Haircuts for a square face: how to soften a wide jaw

The short answer: on a square face the forehead, cheekbones and jaw are about the same width, and the jaw has clear corners. The shape looks softer with lengths that end below the jaw, layers from the chin down, waves and a side part. Hard, straight lines right at jaw level make the corners stronger. A haircut at B&B Elegance costs 15 €.

Square face or just a wide jaw

A square face has three signs:

• Forehead, cheekbones and jaw are almost the same width.
• The angle of the jaw below the ear is clearly visible and the chin line is fairly straight.
• The face is roughly as long as it is wide.

A wide jaw on its own does not make a face square. If your forehead is clearly wider and your chin is round, you are closer to an oval, and our post on haircuts for an oval face fits better. Many women are a mix, for example an oval face with a strong jaw. The advice below then applies mostly to the lower half of the face. For every shape side by side, see hairstyles for your face shape.

Square or rectangular face

Both shapes share the same angular jaw. The difference is length, and it changes the advice.

On a rectangular face the fringe is often the most important part of the cut, because it breaks up the length.

Hairstyles for a wide jaw: what works

The aim is movement where the corners are. These tend to work well:

• A long bob that ends a few centimetres below the jaw or at the collarbone.
• Medium and long cuts with layers that start at the chin and move around the face.
• Soft waves or curls that fall over the jawline.
• A side part that breaks the symmetry.

Waves do not have to come from a curling iron every day. A natural blow-dry with a round brush gives the lengths movement, and we explain how it works and how long it lasts in natural blow-dry.

Can you wear a bob with a square face

Yes. What matters is where it ends. A blunt bob that stops exactly at the jaw adds a second straight line next to the first and makes the face look wider. A bob that ends a little below the jaw works better, or a chin-length bob with soft, lightly layered ends. A side part and some texture make it softer still. A centre part with a heavy, sleek bob is the strictest version.

Fringe for a square face and a high forehead

A fringe draws the eye up and away from the jaw. Soft shapes work best: curtain bangs that fall to the sides, or a long, angled side fringe. A thick, straight fringe with a hard edge often looks severe on a square face, because it draws one more horizontal line. With a high forehead a fringe does two jobs. It takes height off the forehead and gives the top of the face a soft outline.

Short haircuts for a square face

Short can work too, if the cut has volume on top and soft edges at the sides. A pixie with longer hair on top and a wispy fringe lifts the eye upwards. Short cuts with flat sides and a straight finish at the jaw rarely suit a square face.

Haircuts for a square face after 50

After 50 hair often gets finer and the skin along the jaw softer, but the basic shape stays. A layered long bob with a side part, curtain bangs and layers that start at the cheekbones all work well. Hair pulled back very tightly shows the jaw fully and makes it stand out.

Square face and fine hair

Lots of thin layers take the density out of fine hair, and then the ends fall limp on the jawline. Better is a long bob just below the jaw with almost straight, lightly textured ends, a side part for volume at the root and a soft fringe. For more on making fine hair look fuller, read fine hair and volume.

What to avoid with a square face

• Blunt cuts that end exactly at jaw level.
• A strict centre part with sleek, flat hair at the sides.
• A heavy, straight fringe with a hard edge.
• Volume only at jaw level, like a cut that flares out at the bottom.

These are general guidelines. Besire, who has cut hair for more than 20 years, looks at your jaw, your cowlicks and the density of your hair before she cuts. She tells you honestly which length will soften your face and which will not.

How much a haircut costs in Pristina

A haircut costs 15 € with us, including a short talk about shape and length, a wash and the cut. A straight blow-dry costs from 10 € and a natural blow-dry with volume from 15 €.

Book your cut

Message us on WhatsApp or Viber and send two photos: one of your face from the front in daylight, hair pulled back so we can see your jaw and forehead, and one of the cut you like. We reply in English, Albanian or German with an assessment and the first free appointment, Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00, on Rr. Jakov Xoxa in Pristina.