A square face shape is known for its strong, masculine features. The jawline is wide and angular, the forehead is broad, and the sides of the face are straight. The goal when choosing a hairstyle for this face shape is to add a bit of height on top and soften the sharp angles. This creates a more balanced and harmonious look. The following hairstyles are expertly curated to achieve just that.
1. The Classic Pompadour
The pompadour is a timeless choice that perfectly complements a square face shape. This iconic hairstyle is characterized by its voluminous top, which not only adds significant height but also draws attention away from the strong jawline, creating a more elongated and balanced look. The sides are usually kept short, either tapered or faded, to provide a clean and sharp contrast with the fuller top. This contrast helps to define the facial features, giving the style a polished and confident appearance.
To achieve the classic pompadour, start by blow-drying your hair upward and backward to create volume. Use a quality pomade or styling product to shape and hold the height in place, ensuring a glossy, refined finish. Whether you prefer a modern twist or the traditional look, the pompadour is a versatile option that enhances the striking angles of a square face while exuding timeless sophistication.
Finding the right product is key to maintaining this look, and a consultation with a skilled barber in New York can provide insights into the best Pomade, Wax, and Clay for your hair type. Using a high-hold pomade will keep the structure intact throughout the day. For a more modern, textured finish, a matte clay can be used instead.
2. Long Wavy Hair
For those who lean toward a more natural and laid-back aesthetic, long wavy hair is an excellent choice. Growing out the hair allows for the creation of a style that is not only distinctive but also softens the sharp angles of a square-shaped face. The natural waves or curls in long hair add texture and movement, creating visual interest and reducing the prominence of angular features.
What makes this hairstyle particularly appealing for square face shapes is its ability to balance the proportions of the face. The added length helps to elongate the appearance of the face, while the volume and width from the waves or curls counteract the strong jawline. A middle part can further enhance this effect by drawing the eye vertically and creating symmetry, making the face appear longer and more oval-shaped.
Proper care and styling are essential for maintaining the vibrancy and health of long wavy hair, as it requires regular attention to prevent tangling and dryness. Lightweight hair oils and curl-enhancing creams can help define the natural waves while providing hydration and shine. Additionally, for those looking to add even more structure, loose layers can be incorporated to create dimension and prevent the hair from appearing too heavy. This hairstyle is particularly versatile, allowing for different styling techniques such as beach waves, braids, or buns depending on the occasion.
Ultimately, long wavy hair offers an effortlessly stylish look that is perfect for individuals seeking to showcase their natural texture while softening their strong facial structure. It’s a timeless and adaptable option that works well in both casual and elegant settings.
3. The Textured Crop
The textured crop is a low-maintenance and modern hairstyle that has gained popularity for its stylish yet practical appeal. This haircut features short, choppy layers on top that are carefully styled to achieve an effortlessly messy and relaxed appearance. The added texture and height on the top help to soften the angular features of the forehead and jawline, creating a balanced and flattering look for a variety of face shapes, including square and rectangular.
One of the key advantages of the textured crop is its versatility in styling. Whether you prefer a slightly tousled finish for a casual look or a more defined texture for formal settings, the adaptability of this style makes it suitable for different occasions. The cropped sides keep the overall look neat and contemporary, ensuring it retains a clean and polished edge.
To maintain the textured crop, minimal upkeep is required, making it a practical option for those with busy lifestyles. Using a lightweight texturizing product like a styling powder or matte paste can enhance the layers and define the choppy top. For those aiming for a bedhead effect, lightly running fingers through the hair after applying the product achieves the perfect amount of messiness. Paired with regular trims to maintain the sharpness of the cropped sides, the textured crop proves both stylish and manageable—a timeless choice for the modern man.
When getting this cut, it is important to communicate the desired level of texture. A professional at any high-end barbershop in New York will use specific cutting techniques to create movement and volume that complements a square jaw. This style often requires a light-hold product like a texturizing spray or a paste to define the pieces without weighing them down.
4. The Side-Swept Fade
This hairstyle blends the clean, polished finish of a fade with the soft sophistication of a side-swept top, creating a versatile and fashionable look. The fade works by gradually tapering the hair extremely short on the sides and back, ensuring a sharp, precise appearance while removing any bulk near the ears and jawline. This technique emphasizes structure and allows the focus to shift to the longer hair on top.
