EVOLVE BARBER SHOP

Finding a new hairstyle can often be overwhelming. Many of us go into salons with a picture of a celebrity or influencer with an amazing haircut we want to achieve, but the reality is that haircuts that look fabulous on others don’t always translate well onto us when it comes to how we wear our hair. In order to find the right haircut for you, it’s important to know what the overall shape of your face is. At Evolve Barber Shop, we feel that your hair is meant to be the frame for your face, as art is framed to bring out the colors and lines of a piece of artwork. A barber can frame and balance a person's features with their hair. 

Knowing your face shape is key to achieving a well-groomed look. A well-groomed look does not mean that all you have is a nice haircut; a well-groomed look is one that was created with you in mind. While there will always be fads and trends, the basic rules of symmetry remain true; so, learning what shapes of facial features represent you will provide you with the information needed to make decisions regarding your grooming, and will give you the opportunity to feel confident when looking at yourself in the mirror. 

Why Choosing the Right Hairstyle Actually Matters 

You might wonder why so much emphasis is placed on the shape of your head. After all, it is just hair, right? In reality, hair is one of the few physical attributes we can completely control to alter our perceived facial structure. The goal of a professional haircut is to achieve a sense of balance, often aiming for the "oval" ideal, which is traditionally considered the most proportionate face shape. 

If you have a very round face, a flat, rounded haircut will only emphasize that circularity, making your face appear wider than it is. Conversely, if you have a long, narrow face, adding significant height on top without any width on the sides will make your head look disproportionately tall. A great haircut uses "visual weight" to counteract these natural tendencies. It can sharpen a soft jawline, minimize a large forehead, or draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones. When the frame fits the painting, the entire image changes. 

Identifying Your Starting Point: What Is Your Face Shape? 

Before you can choose the right cut, you need to know what you are working with. You do not need a degree in geometry to figure this out, but you do need a mirror and a bit of objectivity. There are several common methods for determining face shape at home. 

A very basic way to determine your face shape is to stand in front of a mirror with your hair out of your face. With either a bar of soap or an erasable marker, draw around the outside edges of your face on the mirror, following the shape of your forehead, cheekbones, and jaw lines, the outside edge of each of those three areas. You should be able to take a step back and see which of the following 7 shapes best describes what you drew: Oval, Square, Round, Heart, Diamond, Triangle, or Oblong. 

Another method involves taking four key measurements: the width of your forehead, the width of your cheekbones, the length of your jawline, and the total length of your face from hairline to chin. 



• Oval: Your face length is greater than the width of your cheekbones, and your forehead is wider than your jawline. 
• Square: All measurements are fairly similar, and your jaw is sharp rather than rounded. 
• Round: Your cheekbone width and face length are similar, but they are larger than your forehead and jawline. 
• Heart: Your forehead is the widest part of your face, tapering down to a narrow or pointed chin. 
• Diamond: Your cheekbones are the widest point, with a narrow forehead and a narrow jaw. 
• Triangle: Your jawline is the widest part, narrowing up toward your forehead. 
• Oblong/Rectangle: Your face is significantly longer than it is wide, often with a consistent width from top to bottom. 

The Best Haircuts for Every Face Shape 

Once you have identified your specific category, you will be able to see which styles naturally go with your geometry. Keep in mind that these are not hard and fast rules; rather, they are suggestions from an architectural point of view to help you look your best. 

The Oval Face: The Versatile Canvas 

If you have an oval face, count yourself as lucky. This shape is often considered the most symmetrical and can pull off most any style! Since your proportions are already symmetrical, your main goal is to avoid hiding your features. 

• Recommended Styles: Classic side-part (classic), texture in a Quiff, or even a strong buzzcut. 
• What to Avoid: Heavy fringes or bangs that hang straight down over your forehead can make your face look rounder and hide the balance you naturally possess. 

The Square Face: Emphasize the Strength 

• A large forehead and a strong, angular jawline define the square face. This form is frequently perceived as being quite manly. You can either lean into the harsh angles for a dramatic effect or add texture to soften them. 
• Recommended Styles: Pompadours and sloppy quiffs are high-volume hairstyles that contrast with the jawline. If you prefer short hair, a crew cut or close buzz cut accentuates the bone structure. 
• What to Avoid: Avoid styles that are too flat on top or too wide on the sides, which can make your head look like a block. 

The Round Face: Building Height and Angles 

Round faces lack natural angles, so the goal of the haircut is to create the illusion of structure. You want to "square off" the circle by adding height on top and keeping the sides very tight. 

