Collage by Vogue, Photo: Getty Images
Collage by Vogue, Photo: Getty Images
After regular salon appointments for healthy trims and color refreshes, you may feel like it’s time to experiment with a new look. Whether you’ve caught yourself thinking about a super-short pixie or some shaggy layers, the best hairstyles tend to work with your natural features and complement your personal style. While all haircuts can be modified for any hair texture and face shape, some can tend to suit you better than others.
Square faces, for instance, are usually balanced at the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. This lends itself well to layered, asymmetric hairstyles that bring softness and movement to the face. Margot Robbie’s pinned-up curls, Yara Shahidi’s slicked-back bun, and Lucy Hale’s romantic bob, for example, are all great styles to bookmark for later.
How to style different hair textures for a square face
When it comes to styling different hair types for a square face, “it’s less about the texture itself and more about how the hair is cut, shaped, and styled,” celebrity hairstylist Charlotte Mensah shares with Vogue. “Tight coils, spiral curls, and corkscrew curls can be incredibly flattering on a square face because they offer both structure and softness.”
For fine hair, she suggests “long layers and gently textured bobs,” as they can help create the illusion of fullness while still keeping the overall look light and flattering. According to Larry King’s Andreas Wild, the key to mastering all of these looks is “avoiding overly blunt, heavy lines around the jaw.”
What are the best hair lengths for square faces?
Nata Bumford, stylist at Hershesons Belgravia, says that longer hairstyles (like bombshell curls) and shoulder-length waves are particularly flattering, as they elongate the face. “Shorter cuts, including pixie crops, can also work well for square faces due to their versatility,” she adds.
Meanwhile, Mensah spotlights rounded bobs as a great choice, “because the curved shape helps soften the jawline and naturally draws attention toward the cheekbones.” All experts agree that the right balance usually comes from adding texture to soften the look and create harmony throughout the cut.
What are the best bangs for square faces?
Flattering bangs on square faces often include those without harsh lines and that blend into the cut. This ranges from Birkin bangs to curtain, side-swept, and wispy bangs. “Blunt and heavy fringes tend to sharpen rather than soften the look,” Bumford adds.
Scroll on to find 12 of the best hairstyles for square faces.
Tousled bob
Kiera Knightley’s tousled bob is universally flattering on all face shapes. “Keira’s bob works particularly well on a square face because the length sits below the chin, which softens and balances a strong jawline,” her regular hairstylist, Luke Hersheson, shares with Vogue. He adds, “The slight kick through the ends and subtle face-framing around the front stop the shape from feeling too severe, creating movement and a more effortless finish.”
Bun with mini braids
Yara Shahidi’s slicked-back bun is especially flattering on those with square faces, as it draws attention to the balanced width of her forehead and jaw. To recreate the look, begin by applying styling gel to your hair and then part it in the middle. Then, separate four small sections at the crown of your head and clip them away from the rest of your hair (these will be your mini braids). Gently braid each section, then secure all of your hair with a hair tie. Tame flyaways with an edge-control brush or a fine-tooth comb and some styling pomade.
Sleek blow-out
A middle-parted sleek blow-out helps emphasize the symmetry of a square face shape, which is a key reason it works so well. Take inspiration from Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon and ask your hairdresser for soft, invisible layers, which create the illusion of a blunt cut while still adding movement and texture around the cheek, jaw, and collarbones.
Relaxed waves
Another hairstyle that looks stunning on all face shapes is relaxed waves—one of supermodel Kate Moss’ go-to looks. If your hair lacks texture, you can achieve this look by tying your hair into a bun while it’s wet and letting it air-dry for a few hours or overnight. After the bun has had enough time to set, unravel it, and work a small amount of styling cream through your strands for added shine.
Alternatively, take a wide-barrel curling wand and brush the curls out while still warm. Run your fingers through your hair and finish with a mist of texture spray.
Retro bob
Retro bobs look effortlessly elegant on those with square faces. Ella Purnell styled hers with full bangs and exaggerated, flipped-up ends. Blocky bangs can be edgy and add some sharpness (though it’s best to keep the ends soft and full); a longer-length bob balances this out. To create a retro bob of your own, begin by combing out your hair, then straighten it, curling the ends inward. If you have bangs, use a round brush to draw out the volume.
Side-swept lengths
For those with naturally long hair and a square face shape, side-swept strands are often the key to a harmonious look. Priyanka Chopra Jonas wore her hair for the 2026 Oscars with one side backcombed and curled inward to complement her long, wispy lashes.
Pinned-up curls
Pinned-up curls are a quick and easy evening hairstyle that flatters those with square faces. Make like Margot Robbie and twist your curls into a bun, leaving one section loose at the front to frame your face and add some softness to your look.
Bombshell curls
Bombshell curls, whether short or long like Gabrielle Union’s here, look especially elegant on square faces. To perfect the style, separate your hair into even sections and use a wide-barrel curling wand to curl each one. Then, let the curls cool and gently brush out your hair for added volume. Set it all in place with a light hairspray.
Kiss curl pixie
According to Mensah, textured pixie cuts look striking on those with square faces. “I would usually keep the sides more tapered and add height or volume through the crown, as this helps elongate the face and create balance,” she explains. A kiss curl at the front—like Quinta Brunson’s—gives the style a cool, retro feel.
Wolf cut
Wolf cuts are all about balance and enhance square faces beautifully. “Face-framing layers blended throughout create a textured finish,” Mensah previously shared with Vogue. This creates an undone look that falls with intention. Cara Delevingne has experimented with every iteration of the style, from long, French-girl curls to straight and silky strands.
Wet-look curls
Nothing accentuates the beauty of a square face like wet-look waves. Tessa Thompson wore hers down with a side part at the 2026 Met Gala. Excellent for those with naturally curly hair, begin by detangling your tresses, then apply a styling cream or light styling gel. Play with your part until you find a look you like best, and finish with a mist for extra shine.
Romantic bob
When it comes to styling a bob, you can’t go wrong with wide, romantic ringlets. To copy Lucy Hale’s look, begin by curling your hair with a wide-barrel wand, then tuck it backward and pin each curl in place. Spritz a heavy-duty hairspray for longevity.
This article was originally published on British Vogue.