The length left on the top is artfully swept across the head in a diagonal direction. This asymmetry not only adds a contemporary and stylish touch to the hairstyle but also serves to soften the squareness of the face by creating visual movement and balance. To maintain the shape and enhance the texture, it is best styled using a lightweight product like a medium-hold pomade or matte wax. With its clean lines and dynamic flow, the side-swept fade is an excellent choice for anyone seeking to elevate their look with a modern yet timeless style.
5. The Side-Parted Undercut
The side-parted undercut is a quintessential style for those seeking a refined and polished look with a touch of boldness. This cut is defined by its striking contrast between the long, voluminous hair on top and the dramatically short or shaved sides, which creates a clean and modern silhouette. The key to this style lies in the precise side part, which allows the longer hair to be swept elegantly to one side. This asymmetry is not just visually appealing but also serves a practical purpose by breaking up the angularity of a square face shape.
The added height on top elongates the face, while the diagonal flow of the hair draws the eye across the face, softening sharper features and adding a dynamic aesthetic. Styling the side-parted undercut involves using a medium to strong-hold pomade, wax, or styling cream to ensure a defined and sleek finish. A fine-toothed comb can be used to create a sharp parting line and smooth the hair into place. Whether paired with a clean-shaven look or a well-groomed beard, the side-parted undercut remains an enduring choice for men who want to exude confidence and sophistication.
To achieve the perfect side part, a strong-hold product is non-negotiable. The debate between Pomade, Wax, and Clay is settled by the desired finish; a high-shine pomade offers a classic look, while a matte clay gives a more modern, textured appearance for this specific Hairstyle. Regular trims are essential to maintain the clean lines of the undercut.
6. The Brushed-Up Curls
For men with naturally curly hair and a square face shape, the brushed-up curls hairstyle is a go-to option that combines style, texture, and practicality. This look embraces the natural volume of curly hair, allowing it to grow longer and fuller on top, which not only adds character but also gives the illusion of an elongated face shape. This is particularly advantageous for men with square face structures, as it creates a balanced contrast to the defined, angular jawline.
The curls themselves add an element of softness and effortless movement that complements the boldness of square facial features. To achieve this style, it’s crucial to allow the curls to retain their natural texture while using a lightweight styling product to keep them defined and manageable. A curl-enhancing cream or mousse works wonders in providing hold, maintaining shape, and taming frizz without weighing the hair down. It’s important to avoid overloading the hair with heavy products, as this can flatten the curls and diminish the desired volume.
Equally important is maintaining short, neatly-trimmed sides, which serve to frame the face and keep the hairstyle looking polished and proportional. The sharp contrast between the trimmed sides and the voluminous curls on top adds to the overall visual appeal, making the hairstyle appear intentional and refined. Regular visits to the barber are essential to keep the sides sharp and preserve the structured aesthetic of the look.
For day-to-day maintenance, a consistent haircare routine tailored to curly hair is vital. Using a sulfate-free shampoo and moisturizing conditioner can help maintain the health and bounce of the curls while ensuring the scalp stays nourished. Incorporating a diffuser when blow-drying helps to set the curls in place without creating excess frizz. With proper care and styling, the brushed-up curls hairstyle is an excellent way to highlight the natural charm of curly hair while enhancing a square face shape.
7. The Messy Quiff
Similar to the pompadour but with a more relaxed and undone feel, the messy quiff is perfect for adding volume and texture. The height at the front elongates the face, while the unstructured texture softens the overall appearance. It’s a versatile style that works for both casual and semi-formal occasions.
Executing a messy quiff successfully often comes down to using the right product. For this Hairstyle, a Barber in New York would likely recommend a pre-styling powder for volume at the roots and a matte finish clay to piece out the ends and create that signature “lived-in” look without any shine.
This approach ensures the hair has maximum lift and hold without looking stiff or greasy.
8. The Textured Fringe
The textured fringe is a fantastic hairstyle option that excels in balancing facial proportions, especially for those with a broad forehead and a defined jawline. By allowing the fringe to fall forward across the forehead, this style gently breaks up the angularity of square or rectangular face shapes. The result is a softer, more harmonious frame for the face that immediately draws attention to the eyes, making it an ideal choice for individuals who want to highlight their features in a subtle yet effective way.
What truly sets the textured fringe apart is its inherent versatility and the modern touch it brings to any look. The fringe boasts layers and choppy ends that create a relaxed, tousled appearance—key elements of contemporary hairstyling trends. To elevate the style further, slight volume at the crown can be added. This simple adjustment not only complements the fringe but also ensures the overall hairstyle doesn’t look flat or rigid, adding a natural, effortless charm.
