A big forehead is a common feature, and the right haircut can balance it easily. Bangs, face-framing layers, and a well-placed part can change how your face looks in a few snips.
This guide shows you how to tell if you have a big forehead, which hairstyles suit it, and which ones to skip. You will also find 20 hairstyles for big foreheads, from curtain bangs to bobs, braids, and quick no-cut ideas.
In this guide
Do I Have a Big Forehead? How to Tell
Look at your face in three parts: from your hairline to your brows, from your brows to the bottom of your nose, and from your nose to your chin. In a balanced face, these parts are about the same height. If the top part is clearly taller than the other two, you have a high or big forehead.
A quick check some stylists use is to place your fingers flat between your brows and your hairline. If more than four fingers fit, your forehead is likely on the larger side. Do this with your hair clipped off your face and your chin level, or the angle can fool you.
- High forehead: lots of space between your brows and your hairline.
- Wide forehead: the space runs sideways instead, from one temple to the other.
- Receding hairline: the hairline has moved back over time, often at the temples. If you notice new hair loss, talk to a doctor or dermatologist.
Your face shape matters too. Our face shape calculator can tell you in a minute.
What Hairstyles Suit a Big Forehead?
The best hairstyles for big foreheads cover part of the forehead or draw attention lower on the face. Bangs (curtain, side-swept, wispy, or blunt), face-framing layers, a deep side part, and cuts with volume at the sides all work well. They balance the top of the face with the cheekbones and jaw. The same rules apply to haircuts for big foreheads and to hairstyles for a high forehead or a wide forehead.
You do not have to hide your forehead. Many people love a high forehead. These tips help you choose a haircut that frames your face the way you want.
Best Bangs for Big Foreheads
Bangs are the most direct way to make a big forehead look smaller, and each type covers the forehead in a different way. Here is how they compare:
| Bang type | How it covers the forehead | Best face shape | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtain bangs | Covers the sides and opens at the center | Oval, long, heart-shaped | Trim every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Side-swept bangs | Covers one side at an angle | Round, square | Low, grows out easily |
| Wispy bangs | Light, see-through coverage | Oval, heart-shaped | Trim every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Blunt bangs | Full coverage down to the brows | Long, oval | Trim every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Bottleneck bangs | Covers the center, frames the sides | Heart-shaped, oval | Trim every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Curly bangs | Full, soft coverage with volume | Most shapes | Shape every 6 to 8 weeks |
Still unsure? Take our Should I Get Bangs quiz or use the Bangs for Face Shape tool to find your match. If your face is round, our bangs for round faces guide has more options.
Hairstyles for Big Foreheads by Face Shape
Oval Face
Lucky you: almost any bang works on an oval face. The real question is upkeep. Blunt bangs need a trim every few weeks, while curtain bangs can go longer between cuts.
Round Face
Choose side-swept bangs and a side part. They add angles and make the face look longer. Skip very short, full bangs, which can make a round face look wider.
Heart-Shaped Face
With a heart-shaped face, the forehead is the widest part and the chin is narrow. Curtain or bottleneck bangs sit right over that wide area. Then ask for layers that end near your chin, so there is some fullness at the bottom too.
Long Face
Blunt or curtain bangs shorten a long face and cover a tall forehead. Add waves or volume at the sides for more width.
Square Face
Soft, side-swept bangs and face-framing layers soften a strong jaw. Avoid very straight, heavy bangs that repeat the square shape.
Hairstyles to Avoid With a Big Forehead
No hairstyle is off limits, but these can make a big forehead stand out more:
- Tight, slicked-back styles: with nothing near your face, the whole forehead is on show.
- High top knots and high ponytails: height on top makes the face look longer.
- A flat middle part: a center part with flat roots draws a straight line up to the hairline. If you love a middle part, add curtain bangs or face-framing layers.
- Very short micro bangs: bangs that sit high on the forehead show more skin below them.
20 Hairstyles for Big Foreheads
1. Curtain Bangs With Long Layers
Curtain bangs are one of the best hairstyles for big foreheads. They part in the center and sweep out to each side, so they cover the forehead without hiding your whole face.
Add long layers that begin around the cheekbones, and the bangs blend into the rest of your hair. For more ideas, see our curtain bangs guide.
Best for: Oval, long, and heart-shaped faces.
2. Side-Swept Bangs on Long Hair
Side-swept bangs cross the forehead at an angle, which breaks up its height and draws attention to your eyes.
They are also easy to grow out. As they grow out, they blend right into face-framing layers.
Best for: Round and square faces, and anyone new to bangs.
3. Wispy Bangs With a Shoulder-Length Cut
Wispy bangs are light and see-through, so they soften a large forehead without feeling heavy. They suit straight and wavy hair.
Ask your stylist to point-cut the ends so the bangs look airy, not blunt.
Best for: Fine or medium hair and oval faces.
4. Blunt Bangs With a Straight Bob
Full, blunt bangs cover the forehead completely. Put them on a sleek bob and you get a sharp, graphic look that is hard to miss.
Keep the bangs just at or below the brows. Bangs that sit too high will show more forehead, not less.
Best for: Long and oval faces and thick, straight hair.
5. Bottleneck Bangs
Bottleneck bangs are short in the center and longer at the sides, like the shape of a bottle. They sit between wispy and curtain bangs.
The short middle hides the center of your forehead, and the longer sides curve around your cheekbones.
Best for: Heart-shaped and oval faces.
