Somewhere along the way, most of us have heard a relative say "badi forehead hai" with a little laugh. A broad or high forehead is one of the most common face features there is, and on camera it often reads as open and expressive. Still, if you would like a little more balance, the right haircut or styling trick makes a real difference.
The best hairstyles for big forehead shapes are not about hiding your face. They soften the hairline, add width at the sides and move attention towards your eyes and cheekbones. Here are twelve ideas to try, plus a few styles to go easy on.
Is Your Forehead High, Broad or Both?
Stylists often divide the face into three parts: hairline to eyebrows, eyebrows to the tip of the nose, and nose to chin. If the first part is clearly longer than the other two, your forehead is high. If it looks wide across the temples, it is broad. Plenty of women have a bit of both, and the same styles help either way.
If your forehead looks bigger than it used to, your hairline may have moved back. That is worth paying attention to, and we cover it further down.
Top 12 Hairstyles for Big Forehead Shapes
1. Side swept bangs
The classic choice. Bangs swept to one side cover part of the forehead at an angle, which breaks up the height without hiding your face. They suit almost every face shape and grow out easily. Not ready to cut? Side bangs extensions clip in behind your own hair and give you the same shape in minutes.
2. Curtain bangs
Parted in the middle and falling to either side, curtain bangs soften a broad forehead and frame the cheekbones beautifully. They look lovely with long open hair. If the front of your hair is also thinning, a hair band topper with curtain bangs covers both at once.
3. Full blunt bangs
Blunt bangs that reach your eyebrows shorten the face the most. They look striking with straight hair, whether you wear a sharp bob or long layers. They do need regular trims, so try clip in bangs first to see if you enjoy the look day to day.
4. Light wispy fringe
A see through fringe covers the hairline softly while still showing a little skin. It suits women who find heavy bangs too much. Gemeria's Mini Topper with Bangs, made for a receding hairline or a wider forehead, comes in a light front bangs style along with curtain bangs and long layers.
5. Deep side parting
Moving your parting well over to one side sends more hair across the forehead and adds lift on one side. It is the simplest change on this list and costs nothing. Our guide on how to part your hair for your face shape shows where to place it.
6. Face framing layers from the cheekbones
Layers that begin around the cheekbones pull the eye down towards your eyes and cheeks. Ask your stylist to keep the shortest layer at cheek level rather than higher up, where it can add height at the top.
7. Long layers with width at the sides
Volume at the sides balances a high forehead, while volume right on top adds height. When you blow dry, focus on the body through the mid lengths instead of the crown.
8. Shoulder length lob with soft waves
A lob that grazes the shoulders, worn with loose waves, adds width around the jaw and keeps the eye moving downwards. It is also easy to manage through a humid Indian summer.
9. Low bun with loose front strands
For weddings and festive wear, a low bun at the nape flatters more than a high top knot. Leave two thin strands at the front and curl them lightly. If your hair is too short or thin for a full bun, a faux bun clips on in seconds.
10. Half up, half down with soft front pieces
Pin the top section loosely at the back of your head, not on top, and pull out a few strands around the face. This keeps hair off your face while still softening the hairline, and it pairs well with sarees and lehengas.
11. Loose side braid
A loose braid over one shoulder draws attention to one side and away from the forehead. Gently pull the braid apart for a fuller look, and leave a side bang or a few front pieces out.
12. Curly bangs for curly hair
If your hair is curly, curly bangs add softness without fighting your texture. Have them cut dry and a little longer than you think, because curls shrink. Ready made curly bangs hair lets you try the look before you commit to the cut.
Hairstyles to Go Easy On
- Slicked back high ponytails and top knots, which put the whole forehead on show
- Tightly pulled back styles worn every day, which also strain the hairline over time
- A lot of volume at the crown, such as a high puff, which adds height
- Very short bangs well above the brows, unless you love a bold look
None of these are banned. A high ponytail with a side bang or a few loose strands at the front can look great.
When Your Forehead Looks Bigger Because of Thinning
If your hairline has moved back or the hair at your temples has thinned, your forehead can look bigger even though your face shape has not changed. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that receding hair near the temples can be a sign of female pattern hair loss, so it is worth checking with a dermatologist.
For coverage, a front hairline topper sits along the hairline and blends into your own hair, while the Frontline Hair Patch With Bangs covers thinning above the forehead and adds a fringe at the same time. Our easy tricks to hide hair thinning have more ideas.
Find the Style That Suits You
The most flattering hairstyles for big forehead shapes add softness at the front and width at the sides, not height on top. Start with a parting change, test bangs with a clip in piece, and save the dramatic cuts for when you know what you like. Want help matching a fringe to your hair colour? Book a consultation with our team.
