The Ultimate Guide To Flattering Hairstyles For Your Rectangular Face Shape

Finding the perfect hairstyle can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially when you're trying to complement your unique face shape. If you have a rectangular face, you're in luck! Understanding the most complementary styles is essential to enhancing your natural beauty. This guide will help you discover hairstyles that flatter the natural lines of a rectangle face shape, ensuring you create perfect balance and highlight your best features.

Understanding Your Rectangular Face Shape

Before diving into specific hairstyles, let's clarify what defines a rectangular face. A rectangular face shape is characterized by a longer and angular face with four sharp edges around the face, often featuring an elongated length between the forehead and jawline. People with this face shape typically have a strong jaw and a prominent forehead, giving the face a distinctive, elongated look. The key objective when choosing a hairstyle for a rectangular face is to soften these strong lines and balance out the length of the face. By choosing styles that add width and soften angular features, you can achieve a harmonious and flattering look.

Key Principles for Rectangular Faces

For rectangular faces, the ideal hairstyle aims to soften strong lines and balance out the length of the face. Whether you have short, medium, or long hair, there are specific principles to keep in mind:

Add Width: The primary goal is to create the illusion of width, which helps to balance the face's inherent length. Styles that add volume or softness around the cheekbones and temples are ideal.
Soften Angles: Rectangular faces often have strong, angular jawlines and foreheads. Hairstyles should work to soften these sharp edges, making the face appear more oval or rounded.
Balance Length: Avoid styles that further elongate the face. Instead, opt for cuts that either reduce the perceived length or add horizontal interest.
Incorporate Texture: Incorporating texture into your look will be key to balancing out a rectangle face. Waves, curls, and layers can add much-needed softness and dimension.

Best Hairstyles for Rectangular Faces

Now that we understand the core principles, let's explore a range of popular hairstyles that perfectly complement rectangle face shapes.

Short & Chic Styles

Short hairstyles can be incredibly flattering for rectangular faces, as they naturally add width and reduce perceived length. "I recommend shoulder length or shorter," says Ellis, suggesting a lob (long bob) or even a shorter French bob. These cuts are excellent choices because they hit at a point that adds fullness around the jawline, counteracting the angularity.

The French Bob: This classic, chin-length bob with soft, often choppy ends, is fantastic for adding width around the jaw and softening the overall face shape. Its inherent chicness also brings a modern edge.
The Pixie Cut with Wispy Bangs: A well-executed pixie cut, especially one with wispy bangs or soft, face-framing layers, can be incredibly flattering. The short length helps to reduce the visual elongation, while the wispy elements soften the forehead and jawline.

Medium-Length Marvels

Medium-length hairstyles offer versatility and are among the best choices for a rectangular face shape. They provide enough length for styling while still allowing for the crucial elements of width and softness.

Layered Bobs and Lobs: The best haircuts for a rectangular face shape are those that add width and soften angular features, such as a bob with layers. A lob (long bob) that falls just above the shoulders or collarbone, with plenty of soft layers, is ideal. These layers create movement and volume, especially around the sides of the face, effectively adding width.
Soft Waves and Curls: To do this, you can add curls, like cascading beachy waves through your hair. Soft waves and curls are a rectangular face's best friend. They instantly add volume and softness, breaking up the strong lines of the face. Whether natural or styled, these textures provide a beautiful balance.
Curtain Bangs: Soft layers and curtain bangs work well for rectangles, softening the jaw and forehead without adding more length. These bangs, which part in the middle and sweep to the sides, frame the face beautifully, drawing attention to the eyes and cheekbones while softening the forehead.
Side-Swept Bangs: For rectangle face shape, side-swept bangs are great. They create an asymmetrical line that breaks up the vertical length of the face and adds a touch of softness.

Long Hair (with a Twist!)

Generally, one should steer clear of long hairstyles for a rectangular face as it lengthens the face visually. However, if you would still like a long-length hairstyle, then ensure to add lots of layers to your haircut for that added depth to your face. Long hair can work, but it requires strategic layering and texture to avoid further elongating the face.

Heavily Layered Long Hair: Using bangs, face framing, and lots of layers, these haircuts flatter long faces. For long hair, layers are non-negotiable. They create movement, volume, and break up the straight lines that would otherwise emphasize length. Amal Clooney inspires us by showcasing her layered haircut, proving that long hair can indeed be stunning on a rectangular face when cut correctly.
Textured Long Waves: Combining long layers with significant texture, such as cascading beachy waves or soft curls, is crucial. This adds horizontal volume and softness, preventing the hair from hanging flat and drawing the eye downwards.

The Power of Bangs

Bangs are an incredibly effective tool for balancing a rectangular face shape. Can bangs suit a rectangular face? Absolutely! They are excellent for softening the forehead and drawing attention to the eyes.

Curtain Bangs: As mentioned, these are fantastic for softening the forehead and jawline. They create a beautiful frame around the face.
Side-Swept Bangs: These bangs add an element of asymmetry and softness, diverting attention from the strong lines of the face.
Wispy or Feathered Bangs: Avoid blunt, heavy bangs that can make the face appear even wider or shorter. Instead, opt for lighter, wispy, or feathered bangs that gently frame the face.

Styling Tips for Your Rectangular Face

Beyond the cut, how you style your hair plays a crucial role in flattering your rectangular face shape.

Embrace Texture: Always lean into texture. Soft waves, curls, and even messy, undone styles add the necessary width and softness.
Volume at the Sides: When styling, aim to create volume around the sides of your face, particularly at the cheekbones and temples. This helps to balance the length.
Strategic Sleekness: While the general advice is to add width, a sleek style can work if it perfectly frames a rectangle-shaped face. This usually means incorporating face-framing pieces or a slight bend that doesn't just hang straight down, ensuring it still contributes to softening the angles rather than accentuating them.

Finding Your Perfect Match

Ultimately, the best haircut is one that will suit your face shape and make you feel confident. While these guidelines provide a great starting point, consider consulting with a professional stylist. They can assess your specific features, hair type, and personal style to recommend the perfect cut and style that will truly flatter you. Don't be afraid to experiment with different lengths, layers, and textures to discover what works best for you.

Summary

For those with a rectangular face shape, the goal of the perfect hairstyle is to add width, soften angular features, and balance the face's elongated length. This can be achieved through strategic layering, incorporating various types of bangs like curtain or side-swept, and embracing texture such as soft waves and curls. Shorter styles like the French bob or a pixie with wispy bangs are excellent for adding width, while medium-length layered lobs offer versatility. Even long hair can be flattering with ample layers and texture, as demonstrated by Amal Clooney. By focusing on these principles, you can choose a hairstyle that beautifully complements your rectangular face, creating a harmonious and balanced look.