30 Hairstyles That Are Perfect For Round Faces

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From '90s slip dresses to early 2000s low-rise jeans, modern fashion is simply nostalgia repackaged. Even '80s silhouettes and chunky jewelry have made a comeback, while shows like "Bridgerton" took us back to the 1800s, resulting in a surprising uptick in "Regencycore" styles: puffy sleeves, springtime florals, and feminine maximalism, per Women's Wear Daily. Vice notes that the 20-year fashion cycle — the idea that fads reemerge every two-or-so decades — has been warped, expanding to include fashions anywhere from five to 500 years ago. In the words of one Vox headline, "Trends are dead," and that's largely thanks to social media.

The modern amalgamation of decades also applies to hair, according to Glamour. "People are almost having a DIY version of a haircut. There is a real trend of mixing and matching," says acclaimed hairstylist Paul Percival. The bottom line? Take this era of abundance as an opportunity to get creative. Break fashion "rules." Lauren, a TikTok creator under the handle @passingwhimsie, argues that a round face shape — usually thought to mean full cheeks and softer features — shouldn't restrict your options. "It's always been very interesting to me how society has made women with round faces feel like they have limited hairstyle choices," she explains, pushing back against the pixie cut taboo.

If celebrities like Gennifer Goodwin, Lupita Nyong'o, or Selena Gomez are any proof, soft face shapes provide the perfect canvas for a wide array of looks. From curly and cropped to sleek and long, these 30 hairstyles are round-face go-tos.

In a "Throwback Thursday" Instagram post, actress and host Drew Barrymore shared a picture of her signature late-'90s textured bob and bangs — of course, what '90s look would be complete without a denim jacket? "Bobs never really go out of fashion," editorial hairstylist Neil Moodie shares with Refinery29, pointing to the recent popularity of the "J-ob," or cutting your hair close to your jawline, much like Drew Barrymore. "This bob varies in terms of texture and shape, celebrating everybody's natural hair," says the stylist. Meanwhile, as stylist Blake Reed Evans outlines for Bustle, "Micro bangs, like the ones Zendaya wore to the 2018 Met Gala, enhance your round face and cheeks."

Though Kirsten Dunst may have worn towering powdered wigs in "Marie Antoinette" and sported long, fiery red hair in "Spider-Man," these days, she's known for her shoulder-length blonde locks and a side part. "This cut works because she kept it a few inches below the chin, which makes the face appear longer, while the swept-across bang creates angles on a round face," hairstylist Leona Wilson tells Cosmopolitan, referring to the look on actress Jennifer Lawrence.

Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons points to a new trend: '70s-inspired feathered hair. "In my opinion," he tells Who What Wear, "one of the most iconic styles from the '70s is Farrah Fawcett. Her blended layers, mega volume, and stunning curtain bangs are so flattering on all face shapes and hair types, and the added dimension helps to make you look like you walked straight out of the salon." TikToker @70srose films a step-by-step guide, curling her hair away from her face in sections before using a round brush to achieve that loose, "feathered" effect.

The flipped bob was a trademark hairstyle of the '60s, adapted by the likes of Jane Fonda, first lady Jackie Kennedy, and Aretha Franklin, per Byrdie. Nearly six decades after its peak, "Midsommar" star Florence Pugh showed off her take on the mid-century flip at 2022's Venice Film Festival, per Allure. Southern Living recommends asking your stylist for a sharp-cut lob that goes down to your collarbone, a length that will perfectly accent the fullness of your cheeks. Best of all, you can always pin back that dramatic swoop with '60s-worthy hair accessories. Check out these flower power hair pins from Madewell.

At 2022's Venice Film Festival, "Bones and All" star Taylor Russell channeled 1920s singer Josephine Baker with a pasted-down curl, known historically as an Eton crop (via Fashion). Alternatively, complement your round face shape with another popular 1920s hairstyle — angled finger waves, per Byrdie. For starters, watch TikTok creator @nayrache demonstrate her finger wave technique using mousse and a rat tail comb. If you're rocking long and wavy hair, gel back those loose curls like Zendaya (via Teen Vogue). This edgy "wet hair" look will perfectly offset the softer features of your face.

Revitalize your quarantine hair with the trending "French girl bob." Not only is it low maintenance, but it's also the perfect way to complement your round features. "I've been pushing [the French bob] recently to clients who want to be freed of hair that has grown out during the pandemic..." notes Garren, a celebrity stylist and the co-founder of R+Co. "I cut Karlie Kloss' hair into a French bob," he tells Byrdie. "It was a little messy, not flat to the head, and it had personality." When in doubt, you can't go wrong with modeling your cut after Audrey Tautou in "Amélie."

