Byrdie August 10, 2023
BYRDIE
Hair
26 Hairstyles for Diamond-Shaped Faces That Best Flatter for Your Features
Although everyone's face shape is unique, we tend to fall into one of the standard categories—oval, heart, round, and square, to name a few. And while you have complete freedom to choose whatever haircut and style reflects your personal taste, there are some helpful tips you might want to know regarding the shape of your face. One of the most uncommon facial silhouettes? Diamond.
"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. From face-framing layers to side-swept bangs and easygoing, tousled texture, there are plenty of styles and cut inspiration ahead.
Keep scrolling to see the 26 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. 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," he says.
Updo With Side-Swept Bangs
Just like González's style, Jennifer Lopez's deep side part and long side-swept bangs flatter her well-defined features while lengthening the appearance of her face (that volume in her hair doesn't hurt either).
Abramite says this high volume and side-swept bang 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 when creating a style, he adds.
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.
Face-framing Layers With Side Part
Rihanna 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, thisshoulder-length cut with soft 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."
Volumized 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 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. And in case you were wondering about what other hair secrets Ms. Chung has up her sleeve, we've got you covered.
Sleek Lob With Fringe
While we firmly believe that long bobs look great on everyone, certain takes 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 widening her forehead. To get her glossy strands, try a shine spray like ORS Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray.
High, Volumized 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' angled bangs hit her at just the right spots to complement her bone structure.
Loose, Cascading Curls
Rosario Dawson's loose, cascading curls have us dreaming of carefree summer days at the beach. Her side part allows her to show off her gorgeous cheekbones, the most prominent feature of those with diamond-shaped faces. To get undone curls that last all day—and even into the night—invest in a ceramic curling wand like Bed Head Curlipops Curling Wand.
Long and Glossy
Sleek, long, and polished hair on a center part 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 and Curly 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. If you have fine hair, don't worry, because volume is easy enough to fake with the right product. For us, that's Living Proof Full Dry Volume and Texture Spray.
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 into strands when braiding. Formulated with peppermint oil, not only will this product 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 to damp hair before blowdrying. Follow by curling hair using a wand with a 1.5-inch barrel like Ghd Curve® Classic Wave Wand. For extra gloss, finish with a shine serum.
Volumized Curly Lob
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.
Wavy Shag With Fringe
That "balanced fullness" that Abramite was referring to is perhaps best demonstrated by Halle Berry's wavy lob. 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. "An updo with swept bangs to expose one side of the face while simultaneously covering the other eye is a game changer." We love that Kim Kardashian's long side pieces frame her face perfectly.
Side-Parted Classic Wave
With longer lengths, Thompson suggests styling hair à la Anna Kendrick. 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, which will instantly lift limp strands.
Tousled Texture
Katie Holmes is known for her effortless style and this barely-done, yet chic tousled hairstyle is right on brand for her. There's a nice harmony between the softness of what looks like air-dried waves and her angled features.
Long, Soft 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 glamorizes 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.