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What’s This About
If you want the upper head to look broader against a wider jaw, these cuts add volume at the crown and temples while keeping the jawline close; a close, even cut is an equally valid choice.
This guide covers the choices that shape the result, such as:
Why crown height and temple width need different cutting choices
Which styles hold volume on fine or thick hair
When natural waves add width without heavy styling
How beard side fullness changes the width at the jaw
and many more!
We also explain how this guide relates to our triangle guide and how to check the finished cut.
Key Points
01Pear and triangle describe the same jaw-wide family on this site; a gradual or abrupt taper is a descriptive nuance, not a separate category.
02Height at the crown and breadth at the temples are different effects, so ask for the one you want.
03Products change hold and finish; they cannot create waves or density your hair does not have.
04The Crown Lift entry is a styling variation of the Brushed Back cut, so you can try both finishes on one haircut.
Men with pear face shapes are described on this site as having a jaw visibly broader than the forehead, often with a gradual widening from a narrower forehead to a broader jawline. Triangle and pear are two names The VOU uses for the same jaw-wide family, which the triangle face shape hairstyle guide also covers; any difference between a gradual and a more abrupt taper is a descriptive nuance rather than a reliable dividing line. Use whichever list helps: this guide concentrates on cuts that add volume at the crown and temples, while the triangle guide also includes shorter, lower-maintenance cuts such as the Caesar cut and short back and sides.
If you want the upper head to look broader relative to the jaw, the cuts below add volume at the crown and temples while keeping the hair around the jaw close. If you prefer a close, even cut that leaves the jaw as the main feature, that is an equally valid choice, covered in the notes on choosing your route below.
Explore all face shapes and style ideas
Most of the styles here work by adding breadth at the temples and height at the crown, and by keeping bulk away from the jawline, whether in the haircut or the beard.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to ten hairstyles for men with pear face shapes. If you are unsure whether the description fits, our face shape analysis quiz offers an optional suggestion, and our guide to reading your own face shape explains how to compare forehead, cheekbone and jaw width. Mixed observations are common, and you can choose from this list by the effect you want rather than a confirmed label.
Match This List to Your Actual Hair
These checks matter as much as which named style you choose.
Texture and density: strand texture and density are different. The quiff, pompadour and crown-lift styles need enough density at the crown and temples to hold volume; fine strands usually need a volumising mousse or powder at the root and a blow-dry to build lift, while thick, dense hair may need some weight removed so the height does not look heavy. Products change hold; they do not add hairs.
Curl pattern and growth direction: the textured waves entry depends on a natural wave pattern. Straight hair will not form the same waves from a product, so if your hair is straight, get temple width from length left at the sides and a blow-dry outward instead, as in the layered and side-swept entries. Curly and coily hair shrinks as it dries, so judge length once it is dry. Cowlicks at the crown affect how evenly the faux hawk and quiff entries sit.
Hairline: temple volume changes how a receding or uneven hairline shows at the sides; mention this to your barber so the style is adapted rather than assumed.
Upkeep: daily styling and barber upkeep are separate commitments. The pompadour, quiff and crown-lift styles need a blow-dry and product most mornings to hold their height; the side-swept and layered-top styles take less daily work. Any taper or short sides need regular trims to keep their line, whatever you do with the top.
Two routes: most of these cuts add height at the crown, width at the temples, or both. If you would rather not add volume up top, a closer, even cut such as a short taper without the lifted crown is a legitimate alternative that keeps the jaw as the main feature; discuss it with your barber.
Brief your barber: describe your hair’s density and curl pattern, mention your hairline shape, and be specific about wanting width at the temples rather than just height at the crown, since these are different effects that need different cutting choices.
Check it dry: after the cut, style your hair as you would on an ordinary day and let it dry fully. Facing a mirror in even light, check whether the hair at your temples sits out beyond the edges of your forehead or lies flat; that sideways breadth, not crown height, is what changes the width of the upper head against the jaw. Then turn side-on and check whether the crown height holds and where it sits. If the temples collapse by mid-afternoon, ask your barber for a little more length, or less weight removed, there next time.
1. Textured Quiff with Volume
This style maximises volume at the crown and temples whilst maintaining sleek sides, keeping the hair close around the ears and jaw.
Why it works: Height on top and breadth at the temples make the upper head look fuller relative to the jaw, if that is the effect you want, whilst textured styling keeps the volume looking natural.
Styling Tips: Apply volumising mousse to damp hair, blow-dry upward at the crown and outward at the temples, finish with matte clay for texture.
Beard Pairing: Keep the beard’s sides short and neat if you do not want to add width at the jaw; chin length is a separate choice.
2. Pompadour with Temple Lift
A modern interpretation of the classic pompadour that emphasises upper-face width through strategic styling.
Why it works: Creates substantial volume at the crown and, when the sides are blow-dried outward, at the temples too.
Styling Tips: Use volumising powder at roots, blow-dry whilst directing hair upward and outward at temples.
