Long, with even widths
Oblong face shape
Length is the story; width is the fix.
An oblong face, sometimes called a long face or a long oval, is clearly longer than it is wide. The forehead, cheekbones and jaw are fairly even in width, and the length to width ratio is usually above 1.6.
Styling tends to add width and break the vertical line. That means layers at the cheekbone, bangs that cross the forehead, and frames that are wider than they are tall. Adding height at the crown is the one move that usually works against an oblong face.
At a glance
Length is the story; width is the fix.
- Length to cheekbone width
- Above about 1.6
- Forehead to cheekbone
- About 0.9 to 1.0
- Jaw to cheekbone
- About 0.8 to 0.92
- Jawline at the chin
- A medium angle, rarely very pointed
Recognize it
What makes an oblong face
- The face is visibly longer than it is wide.
- The forehead, cheeks and jaw are similar in width.
- The chin is often long rather than pointed.
- The face reads narrow in photos taken straight on.
How the measurement works
The oblong rule fires first, before any other shape, when the length to width ratio reaches about 1.6. That is deliberate: a long face with a wide jaw and a long face with a narrow jaw both need width, so the length is the more useful signal.
Hair that adds width
Bangs is the most direct fix because it shortens the visible length of the face. Chin-length bobs, waves that sit at the cheekbone, and layers that start at the jaw all add width. Long, straight hair with a center part lengthens the face further. If you keep long hair, ask for volume at the sides rather than at the crown.
Frames that are wide, not tall
Choose a frame that is wider than it is tall: a wayfarer, a soft rectangle, an oversized round or a browline. A very tall, narrow lens adds to the vertical line. A frame that sits low on the nose can also shorten the face visually, so check the fit rather than only the shape.
Styling
Pages for an oblong face
- Haircuts for womenLengths, layers and bangs chosen for the proportions of each shape.
- Haircuts for menFades, crops and longer cuts, with the volume placed where it balances the face.
- GlassesFrame shapes that contrast with the face, plus the widths that fit.
- EyebrowsArch height, thickness and tail length for each set of proportions.
- BeardsWhere to add or remove weight along the jaw, cheek line and chin.
Questions
Oblong face questions
Is oblong the same as long oval?
Yes. The names describe the same measurement: a face above about 1.6 times as long as it is wide, with fairly even widths. Some systems call it rectangle when the jaw is square.
Do oblong faces suit bangs?
Very often, yes. Bangs cover part of the forehead and shorten the face visually. Curtain bangs and soft side bangs are the easiest to wear.
Which glasses suit an oblong face?
Wide frames with some depth: wayfarer, oversized round, browline or a soft rectangle. Avoid narrow, tall lenses that repeat the length of the face.
Can an oblong face wear a middle part?
A center part with long, straight hair is the least flattering option because they add a vertical line. If you like a center part, add layers at the cheekbone and some wave.
Which beard shape suits an oblong face?
A full beard that adds width at the sides, kept short at the chin. A long goatee lengthens the face further.