Why Curls and Round Faces Need Planning
Curls add volume, and volume goes wherever the cut lets it. If it builds at the sides, around the cheeks, a round face looks wider. If it builds on top and the shape stays longer than wide, a round face looks longer. The goal is a curly silhouette that is more oval than round.
A curly cut should be done by a stylist who cuts curls dry or curl by curl, because curls shrink: a cut that looks right wet can end up much shorter dry.
Long Layered Curls
Long curls with layers starting below the chin add length and let the curls fall instead of puffing out at the sides. Ask for the shortest layers at the crown for lift.
Read more: Haircuts for Round Faces: 15 Cuts That Slim and Lengthen
Curly Lob
A lob that ends a few centimetres past the chin, with layers to stop it forming a triangle shape. Keep it longer at the front.
Curly Shag
A shag adds volume at the crown and shorter layers on top, which suits round faces well. Ask for the layers to start around the cheekbones rather than at them.
Read more: Layered Haircuts for Round Faces
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Curly Bangs
Curly bangs that fall past the brows and are swept slightly to one side break up the width of a round face. Keep them long enough not to spring up into a horizontal line.
Short Curls for Men
Short curls on top with tapered or faded sides are ideal for a round face. The taper removes width and the curls add height. Avoid letting curls grow out evenly into a round mop.
Shapes to Avoid
A round curly bob ending at the chin, curls cut to one length (which form a triangle or ball) and curls that are fullest at cheek level all widen a round face. A centre part with equal volume on both sides does too.
The free face scan in Ollie Stylist asks for your hair texture and ranks curly cuts for your measured face shape. For more lengths, see haircuts for round faces.