Beard Pairing: Light stubble or clean-shaven keeps the focus on the hair rather than adding bulk at the jaw.
3. Textured Crop with Crown Volume
A sophisticated cut that adds width to the upper face through careful texturing and volume placement.
Why it works: Layering builds volume at the crown and temples while keeping the overall shape neat.
Styling Tips: Work texture paste through damp hair, style outward at the crown and temples.
Beard Pairing: Very short stubble keeps the jaw outline close.
4. Side-Swept with Volume
This versatile style creates width through strategic side-sweeping and volume at the crown.
Why it works: Sweeping the hair across and out over one temple adds visual width to the upper face.
Styling Tips: Apply volumising mousse, blow-dry whilst directing hair to the side and up at the crown.
Beard Pairing: A short, neat beard without extra width at the jaw.
5. Brushed Back with Height
A polished style that maximises volume at the crown whilst keeping the sides sleek.
Why it works: Crown height and temple width are different effects: brushing back adds height at the crown, but it will only add visible width at the temples if the sides are cut with enough length to be brushed outward too. Check both with your barber rather than assuming height alone will widen the upper face.
Styling Tips: Use volumising spray at roots, brush backwards whilst blow-drying for height.
Beard Pairing: Clean-shaven or very light stubble enhances the refined look.
6. Textured Crown with Taper
This contemporary cut combines crown volume with carefully tapered sides.
Why it works: Adds texture and volume at the crown while the taper keeps the sides close; with a short taper, the effect is mainly height rather than temple width.
Styling Tips: Apply sea salt spray to damp hair, create texture at the crown using fingers.
Beard Pairing: A short, well-maintained beard complements the tapered sides.
7. Layered Top with Side Sweep
A sophisticated style utilising layers to create volume and movement in the upper face region.
Why it works: Layering adds width at the temples, and the side sweep creates movement across the forehead.
Styling Tips: Use lightweight mousse, blow-dry for volume whilst directing hair sideways.
Beard Pairing: Keep facial hair shorter to maintain focus on the upper face.
8. Modern Faux Hawk with Temple Volume
A refined take on the faux hawk that emphasises upper face width through strategic styling.
Why it works: Adds height at the crown and, if the sides are left long enough to style outward, some width at the temples.
Styling Tips: Apply styling cream to damp hair, create volume through centre whilst maintaining width at temples.
Beard Pairing: Light stubble works well with this contemporary style.
9. Textured Waves with Height
Suited to men with a natural wave pattern, this style builds volume in the upper face region.
Why it works: Natural waves spread outward as well as up, so they add width at the temples and volume on top without heavy styling.
Styling Tips: Use curl-enhancing cream, scrunch whilst drying to enhance natural texture.
Beard Pairing: A very short beard or stubble keeps the lower outline close.
10. Crown Lift with Sleek Sides
A classic style that creates substantial volume at the crown whilst keeping the sides close.
Why it works: Lifts volume at the crown while the sides stay close. This is best read as a styling variation of the Brushed Back with Height cut (number 5 above) rather than a separate haircut: the cut itself can be much the same, and the main difference is how you dry it. Blow-drying with a round brush tends to give a rounder lift, while brushing straight back gives a swept finish; try both on the same cut and keep whichever you prefer.
Styling Tips: Apply volumising mousse, use a round brush whilst blow-drying for lift.
Beard Pairing: Clean-shaven or very light stubble complements this polished look.
Conclusion
If you want the upper head to look broader against a wider jaw, focus on cuts that add volume at the crown and temples while keeping the sides close around the jaw; if you would rather keep the jaw as the main feature, a close, even cut is just as valid.
These ten hairstyles, one of them a styling variation of another, give you different ways to place that volume, from structured pompadours to natural waves.
If you want a second view of your outline, the face shape quiz offers an optional suggestion; either way, a barber who can see your hair’s density, growth pattern and hairline is the best person to adapt any of these cuts to you.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before you go, here is a simple order to follow, whether you work alone or with an image consultant.
Professional styling usually starts with knowing your body shape and seasonal colour palette, which help you choose well-fitting clothes in colours that suit your skin, eyes and hair.
Then you can plan outfits for each occasion, location, season and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from heritage fashion brands that fit the way you want to look.
Take our three quizzes below, then book a paid consultation if you would like personal help:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is a useful first step.
To check your body shape, take our body shape quiz for men.
Next, take the second quiz to check your colour palette.
2. Find Your Seasonal Colours
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and it helps to choose shades that suit your natural colouring.
To do that, find your seasonal colour palette by taking our seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Fashion Style
Once you know your body shape and colour palette, the next step is to find your personal fashion style.
You can start with our fashion style quiz for men; it gives style suggestions, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
If you would like personal help, you can book a paid consultation with our expert image consultants and fashion stylists.
Our styling services for men are paid consultations; the shop page lists what each one includes.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough (see logo-heavy luxury brands and how to wear them); it also helps to know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and then to dress by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us if you would like to book a paid consultation.