At a glance
- Face shape
- Square
- Hair type
- Thick
- What thick hair adds
- weight and width, so it usually needs thinning or layering to hold a shape
- Aim for
- Soft texture, a little height, nothing cut dead level with the jaw
- Styling tip
- ask for weight taken out of the sides so the shape comes from the cut, not the bulk
- Top picks
- Buzz cut, Quiff, Slick back
| Style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buzz cut | Good | It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face. |
| Quiff | Good | It adds height on top, which lengthens the outline. |
| Slick back | Good | It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face. Watch one thing: it adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
| Curtain fringe | Good | It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw. |
| Messy fringe | Good | It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw. |
| Textured crop | Good | It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw. |
| Skin fade | Good | It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face. Watch one thing: it adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
| Man bun | Good | It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face. |
| Crew cut | Good | It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face. Watch one thing: it adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
| Pompadour | Neutral | It adds height on top, which lengthens the outline, but it also adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
| Undercut | Neutral | It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face, but it also adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
| Taper fade | Neutral | It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face, but it also adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
| Side part | Neutral | It adds height on top, which lengthens the outline, but it also adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
| French crop | With a tweak | It adds hard lines to a jaw that already has them. |
Where thick hair changes the outline
A square face has a forehead, cheekbones and jaw of similar width, with sharp jaw angles. Thick hair can add height, which lengthens that outline a little. Side bulk adds width instead.
Aim for soft texture, a little height and nothing cut dead level with the jaw. Textured ends break up straight lines. A blunt edge at jaw level repeats the jaw's width.
How the cuts compare
For thick hair on a square face, showing the jaw and softening it are both valid choices. These fits describe different effects.
- Buzz cut (Good): Shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.
- Quiff (Good): Adds height on top, which lengthens the outline.
- Slick back (Good): Shows a balanced outline, but adds hard lines beside an already angular jaw.
- Curtain fringe (Good): Adds soft, broken lines that soften a strong jaw.
- Messy fringe (Good): Breaks up straight lines and takes the edge off the jaw.
- Textured crop (Good): Uses soft, broken lines to soften the jaw's appearance.
- Skin fade (Good): Exposes a balanced outline, but adds hard lines beside a strong jaw.
- Man bun (Good): Shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.
- Crew cut (Good): Exposes a balanced outline, though its hard lines can echo the jaw.
- Pompadour (Neutral): Adds height that lengthens the outline, but also adds hard lines.
- Undercut (Neutral): Shows a balanced outline, but adds hard lines beside an angular jaw.
- Taper fade (Neutral): Exposes a balanced outline, but also adds hard lines.
- Side part (Neutral): Adds height that lengthens the outline, alongside harder lines.
- French crop (With a tweak): Adds hard lines beside an already angular jaw. Ask for a softer, broken edge.
Ask for less weight at the sides
Thick hair usually needs thinning or layering to hold its shape. Ask for weight taken out of the sides so the shape comes from the cut, not the bulk.
The common mistake is choosing a cut meant for another hair type and expecting product to force it into place. With thick haircuts for square faces, settle the side shape before discussing styling. Use the wider men's square-face hairstyle guide to compare outlines.
Check face shape and hair type separately
The free face-shape finder names the closest prototype from one selfie, on your device. It doesn't read hair type, so choose that yourself from how your hair dries naturally.
Use the hairstyle guide to compare cuts against both features. A face-shape label alone doesn't tell your barber where thick hair adds bulk.
Questions people ask
- Does a buzz cut suit a square face with thick hair?
- Yes. It exposes the whole outline, which suits a balanced square face. Choose it if you want your jaw on show.
- Should thick hair hide a square jaw?
- It doesn't need to. Soft texture can soften the outline, while an exposed jaw can work just as well.
- What should I change about a French crop?
- Ask for a softer edge rather than a hard horizontal line. The aim is to avoid repeating the jaw's straight lines.
Written from the measurements and ingredient facts on this site, then checked for the usual mistakes. Not medical advice.
Related pages
The closest pages in this section, picked by topic rather than by date.
- The best men's hairstyles for an oblong face with thick hairFor men's hairstyles for an oblong face with thick hair, choose a messy fringe, curtain fringe or French crop. Keep side width without extra
- The best men's hairstyles for an oval face with thick hairCompare men's hairstyles for an oval face with thick hair, from skin fades to slick backs. Choose a cut that controls bulk and suits your up
- The best men's hairstyles for a round face with thick hairCompare men's hairstyles for a round face with thick hair, including pompadours, quiffs and side parts. Keep height on top and bulk off the
- men's hairstyles for a square face with curly hairCompare men's hairstyles for a square face with curly hair, from a curly top fade to an afro or buzz cut. See how side length changes width.
- men's hairstyles for a square face with thin hairCompare men's hairstyles for a square face with thin hair, including buzz cuts, crew cuts and skin fades, with tips on shape and fuller ends
