Hairstyles for round faces look best with volume, layers, and curtain bangs to elongate and sculpt. Get celebrity stylist tips.

As someone with naturally full cheeks and a round face, I spent years feeling like most hairstyles worked against me. Every trip to the salon left me frustrated, convinced that only a few looks could actually flatter my features. It wasn’t until I started digging into advice from top celebrity stylists—and experimenting on my own—that I realized the secret isn’t about avoiding certain styles, but mastering the details. Height, texture, strategic layering, and even the way you part your hair can all create the illusion of a longer, more sculpted face. Below, I’m sharing the most transformative hairstyles I’ve tried, blending expert insights from names like Michael Sparks, Heather Hall, David Lopez, and Cristina Bosque with my real-world experience.

Updos and Vertical Illusions

One of the first lessons I learned is that bringing your hair up can actually slim your face—it’s all about creating a vertical line that draws the eye upward. The modern beehive, as seen on Lana Del Rey, became an unexpected favorite for special events. It’s showstopping because of its exaggerated height and loose, romantic curls, though it does require an army of bobby pins and a firm-hold hairspray to stay put. For everyday wear, a voluminous topknot or ballerina bun works like magic. Sparks taught me that a high bun lengthens the face, especially when worn sleek or with a few face-framing tendrils. I pull my hair into a high pony, coil it into a bun without making it too tight (volume is your friend here), and release a couple of pieces around my face. The result looks effortless but delivers that snatched effect instantly.

Waves and Texture: The Power of Softness

I always assumed that sleek hair was my safest bet, but I was wrong. "Remember that softness around the face is key," Sparks says, and I’ve taken that to heart. Voluminous waves are now my go-to because they add body that makes my face appear smaller in proportion. To get the look, I apply a texturizing spray to damp hair, rough-dry it with my fingers, and then use a 1-inch curling wand to create loose curls throughout. After raking through with my fingers, I have that perfect tousled, romantic finish. For a braided twist, a messy beachy braid with volume at the roots elongates my face and feels effortlessly sexy. Hall's trick of using a root-lift spray and salt spray before braiding has never failed me—I tug the loops of the braid gently for a fuller, more undone vibe.

Fringe, Layers, and Parting Magic

I used to avoid bangs entirely, worried they’d widen my face. Then I discovered face-framing layers and curtain bangs, both of which add structure and softness. Lopez explains that layers following the contours of your cheekbone and jawline create an instant "hair contouring" effect, and I’ve seen it firsthand. Swooping curtain bangs that open around the tail of the brow elongate my eyes and slim my forehead. Another game-changer? A deep side part. By lining up the part with the arch of my brow and tucking the lighter side behind my ear, I get an instant slimming lift at the hairline. It’s the quickest trick I know for a more defined profile.

Short and Mid-Length Cuts

I’ll admit chopping my hair took courage, but a well-layered bob—whether flippy, A-line, or shaggy—can work wonders. Lizzo’s flippy bob is a favorite, and when I sport it with my natural wave, it balances my face perfectly. For a long face shape, Bosque recommends a layered, textured bob to add width, while an A-line bob cut slightly shorter in the back creates the illusion of elongation. I’ve even flirted with a bixie (the pixie-bob hybrid) and was amazed at how the textured layers sculpted my features. The key is keeping things full and buoyant: sleek and flat will only emphasize roundness.

Ponytails, Braids, and Half-Up Styles

I believed the myth that ponytails were off-limits for round faces until I learned the right technique. A slicked-back, center-parted pony may exaggerate fullness, but a gently teased style with a side part and wavy texture is ultra-flattering. Sparks taught me to create volume at the crown, pull my hair into a mid-height pony, and gently yank the hair above the elastic forward for extra lift. I finish with a few face-framing pieces and a mist of flexible hairspray. Half-up styles are just as versatile: I back-comb the crown for height, pin back a 2- to 3-inch section from each side, and let soft waves fall around my face. It transitions beautifully from day to night.

What I’ve Learned (a Quick FAQ)

Does volume really help slim a round face? Absolutely—but placement matters. Loose, cascading waves are more effective than tight ringlets, which can actually round out your face.

Can a simple part change make a difference? Yes! Switching from a center part to a deeper side part instantly creates the look of a slimmer face by adding asymmetrical balance.

Should I avoid short layers? Short, choppy layers can emphasize width; longer, flowing layers at the ends work far better to elongate and slim.

Through all my experimentation, I’ve found that the most flattering hairstyle is the one that makes you feel confident. Start with these expert-backed ideas, adjust the details to suit your unique face, and you’ll be amazed at what a few inches of strategic height or a well-placed piece of hair can do.