When it comes to round faces, celebrity stylist Justine Marjan is a fan of embracing curls. "Lots of texture allows the hair to frame your face, with a lift at the root and waves accentuating your eyes and lips," she explains to Byrdie. And don't be afraid of a little frizz — it adds character. "I've done the full curly girl methods—plopping, DevaCurl—but have abandoned them in favor of embracing frizz as part of the texture of my hair instead of desperately trying to moisturize every lock into submission," comedian Jacqueline Novak tells W Magazine. 

As demonstrated by @reesetangsirisaree on TikTok, space buns add vertical intrigue when it comes to round faces. Although the creator styles a half-up half-down look with face-framing tendrils, you can also slick back your buns '90s-style like Lizzo, per Instagram. Alternatively, as recommended by The Trend Spotter, elevate your box braids with head-topping buns. According to celebrity hairstylist Ashley Streicher in a conversation with Byrdie, "This is a great (easy) style to accomplish at home." The most difficult step is achieving symmetry, but this will come with practice (and patience).

Hair dye creates a face-framing effect ideal for those with softer features. "I love to place color around the face—we do it a lot at the salon," celebrity colorist Nicola Clarke tells Vogue. "It doesn't necessarily have to be dramatic, just a subtle difference to the overall color will add contrast and give the illusion of texture without layers."

Glamour calls these bleached and colorful strands "Rebel Streaks." As Crazy Color ambassador, Sophia Hilton explains to the site, "A common misconception is that face framing is just for the natural girls, but it's really not," adding, "This trend is for anyone and everyone, no matter your preference on color..." As modeled by Jessica Ruby (@flamingoloungehair on Instagram), go bold with bright pink.

Shelly Aguirre, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, suggests bangs for those with fuller face shapes. As she outlines for Real Simple, "Bangs can draw attention away from the jawline, which is the widest part of the face." Curtain bangs, in particular, are having a cultural moment, worn by the likes of Carey Mulligan, Selena Gomez, and Sarah Hyland, per Stylist. "[Curtain bangs] allow the center of the forehead to appear higher, closing off the roundness of the face shape," hairstylist Michelle Cleveland tells Bustle. Ultimately, "It's all a trick of the eye."

When it comes to round face shapes, angles are a powerful tool. "Any kind of lob or blunt cut can help bring asymmetry to your face, giving it an appearance of a more defined chin and jaw," Lacy Gadegaard, founder of Laced Hair Extensions & Laced Salon, advises Real Simple. If your hair is thin and straight, this is the ideal style for you. However, "Make sure you keep it all one length, going higher at the nape can look a little dated," Redken UK Ambassador Larry King — no, not that Larry King – tells Glamour. 

Though they might not be as trendy as Ariana Grande's trademark towering pony, lower hairstyles are healthier in the long run. "A low ponytail is going to be the least stressful because you don't have the gravity of the hair pulling down," hairstylist Mark Garrison informs Bustle. Dress up the style with accessories. For starters, opt for a classic, Blair Waldorf-Esque black bow, gold cuffs from Amazon, or even decorate your hair with gems for a red carpet-worthy look. Tessa Thompson sported a slicked-back low braid at the premiere of Creed II, proving that flatter styles are anything but dull.

Whether you have long tresses or a short bob, layers are the way to go. "We're not trying to hide the round, but frame the round so people can be happy and look good at whatever form of roundness their faces may take," stylist Darrius Peace explains to Real Simple, adding, "Anything that creates fringing or layering around the face will achieve that." Though in general, dpHue founder Justin Anderson notes that longer layers best suit softer features, per Marie Claire.

As hairstylist Frederic Fekkai explains in Vogue, side-swept styles are perfect for fuller faces. Not only will it sharpen your features, but it will also give you an old Hollywood glamor. TikTok creator @tee.hair uses clip-in extensions to perfect the asymmetrical look at home, but you can also pin down one side with bejeweled hair accessories – for starters, check out this pearl barrette from Madewell. Alternatively, opt for a simple side braid and add extra volume with dry shampoo.

What do former Disney stars Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato have in common? They've both opted for modern mullets. "The definition of a mullet is short at the front and sides, and long in the back," celebrity hairstylist Riawna Capri clarifies for Pop Sugar. "Obviously [the] hair in the back isn't longer than the hair in the front, but it has the illusion or silhouette of a mullet, as opposed to an exact copy." Ultimately, the style creates a face-framing fringe perfect for fuller cheeks. "This haircut is for someone who is confident, who steps outside the box, and whose style is on the edgier side," says Capri. What better way to express yourself than through your hair?