Going bald can take men by surprise. It’s usually paired with uncertainty about what the future may hold. In a panic, they may ask themselves whether they have a good head shape for going bald.
It’s true that certain head shapes suit a bald head more than others. The main reason this is important is that a bald head makes the head shape very obvious. There’s no hair there to compensate or adjust.
So, what’s the best head shape for going bald?
Oval and diamond head shapes are well-suited to going bald. They have balanced and proportionate features that are often highlighted by a bald head or very short hair.
Although this is important to recognize, it’s something that shouldn’t be dwelled on for too long or stressed about.
Even if your head shape isn’t ideal for going bald, there are a couple of tips you could try to help you compensate for this. I’ll be going through them later on.
First, I wanted to delve deeper into head shape and baldness to help clear up any misconceptions people may have.
Let’s get to it.
Are There Good Or Best Head Shapes For Going Bald?
For most people, the ideal head shape for going bald is oval. Traditionally, stylists and hairdressers have given a lot of attention to achieving an oval shape. Hairstyles are often designed with the almighty oval shape in mind.
A key issue with going bald is that you no longer have hair on the scalp to alter the head shape. Hair can’t be used to lengthen the face or add width to the forehead.
Ultimately, you’re left with your natural head shape on full display. This can leave men feeling quite exposed and is why the question of whether they have the “right” or “ideal” head shape for going bald is often on their minds.
However, it’s important to note that although a lot of importance is placed on an oval-shaped head, very few people are genetically fortunate enough to have this shape naturally.
There are other head shapes that also suit a bald head. Face shapes with a strong chin are also received well with a bald head. Examples include square, diamond, downward triangle, and rectangular head shapes.
Having a strong jawline adds contouring and structure to the bottom of the face to compensate for a naturally round, bald top. These sharp lines and angles add balance to the face and nicely contrast the round dome.
But it wouldn’t be right to assume there was a “perfect” head shape. Especially considering the huge amount of variety of head shapes among people.
Another important point is that it’s very difficult to get a good picture of your head shape until you’ve gone fully bald.
A tip would be to try trimming a very short haircut first, such as an induction-style buzz cut or a crew cut. This will give you a very good idea as to what your head shape actually is prior to going fully bald.
Of course, this is only an option if you’ve still got enough hair on top to do this. If you don’t, it’s not a problem. This is just a way to try and reduce uncertainty.
If you’re balding and looking for a great pair of clippers to go fully bald, check out the Wahl Balding Clipper on Amazon. It’s comfortable, easy to use, and gives you a clean finish.
If you’re simply looking to trim a short buzz cut, on the other hand, you’ll need a pair of clippers with clipper guards to allow you to do it. The Wahl Elite Pros are simple to use, pretty affordable, and great for DIY trims. They’re available on
Ultimately, if you’ve got a symmetrical, well-proportioned face with a relatively strong chin, you’ll most likely look great bald.
That said, if you don’t, it’s not something to worry about. There are things that can be done to compensate for and improve the overall aesthetic even when completely bald. I’ll be discussing these tips later on.
That brings me to my next discussion point, however.
Is There A “Worst” Head Shape When Going Bald?
While there is no “worst” head shape for going bald, people with a round head shape may find that going bald can make their heads appear even rounder.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s appearance is unique, and confidence and comfort are the most important factors when deciding how to approach baldness.
It’s important to be careful when labeling a “bad,” “odd,” or “weird” head shape for going bald. Baldness is almost never a choice and is something men have to live with regardless of what their head shape may be.
Although it’s true that certain head shapes are more desirable than others when balding, it’s crucial not to get hung up over whether or not you fall into this category.
That’s because whatever camp you fall into, there are things you can do to compensate. I’ll be talking about these a bit later on.
Generally, rounder head shapes are considered worse when going bald. As I mentioned earlier, bald men don’t have the benefit of being able to use their scalp hair to compensate for their face shape.
If they had hair, they’d be able to sculpt and style it in such a way that their head shape is given a sharper structure. Essentially hair is great for contouring the top of the head.
Although a beautifully smooth dome can look fantastic, it does make your head shape very obvious. A round or oblong-shaped head with a distinct lack of sharp lines and contours would look even rounder when bald.
Again, this isn’t something to stress out about. Ultimately, these aren’t hard-and-fast rules. There’s no such thing as a “perfect” head shape for going bald because personal preference does play a huge role. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, etc.
These are just general principles based on majority opinion to help guide you and prepare you.
If you have a round head shape and are going bald, I’ve written a separate article with some tips to see you through.
Now, let’s talk through some general tips for men looking to adjust their face shape when going bald, regardless of the shape.
Related Reading:
How To Deal With And Help A Balding Boyfriend
10 Weird Style Questions About Bald Guys (Answered)
Long Hair And Going Bald – A Complete Guide
Tips To Compensate For Head Shape When Going Bald
These may not all work for every single person, but there’s a good chance that at least one of them will do something. As with most aspects of men’s fashion and grooming, it’s all about incremental gains.
