Finding the perfect hairstyle can feel like a challenge when we have an oblong face shape. We all want a look that flatters our features and boosts our confidence but not every cut does the trick. The right hairstyle can work wonders by balancing our proportions and making our best features pop.
We don’t have to settle for styles that don’t work for us. With a few smart choices we can highlight our natural beauty and turn heads wherever we go. Let’s explore the most flattering hairstyles for oblong faces and discover how easy it is to transform our look.
Understanding Oblong Face Shapes
Knowing exactly what defines an oblong face shape really helps us pick the right hairstyles with confidence. We can spot these features by taking a good look in the mirror and focusing on the length and angles.
Identifying Oblong Face Features
We usually find that oblong faces are noticeably longer than they are wide, creating a narrow appearance overall. Our jaws, cheeks, and foreheads tend to line up nearly straight, with minimal curvature on the sides. Most of us don’t see much roundness at the cheeks, and our faces sometimes feel a bit more “rectangular” or “elongated” compared to others. Common examples include celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler, who both showcase the classic oblong proportions.
Why Face Shape Matters for Hairstyles
We change our entire look when we choose a haircut that complements the oblong face shape. The right hairstyle can balance out length and draw attention to our favorite features. Stylists often recommend exact cuts to soften angles, add width, or even break up long lines that naturally occur with oblong faces. Each of these styling choices can define our personality and bring out confidence in everyday life.
Choosing the Best Hairstyles for Oblong Faces
When we’re picking out hairstyles for oblong faces, it’s all about creating balance and adding width where it counts. The right cut can really transform our look and make our features shine.
Tips for Balancing Facial Proportions
Let’s choose styles that add volume and life to the sides of our face. Curly shags and layered lobs both create width and soften that long jawline. We love medium bobs with layers that flick away from our face, since these give a fuller, more balanced silhouette. Adding horizontal elements, like curtain bangs or straight-across bangs, helps break up facial length and makes our face appear less elongated. Using layers that start around the mid-ear further widens our look, especially with a curly crop that brings texture and width right where we need it. Remember, the more we round out the face, the more harmonious the overall effect.
Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Hairstyles
Don’t let a style with extra-long length on top stretch our face even more—those just draw attention to how long our features are. Side undercuts are a no-go too, since they remove that crucial volume on the sides and only accentuate the length. Stacking too much volume at the crown can make our face look even taller, so it’s best to focus that fullness lower down. Instead of blunt, vertical bangs that drag the eye downward, we always reach for horizontal or gently parted bangs to reel in the proportions. Prioritizing these details keeps our look soft, modern, and perfectly customized to oblong faces.
Embracing Bangs for Oblong Faces
We all know bangs can make a industry of difference for oblong faces. Trying the right fringe style lets us add instant width and softness, making our faces look more balanced and lively.
Curtain Bangs for Softening Length
Curtain bangs instantly change how oblong faces appear. These bangs fall to the cheeks or chin and create a gentle frame, which breaks up facial length. Parting them in the middle draws the eye outward, letting our cheekbones pop instead of focusing on the chin or forehead. Salon stylists often recommend curtain bangs to anyone wanting an effortless, low-maintenance update that adds texture and distracts from elongated features.
Side-Swept Bangs for Added Width
Side-swept bangs feel effortlessly chic and give our faces more width. Sweeping them to one side shifts attention from a long jawline to our eyes, providing a fresh focal point. Our hairstylists love pairing side bangs with curly shags or layered lobs, which naturally build side volume and keep our look soft. For oblong faces, side-swept bangs remain a smart option if we want versatility and easy styling that doesn’t draw attention to face length.
Opting for Layered Cuts for Oblong Faces
We know how layered cuts can instantly balance an oblong face, breaking up facial length and drawing attention to our favorite features. Let’s explore the exact ways we can use layers to amplify dimension and volume where it matters most.
Face-Framing Layers for Dimension
Layers that frame the face work wonders for adding structure and softness. Starting layers at the collarbone or jawline lets us control the face’s apparent length, bringing focus to the eyes and cheekbones. Styles like layered lobs offer just the right fullness at the sides, gently rounding sharp lines along the jaw and temples. Many stylists recommend these face-framing layers as a first step when updating our look, since they’re versatile and flattering no matter our hair texture.
