Your hairline is one of your standout facial features. The shape of your hairline has a substantial impact on your hair and appearance, including your confidence and personal style.
There are several different types of hairlines — so which one do you have? From classic straight hairlines to widow’s peaks, understanding your hairline can help you make the most of your natural look, and even protect your hairline from thinning.
Let’s dive in and discover the 15 types of hairlines.
Men’s hairline types
Men are often concerned about their hairlines since this is where hair loss may first be noticeable. But no two hairlines are the same — so just because you have a different hairline, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re balding.
Here are seven of the most common hairline types for men.
1. Straight hairline
The straight hairline is the aspiration of most men. Very few men are lucky enough to have a straight hairline that weathers time. Even those men who have a straight hairline when they’re younger may find it develops into a mature or receding hairline as they age.
Some people have a naturally high but straight hairline. If you feel your hairline is too high, forehead reduction surgery may be an option.
2. M-shaped hairline
An M-shaped hairline is characterised by a slight recession at the temples. This isn’t always due to hair loss as some people have an M-shaped hairline from childhood. However, for many people, it’s a sign of early hair loss progression from male pattern baldness. As a result, some consider this to be a type of receding hairline.
3. Widow's peak
A widow’s peak is a type of hairline that is triangular in shape, with the hair forming a point just above and between the eyebrows.
Learn how to spot the difference between a widow’s peak and a receding hairline.
4. Receding hairline
A receding hairline is usually the first sign of male pattern baldness. The hair begins to thin at the temples, leading to two distinctive recessions on either side of the forehead. Receding hairlines can begin from adolescence onwards.
While this is a natural process, sometimes it leads to a messed up hairline which can make people feel insecure. There are some ways to stop a receding hairline from developing.
5. Mature hairline in men
A mature hairline may look similar to the early stages of a receding hairline, but the onset usually occurs much later in life. As a result, this type of hairline usually appears distinguished and age-appropriate.
6. Uneven hairline
Uneven hairlines are characterised by their asymmetrical appearance. They’re not usually a sign of hair loss, but they can make your hair tricky to style. Genetics, stress, and too-tight ponytails or buns can all contribute to an uneven hairline.
7. Cowlick
A cowlick is easy to confuse with a widow’s peak or an uneven hairline, or sometimes can even be mistaken for thinning. But this genetic trait is actually just hair that grows in a different direction to the rest of your hairline.
Cowlicks are fairly easy to disguise if your hair is longer. You can also get them on the crown as well as along the frontal hairline.
Women’s hairline types
Many women with a healthy hairline have a variation on a straight hairline. However, there are many other types of women’s hairlines, too. From cowlicks to high hairlines, take a look at the types of hairlines in women below.
1. High hairline
A high hairline is characterised by a greater distance between the hairline and the eyebrows. Many women have a naturally high hairline. However, if you start to see your hairline moving upwards, this may be a sign of women’s hair loss.
2. Low hairline
Some women have a low hairline, which typically has a much smaller distance between the hairline and brows. Priyanka Chopra, above, has a rounded low hairline, which follows the curve of her face.
3. Middle hairline
A middle hairline falls somewhere between the two. Some women who experience hair loss find that their middle hairline starts to push backward, making their hairline higher than before.
4. Mature hairline in women
Women’s hairlines don’t tend to age as dramatically as men’s, but you’re still likely to see some changes as you get older. The hair around your forehead and temples may become slightly thinner as you age, making a previously small forehead appear larger.
Worried about your hair loss or thinning hair? Getting a diagnosis can help you discover if you have true hair loss or a specific hairline shape. If you are losing hair, you can then get the right hair loss treatment for women.
5. Widow’s peak
It’s very common to see widow’s peaks in women. Celebrities including Kourtney Kardashian, Kerry Washington, and Milla Jovovich all have typical female widow’s peaks.