Making small improvements where possible and allowing these to compound on each other over time.
1. Grow A Beard And Put It To Work
Beards are phenomenal for bald men. It’s usually the first thing I recommend to bald men or even just balding men.
From a style-focused perspective, the look just often works. But it works best when the beard is grown with a purpose.
That purpose should be to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing face shape possible.
Yes, going bald may make some men unhappy about how round their face looks. In fact, many men didn’t even realize their head shape was that round until they actually went bald.
This is because of how good their scalp hair previously was at compensating for it.
What the beard can do is essentially the same as what the head hair used to do. The beard can be used to contour the bottom of the head (face) in the same way that scalp hair previously contoured the top of the head.
For instance, a long, pointed goatee could elongate and add structure to the chin. Even a simpler and less ostentatious beard could be used to add length to the chin and make the face look more oval-shaped overall.
The exact beard style you choose is down to personal preference and your specific face shape. It’s usually something you have to experiment with before you get it just right.
But it’s not enough to just grow a beard. Being bald means that a lot of attention will be placed on the beard. Because of this, it needs to be groomed properly.
That means ensuring it’s regularly washed, trimmed, brushed, and potentially even oiled and combed.
Following these basic beard grooming habits and principles will leave you with an immaculately maintained beard that perfectly complements a bald head.
If you want to learn more about going bald and long beards in particular, check out this article.
If you’re going bald and simply can’t grow a beard, there are things you can do about this too.
2. Use Glasses To Your Advantage
This may not be an option for a lot of people. Some men are blessed with perfect eyesight, while others aren’t.
It’s interesting how a lot of men who don’t need glasses are actually envious of those who do, simply because of the style benefits.
If you wear glasses, read on and learn why you must ensure you’re wearing the correct pair. If you don’t wear glasses, I’d recommend reading on anyway. You may well need them one day. Plus, fake glasses are sort of in trend – I’ll say no more about this, as I realize it’s a divisive topic.
Glasses should be utilized as a hugely useful fashion accessory and not just a tool for improving sight – although, let’s be honest, this is probably the more important purpose.
There are a lot of articles out there explaining the importance of choosing the right pair of glasses for your face shape.
Being bald and having an extra layer of importance placed upon face shape makes the choice of your glasses all the more crucial.
I’ve written a whole article on shaved heads and glasses – the principles are the same as what we’re talking about here. I go into a lot more detail in it, so I won’t delve too deep here.
But essentially, the main principle is that glasses should be used to add balance to the face shape. For instance, frames with sharp lines and geometric contours can be used to add balance to and counteract the smooth lines of a round head shape.
3. Work With The Hair You Have
How much can be done with thinning and balding hair would surprise you. You may have some way to go before ending up completely bald.
If you do have some hair on the top, it’s worth visiting your barber to see what can be done about it. A good barber is like a sculptor – he or she sees things you can’t because it’s their job to do so.
They can use your specific head shape and hair distribution to determine what can be done to make the result as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Remember, the hair on the sides and back will remain. It’s the hair on the top that gradually disappears. A Crew Cut may be possible if you’ve got enough on the top.
A Crew Cut consists of hair on the top that’s longer than the sides that are buzzed down with a clipper. The high-and-tight is a variation of the Crew Cut.
You’d be surprised by how significantly thinning hair on top can be made more appealing by trimming styles such as this.
If you’ve got the bald on top with hair on the sides look going on, however, there probably isn’t a whole lot you can do with it.
4. Work Out
This one is a little different but bear with me.
So you’re now bald and bearded – that’s awesome. But this combination works so much better on physically built men who clearly look after their health.
Bald and ripped looks so much better than bald and chubby.
Although this isn’t as quick of a fix as the ones above, it’s a great habit to adopt for obvious reasons. Physical health tends to manifest itself aesthetically.
Even a little bit of fat loss can lead to a noticeably more chiseled appearance on the lower part of the face.
Specific Head Shapes And Going Bald
Here are some common head shapes together with some tips for going bald with them.
Oval Head Shape
Going bald with an oval head shape is a relatively desirable position to be in. The neutral proportions and gradually tapering facial width of an oval head shape lends themselves very well to baldness.
The hallmark of an oval face shape is the width of the face very gradually reducing from the forehead downward, leading to a tapered appearance at the jawline.
This leads to a balanced facial structure, allowing for a lot of versatility when it comes to the choice of hairstyle, facial hair, and even glasses.
Although the risk of the head shape looking rounder once you’ve gone fully bald is still there, the sides’ tapered appearance makes it a safer bet.
Unfortunately, not many men are blessed with a perfectly oval head shape. Those that are, however, should take advantage of the gift.