Long Layers to Add Volume at the Sides
Adding long layers to our hairstyle provides that much-needed fullness at the sides of an oblong face. Fullness at the cheeks and ear level is especially important for balancing a longer silhouette. Hairstyles like bouncy bobs with long layers or curly crops deliver noticeable width, transforming a slim, rectangular outline into something much more oval. By prioritizing volume on the sides, we keep our facial proportions in harmony and avoid lengths that pull the face downward.
Going Short: Short Hairstyles for Oblong Faces
Sometimes we just want something fresh and easy, and short hairstyles do wonders for oblong faces. Let’s explore the best short cuts that bring out balance and enhance our natural shape.
Bob Cuts for Enhanced Width
Choosing bob cuts helps add width exactly where we need it most. We often see a blunt bob or long bob with layers giving our cheekbones a gentle boost. Layers and textured edges create volume at the sides, making our face look more proportionate. Trying a center part or a slight wave can further soften the vertical lines and anchor our look in symmetry.
Pixie Cuts for Playful Style
Selecting a pixie cut gives that playful, youthful vibe while cleverly balancing elongated features. We love piecy pixie cuts with layers, since they bring fullness to the sides and keep all eyes away from vertical length. Playing with the direction of our fringe or adding some tousled texture injects personality, while visually shortening the face. Styling a pixie with side-swept bangs finishes the look and flatters our profile with confidence.
Styling Medium-Length Hair for Oblong Faces
Medium-length hair offers great options for us wanting to balance an oblong face. Let’s look at two standout approaches that make a big impact.
Shoulder-Length Waves for Movement
Waves add essential texture, creating movement right where we need it most—along the sides of our face. By styling our hair into shoulder-length waves, we instantly soften any rigid lines and bring width to an otherwise elongated silhouette. Curly shags and layered lobs with waves work wonders since they deliver both bounce and volume. We see that, compared to flat styles, these lively waves distract from facial length and bring features into harmony.
Blunt Ends for Fullness
Blunt ends can give our hair a fuller look, but the real trick comes from pairing them with layers that start around the jawline or higher. Layers add width and body, which helps counteract the length of an oblong face. We always avoid blunt cuts that fall straight and flat, since these could actually pull attention downward and make our face look longer. Choosing a blunt cut with subtle, angled layers brings fullness to the sides, balancing everything out for a much more flattering appearance.
Rocking Long Hairstyles for Oblong Faces
Long hair offers so many possibilities, especially for oblong faces. We can create width and soften those longer lines just by making a few smart choices with layers and texture. Let’s look at two approaches that make long styles pop on oblong face shapes.
Voluminous Curls for Horizontal Balance
Curls bring instant width to an oblong face. We love how styles like the Curly Shag or a Long Curly Crop use bouncy, layered curls to fill out the sides of our face, not the top. By starting layers at the collarbone or jaw, we break up the length and create a chic, balanced silhouette. Nothing works better than volume along the sides for making our features look naturally harmonious. Curly layers mean every day is a good hair day because our look always feels full and vibrant.
Soft Waves for Gentle Contour
Soft waves let us contour our oblong faces without looking overstyled. We find that adding gentle, face-framing waves—especially with layers—draws attention to cheekbones and eyes, not just the length of our face. These waves give a little movement and dimension, so our hair feels light and flattering. Instead of keeping things stick-straight, introducing texture in these layers softens our profile and instantly creates the illusion of an oval shape. Waves always look effortless and work perfectly to balance out long lines.
Creating Updos and Half-Up Styles for Oblong Faces
Sometimes, updos and half-up styles can totally transform oblong faces by cleverly adding balance and width. Let’s explore how we can make these looks work in our favor with the right volume and loose, face-framing elements.
High Ponytails with Volume
Pulling our hair into a high ponytail works best when we focus on width and symmetry. We can add volume at the crown and softly backcomb the base to prevent the face from looking even longer. Choosing a center part for our ponytail delivers a sense of balance, while layers or soft bangs on each side help bring extra width to the face. Texturizing spray or gentle waves around the face can break up a long cheek line and keep our style flattering and modern. Stylists recommend avoiding slicked-back roots because they highlight vertical lines, making our face appear longer.
