weal salons, Jon Reyman, "A long, layered fringe can help soften and balance your features" (per Glamour).

If you don't like the idea of getting a fringe, you can still incorporate some soft, face-framing layering throughout your hair to draw attention to your face and create some dimension. Layers not only elevate your haircut, but they also add visual interest to your hair, drawing attention away from your forehead. Be sure to work with your hairstylist to figure out which type of layering will best suit you.

According to hairstylist Harry Josh (via Mane Addicts), "Some girls may just need layering around the face, others may need layers throughout their length, and some just on the very ends. Most types of layering are specific to each client, which is why it's important to consult with a trusted hairstylist who knows your hair well."

More of a hairstyle than a haircut, voluminous curls will balance out a big forehead by adding extra volume to your hair. Hairstylist Gillian Garcia told Essence, "The bigger, the better! Having a large forehead doesn't mean you can't pump up the volume with your tresses."

Voluminous curls may be easier to achieve for those with a naturally curly hair texture, but the good news is that your hair length and haircut don't matter — you can still get volume and curls regardless of these factors (though an afro will work much better on those with naturally curly hair). People with naturally straight or very fine hair will likely have to use texturizing products and curling irons to achieve a super-curly look. Whether your voluminous curls come in the form of an afro or longer, looser curls, the most important thing is that you feel confident in yourself. A piece of advice from Garcia when it comes to big foreheads: "Own it!"

The pompadour is a fun and bold hairstyle choice that is perfect for those looking for something a little different. It's also one of hairstylist Gillian Garcia's recommendations for people with a big forehead, according to Essence. Creating interest and volume on the top of the head can balance out a larger forehead while also achieving an edgy look (see Janelle Monáe for a great take on the pompadour). Celebrity hairstylist Raphael Reboh told Byrdie, "The pompadour is the perfect classic look for [those] who want to pull their hair away from their face but still want to be edgy and fun; however, it is not an easy style to pull off for the faint of heart."

So, for those daring enough to go for a pompadour, getting the right haircut and styling down is very important. "The haircut is key," Reboh told Byrdie. "Cut the hair in a way that shapes your particular face shape." He also recommended drying the hair well and using a "matte paste with no shine" to keep the style in place.

Those of us with naturally curly tresses may have been told in the past that bangs aren't a good idea, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Particularly when you're trying to minimize a large forehead, curly bangs not only look great, but also draw attention to the eyes rather than the forehead. 

As celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson told Us Weekly, "Bangs go in and out of style, but right now, for makeup looks — especially those surrounding the red carpet — the focus is on the eyes, and bangs help frame and accentuate this feature."

For people with wavy and curly hair, Gibson says it's important to get bangs cut in a way that allows them to fall in a flattering way while still maintaining their curl — in other words, full, blunt bangs are a no-go. "Those with curly hair need a bit of softness and the bangs need to be broken up a bit," he said. "But you are otherwise good to go."

Unlike blunt, full bangs, which can create a heavy look, wispy bangs cover the forehead while still keeping the overall look light and airy, since the bangs are more piece-y and wispy. These versatile bangs also work well with different hair types, including curly and wavy styles.

Hair expert George Northwood told Byrdie: "If you've got a small forehead, you want to cut the fringe to make the head look bigger, so the opposite will be the case for a big forehead. You'll want to opt for a smaller cut — something like Caroline de Maigret, as her fringe is disconnected, and you can see through it." Celebrity hairstylist MJ Rone agrees with this take, telling Female Network, "Wispy fringe covers a broad forehead. Plus, it gives off a relaxed and romantic look."

Northwood also offers an important tip for anyone with a large forehead who is looking to get bangs: Make sure that your hairstylist doesn't make your bangs "deep." In other words, the bangs should not begin far back on the head, as that will create the look of an even bigger forehead.

An ethereal and classic look for Black hair, long, flowing box braids can draw attention away from the forehead and onto the hairstyle itself. From Tessa Thompson to Zendaya to Zoe Kravitz, this hairstyle has been donned by many celebrities, and for good reason. Long braids give a feminine and artsy look to those who wear them, and, as a bonus, having a side part with braids allows for some of the forehead to be covered, which is ideal for those looking to minimize that area.

However, box braids aren't really for the faint of heart. If braids are too tight, this can lead to a condition called traction alopecia, which leads to hair loss around the hairline. Hairstylist Bridgette Hill told Byrdie that it's important to speak up if you're feeling excessive pulling during braid installation. "Address the discomfort immediately," Hill said. "The braider should loosen any braid in real-time to reduce discomfort."

Though braids can act as a protective style for the hair and can be low-maintenance, they do require some care. According to Hill, braids should be moisturized several times a week with oil, while the scalp should be cleansed with rosemary oil or a diluted shampoo weekly.

The go-to hairstyle for those of us well-endowed in the forehead department, full bangs look good with different lengths and hair textures and create a classic look. As celebrity hairstylist MJ Rone told Female Network: "You can't go wrong with classic, full bangs."

While it's true that full fringe is a classic look, going from no bangs to full bangs is a big change, so it's understandable if you're feeling apprehensive about making the chop. "A full-on fringe is a big commitment, especially for first-timers," hairstylist Jordan M told Byrdie. "They're going to require some extra styling in the morning. And if you don't like them, it's an even bigger commitment to grow them back out."

If you're on the fence about getting full bangs, don't be afraid to try clip-on faux bangs to see if they suit you and if you can handle the maintenance and styling required. If you find them unflattering or difficult to work with, there are many other styles to choose from that can flatter a larger forehead.