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30 Flattering Hairstyles for Diamond-Shaped Faces

 

Just like the rare gem it's named for, the diamond-shaped face is one of the most uncommon facial silhouettes. "The tell-tale features of a diamond-shaped face are a small pointed chin, wide cheekbones, and a hairline that peaks at the top center of a narrow forehead," says Amy Abramite, creative director at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

Having a face that stands out in a crowd is something we all aspire to, but unique features can come with some styling quirks. Mainly, not falling into one of the standard face-shape categories—oval, heart, round, and square—can make it difficult to find the right haircuts and styles to flatter your features and reflect your personal tastes.

If inspiration is what you're lacking, consider this your go-to guide. From face-framing layers to side-swept bangs and easygoing, tousled texture, there are plenty of celeb-approved styles ahead—along with expert intel on complementing the shape of your face.

Keep scrolling to see the 30 best hairstyles for diamond-shaped faces according to expert stylists.

MEET THE EXPERT

Amy Abramite is the creative director at Chicago's Maxine Salon.
Scott King is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
Lauren Thompson is a stylist at New York City's Nunzio Saviano Salon.
Eric Sebbag, Master Hair Stylist at Warren Tricomi in New York City.

 

Chic Bob With Side-Swept Bangs

Eiza González is a great example of a diamond-shaped face, with her pointed chin, wide-set cheekbones, and narrow hairline. The short length of her hair frames her face and "takes attention away from sharp features," says Los Angeles-based hair stylist Scott King.

Textured Updo With Piecey Bangs

Serena Williams's ultra-high updo and rogue, face-framing curls soften her features while lengthening the appearance of her face (that volume in her hair doesn't hurt either). According to Abramite, a high-volume look is a go-to for diamond-shaped faces. The hairline and forehead are important features to take into consideration when creating a style on a diamond-shaped face, he adds.

Swept-Back Bixie

Rosario Dawson's swept-back bixie (the limbo length between an outgrown pixie and short bob) is a masterclass in elegant coiffeur. The soft 'do puts her gorgeous cheekbones, the most prominent feature of those with diamond-shaped faces, on display while creating the illusion of a wider hairline.

Side-swept Braid

Katie Holmes's long, side-swept braid is glossy as can be. The real MVP of this style, though, are those swept side bangs. "Side-swept bangs or a deep side part is flattering since it lays across the forehead covering half of it," says King.

Byrdie Tip

To fill in a hairline on short or long hair, try adding a short wispy bang or a side-swept bang. It will soften the forehead and make it appear less high and narrow.

Chignon With Fringe

Halle Berry's classic chignon and lash-grazing fringe flatter her well-defined features by highlighting the cheekbones and softening the forehead. Depending on the style and density, bangs can be tailored to "shape" the forehead—adding height or width where necessary or narrowing and lowering if needed.

Face-framing Layers With Side Part

Jennifer Lopez parts her hair to the side, which serves to lengthen the appearance of her face while still keeping her high cheekbones on display. According to Lauren Thompson, stylist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City, this shoulder-length cut with long fringe is a good compromise for someone who doesn't want to part with much length. "With this style, face-framing bangs are great to accentuate the cheekbones while balancing out a narrow forehead." 

Retro Ponytail

Not one to be confined to a single look, JLo deserves a second spot of recognition on our list for this retro ponytail. While this style forgoes the long fringe, it serves up plenty of height and volume to flatter her features.

Curly Lob With Bangs

Tracee Ellis Ross's hairstyle is the perfect demonstration of how to work with your hair's natural texture to flatter your face shape—and take up space. By playing up curls and volume, she creates softness and fullness against her angular features. Adding a straight-across bang serves to widen the forehead, one of the more narrow areas of a diamond-faced shape. To keep curls in check, consider applying a few drops of oil to damp hair, which will lock in moisture. Mizani 25 Miracle Nourishing Oil ($26) will do the trick.

Tousled Lob With Curtain Bangs

Does Alexa Chung ever have a bad hair day? Her effortless French-girl look centers around tousled, collar-bone grazing tresses with face-framing layers. Curtain bangs balance a diamond-faced silhouette by elongating the face and widening the forehead. The effect is très chic.

Sleek Lob With Fringe

While we firmly believe that long bobs look great on everyone, certain iterations can flatter one face shape over another. For instance, singer-songwriter Brandy Norwood sports a sleek lob with fringe that frames her face beautifully while simultaneously adding fullness around her chin (remember: it's all about creating symmetry). Her blunt bangs create a continuous line that gives the illusion of a wider forehead. To get her glossy strands, try a shine spray like ORS Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray ($5).

Bouncy Ponytail

Ashley Greene achieves a visually effortless look that serves to elongate her face, widen a narrow forehead, and puts her impossibly symmetrical arches on display. According to Abramite, for those with diamond-shaped faces, "The sides of the hairstyle should have less volume to create a slender look around the cheekbones." Here, Greene's sporty ponytail, swept-back and volumized at the crown does just that.

Piecey Pixie

If you prefer your hair super short, or maybe you're looking to majorly switch up your long locks, opt for a style similar to Kate Hudson's. "A pixie cut with soft side-swept bangs is another great style to accentuate the more prominent features on an angular, diamond-shaped face," Thompson says.

Side-Parted Lob With Face-Framing Bangs

While it may seem like bangs will make a face appear smaller, when cut and styled right, fringe can actually have an opening effect. Here, Vanessa Hudgens's angled bangs hit her at just the right spots to complement her bone structure.