Diamond Head Shape
When going bald, having a diamond-shaped head has the benefit of angular features preventing the top from appearing too round. The main risk would be the cheekbones looking even wider and sharper once no more hair is on top to soften their appearance.
It’s a relatively versatile face shape when going bald.
However, growing a beard with smooth contours should soften the appearance of the wide and angular cheekbones and prevent the face from looking too geometric once baldness is established.
Oblong Head Shape
Baldness generally looks aesthetically pleasing with an oblong face shape, simply because there is little to no risk of the face appearing too short or round. In fact, having no hair on top actually makes the face look less elongated and more balanced as a result.
It’s why buzz cuts work so well with an oblong head shape as well.
You’re simply removing height and length up top, much like you would when going bald.
Growing a beard with an oblong head shape would be fine. However, long or pointy beards run the risk of further elongating the face, counteracting the benefits of removing the length on top of the head.
Square Head Shape
Going bald with a square head shape does run the risk of making the face appear shorter, but the strong chin does counteract this and makes the structure look more balanced overall.
The chiseled features of the square head shape do make it a surprisingly versatile contender.
It’s characterized by the facial width at the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline being relatively similar. As a result, you’re left with the sides of the face appearing quite straight.
While going bald with these proportions can remove some of the balance that hair can bring to the sharp and structured features, the effect is generally quite subtle.
Growing a beard can be especially beneficial for bald men with square head shapes as they can soften the appearance of the chiseled chin.
Heart Head Shape
Going bald with a heart-shaped face can often be aesthetically pleasing. The lack of hair can help to balance out the wider forehead and narrower chin.
It’ll draw attention to the natural contours of the face.
Going Bald With A “Weird” Head Shape
Going bald with a “weird” head shape is easier than most men think. The “weirdness” is almost always more obvious to them than it is to others. The appearance can often be improved by working with any hair that’s left or even growing a beard.
Ultimately, there’s no such thing as a “weird” head shape.
There are ways of making any head shape look good, even when it’s thoroughly exposed, as it is when you’re completely bald.
While growing facial hair can often help, it’s important to choose the right style for your specific head shape. The objective is to use facial hair to create a more balanced appearance overall.
Although preference is entirely subjective, many people aim to use facial hair to achieve a more oval overall appearance. While not everyone may be a fan of this approach, it can be a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s finish up with a few FAQs.
What About Going Bald With A “Pointy” Head Shape?
Going bald with a “pointy” head shape can be challenging, as it’s likely that baldness will exaggerate the pointiness.
The most effective solution would be to draw attention to other facial features using accessories and facial hair.
If you wear glasses, consider a pair with rounded contours to add some balance and counteract the pointiness of the head shape.
In addition, consider facial hair with rounded contours, once again adding balance to the pointiness of the bald head up top.
How To Go Bald With A Long Head Shape
People with long head shapes often benefit from baldness, as the lack of hair will generally make the head appear shorter and more balanced.
It’s the main reason why those with a long head shape generally benefit from shorter hairstyles.
In this context, you could consider baldness an ultra-short hairstyle.
So, embrace it, while sticking to the style tips in this list.
How To Go Bald With A Small Head Shape
Going bald with a small head shape can be difficult, as the lack of hair can make the head appear smaller and shorter.
There are a few tips that can help counteract this effect.
Firstly, consider shaving your head completely as opposed to having thinning, sporadic hair.
This will make the head look smoother and less cluttered, often creating the illusion of a larger head shape.
Experimenting with different beard styles is another effective technique for lengthening the face. It’ll also add depth and visual interest to the facial features.
Finally, while it may sound strange, maintain good posture. Standing up straight and keeping the chin up also creates the illusion of a longer neck and larger head shape.
It’ll also make you come across as confident.
Does Going Bald Make The Head Look Bigger?
For some, going bald can make the head look bigger, but it depends on the head shape, facial features, and hairline. In general, those with longer and larger face shapes should expect baldness to make their head look bigger.
It comes down to the fact that baldness tends to exaggerate your underlying head shape, whether large or small.
One of the main reasons baldness can sometimes make the head look bigger is that it removes the contrast between the hair and the scalp. This creates a smoother, more uniform appearance, making the large/long head shape look bigger.
However, as explained in the previous section, baldness can make their head appear shorter and smaller.
Conclusion
I’ll finish by saying it again – do not obsess over this. There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to head shape and balding. Of course, there are men who defy the principles I’ve outlined above – honestly, I’m happy for them.
But this was just a guide to help you better understand why importance is placed upon the head shape in the first place.
I also wanted to give you some tips and tricks to help you compensate for a head or face shape you may not be happy with when bald. It often isn’t a choice you voluntarily make, but knowing that you have options is important.
Ready Sleek founder. Obsessed with casual style and the minimalist approach to building a highly functional wardrobe. Also a fan of classic, vintage hairstyles.