• Recommended Styles: An undercut with a tall pompadour or a high skin fade with a textured top. Angular fringes that are swept to the side can also add a "corner" to a soft forehead. 
• What to Avoid: Steer clear of bowl cuts or styles that add volume to the sides, as these will only make your face look wider. 

The Heart Face: Balancing the Chin 

In a heart face, the top half of the head is wider than the bottom half. To create balance, avoid adding too much height at the top, which can make the forehead look even broader. 

• Recommended Styles: Mid-length styles that allow for some volume around the ears or a textured fringe that breaks up the forehead. This is also a great face shape for growing a beard, as facial hair adds much-needed weight to a narrow chin. 
• What to Avoid: Very tight fades that leave the top long and heavy can create a "top-heavy" appearance. 

The Diamond Face: Softening the Points 

• Diamond faces are widest at the cheekbones and narrow at the forehead and chin. The goal is to add width to the forehead and jaw to balance out the middle of the face. 
• Recommended Styles: Fringes and messy, layered crops work wonders here. You want hair that has movement and can be pushed forward to add "bulk" to the temples. 
• What to Avoid: Cutting the sides too short or adding too much height will just draw attention to how tiny your head is. 

The Triangle Face: Creating Width at the Top 

The opposite of a heart, a triangle face has a jawline that is wider than the forehead. To balance the jaw, you should add volume to the top and temples, which is the opposite of what someone with a round face does. 

• Recommended Styles: A thick, textured quiff or a messy fringe with plenty of volume. Avoid skin fades that narrow the top of the head even further. 
• What to Avoid: Very short, slicked-back styles that expose the narrowness of the forehead while leaving the jawline as the focal point. 

The Oblong/Rectangle Face: Breaking the Length 

• If your face is long, avoid any style that adds height on top, as this will elongate your appearance even further. Instead, you want to add a bit of width or break up the length with layers. 
• Recommended Styles: A side part with a bit of length on the sides or a classic scissor cut that keeps everything well-proportioned. A fringe that covers part of the forehead can also "shorten" the face visually. 
• What to Avoid: High-top fades and extreme pompadours should be avoided at all costs. 

Breaking the Rules: Confidence and Personal Style  

You are free to wear whatever hairstyle you believe best captures your uniqueness, regardless of the design theory-based recommendations. Wear a round, shaggy haircut if you have a round face and you like the way it looks! Many of history's greatest hairstyle examples have come from people who broke away from traditional "rules," and they wore them well because they made them feel good. 

In addition to face shape, the type of hair you have greatly affects the way you style your hair. A man with coarse, tight curls will have a different styling experience than a man with pin-straight hair, no matter the shape of the face. Ultimately, if you feel confident and comfortable with your hairstyle, it is better than wearing a "perfect" style you are unhappy with. 

How Evolve Barber Shop Helps You Navigate the Choice 

This is when a professional barber's skills come in very handy. It's not necessary to have a geometric map of your head when you enter Evolve Barber Shop. Our staff is skilled at seeing things you might overlook. We don't just start cutting when you sit in our chair. We provide a thorough consultation that considers several factors. 

The Expert Eye 

Our barbers examine your face from several angles. We take into account your hair's appearance from the front, profile, and even back. We check for cowlicks, the density of your hair, and your natural part. We also take your lifestyle into account. Even if your face shape is ideal, we won't suggest a high-maintenance pompadour that needs to be blow-dried for twenty minutes if you are a busy professional who has to go in five minutes. 

Beard Integration 

For many men, the beard is an extension of the hairstyle. At Evolve, we specialize in using facial hair to correct or enhance facial proportions. If you have a round face, we can trim your beard into a more angular, "V" shape to give you the jawline you have always wanted. If you have a long face, we can keep the beard fuller on the sides to add width. We treat the hair on your head and the hair on your face as one cohesive design. 

Customization and Refinement 

A picture is only the beginning. We can modify a celebrity's appearance to fit your unique facial shape if you bring us a picture of them. We can advise adding additional texture to the top to make a round face appear thinner or reducing the fade slightly to fit a diamond shape. Giving you a personalized version of the look you adore is our aim. 

The Evolve Commitment 

Choosing the right hairstyle is an evolving process. As your style changes, your hair should change with it. At Evolve Barber Shop, we are committed to being your partners in that journey. We provide an environment where you can ask questions, experiment with new looks, and always leave feeling like your best self. 

Whether you want to stick to the architectural "best practices" for your face shape or forge your own path with a bold new trend, our barbers have the skills and vision to make it happen. We invite you to experience a level of grooming that goes beyond the basic trim. Come in, have a seat, and let us help you find the perfect frame for your face.