Is short hair or long hair better for round faces?

Long hair is often recommended for round faces, as the longer length will draw your eye down and create the illusion of a slimmer face. Short hair can also be flattering on a round face, as long as you have the right cut and style, such as a deep side part with side-swept bangs and volume on top.

What bangs are best for heart-shaped faces?

Those with a heart-shaped face (larger and wider forehead and thinner jawline and chin) look best with long and layered bangs or side-swept bangs. Avoid blunt, curtain bangs as they can be too overwhelming on this face shape.

Should thin hair be layered or one length?

Most experts agree that light layers with textured waves (use a curling iron if hair is straight) will add volume and body to thin hair. A longer lob (longer in front and slightly shorter in back) with face framing layers is a great choice. For another option, a chin-length blunt bob is also a chic and flattering look for those with thin hair.

The 21 Haircuts That Never Go Out of Style

elle fanning — @ellefanning / Design by Michela Buttignol

Trends are fun to follow when they concern elements you can switch up easily—think wardrobe and makeup. But when it comes to your hair, few of us want to embrace a bold new look every season just to stay one step ahead of the sartorial game. That's not to say that we don't get giddy upon discovering the most popular hair looks at NYFW, however, there's something utterly comforting with tried-and-true classic styles.

Certain cuts make an appearance time and time again—think Twiggy’s iconic pixie or a ’70s-inspired shag. They are the haircuts that will always be in vogue, day to night, and season to season. To help us out in our quest to find a complete roundup of the looks that stand the test of time, we turned to the pros. Top stylists from both the U.S. and U.K. weighed in on what exactly makes a haircut timeless, plus the styles that they believe will never grow old.

From short to long, straight to textured, scroll on to discover the 7 haircuts that will always be in style, and all the options for making them look their best.

Meet the Expert

Jordan Garrett is a celebrity hairstylist at Hershesons in London.
Neil Smith is the Artistic Director at the award-winning Barrie Stephen Hair Salon in Leicestershire.
Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of Hare & Bone.
Marc Trinder is owner of Trinder Hair Studios in London.

01 of 21

Pixie: Polished

Zendaya blonde pixie — Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images

Although Western society typically associates beauty with long hair, the short-haired pixie cut challenged this notion in the 1960s. “Twiggy started it all off, and then Princess Diana and Demi Moore ruled this look in the 1990s," recounts celebrity hairstyist Jordan Garrett. It’s now one of the most iconic looks of all time.

02 of 21

Pixie: Choppy

Zoe Kravitz pixie — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Today, the pixie has become the preferred cut among certain celebrities. "More recently, we’ve seen it come up with a few modern tweaks on celebrities such as [Zoë Kravitz] and Katy Perry. It’s a classic look and suits people with petite features,” comments Garrett.

03 of 21

Pixie: Curly

Ursula Corbero curly pixie — Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images

This short and stylish 'do can, and should, be embraced by all hair types. Here, Ursula Corbero makes a very strong case for curly pixies. Style with Hydrohair Hydrocurl ($32)—it just so happens to be one of Emmy Rossum's go-to curly hair products—to keep curls looking radiant and defined.

04 of 21

Shag: Lived-In

This sultry, textured, layered look features lots of shape around the face, drawing maximum attention to the eyes. “It looks great straight, curly, in plaits and in a tight or loose updo. It’s got incredible versatility, which always helps make a style timeless,” says Neil Smith, artistic director at Barrie Stephen Hair.

05 of 21

Shag: Coily

Gabrielle Union curly shag and bangs — Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Gabrielle Union takes her shag to the next level with a head full of curls—bangs included. To score her style, we recommend investing in a curly hair routine. Cleansing with curly hair shampoo and conditioner followed by applying a leave-in conditioner (we like Tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave In Conditioner, $15) will keep curls looking their best.

06 of 21

Shag: Mussy

Lou Doillon shag with bangs — Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Lou Doillon channels the spirit of the '70s with her rockstar shag. “This cut is a classic for millennials due to the fact that it’s so low maintenance,” says Smith. The bangs are a nice touch, too—although we wouldn't expect anything less from Jane Birkin's progeny.

07 of 21

Fringe: Blunt

Kerry Washington mid-length wavy haircut with blunt fringe — Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Blunt bangs make a statement. In fact, they are an inexpensive yet effective way to completely change your look—and hide those frown lines (if that happens to be a concern), adding a youthful tone. It's no wonder that Smith calls them “the Botox fringe.”

08 of 21

Fringe: Curtain

Bryce Dallas Howard curtain fringe — Rabbani and Solimene Photography / Getty Images

And while you might be wary of bangs due to concerns like their constant upkeep, a curtain fringe, like this one here on Bryce Dallas Howard, is low-commitment, not to mention, super stylish. They also get an A+ in face-framing.

Although a cowlick around your hairline can be annoying, that doesn't mean it can't be managed. It's just a matter of your fringe needing a little encouragement to sit where you want it to.

09 of 21

Fringe: Side-Swept

Chrissy Teigen blonde beach waves with side-swept bangs — JB Lacroix / WireImage / Getty Images

A side-swept fringe is also easy to maintain and style. They're the perfect accessory to texturized beach waves as modeled by Chrissy Teigen. To get her casual-cool beach vibes, apply a few spritzes of texturizing spray.

