The Most Flattering Haircuts for Square Faces
2 min readIf you have a square face shape, you might be wondering what haircut is best suited to you. It actually all comes down to one key takeaway: accentuating your features rather than hiding them.
When it comes to flattering haircuts for square faces, you want to create balance while embracing the strong, sculpted jawline that defines your look. According to Alaina Kathleen, Aveda global guest artist and educator, strategic shape and movement can make all the difference. “The biggest thing I recommend is exploring a cut that takes weight away from the jawline,” Kathleen tells ELLE.
Nick Stetson, celebrity stylist and founder of Nick Stenson Beauty, adds, “For those with square faces, your main goal is to soften strong features, like a broad forehead and well-defined jawline, using texture and movement, rather than emphasizing them.”
But there’s no one-size-fits-all haircut. “The best results come from tailoring the cut to the individual,” Kathleen explains. She recommends working with a trusted hairstylist to work together on a look that complements your hair texture, fits into your lifestyle, and best aligns with how you actually wear your hair on a daily basis.
And if you want a blueprint for which cuts to consider, Kathleen advises the two approaches that she often suggests: going shorter with a bixie or pixie cut or keeping length through incorporating face-framing layers. We’ve broken down both approaches below, but you’ll want to remember that no matter which haircut you choose, styling (you can play around with Aveda’s One for All Leave-In Elixir) plays a crucial role to enhance softness and movement. Creating a healthy foundation helps every hairstyle to look and feel its best.
The shorter style: a beloved bixie or a chic pixie
Among her favorite hairstyles for square faces, Kathleen points to the increasingly popular bixie—a hybrid between a bob and a pixie. The bixie removes visual weight around the jawline while delivering softness. Of course, you can go even shorter with a closely cropped pixie that creates a vertical lift, enhancing your cheekbones and eyes.
A longer look: face-framing layers
For those who prefer to keep their length, Kathleen recommends long, dimensional layers that encourage natural movement and create a lighter, more effortless finish. These layers soften the overall silhouette of your hair and create a more open feel around the jawline. Stetson also adds that “ong waves paired with curtain bangs are ideal for softening features and elongating square face shapes.”