From bobs to blowouts—styles that sculpt and flatter
When it comes to choosing a hairstyle, face shape should influence your decision. And if you have a round face, you’ve probably heard the same advice on repeat: add layers, avoid blunt cuts, stick to volume up top. But let’s be honest—your options are way more exciting than that.
The key to flattering a round face? Angles, movement, and strategic shaping that create balance and enhance your features. That doesn’t mean you need to commit to one “safe” style forever. Be it you’re into bold chops, effortless waves, or sleek, sculpted cuts, there’s a perfect look for you.
From modern bobs to soft, voluminous layers, these are the best hairstyles for round faces, approved by TYME’s team of stylists. Get ready to screenshot your next salon inspo!
Which hairstyles suit round faces?
A round face shape is typically as wide as it is long, with soft, curved edges and no sharp angles. Think full cheeks, a rounded chin, and a face shape that naturally leans youthful and symmetrical. The goal when choosing a hairstyle? Creating the illusion of length and structure while spotlighting your best features.
The best styles for round faces usually involve height at the crown, layers that add dimension, and cuts that create subtle angles. Side parts, soft waves, and curtain bangs can also help elongate the face. The trick here is balance—boosting volume in all the right places while keeping proportions in check.
The best hairstyles for round faces
We’ve scoured the top runway trends, celeb hair moments, and stylist-approved cuts to bring you the most flattering, modern, and wearable hairstyles for round faces.
Short hairstyles for round faces
Can round faces get away with short hair? Absolutely. The key is adding height, angles, and layers to avoid making the face look wider. Short styles with volume at the crown, asymmetry, or textured layers help elongate the face and create a more sculpted effect. If you’ve been told to avoid shortcuts—it’s time to ignore that advice.
French bob
Whoever said round faces can’t wear bobs? The French bob—cut above the chin with blunt ends—creates the illusion of a longer neck and a more defined jawline. Add a face-framing fringe for extra contouring, or style it sleek for a sharp, polished look. It’s a timeless cut with an effortlessly chic edge.
Choppy pixie
A textured, tousled pixie is perfect for those who dare to go shorter. Volume at the roots is how you make it work for round faces. A slightly lifted crown elongates the face and adds balance to soft, rounded features. If your hair tends to fall flat, use a hair putty or pomade to amp up the texture and hold.
Rounded bob with deep side part
You may have heard that round faces should avoid bobs, but that’s not entirely true. The trick is strategic length and parting. A bob that sits just below the jawline creates the illusion of a longer face, while a deep side part adds angles and makes the face look slimmer.
Modern mullet
The mullet got a major glow-up. No longer the harsh, choppy cut of the '80s, the modern mullet is softer, layered, and way more wearable. Miley Cyrus nailed the look with face-framing layers that elongate her features while adding edge. For a sleek, glossy finish, try a smoothing hair serum—it keeps layers looking luxurious, not frizzy.
Poker-straight bob with rounded ends
This sleek, sculpted bob elongates a round face without looking too severe. The rounded ends soften the overall look while the ultra-straight finish keeps things sharp and polished. For a glass-like shine, use a heat protectant and a flat iron, then finish with a lightweight smoothing serum for that expensive hair vibe.
Faux hawk with skin fade
For those who love a bold, edgy cut, the faux hawk with a skin fade creates instant height and definition. The contrast between the close-cropped sides and voluminous top adds structure and length to a round face. Want extra drama? Use a volumizing mousse or styling wax to give the top more lift and texture.
Hairstyles for medium length hair round face
If you’re not into short crops but don’t want the commitment of super-long hair, medium-length styles are the perfect in-between. They include layers, movement, and strategic volume. If you love soft waves, statement bangs, or a sleek lob, these styles bring shape, balance, and just the right amount of drama.
Wavy lob
A wavy lob brings softness without extra width. It adds texture, plays with movement, and creates a flattering frame. To style, run a curling wand through the mid-lengths and tousle with texturizing spray for a lived-in finish. Feathered bangs? A solid addition—they bring focus up and contour the face.
Curtain bangs
A low-maintenance way to switch things up. Curtain bangs skim the eyes, soften the jawline, and create subtle angles that make round faces appear more sculpted. Styling is simple: a volumizing mousse adds lift, while a round brush shapes the ends without overdoing it. For a polished look, a few swipes with a large barrel curling iron will seal the deal.
Side-swept lob
A shift in parting can change everything. A side-swept lob lifts the face, creates definition, and keeps things from feeling too rounded. Blow-drying the bangs in one direction gives them that effortless sweep, while the lob itself can stay sleek or take on a soft wave for extra dimension.
