Have you ever stared at a salon menu, wondering which haircut could magically contour your round face? Or scrolled through endless Pinterest boards, torn between trends that promise to “slim” or “elongate” but leave you more confused than ever? You’re not alone. For decades, those with round or chubby faces navigated a sea of strict rules, “Avoid blunt bobs!” “Steer clear of curls!”, as if our features were problems to fix, not assets to celebrate. But today, the game has changed.
Jessica Withey created this guide and we’ll explore over 10 medium hairstyles that harmonize with round faces, blending timeless wisdom (hello, ’90s shags reborn!) with cutting-edge tricks. Whether you’re craving a tousled modern shag that distracts from width or a sleek angled bob that sharpens your silhouette, we’ll dissect the why behind each style.
10+ Medium Hairstyles for Chubby Faces
1. Side-Swept Angled Bob
We at Jessica Withey Photography love how this medium-length haircut with those soft, bouncy waves looks. It’s such a great pick for chubby faces since it helps stretch out the face a bit! The way it’s parted slightly off-center and has some lift at the top gives it a nice, slimming vibe that’s super flattering. Plus, it’s a style that’s totally cute for everyday or even dressing up for a big event!
2. Face-Framing Layers
Picture a haircut that’s like a perfect frame for a favorite photo. This medium-length, wavy style does just that for her chubby face! The soft, loose waves add a bit of width and movement, balancing her features beautifully without overpowering them, while the side-swept bangs highlight her cheekbones and jawline for a flattering, natural vibe. It’s an effortless, confidence-boosting look that’s spot-on for chubby faces, giving a chic lift that feels approachable and fab.
3. Beach Waves
How cute is her beachy look with that medium-length haircut—don’t those loose waves just make her chubby face pop in the best way? The hair falling past her shoulders with some volume on the sides really helps balance her face shape, giving it a more oval vibe. It’s such a fun, carefree style that’s perfect for a beach day or honestly any time!
4. Tousled Bob
We’re loving this super cute, medium-length hairstyle with its bouncy, tousled waves that radiate playful, feminine energy. Falling just above the shoulders, it’s especially flattering for women with rounder faces—the soft waves add volume and movement, subtly elongating and balancing facial features. It’s like a gentle glow-up for your everyday look: effortless, chic, and perfect for anything from coffee dates to weekend outings.
5. Orange Razor Cut Lob
That vibrant orange hair is radiating playful, girly energy with its choppy, medium-length waves and soft, wispy bangs. The tousled, layered cut adds just the right amount of bounce and volume—perfect for flattering fuller faces by drawing the eye upward and creating a more elongated silhouette. It’s like a burst of sunshine, effortlessly framing her face with bold, carefree charm.
6. Blunt Bob
There’s something so effortlessly chic about this sleek, medium-length bob with soft, side-swept bangs. The smooth, glossy finish gives it a feminine, polished vibe that flatters the face beautifully—especially for women with fuller cheeks. It subtly elongates the face and highlights the jawline, all while keeping things cute, balanced, and totally modern. It’s like the perfect little confidence boost in haircut form.
7. Shag Mullet with Curtain Bangs
There’s something so soft and inviting about this beautiful shag mullet with its airy, curtain bangs. The medium length and tousled volume give it a relaxed, cozy feel that flatters fuller faces beautifully—adding movement and just enough lift to create a more balanced, elongated look. It’s like your hair is giving you a little confidence hug, effortlessly cute, stylish, and totally feel-good.
8. Curtain Bangs with Wavy Bangs
This timeless haircut features curtain bangs and long blended layers to flatter round faces. The feathered, parted bangs lengthen the face and highlight the eyes, while layers starting below the chin add movement without bulk, creating a slimming effect. The medium-long length (below shoulders) balances fuller cheeks with vertical flow, and a subtle blowout adds polished volume for a soft, sophisticated finish.
9. Curly Blunt Cut with Side-Swept Bangs
Define your curls with a blunt cut for a strong baseline, then soften the look with flowing side-swept bangs. These bangs are particularly flattering for round faces as they avoid harsh horizontal lines and instead create a softening, lengthening effect. The overall style balances the curls’ natural volume with structured ends and flattering angles.
10. Medium Wolf Cut
Embrace textured movement with this medium-length wolf cut, defined by its distinct layering. Volume is built at the crown through shorter cuts, contrasting with the wispier, longer ends around the shoulders. Face-framing pieces and a full fringe soften the silhouette, making it flattering for many face shapes.
11. Framing Layers
This long hairstyle utilizes carefully cut face-framing layers to gently sculpt and contour the face. Starting around the mid-face, these layers cascade downwards, creating vertical lines that flatter round shapes by adding length. The technique adds movement and prevents long hair from overwhelming the face.
Why Medium Hairstyles Work for Round Faces
When flattering a round or chubby face shape, medium-length hairstyles strike the perfect balance. Round faces are characterized by soft, curved jawlines, fuller cheeks, and nearly equal width and length, creating a symmetrical, circular appearance. The goal is to elongate the face and add angles to counteract roundness, which is where medium haircuts shine.
Medium hair—typically falling between the chin and collarbone creates vertical lines that draw the eye downward, subtly lengthening the face. This length avoids the pitfalls of shorter styles (which can emphasize width) or overly long hair (which may drag down your features). Strategic layers, face-framing techniques, and volume placement further enhance this effect. For example:
- Jawline softening: Layers starting at the cheekbones or jawline soften fullness in these areas.
