Oblong Face Shape Hairstyles That Add Width
Oblong face shape hairstyles add width at the sides and break up length. Bangs, chin- to shoulder-length cuts with waves, layered bobs and, for men, side parts and textured fringes with fuller sides all suit a long face. Avoid tall volume on top and very tight sides.
An oblong (long) face is clearly longer than it is wide — more than about 1.5 times — with straight sides and similar widths at the forehead, cheekbones and jaw. Check with the free face shape detector or the oblong face shape guide. If your face is about 1.5× long with a rounded jaw, it is more likely oval.
The rule: width, not height
Every hairstyle choice for a long face comes back to two moves:
- Add width. Volume at the sides — waves, curls, layers, fuller cuts at the ears — makes the face look wider and therefore shorter.
- Cut the length. Bangs reduce the visible forehead. Hair that ends at the chin or shoulders puts a horizontal line across a vertical face.
The opposite moves — height at the crown, flat sides, very long straight hair — stretch an oblong face further.
Oblong face shape hairstyles for women
| Style | Why it works | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Blunt or full bangs | Shortens the face most | Brow length |
| Curtain bangs | Shorter look, frames cheekbones | Keep them full at the sides |
| Chin-length bob | A horizontal line at the jaw | Add bend or waves |
| Shoulder-length waves | Width at the jaw and cheeks | Wave from the cheekbones down |
| Layered lob | Movement at the sides | Avoid flat crown volume |
| Shag | Lots of side texture | Great on wavy hair |
| Soft curls | Natural width | Defined, not flattened |
| Low ponytail with face-framing pieces | Keeps the crown flat | Pull out pieces at the cheek |
Long hair on an oblong face
Long hair can work on a long face. Add layers starting at the cheekbones, wear it wavy or curly, and pair it with a fringe. Very long, straight hair with a centre part is the combination to avoid, because it draws two long vertical lines down the face.
Curly hair
Curls are a gift for an oblong face because they add width naturally. A rounded curly cut or curly bangs is ideal.
Oblong face shape hairstyles male
| Style | Ask the barber for | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Side part with fuller sides | Scissor-cut sides, 2–3 inches on top | Width at the temples |
| Textured fringe | Top pushed forward, choppy | Shortens the forehead |
| Crew cut, slightly longer sides | Not a skin fade | Keeps the head from looking tall |
| Medium-length messy cut | Length at the sides and top | Adds width |
| Caesar cut | Short horizontal fringe | Cuts the length |
| Curly or wavy medium cut | Let the sides stay full | Natural width |
Skip tall pompadours, high quiffs and high skin fades. If you love a fade, choose a low one and keep the top flat or pushed forward.
Oblong face shape hairstyles male Indian
Many Indian men searching for oblong-face cuts have thick, straight to wavy hair that holds volume easily. That is useful if you put the volume at the sides, not the top. A textured fringe or side part with a low taper is a reliable choice. Keep product light and matte so the top does not stand up tall.
Oblong face shape hair cut checklist
- Fringe or forehead coverage
- Fullness at the cheeks or ears
- Length ending at the chin, collarbone or shoulders
- No extra height at the crown
What to approach with care
- Very long, straight hair with a centre part
- High pompadours, quiffs and top knots
- Tight skin fades and slicked-back sides
- Hair pulled tight off the face at the temples
Pair your haircut with glasses and a beard
Wide, deep frames shorten a long face just as bangs do; see glasses for oblong face shape. For men, a beard with fuller sides and a short chin is the other big lever; see oblong face beard styles.
Ask-for script
Women: "I have an oblong face. I'd like a fringe and the fullness at my cheeks, nothing tall on top." Men: "Keep the sides a bit fuller, low taper only, top pushed forward, not up."
A guide, not a rule
Many long faces have soft curves and sit between oblong and oval. If yours is only slightly long, you can borrow oval advice too. Use these oblong face shape hairstyles as a starting point.
Frequently asked questions
What hairstyle suits an oblong face?
Cuts that add width at the sides and shorten the face: bangs, shoulder-length or chin-length cuts with waves or curls, layered bobs, and for men a side part or textured fringe with fuller sides.
Should an oblong face have bangs?
Yes. Bangs are one of the best ways to shorten a long face. Blunt, curtain and side-swept bangs all work.
What haircut should men with an oblong face avoid?
Very tall pompadours or quiffs and tight skin fades. Both make a long face look longer.
Can an oblong face have long hair?
Yes, with layers and waves to add width, and ideally a fringe. Long, straight, flat hair makes the face look longer.