10 of 21

Bob: French

Taylor Swift — Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

It's no doubt that bobs are classic, but did you know that they can be worn in countless ways? According to Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of Hare & Bone, “This is arguably the most versatile cut of all time. Two people can have a bob exactly the same length, but if one has choppy layers and a fringe and the other has a blunt finish, they will look totally different."

11 of 21

Bob: Wavy

Paula Patton wavy retro bob with pink lipstick — Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

Paula Patton's wavy bob gives off a vintage feel with its length and texture. Its appeal stems from the fact that it is a nearly universally flattering cut. "It can also be styled to suit all face shapes, ages, hair types and styles, which is why it will always be popular,” adds Burnett.

12 of 21

Bob: Chin-Length

Lucy Boynton textured blonde bob — Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Lucy Boynton modernizes the classic chin-length bob with a dose of texture. Burnett comments, "Any small changes to the shape can have a huge effect on the overall style, which means it’s easy for it to be updated with seasonal trends to give it a fresh edge."

Not ready to take the plunge to chop off your hair into a chin-length bob? Check out our tutorial on how to create a faux bob—no scissors needed!

13 of 21

Buzz Cut: Induction

Halsey buzz cut — Lester Cohen / Getty Images

You might not think of the buzz cut as being evergreen, but thanks to celebs such as Sigourney Weaver, Cara Delevingne, and Halsey, it's constantly having a revival. Halsey opts for an induction cut, the shortest extreme on the buzz spectrum.

14 of 21

Buzz Cut: Burr

Carolyn Malachi buzz cut — Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Carolyn Malachi goes only slightly longer with her buzz cut and rocks a burr. It's edgy and liberating—especially if you decide to do it yourself. “This is a bold, brave choice, so it’s not for everyone, but it really does look stunning, and it’s very, very low maintenance if you do go for it,” says Smith.

15 of 21

Buzz Cut: Platinum

Kristen Stewart blonde buzz cut — Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images

If you want to take your buzz cut one step further, follow Kristen Stewart's lead and bleach it. A platinum blonde buzz is head-turning and trendy. Just keep in mind that you'll need to stay on top of regrowth (think: color touch-ups every few weeks), especially if your natural hair color skews darker.

16 of 21

Long Layers: Sleek and Smooth

Asian model with long straight hair — Imaxtree

Want luxe-looking hair? Then it’s a long one-length-looking (there actually are some layers in there) style you need to go for. “Subtle long layers give the hair fluidity and movement, and it’s such a timeless look,” says Marc Trinder of Trinder Hair Studios.

17 of 21

Long Layers: Natural and Curly

Tyra Banks long curly hair — Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

A blunt cut creates the illusion of fullness, so unless you've got fine or thin tresses, this might not be for you. Instead, consider long layers, which are "easy to style and maintain, and they help create shape within a haircut as well as reduce some weight, making them ideal for thicker hair types,” explains Trinder.

18 of 21

Long Layers: Retro

Elle Fanning long blonde retro hairstyle — Dave J Hogan / Getty Images

A blowout can vary from city to city, but in its simplest form, it is smooth and sleek with a touch of volume. Try it for yourself at home—but grab some Kristin Ess Blow Dry Mist ($14) first—and do like Elle Fanning by wearing this classic style with a retro twist: curling long layers inward and pinning hair to the side.

19 of 21

Freestyle Curls: Short Afro

Black model with natural curly pixie — Imaxtree

When it comes to curls and textured hair, a freehand cut is a way to create a lasting style. “I think the most effortless and always on-trend look for curls is seeing them in their natural shape and state,” says Trinder.

To nail this look, try working in a small amount of Styling Cream ($15) from celebrity stylist Vernon Francis's haircare line, which is made especially for natural hair.

20 of 21

Freestyle Curls: Light and Airy

Ilana Glazer curly mop — Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

If you've got curls, then why not embrace them? “To do this, the hair cannot be cut in a methodically layered way. It prevents curls from sitting in their natural shape," explains Trinder. "Instead, your stylist needs to slice out lengths to make them soft on the edges—this will allow the curls to retain their definition and enhance the natural shape.”

21 of 21

Freestyle Curls: Varied Length

Nathalie Emmanuel natural curly hair — John Shearer / Getty Images

Nathalie Emmanuel nails curly-haired perfection with this visually effortless 'do. Her curls sit at varying lengths that translate as natural rather than sculpted and uniform. Apply a dab of Miss Jessie Curly Pudding ($10) throughout hair to define, soften, and elongate your coils.

FAQ

Is short hair or long hair better for round faces?

Long hair is often recommended for round faces, as the longer length will draw your eye down and create the illusion of a slimmer face. Short hair can also be flattering on a round face, as long as you have the right cut and style, such as a deep side part with side-swept bangs and volume on top.
What bangs are best for heart-shaped faces?

Those with a heart-shaped face (larger and wider forehead and thinner jawline and chin) look best with long and layered bangs or side-swept bangs. Avoid blunt, curtain bangs as they can be too overwhelming on this face shape.
Should thin hair be layered or one length?

Most experts agree that light layers with textured waves (use a curling iron if hair is straight) will add volume and body to thin hair. A longer lob (longer in front and slightly shorter in back) with face framing layers is a great choice. For another option, a chin-length blunt bob is also a chic and flattering look for those with thin hair.

25 Cool Haircuts That Will Actually Make You Excited for Fall