Layered mid-length
Layers aren’t just for volume; they reshape, lighten, and add movement where you want it. A few shorter pieces around the face keep things lifted, while well-placed layers throughout the back make styling easier and more dynamic. If air-dried texture is the goal, a lightweight styling cream will keep layers separated without feeling weighed down.
Full-on fringe
There’s no doubt about it: A full fringe makes a statement, bringing focus to the eyes and balancing out softer face shapes. Keeping the ends slightly feathered prevents the cut from feeling too heavy. For styling, a round brush and blow-dryer create natural movement, while a smoothing serum keeps everything sleek without weighing it down.
Long hairstyles for round faces
Long hair creates the perfect canvas for shaping and sculpting, but without the right cut, it can easily overpower soft, rounded features. The secret isn’t just in length—it’s in how the hair moves, where the volume sits, and how the layers interact with your face shape.
A well-placed fringe, lifted crown, or strategic parting can refine, elongate, and highlight in ways that make a real difference. Below, we break down the styles that stylists actually recommend for round face shapes.
Face-framing bangs
There’s a reason why this style has taken over social feeds: it’s customizable and ultra-flattering. Face-framing bangs work by drawing the eye inward and sculpting the cheekbones, which makes them ideal for rounder faces. The trick is to keep the shortest pieces just below the cheekbone to create length rather than width. Blow-dry forward using a round brush and direct heat from underneath to add natural volume. Want a more polished look? Use a boar-bristle brush for extra control and shine.
Old Hollywood waves
Sleek, sculpted waves have been a red-carpet staple for decades, but for round faces, they do more than just add glamour. The deep-set structure elongates the face and carves out definition, creating the illusion of higher cheekbones and a more angular jawline. For maximum hold and movement, start with a volumizing mousse before blow-drying with a large round brush. Finish with pin curls or an extra-large curling iron, then brush through with a paddle brush for that seamless, polished effect.
Butterfly cut
A layered cut designed to bring volume up top while keeping weight at the ends—perfect for those who love long hair but need more shape. The shorter top layers create a lifting effect around the face, preventing hair from pulling downward and making the face appear even rounder. This style thrives with natural volume and soft texture. Velcro rollers at the crown enhance movement without heat damage, while a light styling cream keeps layers airy instead of weighed down.
Middle part
It’s simple but strategic. A middle part divides the face symmetrically, subtly changing the proportions. When paired with long, sleek hair or soft, cascading waves, it can bring instant refinement to a round face shape. To keep the part crisp, use the tail of a comb to section cleanly, then follow with a heat protectant and smoothing serum before straightening. For extra longevity, finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep everything in place without stiffness.
Sleek layers
Sleek layers are the ultimate minimalist statement. Long, straight hair frames the face without adding bulk, making it a perfect match for rounder features. If your natural length isn’t quite there, extensions can help create that ultra-smooth, flowing effect. For a glass-like finish, use a high-quality styler like the TYME Iron Pro and a lightweight shine serum to keep strands sleek without looking flat.
Undone messy bun
Not every updo has to be polished to perfection. The undone messy bun delivers that effortlessly cool, just-threw-this-up look—but with intention. A few loose, face-framing tendrils soften the style, preventing it from feeling too severe. It’s got that ‘90s supermodel off-duty energy, and we’re totally here for it. For extra volume, tease the crown slightly before pinning everything into place.
Curly pompadour
Bold but wearable, the curly pompadour is a lesson in volume and shape. The lifted front elongates the face and creates height, making it ideal for rounder face shapes. It works with most hair types, but for fine hair that needs extra oomph, a texturizing spray or volumizing mousse will help create lift before styling.
Half-up half down
Endlessly versatile, the half-up, half-down look balances volume with softness. A bit of lift at the crown adds height, while the loose hair creates a natural frame around the face. Keeping a few strands curled or tousled prevents the style from looking too structured. It’s polished but still relaxed—the perfect in-between.
High pony
A high ponytail doubles up as a built-in face-lifting trick. The height draws attention upward, elongating the face while letting cheekbones take center stage. Keeping it bouncy (not too tight) adds movement, making it look laid back rather than severe. For extra volume, tease the crown slightly before securing, or wrap a section of hair around the base for a polished finish.
Voluminous blowout
Big, bouncy, and full of life—a voluminous blowout is pure magic for round faces. The movement prevents hair from falling flat against the face, creating a more sculpted look. If you’re skipping the salon, a volumizing mousse is key. Work it through damp hair before blow-drying with a round brush to lift at the roots. Want even more bounce? Finish with velcro rollers while your hair cools for extra body that lasts.
Hair that works for you
Just like dressing for your body shape, choosing the right hairstyle can enhance your best features and create balance. And you don’t have to follow rigid rules; it’s about finding what makes you feel amazing. Whether you love sleek styles, soft waves, or bold cuts, the right look brings out your confidence.
