Here Are the 16 Best Types of Bangs for Every Face Shape

Your ultimate guide to a flattering fringe.

fringe
@anhcotran | Design by Michela Buttignol.

Deciding to get bangs is a big deal. After all, you are about to chop the most front-facing piece of hair that frames your face. They're known as the ultimate beauty accessory for this reason as they're certainly a statement, and for that reason it's vital to get the best type of bangs for your face shape. That's right, whether you have an oval-, round-, square-, or heart-shaped face there's a fringe style that will enhance your facial features.

Take round-shaped faces, for example. A straight-across pair of bangs would make their face look wider, while swooping curtain bangs cut at just the right length will create the illusion of sharper cheekbones. However, those with long, oval faces would benefit from that blunt style as it would balance out their features and bring more attention to their eyes.

If you're thinking about getting bangs and want to understand what style would best suit your face shape, look no further. Below, two celebrity hairstylists share what types of bangs pair best with different facial structures and proportions. From curtain bangs and wispy fringes to side-swept strands and bangs inspired by Old Hollywood stars, keep scrolling for the 16 best types of bangs for every face shape.

Meet the Expert

  • Marco Santini is a hairstylist and the owner of Davines's Ion Studio in NYC.
  • Rebekah Forecast is a celebrity hairstylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon.

Heart: Wispy, Layered Bangs

Reese Witherspoon Bangs
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

You know how Reese Witherspoon looks amazing with a piece-y, razor-cut fringe? It's also no coincidence that her face is often used as a quintessential example of "heart-shaped." Bangs are incredibly versatile, as you can part them in the middle or push them off to one side. To style, use a pomade to encourage your natural texture while still giving you some flexible hold and frizz protection. Try Bumble & bumble's Semisumo ($34) for added shine.

Byrdie Tip

Those with this kind of angular bone structure benefit from thinner, layered bangs since they help soften the face, says Marco Santini.

Heart: Crescent Bangs

heart face shape types of bangs halle berry

 Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Halle Berry is the queen of bangs—she's always doing something different with them and doesn't shy away from new styles. These crescent bangs, however, are extremely flattering on her heart-shaped face. As evidenced here, they're characterized by being slightly longer on the edges and shorter towards the middle, which creates a subtle face-framing effect.

Heart: Curtain Bangs

Cheryl Cole Bangs
 Dave J Hogan / Getty Images

As Santini suggested, those with heart-shaped faces look best with thin, layered bangs. No wonder these curtain bangs on Cheryl Cole look so amazing! These forehead bangs are also super flattering due to the fact that they'll help minimize the larger forehead that comes with your face shape. Be sure to keep a texturizing spray on hand to give your fringe the perfect amount of movement. We love Living Proof's Full Dry Volume Blast ($29).

Heart: Chunky, Texturized Side Bangs

face-framing bobs taylor swift bangs face shape

Steve Granitz/WireImage 

Similar to Reese's thinner side-swept look, Taylor's long bangs take a fuller approach. Her fringe swoops right below the brow line for a sultry and flattering effect.

Square: Curly, Side-Swept Bangs

face shape types of bangs yara shahidi

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Yara Shahidi's coiled bangs take home the prize. Not only are her curls well-defined and shiny, but we love that they're styled slightly to the side to give her face shape more dimension while bringing attention to her eyes. Combined with her chin-grazing bob, this style plays up all her facial features and enhances her proportions.

Square: Rounded, Side-Swept Bangs

Olivia Wilde Bangs
Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images

"Here you want to stay away from a straight-across, squared-off fringe," advises Santini—they will just make your face look boxier. However, this soft and flirty fringe isn't exactly the worst alternative. To style, you'll need a great rounded brush. This is essential for that smooth, curvy shape. Cricket's Tourmaline Thermal Round Brush ($20.50) is a crowd favorite and wallet-friendly, too. 

Byrdie Tip

By taking the ends of the bangs just above your brow line, you elongate your face even more. 