Long and Glossy

Sleek, long, and polished hair is also flattering for this face shape. You can tell that Ashley Graham falls in the diamond-shaped category because her razor-sharp cheekbones are the widest part of her face.

Retro Waves

Short hair looks amazing against diamond-shaped faces, and Scarlett Johansson's bob is no exception. Thompson explains, "A chin-length bob is a good style to help soften out the jawline, and it is always flattering on an angular face." We love the Old Hollywood glamour vibe we get from her refined natural waves.

Long Curls With Side Part

Brazilian model and designer Camila Alves McConaughey puts her thick curls on display with a deep side part and lots of natural volume at the root. Those with fine hair, needn't worry. Volume is easy enough to fake with the right product. For us, that's Living Proof Full Dry Volume and Texture Spray ($36).

Braided Bob

Melina Matsoukas's braided bob hits in all the right places. To get her textured tresses, work Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Length Retention Nice & Neat Braiding Custard ($19) into strands when braiding. Formulated with peppermint oil, this product will not only keep hair protected, but it also ensures locks stay healthy and hydrated.

Long and Tousled With Middle Part

Megan Fox is synonymous with long, dark, tousled hair parted in the center. Her undulating waves lend a certain softness to her structured diamond-shaped face. To replicate her style, work a texturizing product such as Ouai Dry Texture Foam ($28) to damp hair before blow-drying. Follow by curling hair using a wand with a 1.5-inch barrel like Ghd Curve® Classic Wave Wand ($156). For extra gloss, finish with a shine serum.

Defined Spirals

Serena Williams is proof that a diamond-shaped face pairs well with a full head of flowing curls. They enhance her lifted cheekbones and radiant complexion. Choosing the right styling products is key, especially when it comes to curly hair. For defined, hydrated curls, may we suggest concocting your own DIY flaxseed gel?

Long Pixie

Selma Blair's diamond-shaped face is one of the easiest to spot. The widest part of her face hits right at her cheekbones. As such, her side-parted elongated pixie shows off her bone structure.

Sleek and Straight with Middle Part

While Sofia Vergara is known for her long, tousled curls, sometimes she opts for a sleeker, straight look. Vergara's glossy middle-part blowout is taken to the next level with bangs that hit right at her chin, complementing her diamond-shaped face. Abramite explains, "On longer lengths, the chin area should have some width to add a balanced fullness."

Curly Bob

In regards to hair color choices that highlight a diamond-shaped face, Eric Sebbag, a hairstylist at Warren Tricomi says, "Solid colors work best or a very light balayage to bring out the natural highlights, particularly around the face." Viola Davis's deep brown curly bob may be monotone in shade, but the shine of her natural curls adds movement and dimension.

Glam Top Knot

Leave it to our girl Rihanna to elevate the humble top knot to higher and higher heights. This glam, red-carpet rendition is as avante garde as it is capital-c, Chic!

Wavy Shag With Fringe

That "balanced fullness" that Abramite was referring to is perhaps best demonstrated by Halle Berry's wavy shag. Instead of her volume gradually decreasing into thin ends, her hair maintains fullness toward her chin. As you can see, the resulting look is both proportionate and flattering. If you have naturally curly or wavy strands, you can replicate her 'do by simply air-drying hair. As for her bangs? No need to make a fuss over them either. In fact, if you can spare five minutes, you can style your fringe.

Updo With Face-framing Pieces

"All diamond shape faces can wear any type of updo that will expose those high cheekbones," says Sebbag. We love that Kim Kardashian's long, center-parted side pieces frame her face perfectly, but a side-part would also shine. "An updo with swept bangs to expose one side of the face while simultaneously covering the other eye is a game changer."

Side-Parted Classic Wave

With longer lengths, Thompson suggests styling hair à la Marsai Martin. In other words, "A side-parted classic wave with lots of volume always looks great," she says. To add body to fine hair, use a volumizing product like John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse ($11), which will instantly lift limp strands.

Tousled Texture

Anna Kendrick is known for her effortless style and this barely-done, yet chic tousled hairstyle is right on brand. There's a nice harmony between the softness of what looks like air-dried waves and her angled features.

Teased-Out Curls

Tyra Banks is serving up some major volume here with her cascading curls, which soften her bone structure. The extra height at the crown glams up this show-stopping style.

Windswept Top Knot

Another take on an updo, this diamond-shaped face-friendly style puts the spotlight on Eva Longoria's bone structure without feeling too harsh or polished. The free-flowing pieces add an air of ease that's fresh and fun.

Choppy Lob

It's a simple fact that short haircuts on diamond-shaped faces define higher cheekbones. "When cutting a medium-length haircut on someone with a diamond face shape, it’s ideal to go shorter in the front between the chin and nose to create long side swept bangs or long curtain swept bangs with a middle part," says Sebbag.

FAQ

Should those with diamond-shaped faces opt for shorter or longer haircuts?

Both work — it's more about the details (a side-swept bang, for instance, can draw attention to your cheekbones, as can longer, angled layers).

Can a diamond-shaped face wear a pixie cut?

You can really rock any style or length you wish, but the most flattering pixies will be slightly angled, to draw the eye inward, toward your features.

Can diamond-shaped faces wear bangs?

Bangs look great on those with a diamond-shaped face, as they can help open the face (and the natural features) up.