Oblong face, men's cuts
Hairstyles for an oblong face: men's cuts
An oblong face is longer than it is wide, so a men's hairstyle should add width at the sides and keep the height modest. A tall quiff or a high pompadour does the opposite.
Bangs is the simplest tool because they cover part of the forehead and shortens the visible face. The cuts below all keep the crown relatively low.
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What works, and where it sits
An oblong face needs horizontal lines. Every pick either crosses the forehead with bangs, adds width at the sides or keeps the crown low, and every avoid adds height.
- 1
Short crop with bangs
A short crop with textured bangs across the forehead shortens the face and adds width at the top. Keep the sides short but not shaved.
- 2
Side part with low volume
A side part adds a diagonal without height. Ask for the hair to be combed to the side rather than lifted at the root.
- 3
Buzz cut with a soft edge
A buzz cut can work on an oblong face if the hairline is soft and the sides are not tapered into a point. It removes the vertical length that longer hair can add.
- 4
Wavy medium cut
Waves at the sides add width at the temple and ear. Keep the length at the top under control so the face does not look taller.
- 5
Textured bangs with tapered sides
Textured bangs that sit forward and a taper at the sides are a reliable combination. It adds width across the forehead and keeps the outline compact.
Less useful
What works against it
None of these is a rule. They are the choices that tend to undo the balance the rest of the page builds.
A tall quiff or pompadour
Height on top adds to the length of the face, which is the one thing an oblong face does not need.
Long, flat hair with a center part
It adds a vertical line and no width. If you want length, add layers and movement at the sides.
In practice
Men's hairstyles for an oblong face: what to ask for
Ask for a short crop with textured bangs across the forehead and a low crown. The bangs shorten the visible face and the low crown stops the cut from adding height. Keep the sides short but not shaved.
A side part with low volume works if you need something more formal. Ask for width at the sides rather than height at the top, and keep the front falling forward rather than swept up.
If you grow a beard, keep it wider at the sides than long at the chin. A long, pointed beard adds length to a face that already reads long, which is usually the opposite of what an oblong face wants.
Avoid a high fade with a tall top if you want to shorten the face, even though that combination is common. The height works against the bangs. A low fade with forward bangs is the combination that keeps the outline compact. If you like a side part, keep the volume low and let the hair fall slightly forward rather than sweeping it up and back.
Questions
Questions about haircuts for men
Can an oblong face wear a quiff?
A small one, if the sides have some width. A tall quiff with tight sides adds length and makes the face look longer.
Do oblong faces suit bangs?
Yes, more than most shapes. Short textured bangs are one of the easiest ways to shorten a long face.
Is a buzz cut good for an oblong face?
It can be, if the hairline is not too high and the sides are not tapered to a point. A buzz cut removes the extra length that a taller style would add.