Big Forehead or High Hairline?
A forehead looks big when it takes up more than about a third of the face's height. That can come from the bone (a tall forehead) or from the hairline (a high or receding hairline). The fixes overlap, but if your hairline has moved back over time, also see receding hairline haircuts.
Heart shaped faces, which are widest at the forehead, often come with a forehead that looks large. Here are 12 cuts that balance it.
1. Full Fringe
A straight fringe at or just above the brows hides most of the forehead. It works best on straight or slightly wavy hair.
2. Curtain Bangs
Parted in the middle and swept outward, curtain bangs cover the centre and corners of the forehead with less commitment than a full fringe.
3. Side-Swept Bangs
A long fringe swept to one side covers part of the forehead and draws a diagonal line across it.
Read more: Curtain Bangs for Every Face Shape
4. Deep Side Part
Moving the part far to one side lets hair fall across the forehead. It's free and easy to try tonight.
5. Wispy Bangs
Thin, light bangs break up a large forehead without covering it fully, good for fine hair.
6. Face-Framing Layers
Layers starting around the cheekbones pull attention down the face and away from the forehead.
7. Shoulder-Length Waves
Volume at the sides balances a tall or wide forehead better than volume at the crown.
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8. Textured Fringe (Men)
A choppy fringe pushed forward and slightly to the side covers part of the forehead and looks casual.
9. French Crop (Men)
A short, straight fringe and faded sides. One of the best men's cuts for a big forehead.
10. Caesar Cut (Men)
Short all over with a short, straight fringe combed forward. It hides a high hairline neatly.
11. Messy Medium Length (Men)
Hair grown to the ears and worn loose falls naturally onto the forehead.
12. Side Part With a Low Quiff (Men)
If you prefer hair up, keep the quiff low and swept to the side rather than straight up, which shows the whole forehead.
Styles to Avoid
Slicked-back hair, tight high ponytails and buns, and pompadours with lots of height all expose the full forehead and add height above it. A centre part with flat hair on both sides frames the forehead like a picture.
The free face scan in Ollie Stylist measures your forehead, cheekbone and jaw widths in your browser and ranks cuts for your face, and with Ollie Pro you can see a fringe on your own photo before you cut one.