face shapes · haircuts
Best Hairstyles for Big Ears, for Menand Women
The best hairstyles for big or prominent ears, for men and women, with how to cover or balance them, which fades to be careful with, and when showing them works.
Hairover Team
To make big or prominent ears less noticeable, you can either cover them with soft length or balance them with fuller sides and some height on top. Short sides can make ears the widest point of your head, so be careful with high skin fades. Of course, plenty of people show theirs off, and a confident cut matters more than any rule.
What helps
- Length over the ears gives full coverage.
- Some volume at the sides means your ears aren’t the widest point.
- Texture on top draws the eye upward.
- Soft, not sharp, lines around the ears. A hard line near the ear draws attention.
Men’s cuts
Medium layered cut. Hair falling over the tops of your ears gives you the most coverage. See long hairstyles for men.
Curtain hair. A middle part with length to the cheekbones covers the top of the ears.
Taper with fuller sides. Asking for a number 3 or 4 on the sides keeps your ears from standing out. See fade vs. taper and our clipper guard chart.
Two block cut. The top hangs over the short sides, which hides some of the ear area.
Curly top with low fade. Volume on top moves attention away from the sides. See curly fringe haircuts.
Longer buzz. A #4 keeps some softness, while a very close buzz exposes the ears.
What to be careful with
- High skin fades. They leave ears as the most obvious feature.
- Very tight buzz cuts. These have nothing to soften the sides.
- Hair cut tightly around the ear, creating a clean outline right at that spot.
If you want a fade, ask for a low one. Our low, mid, and high fade guide explains this.
Women’s cuts
Lob or bob. Falls naturally over your ears, for full coverage. See bob vs. lob.
Long layers or waves. Add volume around your ears. See our soft waves guide.
Shag. Soft pieces at the sides do a great job. See shag haircut ideas.
Bixie instead of a pixie. It keeps length around the ears. See pixie vs. bixie.
Low buns or loose updos. Pull hair over the tops of your ears and pin it. Leave soft pieces out to frame your face.
Half-up style. Leave the hair around your ears down, and tie up only the top.
What to be careful with
Tight, high ponytails and slicked-back buns expose the ears completely. If you want to wear them, try pulling your hair loosely over the tops of your ears, or leave a few pieces out.
If one ear sticks out more
Many people have asymmetrical ears. Your stylist can often cut slightly differently on each side, so they look more balanced. It’s worth mentioning this at your appointment.
Other tips
- Skip big earrings if you’re trying to draw less attention to the area.
- Glasses sit on your ears, which can change how they look. See hairstyles with glasses.
- Tell your barber or stylist. They can adjust the cut, and they’ve seen it all before.
Medical options exist if your ears really bother you, and a doctor can explain them. Most people don’t need them, and a well-chosen haircut goes a long way.
See how much coverage you want
Side length and height both make a difference. Upload a clear photo to Hairover, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio.
FAQ
What haircut is best for big ears on men?
A cut with length around the ears, like a medium layered cut, covers them most fully. For shorter hair, a low taper keeps some side length, so the ears stand out less than with a high skin fade.
Do fades make your ears look bigger?
High skin fades can, since removing hair at the sides leaves your ears as the widest point. A low fade or a taper usually draws less attention to them.
Which women's hairstyles hide big ears?
Bobs, lobs, loose waves, and any style worn down over the ears work well. For updos, try a low bun with loose pieces left around the ears.
