20+ Hairstyles To Make Face Look Thinner Ideas You’ll Want to Save

Looking for hairstyles to make face look thinner in a soft, natural way? You are in the right place. A slimming hairstyle is all about shape, not size. The right layers, part, and length can draw the eye down and in, which makes cheeks look narrower and the jaw look more defined.

This guide brings you 20 plus ideas, from face framing layers and curtain bangs to angled bobs and high ponytails. Each pick is chosen to lengthen the look of your face while keeping your style fresh and wearable. The English is simple, the tips are practical, and every idea comes with a clear photo. Scroll through, save your favorites to Pinterest, and bring your top pick to your next salon visit.

Face Framing Layers

Face framing layers are pieces cut shorter around the face, usually from the cheekbones down. They pull the eye inward and make the cheeks look narrower. Ask your stylist for soft layers that start at the chin and fall past the shoulders. This cut works on straight, wavy, and thick hair.

It suits women with round or full faces who want a gentle change. Blow dry the front pieces away from the face for a smooth frame. Trim every eight to ten weeks to keep the shape. A little texturizing spray adds soft movement.

Soft Curtain Bangs

• Ask for bangs that part in the middle and sweep to each side.
• Keep the shortest pieces at the cheekbones, not higher.
• Works on medium and long hair with soft waves.
• Blow dry with a round brush, brushing away from the face.
• Trim every six to eight weeks to keep the shape light.

Soft curtain bangs frame the face like a curtain and pull the cheeks in. The center part draws the eye down the middle, which makes the face look longer. This style suits round and full faces best. It grows out nicely, so it is low stress between salon visits.

Side Swept Bangs

Quick Tip: Ask your stylist to cut the bangs long, from the brow to the cheekbone. Sweep them across the forehead at an angle. The diagonal line breaks up roundness and slims the cheeks.

Side swept bangs are a classic slimming pick. The angled sweep adds a sharp line that makes the face look narrower. They pair well with bobs, lobs, and long layers. For more fringe ideas, see our guide to fringe bangs for round faces. Style them with a flat iron for a smooth finish.

Angled Bob Cut

A blunt chin length bob can make a full face look wider, since the straight ends sit right at the cheeks. The angled bob fixes that. It stays short at the back and grows longer toward the front, which pulls the eye downward and slims the face.

This cut suits women with straight or slightly wavy hair. The long front pieces graze the jaw and create a slim line. Ask for a sharp angle from the nape to the front. Keep the back stacked for lift. It needs a trim every six weeks to hold the shape.

Long Layered Waves

1. Ask for long layers through the mid lengths and ends.
2. Part your hair in the middle or slightly off center.
3. Wrap one inch sections around a large curling iron.
4. Let the curls cool, then brush them out softly.
5. Finish with a light hold spray for movement.

Long layered waves are timeless hairstyles to make face look thinner because the vertical lines draw the eye down. The layers keep the ends light so the hair does not push outward at the cheeks. This look suits medium to thick hair best. Sleep on a silk pillowcase to keep the waves smooth.

Deep Side Part

A deep side part is the fastest way to change your face shape. The heavy sweep covers one side of the forehead and makes the face look narrower. It works on straight, wavy, and curly hair. Tuck the lighter side behind your ear to open up the cheek.

High Ponytail Lift

Do:

• Do place the ponytail at the crown, not the nape.
• Do tease the hair at the roots for extra lift.
• Do wrap a strand around the band for a clean look.
• Do pull out two thin strands at the front.

Don’t:

• Don’t slick the sides too flat and tight.
• Don’t skip the crown height, it does the slimming work.
• Don’t use a heavy band that pulls the hair down.

A high ponytail lifts everything upward, which makes the face look longer and leaner. The height at the crown is the key. This style works for the gym, work, and nights out. A soft, slightly loose finish flatters more than a scraped back look every day.

Textured Lob Cut

• Length: Collarbone, about 12 to 14 inches.
• Styling time: 10 to 15 minutes with a flat iron.
• Maintenance: Trim every 8 weeks.
• Best for: Straight to wavy hair types.

A textured lob is a long bob with choppy ends. The uneven texture keeps the hair from sitting wide at the cheeks. It suits busy women who want a modern cut with little effort. Add a deep side part for extra slimming. A sea salt spray brings out the texture.

Wispy Fringe Bangs

Wispy fringe bangs are light, feathery bangs that sit softly on the forehead. The thin pieces break up the width of the face without hiding it. Ask your stylist to keep them long and piecey, not blunt. They blend into layers nicely and grow out with little fuss.

This style flatters round and heart shaped faces. Use a small round brush and a quick blast of heat to style them each morning. Avoid heavy creams that can make the pieces clump. A dry shampoo at the roots keeps them fresh between washes.

Sleek Long Straight

• Grow or keep hair past the shoulders for length.
• Part in the middle to draw the eye straight down.
• Use a flat iron in small sections for a smooth finish.
• Apply a heat protectant before any hot tools.
• Tuck one side behind the ear to show the cheekbone.

Long straight hair creates one long vertical line, which is very slimming. The smooth fall of hair past the shoulders makes the face look narrower. This look suits straight and fine hair best. It needs regular trims to avoid thin, wispy ends. A shine serum adds polish without weight.

