Oblong face, beard guide

Beard shapes for an oblong face

An oblong face is long, so a beard should add width at the sides and stay short at the chin. A long goatee does the opposite.

A full beard that is wider than it is long adds a horizontal line at the jaw. That is the most useful change a beard can make on this face.

Measure first

Not sure of your shape? The free detector measures a photo on your device and draws the lines it used.

The shortlist

What works, and where it sits

An oblong face needs horizontal weight. A wide beard with a short chin adds it, while a long or narrow beard adds vertical length instead.

1
Full beard, wide at the sides
Keep the sides full and the chin short. The beard adds width at the jaw and stops the face looking longer.
2
Short boxed beard
A boxed beard with a wide base and a short chin adds a horizontal line. Trim the bottom flat rather than pointed.
3
Heavy stubble with a wide cheek line
A high, wide cheek line adds width across the middle of the face. Keep the chin short so the length does not increase.
4
Mustache with short stubble
A mustache with stubble adds width at the top of the mouth and keeps the chin free. It is a light option for a long face.
5
Chin strap with a wide jaw
A chin strap that runs wide along the jaw can add a horizontal line, as long as it is not too narrow or too long at the chin.

Less useful

None of these is a rule. They are the choices that tend to undo the balance the rest of the page builds.

A long goatee
It adds length to the chin and makes an oblong face look longer. Keep the chin short.
A narrow beard
A narrow beard makes the face look narrower and longer. Choose width over length.

Questions

What beard suits a long face?

A full beard that is wider than it is long, with a short chin. It adds width at the jaw and does not lengthen the face.

Should an oblong face grow a goatee?

A short goatee can work, but a long one adds length. Keep the chin close and the sides fuller.

How high should the cheek line be?

A wide cheek line helps because it adds width across the face. Keep the chin short so the two do not add length.