Round faces come to my chair worried about looking wider in photos, and the fix is usually simpler than they expect. Height goes at the crown, the part breaks the symmetry, and anything loose around the face falls past the cheekbone. Below are twenty wedding hairstyles that flatter round faces, from high buns and braids to curls worn down, each with the adjustment I’d make for a fuller face and a note on who it doesn’t suit.
Up, Half Up or Down? Let the Neckline Decide
On a round face, the neckline of your dress often settles the up-or-down question before the face does. Hair worn down fills the space between jaw and shoulders, and if the neckline already fills that space, the whole area reads wide.
- High necks and halters: an updo or high bun, so the neck and the line of the dress stay visible.
- Strapless and sweetheart: almost anything, but down styles look best swept to one side to show a shoulder.
- V-necks: down or half-up both work, since the V already draws a vertical line.
- Off-the-shoulder: a low bun or chignon keeps the shoulder line clean.
Neck length matters too. A shorter neck looks longer with the hair lifted off it, while a long neck can carry waves down past the collarbone.
1. High Bun Updo for Round Faces
High buns are my first suggestion for a round face, almost without exception. Sitting near the crown, the bun extends the head shape upward and pulls hair off the cheeks. Sleek or with a few strands loosened, both work; the loosened version is kinder if your hairline is uneven. It takes a veil comb underneath or a tiara in front, and it doesn’t budge through dancing, as long as it’s built on a pinned ponytail base rather than wrapped loose.
2. Side-Swept Curls Wedding Hairstyle
Sweeping curls over one shoulder gives you old-Hollywood glamour without an updo. The asymmetry slims a round face, and a deep side part adds a diagonal line across the forehead. I pin the far side flat behind the ear with crossed pins so the curls stay draped and don’t slide back across the neck. Use a sparkling clip near the part. If you’re wearing a high neckline, though, I’d reconsider: curls pile up against it and the shoulder line disappears.
3. Half-Up Half-Down With Waves
Half-up, half-down lifts the top section for crown height while waves fall down the back. On a round face, the detail that matters is where the sides go: I bring them back smooth rather than puffed, so there’s no width at ear level. A few wispy strands at the temples soften it. The pinned section gives a natural spot for a floral pin or accessory, and it suits both modern and classic gowns.
4. Voluminous Updo With Crown Height
Crown height is the whole point of this updo. I tease the crown in small sections, smooth a layer over the top, and pin the rest into a soft, textured shape at the back. That lift balances the face from every angle. It belongs at formal weddings and sits well under cathedral veils, though a long veil is heavy, so the comb needs to go into the pinned base and not the teased crown. A couple of tendrils near the temples keep it from looking stiff.
5. Low Bun With Side Part
A deep side part turns a plain low bun into a flattering one, because the angled line across the forehead lengthens the face. I set the bun at the nape and keep some volume at the crown so the profile doesn’t flatten. It’s understated and suits vintage gowns and pearls. Tuck a clip or a few blooms near the temple on the part side. Brides with a strong cowlick at the front should test the part first, since forcing it the other way rarely lasts.
6. Fishtail Braid Updo for Round Faces
Fishtail braids give more texture than a three-strand plait, and on a round face I wrap one around the back of an updo with the volume kept at the crown. Gently pulling the braid apart widens it into a soft panel. It needs hair with some grip, so day-old hair or a texture spray helps. Leave soft pieces at the face. Tiny flowers tucked in suit outdoor and garden weddings.
7. Waterfall Braid With Curls
A waterfall braid starts at the crown and lets strands drop through, so the curls below fall freely. The braid keeps volume lifted at the top. It’s delicate, and humid spring and summer weather can loosen the dropped strands, so I set the curls with a firm spray. Small blooms or pearls fit along the braid. Face-framing tendrils soften the look.
8. Sleek Top Knot Bridal Style
A top knot is the boldest way to add height: it sits at the very top of the head and stretches the whole face shape upward. It’s also the least forgiving. With every strand smoothed back, the full width of the face shows, so I’d add a side part or let two fine strands fall at the temples. It suits minimalist weddings, sleek gowns and statement earrings, and it holds all night. A delicate pin or sleek veil finishes it.
9. Loose Romantic Curls for Brides
Loose curls down the shoulders lengthen the face, but on a round face they must start low. I add crown volume, set a side part, and keep the first curl below the cheekbone. These tousled waves go with flower crowns and boho gowns. The curls will drop over the day, especially outdoors, so I curl tighter than the final look and brush them out just before the ceremony.
10. Curly Updo With Face-Framing Pieces
Curly updos work with natural texture instead of fighting it. I pin the curls loosely toward the crown for height and leave a few curly tendrils at the face. For brides with naturally curly or wavy hair, I define with a curl cream and avoid brushing, which turns curls to frizz. A jeweled comb or fresh flowers add detail. It holds well through hugs and dancing because curls grip each other.
