Hairover
Hairstyles for Diamond Faces
Diamond faces lead with the cheekbones. They're narrower at the forehead and chin and widest in the middle. Here's how that changes which haircuts flatter the shape.
2 min read
A diamond face is widest at the cheekbones, with a forehead and chin that are both noticeably narrower. It gets talked about less than oval or round, mostly because it’s less common. It also has a real advantage: the cheekbones are already doing a lot of the work, so most haircut decisions come down to what happens above and below them.
What the shape asks for
Because the forehead and chin are the narrow points, styles that add a little width or softness at either end are usually the ones called flattering. That’s not because the cheekbones need fixing. Balancing the three points (forehead, cheekbones, chin) tends to look more proportional than leaving two narrow ends around one wide middle.
That doesn’t mean every diamond face needs “correcting.” Plenty of people love the sculpted, angular look and choose styles that show it off.
Cuts worth exploring
Side-swept or curtain bangs add width and texture at the forehead, the narrower of the two ends, without adding bulk anywhere else. Curtain bangs are an easy, low-commitment way to test the idea.
A bob that sits at or below the jaw adds width right where a diamond face is narrowest at the bottom. The layered lob works well here, because the layers keep the ends light while still giving the jawline some presence.
Long layers that don’t puff out at the cheekbones are worth asking for by name. Layers that add volume at the widest point of the face emphasize that width instead of balancing it. Ask your stylist to place the fullest part of the layering above or below the cheekbones.
Waves that start below the cheekbone, like soft waves that begin around the jaw, add movement near the narrower chin instead of widening the middle.
Short, textured tops with a softer outline can work if you want something shorter. A textured crop with some length left around the face looks softer than a fully short, uniform shape and won’t exaggerate cheekbone width.
What to be aware of
Very tight sides with lots of volume right at cheekbone height add more width at the face’s widest point. That’s not automatically wrong. It depends on whether you want the cheekbones to stand out even more or you’d prefer a softer balance.
A sleek, center-parted style pulled back from the face is elegant and puts the cheekbones front and center. If that’s the look you want, this is a deliberate way to get it.
See it on your own face first
Diamond faces vary a lot in how narrow the forehead and chin are compared to the cheekbones, so “add width at both ends” works out differently for everyone. Compare a few options, like curtain bangs, a jaw-length bob, and longer layers, on your own photo with Hairover before you decide. For more on the shape, see the diamond face shape guide.
FAQ
What is the best haircut for a diamond face shape?
There's no single best cut. Styles that add a little presence at the forehead, like curtain or side-swept bangs, and some width at the jaw, like a chin-length bob, are common recommendations because they balance the cheekbones instead of competing with them.
How is a diamond face different from a heart-shaped face?
Heart-shaped faces are widest at the forehead and narrow toward the chin. Diamond faces are narrow at both the forehead and the chin, with the cheekbones as the widest point. If your temples look narrow and your cheekbones are the first thing you notice, diamond is probably the closer label.
Should I avoid showing my cheekbones?
No. Prominent cheekbones aren't something to minimize. Most diamond-face advice is about balancing the forehead and jaw around them, not hiding them. If you like a sculpted look, a sleeker style that shows off the cheekbones may suit you better than extra volume at the sides.
Do bangs work on a diamond face?
Often, yes. Side-swept or curtain bangs add width and softness at the forehead, which is usually the narrower end of a diamond face. A full, heavy fringe can work too, but it changes your proportions more dramatically, so try it on a photo first.