- Cheekbone emphasis: Side-swept bangs or curtain bangs shift focus upward to the eyes and cheekbones.
- Volume control: Medium hair allows for root-lifting volume at the crown (to add height) while avoiding excess bulk at the sides (which widens the face).
Incorporating asymmetry, like an angled bob or deep side part, also disrupts the face’s natural symmetry, creating a slimming optical illusion. Additionally, medium-length cuts offer versatility—think tousled waves, sleek straight styles, or textured shags—to adapt to different hair types and personal preferences while maintaining a balanced proportion.
Jessica’s Tip: Pair your medium haircut with balayage highlights or subtle layers around the face to add depth and dimension, which naturally “contours” rounder features.
By harmonizing with your natural face shape analysis, medium hairstyles can enhance your best features and create a flattering, confidence-boosting look.
Key Considerations Before Choosing a Hairstyle
Selecting the perfect medium hairstyle for a round face isn’t just about following trends, it’s about tailoring the cut to your unique features and hair type. Here are the essential factors to weigh before booking your salon appointment:
Round vs. Oval Face Shape
While round faces have soft, curved jawlines and equal width/length proportions, oval faces are longer and slightly narrower. Some styles (like layered lobs) work for both, but round faces specifically benefit from:
- Asymmetry – Angled cuts or deep side parts disrupt symmetry, countering circularity.
- Face-framing layers – Layers starting at the cheekbones or jawline draw attention upward.
Avoid: Blunt, chin-length bobs (they emphasize width).
Straight, Wavy, or Curly Hair Texture
Your hair’s natural texture influences how a style will hold and flatter your face:
- Straight hair – Opt for blunt cuts with subtle layers (e.g., angled bob) to avoid flatness.
- Wavy hair – Enhance texture with feathered layers or a shag to distract from roundness.
- Curly hair – Prioritize layered, shoulder-length cuts to reduce bulk at the sides and define curls.
Thin vs. Thick Hair Density
- Thin hair – Shorter layers and blunt ends create the illusion of fullness. Avoid over-layering, which can make hair look sparse.
- Thick hair – Remove weight with long layers or a textured shag. Thinning shears can prevent a “helmet head” effect.
Styling Techniques to Amplify Your Cut
- Side part: Instantly elongates the face by shifting volume to one side.
- Face-framing layers: Soften cheeks and highlight cheekbones.
- Asymmetrical ends: Add angles to balance roundness (e.g., one side slightly longer).
Jessica’s Tip: If you love blunt cuts, pair them with curtain bangs or a deep side part to avoid emphasizing width.
Styling Tips to Enhance Your Hairstyle
Begin by using a round brush during blowouts to lift roots and create subtle height at the crown, which naturally elongates the face. Focus on directing airflow downward to avoid adding unwanted width at the sides.
For those with thick or wavy hair, matte texture spray is a game-changer—it reduces bulk and adds grit without the shine that can accentuate roundness. If sleekness is your goal, a flat iron can gently bend ends inward to contour the jawline, while a dab of volumizing mousse at the roots ensures lift without weighing down finer hair. Remember, the key lies in balancing volume at the top while keeping the sides soft and streamlined.
Haircuts to Avoid for Round Faces
Certain styles can unintentionally emphasize the roundness of your face. Steer clear of short blunt bangs, as horizontal lines shorten the face and draw attention to its circular shape. Similarly, chin-length bobs that end at the fullest part of the cheeks can amplify width, making the face appear broader.
Overly voluminous curls styled at the sides also add unnecessary bulk, creating a wider silhouette. These cuts often fall under the category of “worst hairstyles for round faces”—opt instead for styles that prioritize vertical movement and angularity.
Celebrity Inspiration for Round Faces
Celebrities with round faces offer plenty of inspiration for nailing medium-length looks.
Selena Gomez masterfully balances her features with a layered lob that incorporates face-framing layers to soften her jawline.
Chrissy Teigen’s signature side-swept waves paired with a deep side part create asymmetry, effectively lengthening her face.
For those craving a bolder look, Ginnifer Goodwin’s pixie-lob hybrid combines cropped layers at the crown with angled ends, proving that medium hair can be both edgy and flattering.
Best Products for Maintaining Medium Hairstyles
The right products keep your haircut sharp and your styling effortless. A lightweight mousse like Living Proof Volume Blast adds body without stiffness, while Ouai Texturizing Spray delivers effortless, lived-in texture.
Always shield your strands with a heat protectant such as Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil before using hot tools like a flat iron. These essentials ensure your medium-length hair stays healthy, voluminous, and perfectly shaped to flatter your face.
FAQs
What is the best haircut for a round face?
A layered lob or asymmetrical bob with face-framing layers helps elongate the face.
Are bangs good for round faces?
Yes! Side-swept or curtain bangs work best—avoid blunt, straight-across bangs.
Should round faces avoid short hair?
Not necessarily. Medium-length hair (chin to collarbone) is safest, but pixie cuts with volume on top can work.
What hair products add volume without bulk?
Lightweight mousse or root-lifting sprays like Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish.
How do I know if I have a round face?
Your face is roughly as wide as it is long, with soft, curved jawlines and fuller cheeks.