6. Deep Side Part With Soft Waves
No bangs? A deep side part is the easiest fix. It sweeps hair across one side of the forehead and adds volume at the top.
Soft waves add width at the sides, which helps balance a high forehead.
Best for: Anyone who does not want bangs.
7. Face-Framing Layers
Face-framing layers start around the cheekbones or chin. They frame the face and pull the eye down and away from the forehead.
It is one of the best haircuts for big foreheads if you are not ready for bangs.
Best for: All face shapes and long or medium hair.
8. Textured Lob With a Side Part
A lob, or long bob, hits around the collarbone. With a side part and loose texture, it adds width at the sides and keeps attention near your jaw.
Mist sea salt spray into damp hair, scrunch, and let it air-dry for a bit of bend.
Best for: Round and long faces.
9. Chin-Length Bob With Side-Swept Bangs
A chin-length bob pulls focus to the jawline, and side-swept bangs cover part of the forehead. Together, they balance your facial features.
Not sure about going short? Take our Will Short Hair Suit Me quiz first.
Best for: Oval and heart-shaped faces.
10. Shag Cut With Choppy Bangs
A shag has lots of layers and texture, and choppy bangs make it even more relaxed. The volume around the face distracts from a tall forehead.
See more shapes in our shag haircut ideas.
Best for: Wavy and thick hair.
11. Long Pixie With a Swept Fringe
A pixie can work with a big forehead if you leave the top longer. Sweep the long fringe to one side to cover the forehead.
Ask for soft, tapered sides instead of a tight buzz. Our pixie cut ideas show more lengths.
Best for: Oval faces and fine hair.
12. Curly Bangs
Curly bangs, often called a curly fringe, add volume and fun while they cover the forehead. Cut them dry so you can see how the curls fall.
Start a little longer than you think, because curls shrink as they dry. Find more looks in our curly hairstyles.
Best for: Curly and coily hair.
13. Wolf Cut With Bangs
The wolf cut mixes a shag and a mullet, with lots of volume at the crown and sides. Curtain or choppy bangs make it work for a big forehead.
Our wolf haircut guide shows how to style it on straight, wavy, and curly hair.
Best for: Thick or wavy hair.
14. Half-Up Half-Down With Face-Framing Pieces
A half-up style keeps hair out of your face, while loose front strands frame it. Pull out a few pieces around the temples to soften the hairline.
For more versions, see our half-up half-down hairstyles.
Best for: Everyday wear and special events.
15. Low Messy Bun With Loose Front Pieces
Easy hairdos for big foreheads keep some softness near the face. High, tight buns show off the whole forehead. A low, loose bun with a few front pieces left out is much softer.
Gently tug the hair at the crown so it does not lie flat, and leave the face-framing strands loose.
Best for: Work, school, and busy days.
16. Butterfly Haircut
The butterfly cut has short, face-framing layers on top and long length below. The short layers fall around the face like bangs without a full fringe.
Learn how to style it in our butterfly haircut guide.
Best for: Long hair and oval or heart-shaped faces.
17. Low Side Ponytail With Face-Framing Strands
A ponytail pulled low and to one side looks relaxed and keeps volume near the face, not on top of the head.
Leave out two front strands and curl them loosely. For more ideas, see our ponytail hairstyles.
Best for: Quick, polished looks.
18. Wide Headband or Scarf
A wide headband or a folded scarf covers part of your forehead in seconds, with no cutting needed. It is one of the quickest hairstyles to cover forehead space when you do not want bangs.
Place it about an inch behind the hairline and pull a few strands forward so it looks natural.
Best for: Bad hair days and growing out bangs.
19. Braids With Bangs
Protective styles can have bangs too. Braided bangs, or a few shorter braids at the front, cover the forehead and frame the face.
Ask your braider to keep the front braids light so they do not pull on your edges. See our box braids styles for more looks.
Best for: Coily hair and protective styles.
20. Feathered Layers for Thin Hair
If you have a big forehead and thin hair, soft feathered layers and long side bangs add body without making the hair look sparse.
Avoid heavy, blunt bangs on very thin hair, since they can separate. Our hairstyles for thin hair have more tips.
Best for: Fine and thin hair.
Styling Tips for a Big Forehead
- Dry your bangs first. Blow-dry them right after washing, using a round brush or your fingers, before they air-dry in the wrong direction.
- Add volume at the sides. Scrunch some texturizing product in by your ears. Extra width there makes the forehead look shorter.
- Switch your part. Try a deep side part for more coverage on busy days.
- Leave out face-framing pieces. Two loose strands soften any updo.
- Use dry shampoo on bangs. Bangs get oily fast because they touch your forehead, and a little dry shampoo keeps them fresh.
Want a full haircut plan? Read our guide on how to choose a haircut or try the What Hairstyle Suits Me quiz.
Keep reading: curtain bangs styles, bangs for round faces, butterfly haircut ideas, and our face shape calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bangs make a big forehead look smaller? −
What haircut makes your forehead look smaller? −
Should I part my hair in the middle if I have a big forehead? −
What are the best hairstyles to cover forehead space without bangs? −
Is a big forehead attractive? −
Are big foreheads genetic? −
What is the difference between a big forehead and a high hairline? −
Can short hair work with a big forehead? −
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Final Thoughts
A big forehead is not a problem to fix. It is one feature, and a good cut just puts it in balance with the rest of your face. If you want a change today, try a deep side part. If you are ready for scissors, curtain bangs are the safest first step. And if you love your forehead as it is, wear your hair back and own it.
