Hairstyles for a Square Face: The Ultimate Guide for Men

If you have a square face, you’re in good company. Guys like Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have strong jawlines and a proportional forehead, cheekbones, and chin. It’s an iconic look, the kind of thing that barbers and stylists get a lot of requests for. A square face has a very distinct, masculine look to it. The trick, then, is finding a hairstyle that works with your angles, not against them.

Maybe you want to soften some of the sharp lines of your jaw. Or perhaps you’d prefer to lean into them and make those angles stand out even more. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, because a lot of it comes down to what you’re trying to achieve and what your hair is naturally like. Let’s look at some options, from super short to a bit longer.

Hairstyles to Soften the Angles

Sometimes a face can look a little too boxy. To avoid that, you want to pick a haircut that adds some height or has some softer edges.

• The Textured Crop: This one is a big deal right now, and for good reason. It’s short on the sides with a bit of length and texture on top. The messy, kind of tousled look on top breaks up the strict lines of your face, making everything feel a little less rigid. It’s a great choice if you’re not sure where to start.
• The Modern Quiff: A quiff is all about getting some height at the front, sweeping the hair up and back. This adds some length to your face, which can make it feel less wide. The mid-fade on the sides keeps everything clean and sharp without adding a lot of volume to the sides of your head. This style really works well with a lot of different hair types.
• Wavy or Curly Hair: If your hair has a natural curl or wave to it, you can use that to your advantage. Longer styles, like a wavy wolf cut or a longer layered top, add movement and softness. The natural flow of the hair can create a nice contrast with your jawline. A lot of guys with this hair type will just let it grow a bit and then let the texture do the work. This is one of the most natural, human-like hairstyles you can have, and it suits a square face perfectly.

Hairstyles to Lean into the Angles

What is a type of hairstyle that fits square men? Some guys don’t want to soften their features. Instead, they want to highlight them. This is when you can go for a style that’s clean and defined, a look that says, “I know what I’m doing.”

• The Buzz Cut: This is a classic, really. If you’ve got a square face, you can pull off a buzz cut without a problem. It shows off your strong jawline and cheekbones and gives you a very no-nonsense look. You can get a high fade with it to add some contrast and make the style feel more intentional. It’s also probably the lowest-maintenance haircut you can get.
• The Crew Cut: A crew cut is a little bit longer than a buzz cut but still very short and clean. The hair is trimmed short on the sides and back, with the top left a little longer. It’s a tidy look that really works with the symmetry of a square face.
• The Slicked-Back Undercut: This one has a bit of an edge to it. The sides are cut short, sometimes with a skin fade, and the top is left long enough to be slicked back. It’s a high-contrast style that puts all the attention on the top of your head, drawing the eye upward. A strong-hold pomade or wax is a good idea for this one, to make sure the hair stays in place all day.

A Few Things to Think About

When you go to the barber, you should have an idea of what you want. Show them a picture if you can. It helps them see the look you’re going for. Here are a couple of other things that might be helpful:

• Don’t Add Too Much Volume on the Sides: A style that is too bushy on the sides can make your head look wider, which might not be what you want. A good barber will know to keep the sides clean and tight to balance things out.
• Facial Hair: Sometimes a little bit of facial hair can help. A well-kept beard can soften the jawline, creating a more oval shape. A bit of stubble can also add some texture and visual interest.

Ultimately, the best haircut for you is one that makes you feel confident. There are a lot of good options for men with a square face, so you can probably experiment a little. The key is to find a style that works with your face shape, your hair type, and your personal style.