The shape of an oblong face is similar to that of a thin oval. If you have a slender face, the width of your forehead, the widest part of your cheekbones, and your jawline should be similar. Certain haircuts and styles will flatter any face shape. Your best friends in achieving balance are bangs and layers if your features have an oblong shape. Hairstylist McKenzie Lehmann says that texture is important for oblong faces. By adding texture to your hair, you can add width and make your face more symmetrical.
We have compiled 35 hairstyles that are ideal for people with an oval, elongated face. You will also find some expert styling tips on how to achieve them.
01of 35
Curly Shag
Josh Brasted / Stringer / Getty
The shag is a great style to flatter oblong-shaped faces. It’s all about layers and texture. The shag is all about angles and choppy ends. It can hold structure and volume easily. Kerry Washington’s curly swag is stunning, but this cut can be used on any texture or length.
02of 35
Center-Parted Ponytail
Getty
Ciara’s smooth updo complements her oblong facial shape. Lehmann says, “Expose your ears to give you a wider face.” Your updo should be placed at the center of your head or lower portion. You don’t want to place it too high if you have a long face because that will make your face look taller.
03of 35
Piecy Pixie
Taylor Hill / Getty
Do you think oblong faces cannot be short? Do not believe it. Joan Smalls’ textured pixie is a great cut for women with round faces. It has soft bangs that shorten the forehead and the perfect length to highlight the ears to give the appearance of a larger face.
04of 35
Curtain Bangs
Getty
Olga Kurylenko shows how bangs can balance an oblong face and even flatten a larger forehead. Lehmann says, “I love curtain bangs for oblong faces.” They are fashionable, but also shorten the look of the forehead and make it appear more oval.
05of 35
Blunt Bangs
NBC / Getty
Liv Tyler has a pair of blunt bangs that skim the brows. They are as sweet as they can be. The slight part that shows a little of her forehead is what we love. It doesn’t crowd out her natural features.
06of 35
Curly Ponytail
Mike Marsland/Getty
Leona Lewis’ low curly ponytail has a lot of texture. Her wide, voluminous curls are accentuated by the bottom ponytail. This adds width to her face. Although a swept back style is not the best for oblong faces, the curls add structure and give the illusion of wider face.
07of 35
Perfectly Messy bun
Getty
Rihanna is a master at making a messy bun chic. The face-framing pieces that cascade past her chin enhance the loose updo.
08of 35
Angled bob
Getty
The angled bob of supermodel Iman helps to define her neck, while the bangs enhance her forehead. This is a great haircut for women of any age, but especially for those over 50. Christopher Didier, a salon owner in New York, says that the angle of bangs can help round out the face. He says that a bang is always a good idea with shoulder-length or a short bob. It’s more flattering. “Shorter angles reduce the length of your facial features.”
09of 35
French Bob
Taylor Hill / Getty
The rounded structure of Kelly Rowland’s quintessential French Bob creates an illusion of a rounder, more rounded face. The French bob, with its signature earlobe grazing length is a masterpiece of striking sophistication.
10of 35
Curls Sculpted
Getty
We’ve got some great hairstyle ideas for your next glamorous occasion. Sandra Oh’s side-swept bob and sculpted curly hair are straight out of Old Hollywood.
11of 35
Teased curls
Getty
When you have a long face, there’s no such as a thing as too much volum. Tyra Banks has bouncy and voluminous curly hair.
12of 35
Half-Up, Half-Down
Mike Coppola / Getty
The half-up/half-down hairstyle of Kerry Washington is flattering on so many levels. Natural curls can add volume and width. The curly bangs are a great way to shorten your face. The shoulder length just adds the final touch.
13of 35
Long layers with Short Angles
Gary Gershoff/Getty
Volume is the key to enhancing a long or narrow face shape. Didier says that the best haircuts are those which round out the face. “For instance, long layers and shorter angles near your cheekbones or lip.” Didier suggests styling your hair like Kim Kardashian, with big waves and a volumous blowout.
14of 35
Blunt Bobby With Bangs
Jon Kopaloff / Getty
Taylor Swift’s graduated haircut frames her face perfectly, from its length to the bangs. We’ve said this before, and we’ll repeat it: chin-length bobs or shags work best for an oval face. They create the illusion that your face is wider. Swift’s style is modern and can be worn by any age.
15of 35
Middle-Parted Waves
Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty
Lehmann says that curling the hair in the middle will make it fall more symmetrically and give you the width you need. She recommends rotating the curling iron in alternate directions (try the Bondi Wave Wand for $58 to get natural, boho-style beach waves). She says to break the curls with your fingers and then spray a shine product. If you want to, add a headband similar to Lea Michele’s.
16of 35
Bouncy Bob
Edward Berthelot/Getty
The classic, bouncy Bob–as worn by Bella Hadid –is an excellent choice for those with long faces. This sophisticated style works well with both straight and wavy locks, whether they are thick or thin. This style is beautiful without bangs but blunt or side-swept ones would look equally stunning.
Byrdie Tip
You can highlight a defined bone structure by keeping the length near the chin, and slightly shorter at the back.
17of 35
Layered Lob
Michael Stewart / Getty
The right haircut can make your face look round. Maggie Q’s layered lob is a perfect example. This is a good option for those with straight or fine hair. You can also play around with colors because of the simplicity. Highlights, anyone?
