Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best haircut for a diamond face shape?
The best haircuts for diamond face men add width at the forehead and soften the angular cheekbones. Side parts with volume, textured fringes, swept-back medium-length styles, and curtain bangs all work well. The goal is to balance the narrow forehead and chin with the wider cheekbones by adding visual weight above the cheekline.
Is diamond face shape rare?
Diamond is the rarest face shape for both men and women. It's characterized by cheekbones that are significantly wider than both the forehead and jawline, with a narrow chin point. Because it's uncommon, many men with diamond faces aren't immediately sure of their shape — the cheekbone prominence can be mistaken for oval or heart shapes.
How do I know if I have a diamond face?
Measure your forehead, cheekbones, face length, and jawline. If your face length is the largest measurement, followed by cheekbones, then forehead, with the jawline as the smallest — and your chin is somewhat pointed — you likely have a diamond face. See our face shape measurement guide for step-by-step instructions.
Should diamond face men grow beards?
Beards can work well on diamond faces, particularly styles that add width at the jawline to balance the prominent cheekbones. Short-to-medium beards that widen the chin area are most effective. Avoid very tight, narrow beard shapes that emphasize the chin's narrowness. See our beard styles guide for face-shape-specific recommendations.
What haircut adds width to a narrow forehead?
Fringes, side-swept bangs, and styles with lateral volume at the temple area all add width to a narrow forehead. The key is keeping hair around the forehead rather than swept back — exposed foreheads emphasize narrowness. Textured fringes and curtain bangs are the most effective options for diamond face men.
What Makes a Face Diamond-Shaped
The diamond face shape is defined by wide, prominent cheekbones with both the forehead and jawline being noticeably narrower. The chin tapers to a point, and the forehead is often the narrowest of the three width measurements. The overall face length is typically the largest single measurement.
Typical measurements:
- Forehead: 8"
- Cheekbones: 7" (widest horizontal point)
- Face length: 9.5"
- Jawline: 6.75"
The key difference from a heart shape: in a heart face, the forehead is the widest point. In a diamond face, the cheekbones dominate. The key difference from an oval: diamond faces have a more dramatic taper at both the forehead and chin, creating a distinctly angular silhouette.
To measure and confirm your face shape, see our complete guide.
Best Haircuts for Diamond Face Men
Diamond face men should add width at the forehead and chin with side-swept fringe or textured styles while keeping volume minimal at the widest cheekbone area.
The strategy for diamond face haircuts: add width at the forehead level to balance the prominent cheekbones, and keep the overall style soft rather than severe. Avoid styles that expose the forehead entirely or add height without width.
Side Part with Volume
A side part styled with volume at the parting side adds visual width to the upper third of the face. This directly counteracts the narrow forehead by creating fullness where the diamond shape is most narrow. Keep the sides at a moderate length — a very tight fade would emphasize the cheekbone width by contrast.
How to style it: Part on your natural side. Blow dry the longer section upward and outward with a round brush, focusing on the roots for lift. Finish with a medium-hold product. The volume should expand laterally, not just upward.
Textured Fringe
A textured fringe covers the narrow forehead and creates a strong focal point that draws attention away from the cheekbone width. The texture breaks up the horizontal line and adds a modern, relaxed feel. This is one of the most effective haircuts for diamond face men.
How to style it: Grow the front to 3-4 inches. Apply a light clay to damp hair and blow dry forward. Use your fingers to separate and create texture in the fringe. The fringe should look intentionally undone.
Swept-Back Medium Length
Medium-length hair (4-6 inches) swept back with volume creates fullness across the entire upper face. Unlike a tight slick back, this style maintains body and width — it's swept back loosely, not plastered down. The volume at the crown and temples balances the cheekbone width.
How to style it: Blow dry backward with a round brush, lifting at the roots for volume. Apply a matte product and push back with your fingers, allowing some natural movement. Don't use a comb — keep it soft.
Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs split at the center and fall to each side of the face, creating width at the forehead and framing the cheekbones rather than exposing them. This style has seen a resurgence and works particularly well on diamond faces because it addresses both the narrow forehead and the prominent cheekbones simultaneously.
How to style it: Grow the front section to at least eye level. Part at the center (or slightly off-center). Blow dry each side outward and downward, curling the ends away from the face. Apply a light hold spray to maintain the shape.
Haircuts Diamond Face Men Should Avoid
Certain styles can exaggerate the diamond shape's angular proportions:
- Very short buzz cuts — Removing all hair exposes the narrow forehead, wide cheekbones, and narrow chin simultaneously. The diamond shape becomes the dominant visual feature with nothing to soften it.
- Tall, narrow styles like mohawks — Adding height without width makes the narrow forehead look even narrower by emphasizing vertical proportions.
- Slicked-back tight styles — Pulling hair flat against the head exposes the narrow forehead entirely. If you want to sweep hair back, keep volume and body in the style.
- Very long, flat hair with a center part — Straight, flat hair hanging alongside the face can emphasize the cheekbone width and make the chin look very narrow.
Facial Hair for Diamond Faces
Facial hair on a diamond face should focus on adding width and fullness to the jawline and chin — the narrowest areas.
What works:
- Medium beard with width at the jaw — A beard that's allowed to grow outward at the jawline adds the width that diamond faces lack at the chin. Keep the cheek line natural rather than trimmed very high.
- Full stubble — Stubble across the entire jaw and chin area softens the angular cheekbones and adds a visual base that balances the face.
- Rounded goatee — A goatee with width at the corners of the mouth adds horizontal dimension to the chin area.
What to approach with care:
- Very narrow, pointed goatees — These follow the chin's natural narrow taper and can make it look even more pointed.
- Chin straps — A thin line along the jawline draws attention to the narrowness rather than adding volume.
For trimming instructions, see our beard trimming guide. For complete matching, see best beard styles for your face shape.
How to Identify a Diamond Face Shape
Diamond faces have these defining characteristics:
- Face length is the largest measurement — your face is longest from hairline to chin.
- Cheekbones are the widest horizontal point — wider than both the forehead and jawline.
- Forehead is narrower than the cheekbones — noticeably so, not just slightly.
- Jawline is the smallest measurement — the chin tapers to a point.
The diamond shape is sometimes confused with the oval or heart shape. The key distinction: in a diamond, the cheekbones are the widest point (not the forehead, as in heart shapes, and not proportionally balanced, as in oval shapes).
For detailed measurement instructions with images, see our complete face shape guide.
Find the right frames too: best glasses for diamond faces.