Crown Volume Blowout

Quick Tip: Flip your head upside down while blow drying the roots. This builds lift at the crown fast. Smooth the top layer last for a clean finish.

A blowout with volume at the crown adds height where it counts. The lift on top makes the face look longer and slimmer. Use a large round brush and pull each section up and back. This style suits medium to long hair. It lasts two to three days with dry shampoo.

Asymmetrical Bob Cut

A one length bob can sit wide at the jaw and add fullness to the face. The asymmetrical bob changes the story. One side is cut longer than the other, which creates a diagonal line. The uneven shape breaks up roundness and slims the cheeks.

This bold cut suits confident women with straight hair. The longer side usually grazes the chin or jaw. Ask for a clear, clean angle so the shape reads well. If you prefer even shorter hair, a pixie cut for round faces offers the same lifted effect. Keep the part on the shorter side for balance.

Side Parted Curls

1. Part your hair deep on one side while damp.
2. Apply a curl cream from the mid lengths to the ends.
3. Diffuse or air dry to build soft curls.
4. Pin the lighter side back to open the face.
5. Shake the roots gently for lift at the crown.

Side parted curls bring height and movement to the top of the head. The deep part creates an angle that slims the cheeks. This style suits wavy and curly hair best. A silk scrunchie at night keeps the curls fresh for day two. Trim the ends every ten weeks to keep the shape.

Choppy Layered Shag

A choppy shag adds texture and movement that keeps the eye moving. The broken layers around the face stop the hair from sitting flat and wide. It suits wavy and thick hair best. Ask for razor cut ends for a lived in feel. A little mousse defines the pieces.

Half Up Volume

Do:

• Do gather the top half high on the crown.
• Do tease the roots lightly before pinning.
• Do leave the bottom half smooth and long.
• Do add a soft wave to the loose hair.

Don’t:

• Don’t pull the top section too tight and flat.
• Don’t place the half pony low at the back.
• Don’t skip the front face framing pieces.

A half up style with volume gives you the best of both worlds. The lifted crown slims the face while the loose length keeps it soft. It works for dates, parties, and office days. Secure it with two crisscrossed bobby pins so it holds for hours.

Chin Grazing Layers

• Length: Ends sit right at the chin.
• Styling time: 8 to 12 minutes daily.
• Maintenance: Trim every 6 weeks.
• Best for: Fine to medium hair.

Chin grazing layers end right where they can slim the jaw. The short pieces turn inward and hug the face in a flattering way. Ask your stylist to angle the layers toward the chin. This cut suits petite women well. Blow dry with a round brush, rolling the ends under.

Middle Part Layers

Middle part layers split the hair evenly down the center and frame both sides of the face. The straight center line pulls the eye downward, which lengthens the face. Ask for layers that begin at the cheekbones and flow into long ends. Keep the part clean with a tail comb.

This look flatters oval and long faces most, but round faces can wear it with shorter front layers. Flat iron the front pieces for a sleek frame. A middle part needs balance, so keep both sides even. Use a light oil on the ends to stop frizz.

Feathered Long Cut

• Ask for feathered layers from the chin down.
• Keep the overall length past the shoulders.
• Blow dry with a round brush, flicking the ends out.
• Use a light mousse for soft, airy movement.
• Part in the middle or slightly to the side.

Feathered layers are light and airy, with ends that flick outward. The movement keeps the hair from hugging the cheeks too tightly. This retro inspired cut suits medium to thick hair. It grows out softly, so salon visits can stretch to ten weeks. A paddle brush keeps the feathered shape smooth daily.

Side Ponytail Sweep

Quick Tip: Gather the ponytail low and to one side, just behind the ear. Sweep the front hair across the forehead first. This off center style slims better than a centered pony.

A side ponytail pulls the eye across the face in a diagonal line. The asymmetry breaks up fullness and adds interest. It works on long and medium hair. Add a loose wave to the tail for softness. This is a sweet pick for casual days and evening events.

Stacked Bob Shape

A flat bob with no lift can sit wide and make the cheeks look fuller. The stacked bob solves it with short, graduated layers at the back. The built in volume lifts the crown and the front stays long. The result is a neat shape that slims the face.

This cut suits women who like a polished, short style. The stack at the nape creates natural height. Ask for longer front pieces to frame the jaw. It needs a trim every five to six weeks. A round brush blow dry keeps the shape crisp.

Flipped Out Ends

1. Start with a layered cut that hits the shoulders.
2. Blow dry the hair smooth with a round brush.
3. Flip the ends outward with a flat iron.
4. Set the flip with a cool blast from the dryer.

Flipped out ends add width at the bottom, which makes the face look narrower by contrast. The outward flick draws attention down and away from the cheeks. This playful style suits shoulder length hair. It works best on straight to wavy textures. Refresh the flip each morning in minutes.

These 20 plus ideas show how the right cut can flatter your face in a soft, natural way. From curtain bangs to stacked bobs, each style uses shape and movement to slim the look of your cheeks and jaw. Pick the ideas that match your hair length and texture, and talk them through with your stylist.

If you found hairstyles to make face look thinner that you love, save this post to your Pinterest board. Try one new idea at your next appointment and share it with a friend who might enjoy it too.