Finding the right haircut to suit you can be a tricky task when you factor in how you’re likely to dry it, style it and generally live with it. Factor in your face shape and it can feel impossible to know where to start. For those with a diamond shape face, the good news is that there are plenty of haircuts that will work beautifully with your natural shape and facial structure.
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“Diamond-shaped faces are actually really versatile,” explains celebrity hair stylist Pete Burkill. “They tend to have beautiful cheekbones with a slightly narrower forehead and jaw, so for me it’s less about trying to ‘correct’ the face shape and more about choosing a cut that really celebrates that structure.”
For an example of just how many looks a diamond-shaped face can carry off, take a look at Zendaya, who changes her hair constantly, veering between a slicked-back pony and airy, natural texture, and always looks incredible.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled some of the best cuts to try for diamond-shaped faces along with the celebrities who wear them best and all the expert tips you need to know to make it work for you.
What are the best cuts for diamond-shaped faces?
“A diamond face shape can suit long, medium and short hair,” says Christel Barron-Hough, founder of Stil Salon in London’s Chelsea. “The key is to create softness in the widest areas of the face, which are the cheeks, and add texture and movement where the face is narrower, around the chin.” She likes long layers to help balance out any wideness around the cheekbones, or says a textured bob is another great option to balance the jawline area.
If your favoured personal style is something on the shorter side, Barron-Hough advises asking your stylist for some softness around the top of the head to add natural volume and create a little more symmetry.
What factors do you need to consider when thinking about a new cut?
“Face shape is definitely part of the conversation, but I never look at it in isolation,” notes Burkill. “I’m looking at the person as a whole: their hair texture, density, hairline, how much time they actually want to spend styling it, and ultimately how they want to feel. A haircut can technically be perfect for your face shape, but if it only looks good after 45 minutes of styling every morning, it probably isn’t the right haircut for you. The best cuts should work with your hair rather than constantly asking you to fight against it.”
If, however, you have no idea what will work on you or with you or not, basing your cut on your face shape is a good starting point. Anything that accentuates your natural features will be easier to wear, which ultimately makes you feel confident and at ease with your style. Beyond that, it’s also important to consider your natural texture, which can influence the kind of cut that will work best for you.
“You have to understand how the hair naturally wants to move and where it wants to sit,” explains Burkhill. “The same haircut is going to behave completely differently on fine, straight hair than it will on thick curls. I’m a big believer in enhancing what the hair naturally does rather than overworking it into submission. For me, the best hair still looks and feels like hair.”
Are there any cuts diamond-shaped faces should avoid?
While all the experts we spoke to are keen to point out that there aren’t really any wrong cuts, it can be helpful to have some gentle pointers. “With a diamond face I’d generally be careful with anything that creates lots of width directly at the cheekbones while being very flat everywhere else, because it can exaggerate the widest part of the face,” explains Burkill. “But even then, a good hairdresser can adjust the length, weight and placement of layers to make almost any idea work for the individual.”
Fringes
It doesn’t have to be a whole new cut; sometimes just a tweak to your existing shape can make all the difference. Fringes are a diamond’s best friend, whether you opt for something soft, wispy bangs or something more intentional.
“A softer, slightly parted or curtain fringe is particularly flattering because it can create a little width around the forehead while still allowing the cheekbones to be seen,” says Burkhill, while Barron-Hough loves the whimsy of a side-swept fringe to balance the forehead and cheekbones, “The softness around the cheeks that you get with a sweep fringe or curtain bangs will help slim down the cheek area, and they look great when the hair is up as well,” she says.
“Halle Berry wears her hair perfectly for her face shape,” says Barron-Hough. “She often wears it shorter or with ’70s bangs, with lots of softness in the right areas.”
Choppy rather than blunt fringes are a great option for diamond-shaped faces like Rosario Dawson’s, adding the structure of a fringe but without anything too angular.
Soft layers
“I love soft, face-framing layers, a great bob that sits around the jaw or just below it, and longer cuts with movement around the face,” says Burkhill. “Anything that creates softness without hiding those amazing cheekbones works really well.”
Jennifer Lopez wears virtually every cut and hairstyle well, but here, soft, long, face-framing layers accentuate her wide cheekbones and narrow chin to perfection.
If you prefer wearing your hair up, copy Serena Williams and try pulling out longer strands around the face to soften any angles while showing off your face shape beautifully.
Bobs and crops
Bobs can definitely work on diamond-shaped faces but ask your stylist to add some texture and movement into the cut to soften things. “A textured bob is also a great option to balance the jawline area,” notes Barron-Hough.
“Rihanna has worn pixies, bobs, fringes and really long hair, which is a good reminder that face shape should be a guide rather than a rulebook,” says Burkhill.
Proof that a directional cut like Viola Davis’ works perfectly when choppy layers are added, and her natural texture is accentuated.
Ask your hairdresser to add plenty of movement to your short bob à la Keira to help frame your face without looking too harsh.
Diamond-shaped faces needn’t shy away from bold cuts. Just do as Scarlett Johansson does and make sure there’s some height on top to balance the proportions.
Textured waves
If you want a cut that accentuates your natural texture, then long, loose layers are a great idea. “Texture is there to enhance a haircut and complement a face shape,” says Barron-Hough. “Face shape is the starting point, and texture creates focal points or adds softness and movement to the haircut.” Burkhill agrees, “A good hairdresser can adjust the length, weight and placement of layers to make almost any idea work for the individual.”
“Zendaya can wear everything from a really strong bob to big, natural texture or much softer face-framing shapes, and it works because the hair is always considered as part of the whole look,” says Burkhill.
“Tyra Banks wears her hair really well for her diamond face shape, and it looks great either short or long,” says Barron-Hough.
“Coco Rocha often wears a soft fringe, or when her hair is back, she adds volume on top,” says Barron-Hough.
Actor and singer Eiza González shows off long, tousled waves but adds a side part to add interest and enhance the feminine point of her chin.
The best products to try for any diamond-shaped cut
Miracle Gloss Oil
What better way to accentuate a diamond shaped face than with a little diamond shine? “A great haircut will always look better when the hair itself is healthy and has movement and shine,” agrees Burkhill, who swears by this oil through the lengths and ends for that polished, expensive-looking finish.
Scalp Fortifying Serum
Good hair health, whatever the cut, begins with good scalp health. This serum contains a host of actives to help condition the scalp while encouraging stronger, fuller-looking hair from the root. Use regularly to boost vitality, strength and shine and reduce hair loss and breakage.
Meet the experts
- Pete Burkill is a celebrity hair stylist who regularly works with Millie Bobby Brown and Romeo Beckham.
- Christel Barron-Hough is the founder of STIL Salon in London’s Chelsea.