6. Cowlick
Cowlicks are a type of hairline you’re born with. It can cause unevenness in a female hairline, but this isn’t usually a problem for styling, nor does it create the appearance of hair loss.
7. Bell-shaped hairline
Bell-shaped hairlines are less common than most other types of hairline. The hairline falls very close to the outer edges of the eyebrows, before rising in the centre of the forehead. Selma Blair has this unique type of hairline.
8. Female receding hairline
Receding hairlines in women are uncommon, and are usually linked with a health condition such as frontal fibrosing alopecia or trichotillomania. As a result, if you suspect you have a receding hairline, it’s best to consult a trichologist for further investigation.
Rosie O’Donnell, who previously had a typical widow’s peak hairline, has been open about her struggles with a receding hairline.
Which type of hairline do you have?
Compare your hair with the images above to see which best describes your hairline. But don’t forget to take other factors into account, such as:
- Age — Younger people are unlikely to see a mature hairline
- Genetics — Is your hairline similar to one of your parents’ or siblings’ hairlines? Hair loss genetics often play a part in the development of your hairline.
- Health — Certain health conditions, like alopecia areata, can affect the shape of your hairline
- Stressors — If you’re undergoing a lot of stress right now, your hair may be affected.
- Hair type — If you have a type of male hair that’s especially fine, it can make your hairline look less dense.
- Styling — Tying your hair back too tightly, using extensions, or wearing your hair in heavy braids or locs can all affect your hairline.
How to maintain your hairline
Worried about hair loss? Millions of others feel the same. 55% of 18-34 year olds (men and women) say they’re terrified of going bald [2]. So what can you do to keep your hairline intact?
1. Massage your scalp daily
The research is in, and it’s a fact that regular scalp massage can boost hair growth [3-4]. With firm pressure, give your forehead and temples a 10-minute massage every day. This can help stimulate blood flow to the follicles along the hairline, keeping them properly nourished.
2. Keep your scalp healthy
Treat any scalp conditions like dandruff or psoriasis. Left untreated, these issues can make your scalp itch, leading to increased breakage. In some instances, untreated scalp problems can lead to scarring around the follicle, which may result in permanent hair loss.
3. Live a healthy lifestyle
Lifestyle factors like diet and stress levels can indirectly impact your hair. So it’s important to eat plenty of foods for hair growth, as well as getting regular exercise and managing stress.
4. Avoid harmful styling practices
Your hairline can easily be affected by your styling choices. For example, too much bleach can lead to damaged hair that breaks off easily, causing wispy, frizzy hair at the hairline. Tight ponytails can lead to hair loss on the hairline due to a condition called traction alopecia.
Wear your hair loss as often as you can and limit exposure to damaging chemicals like bleach and chemical relaxers.
Can you change your hairline type?
If you’re unhappy with your hairline, you may be able to alter it. Here are 3 ways to change your hairline type:
1. Pluck it
If your hairline is lower or more uneven than you’d like, you can pluck the hairs around your hairline to shape it to your liking.
Bear in mind that overplucking hairs can lead to permanent hair loss, so be careful with this method.
2. Use Minoxidil
Minoxidil can help with a receding hairline, especially in the early stages of hair loss [1].
Minoxidil is a popular hair loss medication meant to promote hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp which in turn encourages the flow of nutrients to the hair follicles.
You can take oral Minoxidil or apply the topical solution to your hairline twice a day and wait to see the results.
Minoxidil is usually suitable for both men and women who are experiencing hair loss.
3. Get a hair transplant
A hair transplant is the single most effective way to adjust your hairline. Whether you want to restore your receding hairline or straighten an uneven one, a hair transplant can help.
Modern hair transplants look totally natural, and it’s a very safe procedure in the UK. Find out more about hairline transplants in the UK.
- Effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia
- Most young people are “terrified” of going bald
- Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue
- Self-Assessments of Standardized Scalp Massages for Androgenic Alopecia: Survey Results
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