Messy Buns and Loose Strands
Messy buns truly flatter oblong faces by building up volume around the sides. We might keep the bun lower or slightly undone, with plenty of loose strands and curtain bangs left out to soften the overall shape. Nothing beats the effect of a few curls or gentle waves framing our cheeks and jaw. Picking a bun that’s loose rather than tight helps create fullness right where we need it. By letting sections fall naturally, we draw the eye outward and avoid emphasizing length—making this an ideal choice for those of us with oblong face shapes.
Adding Accessories to Enhance Hairstyles for Oblong Faces
Accessories work wonders for dialing up the balance and personality of our favorite hairstyles. Sometimes all it takes is a well-placed headband or a bold clip to instantly create the illusion of width and add a stylish twist.
Headbands for Width Illusion
Thicker or embellished headbands boost visual width when our face shape feels especially long. We can place a headband just at the forehead or above the eyebrows to break that continuous vertical line and draw eyes outward. For example, satin or jeweled bands grab attention and make our profile appear more balanced. Styling a headband with loose layers or soft natural curls around the sides highlights cheekbones while contributing to a fuller, softer outline.
Statement Clips for Accentuating Features
Creative use of statement hair clips lets us accentuate features and distract from face length. If we secure volume-adding clips on both sides above the ears, the sides of our face look instantly wider. Using oversized barrettes or pearl-encrusted pins brings focus to layers or bangs, drawing attention to the eyes and cheekbones instead of just the jaw’s length. By clipping back front sections with decorative pieces, we manage width where it matters, creating a fresh, balanced effect for any oblong face shape.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hairstyle for an oblong face shape lets us celebrate our unique features and express our personal style with confidence. By focusing on balance and volume we can transform our look and highlight our best assets.
Let’s remember that experimenting with different cuts textures and accessories opens up endless possibilities. The most flattering style is the one that makes us feel great every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an oblong face shape?
An oblong face shape is longer than it is wide, with straight lines along the jaw, cheeks, and forehead, giving a more rectangular appearance. This face shape often appears slim and elongated.
Why should I consider my face shape when choosing a hairstyle?
Choosing a hairstyle that complements your face shape helps balance proportions, highlights your best features, and boosts confidence. For oblong faces, the right style can shorten the face’s appearance and add width for a more flattering look.
What hairstyles are best for oblong faces?
Hairstyles that add width at the sides, such as layered lobs, curly shags, and medium bobs with layers, are ideal. Incorporating curtain or side-swept bangs helps break up facial length for a balanced, harmonious effect.
Should people with oblong faces try bangs?
Yes, bangs like curtain or side-swept styles can add softness and width to oblong faces. These bangs frame the face, shift focus from long jawlines, and make the face appear less elongated.
Are layered cuts good for oblong face shapes?
Layered cuts are excellent for oblong faces. Layers starting at the jawline or collarbone add volume at the sides, balance facial length, and draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones.
What short hairstyles work well for oblong faces?
Short hairstyles like bob cuts and layered pixies are great for oblong faces. These cuts add fullness at the sides, highlight cheekbones, and can visually shorten the face, especially when combined with side-swept bangs.
How should someone with an oblong face style medium or long hair?
Shoulder-length waves, soft waves, and bouncy curls add texture and movement, helping to create horizontal balance and soften sharp lines. Layered cuts and face-framing styles work best to harmonize proportions.
Are there updos or half-up hairstyles that flatter oblong faces?
Yes, updos like high ponytails with volume or messy buns paired with curtain bangs work well for oblong faces. These styles add width at the sides and help prevent the appearance of elongation.
Can accessories improve hairstyles for oblong faces?
Absolutely. Headbands, especially thicker ones, can break up the vertical length and add width. Statement clips and decorative accessories draw attention outward and accentuate facial features for a balanced look.
What hairstyle mistakes should people with oblong faces avoid?
Avoid styles with excessive height on top, severe side undercuts, or blunt bangs that emphasize facial length. Instead, choose soft, layered, and voluminous styles that bring balance and enhance your natural beauty.
