What Makes a Rectangle Face Shape Different?
A rectangle face is longer than it is wide. Your forehead, cheeks, and jaw are close to the same width. The jaw has defined angles, and the face looks noticeably elongated.
This shape is sometimes called an oblong face. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, and Alexa Chung all have rectangle faces. So does Gisele Bundchen.
The key to styling a rectangle face is adding width and softness. You want to break up the length and draw attention to the middle of the face. The right haircut does this without much effort.
Not sure if your face is truly rectangular? Try our face shape detector for a quick answer.
Which Hairstyles Look Best on a Rectangle Face?
The best styles add volume at the sides and reduce the appearance of length. Here are the top picks based on what works with rectangle proportions.
| Hairstyle | Why It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Layered lob | Adds width at the jawline | Most hair types |
| Side-swept bangs | Breaks up forehead length | Straight or wavy hair |
| Textured bob | Creates fullness at cheek level | Fine to medium hair |
| Soft waves | Rounds out angular features | Medium to long hair |
| Curtain bangs | Frames the face, shortens the look | All hair types |
| Voluminous pixie | Adds width on top | Thick or wavy hair |
If you're not sure which shape you have, check our guide on the 7 face shapes. Once you know it's a rectangle, these styles will serve you well.
A 2017 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that hairstyles adding horizontal volume were rated as more balanced on elongated face shapes. The principle is simple: width offsets length.
Should You Get Bangs With a Rectangle Face?
Yes. Bangs are one of the most effective tools for a rectangle face. They shorten the visible length of your face instantly.
Side-swept bangs work best for most people. They create a diagonal line that breaks the vertical length. Sarah Jessica Parker has worn these for years, and they soften the forehead while keeping things elegant.
Curtain bangs are another strong option. They part in the middle and frame both sides of the face. This adds width at the temple area. Alexa Chung often styles her hair this way.
Blunt bangs can work, but be careful. A thick, straight-across fringe can make the face look boxy if cut too wide. Keep them slightly shorter in the center and longer at the sides for a softer effect.
Avoid very short, micro bangs. These expose the full length of the face and can make it look even longer.
Do Layers Help Balance a Rectangle Face?
Layers are your best friend with this face shape. They add movement and volume right where you need it: at the cheeks and jaw.
Face-framing layers are the most popular choice. They start around the cheekbones and taper down. This creates the illusion of wider proportions in the middle of the face.
Choppy, textured layers work well for medium-length hair. They break up straight lines and add body. Liv Tyler often wears layered styles that soften her rectangle features.
For long hair, ask your stylist for layers that start at chin level or higher. Layers that begin too low won't create enough volume where it counts. The goal is fullness between the ears and jaw.
Layers also work well on oval face shapes, but for different reasons. On an oval face, layers add texture. On a rectangle face, they add width.
One thing to avoid: one-length cuts with no layers. These can make a rectangle face look like a curtain of hair with no shape.
What Is the Best Hair Length for a Rectangle Face?
Medium length (shoulder to collarbone) tends to be the most flattering. It hits at a point that adds width without dragging the face down.
Here's how each length works:
| Length | Range | Works If... | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | Pixie to chin | You add volume on top with texture or waves | Too close-cropped with no texture adds length |
| Medium | Shoulder to collarbone | You want the easiest, most balanced option | Flat styling without layers |
| Long | Below collarbone | You add layers, waves, or curls for width | Straight one-length hair stretches the face |
Gisele Bundchen makes short styles work by keeping plenty of texture. For medium length, a layered lob or wavy cut balances the face with minimal effort. Long hair needs face-framing layers starting at chin level or higher to create width where it counts.
How Should You Part Your Hair With This Face Shape?
A side part is usually the best choice. It creates an asymmetric line that breaks the vertical symmetry of a rectangle face. This makes the face look shorter and less uniform.
A deep side part adds even more width on one side. It shifts the volume and draws the eye horizontally instead of up and down.
Center parts can work if you have volume or waves on both sides. Curtain bangs with a center part look great on rectangle faces. But a flat center part on straight hair will highlight the length. If you prefer a center part, add some texture or curl to the ends. This trick also helps people with round faces who want to add length instead of width.
Which Hairstyles Should You Avoid?
Some styles make a rectangle face look longer. Here's what to skip:
- Very long, one-length hair with no layers. This creates a vertical frame that stretches the face.
- Slicked-back styles or tight ponytails that pull hair away from the face. These expose the full length with no softening.
- Extra volume on top only. Height at the crown adds more length. Keep volume at the sides instead.
- Very short, close-cropped cuts without texture. These can make the jawline look wider and the face longer.
- Micro bangs that sit high on the forehead. They make the face look even more elongated.
The common thread: anything that adds vertical lines or removes width from the sides won't flatter this shape. For a broader look at what works for every shape, see our hairstyles for every face shape guide.
How Do Celebrities With Rectangle Faces Style Their Hair?
Looking at real examples is often the best guide.
Sarah Jessica Parker keeps her hair medium to long with lots of layers and natural waves. She almost always has a side part and some form of bangs. This combination breaks up the length and adds movement.
Liv Tyler leans toward soft, face-framing layers with a center or slight side part. Her hair usually has gentle waves that add width at cheek level. She avoids blunt, one-length cuts.
Alexa Chung is known for her layered bob with curtain bangs. The bob hits right at the jaw, which is the widest point of a rectangle face. The bangs shorten the forehead. It's a textbook example of how to style this face shape.
Gisele Bundchen often wears beachy waves with a center part. The volume from the waves adds enough width to balance her long face. Without the waves, the same cut would look completely different.
What Styling Tips Make the Biggest Difference?
A few small changes can transform how your hair frames your face.
- Use a round brush when blow-drying to add volume at the sides. Direct the airflow outward, not down.
- Try a sea salt spray on damp hair for natural-looking waves. This adds texture and width without heat tools.
- Avoid flat-ironing everything straight. A little bend or curve at the ends goes a long way.
- Tuck one side behind your ear. This creates asymmetry and shows off your cheekbones.
- Add dry shampoo at the roots near the temples for lift and fullness at the sides.
- Look at what works for similar shapes. Rectangle and heart-shaped faces both benefit from side-swept bangs and face-framing layers. For more on how face shape affects attractiveness, see our guide on which face shape is most attractive.
The right styling takes two minutes but makes a real difference. Focus on creating width and softness at the sides and middle of your face.
