How to find the best fringe for your face shape

We've all been advised against getting a fringe at least once in our lives, but here at BEAUTYcrew, we think that folks would be a lot less scared of the hair style if we all paid a bit more attention to our face shapes before we committed to a haircut. 

"Not everyone is suited to a fringe, and it really comes down to a few key factors like your natural hair growth patterns (like strong cow’s licks), your hair density, and of course, your face shape," confirms Paloma Rose Garcia, Founder of Paloma Salon and Laifen ambassador.

"If you have a growth pattern that pushes hair in opposing directions, or if your hair is very fine or sparse, certain fringes may be difficult to maintain," she tells BEAUTYcrew. "That said, there’s usually a variation of fringe that can work, it’s about finding the right style for your features and lifestyle." 

"The best first step is always to have an honest conversation with your stylist, who can tailor the cut to you," she advises.

Whether you have a square face shape or the proportionately ideal oval face shape, a fringe can work for you — you just need to know how to style it properly. 

How to style your fringe like a pro

"When it comes to styling, my go-to tools and products are simple but effective," Garcia tells BEAUTYcrew.

"I love using a round brush ($34.95 from Adore Beauty) paired with the Laifen SE 2 hair dryer ($239 from JB Hi-Fi); the concentrator or smoothing nozzle directs airflow perfectly to train the fringe into place without causing flyaways," she says. "I’ll set the dryer at the max 80°C setting, which is hot enough to style but safe for hair health, so you won’t risk overheating your fringe or scalp."

"To finish, I lightly mist with Oribe Superfine hairspray ($72 from Adore Beauty), which gives hold without stiffness, keeping the fringe soft and touchable," she explains. "This combo creates that perfectly polished, salon-fresh fringe at home."

What's the best fringe for your face shape? 

If you have a square face, try...

"A square face often has a strong jawline and angular features, so the key is to soften those lines," says Garcia. "Opt for a fringe that feels soft and effortless rather than sharp or precise."

The Paloma salon founder recommends styles like a wispy full fringe or relaxed '70s-inspired curtain bangs.

"[They] work well because the light, feathered ends blur the edges of the face and offset the angularity of the jaw," she explains.

Her ultimate tip? Avoid heavy, blunt cuts, and keep the ends of your fringe loose and airy to maintain a flattering softness.

If you have an oval face, try...

According to Garcia, oval faces are considered the most balanced face shape, which makes them incredibly versatile for fringe styles.

"To enhance that natural symmetry, curtain bangs are a great choice, they can be cut to sit anywhere from the top to the bottom of the cheekbone," she tells us.

"This flexibility lets you play with different lengths depending on whether you want a dramatic face-framing effect or something subtle and blended — essentially oval faces can pull off most fringes — but curtain bangs help highlight cheekbones and maintain harmony," she explains.

If you have a heart-shaped face, try...

"Heart-shaped faces tend to be wider at the forehead and taper into a narrower chin, so fringes can help balance those proportions," Garcia advises.

"The good news is this face shape is very versatile," she continues. "A full fringe can minimise the width of the forehead, while a longer curtain fringe adds softness around the jawline and elongates the face."

Both precision cuts and loose, light styles work well, says the hair stylist. "It really comes down to the vibe you’re going for — structured and polished, or airy and romantic."

If you have a round face, try...

For a round face, the goal is to add angles and create the illusion of more structure, says Garcia.

"Curtain bangs that start at the top of the cheekbone and sweep inwards work beautifully, because they frame the face and draw the eye down, adding definition," she explains. "The slightly diagonal shape of curtain bangs helps balance out the roundness, making the face appear longer and slimmer, while still keeping softness."

If you have a long face, try...

"With a long face, the aim is to create balance by visually shortening the length," Garcia tells us. "A parted fringe that skims the cheekbones is ideal, as it draws attention outward rather than downward."

You can  wear a fuller fringe with a bit of volume to add width and create the illusion of a shorter, more proportionate face too.

"Think of it as redistributing the focus, so the face looks balanced and less elongated," she says.

If you have a strong jawline, try...

Main image credit: @sukiwaterhouse

Fringes aren't the only tricky kind of cut. This is how to style short hair, according to a pro.