Beard Styles for Oblong Face Shapes
Beard styles for oblong face shapes do the opposite of round-face beards: they keep the chin short and the sides full. Width on the cheeks and jaw makes a long face look wider and shorter. Short boxed beards with full sides, mutton chops, full beards trimmed short at the chin and a strong moustache all work.
An oblong face is clearly longer than it is wide, with straight sides. Check with the free face shape detector or the oblong face shape guide.
Why sides matter more than the chin
Every centimetre of hair at the chin makes the face longer. Every centimetre on the cheeks and jaw makes it wider. For a long face, that means the guard on the sides should be equal to or longer than the guard at the chin. A moustache also helps by adding a horizontal line across the middle of the lower face.
Seven beard styles for oblong face men
| Style | Shape | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Short boxed beard, full sides | 8–10 mm all round, chin no longer than sides | Width without length |
| Full beard, short chin | Sides 1–2 cm, chin trimmed to the same or shorter | Most balancing full beard |
| Mutton chops | Full sideburns into the jaw, clean chin | Maximum width |
| Chevron moustache with stubble | Thick moustache, 3 mm stubble | Horizontal line mid-face |
| Heavy stubble with full cheeks | 4–5 mm, natural or high cheek line | Easy everyday look |
| Horseshoe moustache with stubble | Moustache down to the jaw | Bold horizontal frame |
| Corporate beard, flat bottom | 1–2 cm, squared chin | Tidy and wide |
Trimming steps
- Use the same guard on the sides and chin — or a longer one on the sides.
- Square off the chin rather than rounding it into a point.
- Leave the cheek line natural or slightly high, so the beard covers more of the cheek.
- Set the neckline one to two fingers above the Adam's apple. A higher neckline also shortens the face.
- Keep the moustache full and trimmed just above the lip.
Beards to approach with care
- Long, pointed beards like the spade or a long goatee.
- Goatee alone, especially with shaved cheeks.
- Very low cheek lines and shaved sides, which narrow the face.
- A long beard with a tall haircut, which stretches the face in both directions.
Pair with your haircut
A beard with full sides plus a haircut with a fringe or fuller sides is the strongest combination for a long face. A textured fringe or a side part with scissor-cut sides fits well. See oblong face shape hairstyles.
Oblong or square?
If your face is long and your jaw is sharply angular, you may be a mix of oblong and square. Short boxed beards suit both. See the square face beard guide.
Patchy cheeks
Patchy cheeks are the main challenge for oblong face beard styles, because the cheeks are where you want growth. Grow it out for six weeks, then keep everything at the length where the cheeks look fullest. A strong moustache with stubble is a good alternative while the cheeks fill in.
Beard styles for oblong face men by setting
Office: a short boxed beard with full sides and a square chin. Casual: heavy stubble and a chevron moustache. Statement: mutton chops or a horseshoe moustache. Each one keeps the chin short so the long face does not get longer.
Care
Brush the sides outward to make them look fuller. A little balm adds hold. Trim the chin every week so it does not overtake the sides.
Quick checklist
- Sides as long as or longer than the chin
- Flat or square chin, no point
- Moustache kept full
- Neckline a little higher than average
A guide, not a rule
How your beard grows will shape the result more than any rule. Try a few lengths and keep the one that looks like you.
Frequently asked questions
What beard is best for an oblong face?
Beards that are fuller on the sides and shorter at the chin: a short boxed beard with full cheeks, a full beard kept short at the chin, mutton chops, or a chevron moustache with stubble.
Should an oblong face grow a long beard?
A long beard at the chin adds length and makes a long face look longer. Keep the chin short and let the sides build.
Does a goatee suit a long face?
A goatee alone adds vertical length. If you want one, keep it short and add a moustache to create a horizontal line.
Where should the cheek line be for an oblong face?
Higher than natural, or left natural, so the beard covers more of the cheeks and adds width.