10 Flattering Hairstyles For Rectangle Face Shapes To Soften Angles (2025 Trends)

Finding the perfect haircut for a rectangle face shape can be a game-changer, transforming angular features into a beautifully balanced look. Unlike the oval face, which is universally flattered, the rectangular shape—defined by its consistent width across the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, and its notable length—requires a strategic approach to styling. The goal is simple yet powerful: to add width and volume to the sides while minimizing the appearance of length, effectively softening the strong jawline and high forehead.

As of late 2025, the latest hair trends for this face shape focus on movement, texture, and strategic layering. Forget the harsh, one-length cuts of the past; the current popular styles embrace soft fringes, voluminous waves, and mid-length cuts that create a desirable, rounded illusion. We’ve compiled the 10 most flattering and up-to-date hairstyles that will highlight your best features and bring perfect symmetry to your look.

The Ultimate Styling Goal: Softening Angles and Adding Width

A rectangular face is essentially a longer version of a square face, characterized by a strong, angular jawline and a high forehead. The key to a successful haircut is to break up the vertical line and introduce horizontal movement. This is achieved through specific cutting and styling techniques:

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• Add Volume to the Sides: Curls, waves, or layers that puff out near the cheekbones and jawline create the illusion of width, counteracting the length.
• Shorten the Forehead: Strategic bangs or fringes are non-negotiable for reducing the vertical space of the forehead.
• Avoid Straight Lines: Sleek, poker-straight, one-length hair or a harsh center part will only emphasize the face's length and angularity.
• Embrace the Off-Center Part: A deep side part or an off-centre part adds width and asymmetry, which helps to soften the overall structure.

Top 10 Flattering Hairstyles for Women with a Rectangle Face Shape

These cuts are the most recommended by celebrity stylists for their ability to balance and harmonize the rectangular face.

1. The Soft, Chin-Length Bob with Bangs

A classic choice, the chin-length bob is perfect because it hits right at the jawline, creating a horizontal line that immediately adds width. When paired with soft, wispy bangs or a fringe, it beautifully frames the eyes and shortens the forehead, achieving the ideal balanced look, similar to an oval face shape.

2. Mid-Length Cut with Face-Framing Layers

The mid-length cut (falling between the chin and the collarbone) is incredibly versatile. The crucial element is the face-framing layers, which should start around the cheekbones. These layers introduce soft movement and volume to the sides, drawing the eye outward rather than down. This style works well with a wavy or curly texture.

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3. The Modern Shag Haircut

The soft shag, a major trend in 2025, is a miracle worker for long faces. Its choppy, uneven layers and built-in texture add volume and messiness throughout the sides, breaking up the strong lines of the face. The shag naturally works best with a feathered fringe or curtain bangs.

4. The Essential Curtain Bangs (Drape Bangs)

Curtain bangs (also known as drape bangs) are the ultimate accessory for a rectangular face. They part in the middle and sweep to the sides, framing the face softly like a curtain. This style conceals a high forehead and adds a gentle curve around the cheekbones, which is far more flattering than a blunt, straight-across fringe.

5. Voluminous Blowout with Soft Waves

Longer hair can work, but only if it's not flat. A lengthy blowout that focuses on creating soft, billowy waves is key. The volume and curl at the sides and ends soften the angular jawline and prevent the hair from dragging the face down, which is a common issue with straight, long styles.

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6. The Deep Side-Swept Bangs

If you prefer not to commit to a full fringe, deep side-swept bangs are an excellent alternative. They create a diagonal line across the forehead, reducing its height and adding a flattering, asymmetrical element that draws attention to the eyes.

7. The Asymmetrical Lob (Long Bob)

An asymmetrical lob, where one side is slightly longer than the other, is a modern and stylish way to introduce visual interest and break the symmetry of a rectangular face. The length should still generally hover near the collarbone, and the cut looks best with a side part.

8. Textured Pixie Cut

For those who love short hair, a textured pixie cut with volume on the sides and a soft, slightly long fringe is a great option. The texture and volume prevent the cut from looking too severe or exposing too much of the forehead.

9. Wavy Hair with a Root Lift

Natural waves or curls are a rectangular face's best friend. The inherent volume and width they provide automatically balance the face length. Focus on lifting the hair at the roots when styling to maximize the width-adding effect.

10. High Updos with Soft Tendrils

Even for formal occasions, the rule of softness applies. When wearing an updo, ensure there are soft fringes or face-framing tendrils left out around the temples and cheekbones. This prevents the severe, pulled-back look that would expose and emphasize the face's length.

Celebrity Inspiration: Rectangle Face Shape Icons

Looking at celebrities who have mastered the art of styling their rectangular faces provides the best real-world examples. These icons consistently choose cuts that soften and balance their features, proving that a strong jawline is a beautiful asset when styled correctly.

• Anne Hathaway: Often seen with soft, mid-length waves and side-swept bangs that graze her cheekbones, avoiding harsh center parts.
• Angelina Jolie: When her hair is long, it's always voluminous and layered, often with a deep side part to add width.
• Jessica Chastain: Her signature look is a mid-length cut with soft, voluminous curls and a side part, perfectly framing her face.
• Lisa Rinna: A famous example of the textured, voluminous soft shag/bob that adds incredible width and movement.
• Kate Winslet: Frequently opts for soft updos or side-parted waves that add softness around her jawline.

Best Haircuts for Men with a Rectangular Face Shape (2025 Trends)

For men, the goal remains the same: reduce the appearance of length and add width. This means avoiding high-volume tops and short sides.

• The Textured Fringe: A short haircut with a fringe (bangs) swept forward or slightly to the side is highly recommended. It breaks up the height of the forehead, which is the most effective way to shorten the face.
• Medium-Length Layers: Hair that has medium length and is styled with layers on the sides adds the necessary width. Styles like a wavy side-swept look or a messy, textured top work well.
• Side Part Haircut: A classic side part is excellent as it introduces a horizontal line across the top, which counters the vertical length of the face. The hair on top should not be overly high or spiky.
• Avoid: High-volume pompadours, slicked-back styles, or very short fades on the sides (like a high-and-tight) should be avoided, as they only emphasize the length of the face and the angular jawline. Celebrities like Brad Pitt and Henry Cavill often use medium-length, layered styles to great effect.

Hairstyles to Avoid for Your Rectangle Face

To maintain balance and symmetry, certain styles should be avoided as they will visually lengthen your face or accentuate the jawline:

• Long, Straight, One-Length Hair: This style drags the eye down and highlights the face's vertical line, making it appear even longer.
• Blunt, Heavy Bangs: While bangs are good, a fringe that is too thick or cut too bluntly can look severe and draw too much attention to the strong jawline. Opt for wispy, feathered, or curtain bangs instead.
• Center Parts: A straight center part divides the face perfectly in half, emphasizing its length. Always choose a side part or an off-centre part.
• High-Volume Topknots or Pompadours: Any style that adds significant height to the crown will further elongate the face. Keep the volume on the sides.

By focusing on styles that add width and softness—from the popular soft shag to the timeless chin-length bob—you can achieve a harmonious and modern look that celebrates the strong, beautiful structure of your rectangular face shape.