Maintaining a textured fringe is surprisingly manageable with the right products and techniques. Styling typically involves using a lightweight texturizing spray or a sea salt spray to enhance the natural movement of the strands. A small amount of matte styling paste or clay can be applied to the ends for definition, ensuring the fringe doesn’t clump together or lose its airy finish. For those with naturally wavy or curly hair, the textured fringe seamlessly enhances the existing texture, requiring minimal daily effort. On the other hand, individuals with straight hair can use a round brush and hairdryer to introduce soft curves and ensure the fringe lies perfectly across the forehead.
This hairstyle is not only practical but also highly adaptable to various settings, from casual outings to more polished, semi-formal occasions. Whether paired with a sleek outfit or dressed down for everyday wear, the textured fringe exudes a youthful, approachable feel. Thanks to its combination of style and convenience, it remains a popular choice for those seeking a low-maintenance look that doesn’t compromise on style.
9. The Faux Hawk
The faux hawk provides a modern and edgy alternative to the traditional mohawk, making it a versatile and less extreme option. This hairstyle is characterized by short or tapered sides paired with a strip of longer hair running down the center of the head. The hair in the center is typically styled upwards, creating a distinct focal point that is both structured and playful. The faux hawk is particularly flattering for individuals with square face shapes, as the vertical styling adds height to the overall appearance of the hair.
This upward central column of height effectively elongates the face and offsets the wider, angular contours of a square jawline. The result is a bold and balanced style that draws attention to the face’s strong features in a positive way. This look works particularly well for those wanting to add a youthful edge to their style while maintaining a polished appearance. To achieve an ideal faux hawk, using the right styling product is key. A lightweight hold gel or pomade can provide enough definition and control to keep the hair lifted, while ensuring a natural texture remains intact. Depending on the desired level of edge, the faux hawk can be refined and subtle or more dramatic and pronounced, making it a great choice for both casual and formal occasions.
Additionally, the flexibility of this hairstyle allows for personalization. By adjusting the length of the side fade or taper and the height of the central hair, it can be tailored to fit individual preferences and hair types. Whether paired with a textured look or a sleek finish, the faux hawk remains a trendy and confident choice for those seeking a fresh and dynamic hairstyle.
10. The Slicked-Back Look
Few styles exude as much sophistication and timeless appeal as the slicked-back look. This hairstyle involves combing the hair straight back from the forehead to create a smooth and polished finish. By pulling the hair away from the face, it emphasizes the natural bone structure, particularly highlighting the sharp angles of a square jawline and a prominent brow. The slicked-back look projects an image of authority, elegance, and control, making it a go-to choice for both professional settings and more formal occasions.
This hairstyle is particularly beneficial for square face shapes due to its ability to elongate the face and soften the perception of width. By removing volume from the sides and focusing attention upwards and towards the back, it creates a balance that complements the strong, chiseled features of a square jaw. For the best results, a pomade or gel with medium to strong hold can help achieve the sleek, glossy finish associated with this look, ensuring it stays in place throughout the day.
However, modern variations of the slicked-back hairstyle also offer less rigid options. For a more relaxed approach, using a matte finish product can create a textured version of the style while still maintaining its structure. This version adds just a touch of casual flair to an otherwise formal look. The slicked-back hairstyle is not only a testament to classic styling but also serves as a versatile option that can be tailored to personal preferences, whether one is aiming for a traditional appearance or a contemporary take.
11. The Tapered Ivy League
The Ivy League, also known as the “Harvard Clip,” is a timeless and sophisticated haircut that exudes both refinement and versatility. This polished style is particularly flattering for those with square-shaped faces, as it balances the bold angles of the jawline while maintaining an elegant structure. The haircut is characterized by slightly longer hair on the top, providing just enough length to accommodate various styling options such as a neat side part or a brushed-forward look.
What makes the Tapered Ivy League truly stand out is the incorporation of gradually shortened sides, which create a seamless transition from the longer top to the shorter back and sides. This tapering effect enhances the overall clean and put-together appearance of the cut while softening hard facial lines. Whether styled for professional settings or dressed down for casual occasions, the Tapered Ivy League remains a classic choice that combines tradition with a modern edge, making it a reliable option for those seeking a polished yet manageable look.
Conclusion
Choosing a hairstyle that works with a square face shape can dramatically enhance one’s overall appearance. The key is to focus on styles that add height and introduce softness. Experimenting with different lengths and textures can lead to discovering the most flattering and comfortable look. Consulting with a professional can provide personalized advice tailored to individual hair type and personal style.
