What Is a Square Face?
A square face is about as wide as it is long, with a broad forehead, wide cheekbones and a strong, angular jaw that is close to them in width. The corners of the jaw are well defined, and the chin is often flat rather than pointed.
In Ollie's face scan of 4,032 celebrities, 11.9% came out square, and the split by sex was the most lopsided of any shape: 16.7% of men but only 3.1% of women. Celebrities the scan measured as square include Sean Penn, Mahershala Ali, David Harbour, Paul Pogba, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Andre Agassi, and among women Ella Langley and Teyana Taylor.
Square or Round?
Both are about as wide as they are long. The difference is the jaw. A square face has clear corners below the ears and a straight jawline; a round face curves smoothly from cheek to chin. If you can feel or see an angle at the jaw, you're square. Weight gain can soften a square jaw so it reads as round, which is why the shape can seem to change.
Hairstyles for Women With Square Faces
The idea is to soften the angles and add length. Long layers that start below the jaw add movement and length. Soft waves break up the straight jawline. A side part adds asymmetry. Curtain or side-swept bangs soften a wide forehead. A lob that ends below the jaw, with textured ends, frames the face without drawing a line at the jaw.
A textured pixie with height can also work, because it shows off cheekbones. Avoid a blunt, chin-length bob with a centre part and heavy, straight-across bangs, which repeat the square outline.
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Haircuts for Men With Square Faces
A strong jaw is often the look men want, so a square face suits most classic short cuts: a crew cut, a buzz cut, a side part, a textured crop or a quiff. Short sides and some texture on top keep the proportions sharp.
If you'd rather soften the angles, choose a little more length and texture on top, such as a messy crop or a longer fringe pushed to one side, and avoid very blocky, flat-top shapes. A short beard or stubble that follows the jaw keeps definition; a full, square-cut beard makes the face look wider.
Read more: Glasses for Square Faces: Frames That Soften the Jaw
Glasses for a Square Face
Round and oval frames contrast with the angles and soften them. Frames slightly wider than the widest part of the face and thin metal or rimless designs also work. Square, boxy frames echo the jaw and make it more prominent. More detail in glasses for square faces.
Not sure if you're square, round or oblong? The free face scan in Ollie Stylist measures your face in your browser and suggests haircuts, beards and glasses for your shape.