Square: Fluffy, Natural Bangs

face-framing bob hairstyles tracee ellis ross shape types of bangs

Corbis/Corbis via Getty Image

Let your curls roam free. Use a curl-enhancing and frizz-fighting product, like VERB's Ghost Air Dry Whip ($20), to give your bangs the definition they need. We love how Tracee's curls softly frame her face and bring attention to her eyes.

Square: Full, Eyebrow-Grazing Bangs

Mila Kunis Bangs
Steve Granitz / Getty Images

As Santini said, blunt, straight-across bangs are a no-no for those with square faces, but if you're keen on a full set of bangs instead of side-swept, opt for a piece-y, textured fringe. This will keep your bangs from accentuating your angular features. To play up the texture, style with a hair pomade, like Ouai's Matte Pomade ($26). The matte finish will ensure your bangs don't look greasy, even if you accidentally go a little overboard with product.

Round: Blunt Bangs

Kerry Washington Bangs
Imaxtree

Using the same logic as you would for a square face, you want to balance things out—in this case, avoid a rounded fringe and go for that blunt cut. "A rounded face works well with a sharp-line bang that's straight across at the sides to sculpt the face," explains celebrity hairstylist Rebekah Forecast at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon. Keep your fringe looking sleek with a shine spray that won't weigh down your locks.

Round: Long Curtain Bangs

round face shape types of bangs selena gomez

Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Curtain bangs can be customized to flatter all face shapes, but they're especially gorgeous on round-shaped faces as they create the impression of sharper cheekbones and work to sculpt the face.

Round: Bardot Bangs

round face shape bangs style bardot

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

This is a fuller version of curtain bangs that swoop toward the cheekbones to sculpt your face.

Round: Long, Side-Swept Bangs

Debby Ryan Bangs
Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images 

If you're not sure you're ready to commit to straight-across bangs, long, side-swept bangs also flatter round faces, as demonstrated on Debby Ryan. This fringe style help create the illusion of an elongated face. To style, make sure your bangs have lift and volume to avoid them hanging across your face. We love using Joico's Rise Up Powder Spray ($26) to give our roots long-lasting volume.

Oval: Bottleneck Bangs

Jessica Alba Bangs
Imaxtree

Oval-faced gals are lucky since pretty much any kind of fringe will work with their proportions. However, there is one distinction that could be the difference between a good cut and a great one: forehead length. "Splitting the bangs apart exposes the forehead at a lower point than your natural hairline, which shortens the area," says Forecast. She also advises choosing a "narrower" bang—that is, a fringe that roots close to the forehead rather than further back on the hairline. When it comes to styling, you'll want to make sure your bangs stay put. Use a lightweight mousse, like Aveda's Phomollient Styling Foam ($30).

Oval: Long, Wispy Bangs

Dakota Johnson Bangs
Venturelli / Getty Images

Another option to flatter your long forehead is a long, wispy fringe. The sparse bangs will still allow your forehead to peak through, without its entirety being on display. To style, use DryBar's genius Reserve 3-In-1 Interchangeable Blow-Dryer ($349) which can be used as a round brush with a blow-dryer built-in so you'll never have to wrangle both tools at once again. Cue the perfect, lifted fringe.

Oval: Choppy Fringe

face-framing bobs rihanna bangs

Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images 

Scared of going too short? A choppy fringe will have the same effect as short bangs thanks to its varying lengths, without the commitment to a high-maintenance look. With a short crop of hair sitting against your forehead all day, you need something to cut any greasy buildup. R+Co's Death Valley Dry Shampoo ($36) should do the trick. 

Oval: Micro Bangs

Katy Perry Bangs
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

"I usually suggest clients with a short forehead forego fringe because it emphasizes the smaller space between the eyebrows and hairline," says Santini. "However, you can rock a really short, pin-up style fringe that's über-cool." We couldn't agree more. As far as styling goes, make sure to keep a strong-hold hairspray in your arsenal. You don't want your fringe to budge midday! Bumble & bumble's Strong Finish Hairspray ($36) will do the job.

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