Choosing a haircut for your face shape

When a customer sits in our chair and says “do whatever suits me”, the first thing the barber looks at is the shape of the face. Hair can make a face look longer, wider or more balanced, and a few simple rules decide most of it.

A round face, with soft cheeks and a short chin, looks best with height on top and short sides. A textured crop or a quiff with a mid fade adds length. Avoid heavy fringes and cuts that are full at the sides, which widen the face further. A short, neat beard along the jaw helps too.

A long or narrow face is the opposite. Keep some length and fullness at the sides, with a medium or low fade or a scissor cut, and avoid tall styles on top. A fringe or a side-swept top shortens the face. A fuller beard on the cheeks adds width.

A square face, with a strong jaw and a broad forehead, suits almost any short cut. A classic side parting or a crew cut shows off the jaw. Soften it, if you like, with a little texture on top. An oval face is the most balanced and can carry most styles, so choose by hair type and lifestyle instead. Thick, wavy hair common in Chennai often looks best kept a little longer on top with the weight thinned out. Whatever your shape, our barbers will tell you honestly if a photo you bring will not work with your hair.