18of 35
Shoulder Length Finger Waves
Jon Kopaloff / Getty
Jessica Alba will attest that a shoulder length cut frames and flatters like no other. Add some soft fingerwaves to give an oval face more volume.
19of 35
Asymmetrical Lob with Bangs
Jon Kopaloff / Getty
Gabrielle Union shows how a messy ‘do, especially one with bangs, can do wonders for a long face. Lehmann explains how to achieve this style: “Blow dry hair until it is 60 percent dried and spray hair with CHI Aloe Vera curl reactivating spray ($18)”, she says. Use Dyson’s Corrale Straightener (500 dollars) to flat iron your fringe.
20of 35
Long, Tousled Layers
Michael Loccisano / Getty
Cuts that go past the shoulders are some of the best for those with oblong-shaped faces. If you cut your hair too long, this can lengthen your face. Gisele’s tousled hairstyle and layers will help you achieve balance.
21of 35
Bouncy Blowout
Taylor Hill / Getty
Blake Lively’s glossy hairstyle is our inspiration for all future salon visits. Although she’s rocking some heavy lengths, the shorter, bouncier bits around her ears will draw the eye up and give the appearance of a larger face.
22of 35
Full Curls
Amanda Edwards WireImage/Getty
Tracee Ellis Ross’s curly lob hits the shoulders. We consider this the sweet spot, as it perfectly balances the facial features and fulfills any desire for a longer hairstyle. Curls add width to her facial features. If you want to add some volume, try a volumizer like Rossano Feretti Parma Favoloso 18 Hair Movement Enhancer ($50).
Byrdie Tip
Don’t thin your hair out too much. A hairstyle with more volume can help balance an oblong-shaped face.
23of 35
Beachy Waves
Bryan Steffy/Getty
Kelly Rowland’s boho look is easy to maintain. It’s important to make sure these waves don’t look “done.” What’s the trick? The trick? A middle part with plenty of volume at the roots and a loose, manageable wave. Revlon’s One-Step Volumizer ($60) is a cult favorite that can help you achieve this look.
24of 35
Updo with Bangs
Jamie McCarthy / WireImage / Getty
Sandra Oh’s updo is a great example of a formal style that uses contrasting textures. Although stylists warn against having too much volume at the top of your hair when you have a long face, her bangs help balance things out. You have to also appreciate the intricate messiness of curly bangs.
25of 35
Weightless waves
Eamonn McCormack / Getty
As seen on Jessica Lowndes’ thick hair, cutting your hair just below or at the shoulder is a good choice. This length will not weigh curls or waves down, and is easier to maintain every day. Use a lightweight styling product to smooth out flyaways (we recommend Verb’s Ghost Weightless Hair Oil for $20).
26of 35
Closed-Cropped Pixie
Gregg Deguire / Getty
Lupita Nyong’o’s cropped pixie haircut highlights her best features. It’s also easy to maintain. Add some style to your pixie by styling it with a beaded hairband or the accessory of the moment.
27of 35
Center-Parted Tightly Tousled Lob
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty
Alexa Chung’s center-parted style is universally flattering. Ask your stylist to add long layers for texture. These layers will make the edges of the cut lighter, and give it movement.
28of 35
Long, Retro Waves
Vera Anderson/Getty
Kate Beckinsale’s center-parted hair is all about retro glamour, and it’s not difficult to recreate at home. Use a 1-inch barrel to curl sections of hair. Start with the hair closest to your ear.
29of 35
Pineapple Updo
Amanda Edwards/Getty
Leona Lewis’s updo with a front-heavy look is perfect for those with oblong faces. Her spirals have a pineapple effect, creating a cascade that falls in all the right spots to give her face fullness. To achieve curls such as these, you need to moisturize your hair. Try Ouai’s Moisturizing Thin Hair Treatment ($38).
30of 35
Faux Curtain Bangs
Araya Doheny / Stringer / Getty
Chloe Bennet’s center part highlights her beachy waves, and accentuates the features of her face. The intentional bend of those face-framing bits gives her all the fringe without the commitment. Create perfectly shaped curly hair using a wave wand.
31of 35
Modern Pageboy
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Ashlee’s pageboy style is dramatic and has a lot of shine. Side-swept bangs finish the look. This is a great style for thicker hair types that can create this volume. Pomades (we recommend OUAI Matte Pomade for $26) can help create texture.
32of 35
Classic Braid
James Devaney / Getty
A classic braid is always a good choice. You can add a little twist to the classic style by adding some face-framing curly hairs. Widen an oblong shape.
33of 35
Jellyfish cut
Getty Images
Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist, gave Joan Smalls a jellyfish cut for the red carpet of the American Music Awards in 2022. The layered, blunt cut perfectly frames Smalls’s facial features.
34of 35
Textured Length
Stephane Cardinale, Corbis/Getty
Blake Lively’s long and textured hairstyle is a great example of how the right haircut can change your face shape. Lehman suggests curling hair with CHI’s Lava Curl Shot Iron ($130) to replicate Blake Lively’s look. Apply a dime size amount of BioSilk’s Organic Coconut Oil to the strands and separate curls. She adds that this will also give your hair a shine.
35of 35
Center-Parted Waves
Jerod Harris/Stringer/Getty Images
The easiest way to style hair with a center part is by adding a tousled texture. To get the beachy waves Hilary Swank has, divide your hair into small sections and curl it with a small, narrow-barreled curling iron.