11. Vintage Hollywood Waves
Vintage Hollywood waves are glossy and structured, swept to one side from a deep part. The asymmetry slims a round face. I curl in one direction, pin each curl, then brush them out into ridges and finish with shine spray. Keep the crown soft and lifted. They pair with satin gowns and statement jewelry, and they take patience at the trial, since a rushed brush-out leaves separate curls instead of waves.
12. Braided Crown Updo
A braided crown wraps the head like a halo. On a round face I lift the braid at the top so it adds height rather than lying flat, and keep the cheeks clear. The rest of the hair can go down in waves or into a soft bun. Flowers or greenery tucked into the braid suit outdoor and garden weddings. It’s lighter to wear than most updos because the braid carries its own weight.
13. Textured Updo With Volume
This updo relies on loose twists and gentle teasing for height. I pin it on a firm base, then pull the top apart for that undone texture. A few wispy strands at the face soften it. I’d choose it over a sleek updo if you’d rather look relaxed than polished, and it pairs with delicate pins and natural makeup at boho and rustic weddings.
14. Side Ponytail With Soft Waves
Side ponytails surprise people with how flattering they are on a round face. Sweeping everything to one side creates angles, and soft waves in the length add movement. Keep a little crown volume on the side you sweep from. I wrap a strand around the elastic and pin it underneath. Leave a few pieces loose at the face. Statement earrings on the open side balance it.
15. Messy Bun With Loose Tendrils
A messy bun pulls hair off the sides and keeps some volume at the crown. I pull a few loose tendrils at the face. The tousled texture suits garden, beach and rustic weddings. It’s comfortable and stays secure if the base is pinned firmly, then loosened on top. Fresh flowers or a delicate pin finish it.
16. Twisted Half-Up Bridal Style
Twisting sections from each side and pinning them at the back lifts volume away from the cheeks while the rest falls in waves. The twists add detail at the crown. I secure each twist with two crossed pins; a single pin lets them unravel by the reception. A jeweled clip or fresh blooms fit where the twists meet. It suits classic and modern brides.
17. Boho Braided Half-Up
Small braids woven through the top section add texture and lift at the crown, while loose waves flow below. I keep the braids thin so they don’t add bulk at the sides. Tuck in tiny flowers, greenery or delicate pins. It suits outdoor, garden and festival-inspired weddings. Braids hold up well outdoors since they don’t depend on curl.
18. Pinned Back Curls With Veil
Pinning curls back from the face highlights the eyes and cheekbones and leaves a natural spot for a veil. I sweep the sides away, keep soft volume at the crown, and let curls cascade behind the shoulders. The veil comb goes just under the pinned section so it’s hidden. Leave a few soft tendrils at the face. It suits traditional and formal weddings.
19. Chignon With Height at Crown
A classic chignon with added crown height is one of the most dependable styles I know. This elegant low knot sits at the nape, and gentle teasing on top creates the lift. A soft side part adds the diagonal line. I leave a few tendrils near the temples. It pairs with veils, jeweled combs and statement earrings, and stays secure from ceremony to last dance.
20. Tousled Lob for Round Face Brides
Brides with shorter hair can carry a round-face look just as well with a tousled lob. Falling just past the shoulders, the length extends the face downward. I style it with a deep side part, crown volume and flat-iron waves that leave the ends straight, so it doesn’t bounce up into a wide shape. A sparkling clip or small blooms near the part add detail.
How a Round Face Reads in Wedding Photos
Flat, straight-on light makes any face look broader, and the camera exaggerates that. A few small habits make your hairstyle work harder in pictures.
Take a few phone photos at your trial from the front, the part side and the back, then look at them a day later. Hair that looked fine in the salon mirror sometimes reads flat or wide on camera, and that’s the moment to ask for more crown height or longer tendrils, not on the morning itself.
Show the camera your part side. The diagonal is your best line, and it’s lost if you’re photographed from the side where the hair is flat. Ask your photographer to shoot slightly above eye level, and push your chin a little forward and down, which defines the jaw. Flash bounced off a ceiling is kinder than direct flash, which flattens shape.
Cut, Color and Trial Dates Worth Writing Down
- Book the trial about two to three months out, which leaves time to change your mind.
- Get face-framing layers or curtain bangs cut at least four to six weeks before, so they settle and grow slightly.
- Have color done one to two weeks before; it’s fresh, but any brassiness has time to be corrected.
- Do a final trim no later than a week out, since a fresh cut can be slippery for pins.
What All Twenty Styles Have in Common
Crown volume, a part that breaks the symmetry and pieces that fall below the cheekbone: if a style has those, it will balance a round face. From a high bun to side-swept curls or a boho braid, choose the one that suits your dress and your hair’s texture. Add a comb, flowers or a veil where they lift the eye, and take your favorites to a trial so you can see them on your own face before deciding.
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