Oblong face, women's cuts
Hairstyles for an oblong face: women's cuts
An oblong face is long and fairly even in width, so a hairstyle can do two useful things: shorten the visible length and add width at the sides. Bangs does the first, layers at the cheekbone do the second.
Long, straight hair with a center part does neither. It is the one combination worth avoiding if you want the face to look less long.
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What works, and where it sits
An oblong face needs horizontal lines. Every pick here either crosses the forehead, ends at the jaw or adds width at the cheekbone, and every avoid adds vertical length instead.
- 1
Curtain bangs
Curtain bangs cover the outer corners of the forehead and break the vertical line of the face. Keep the shortest point at the brow and the longest at the cheekbone.
- 2
Chin-length bob
A bob that ends at the chin adds a horizontal line at the jaw and stops the eye traveling down the face. A slight wave at the ends helps.
- 3
Waves at the cheekbone
Volume placed at the cheekbone widens the middle of the face. Ask for a body wave that starts at the cheek rather than at the root.
- 4
Layered lob with side volume
A collarbone-length cut with layers and a side part adds width at the sides without adding height. Keep the crown relatively flat.
- 5
Shoulder-length curls
Curls that sit between the jaw and the shoulder add width and softness in the right place. A tight curl that hangs long will lengthen the face instead.
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.
Long, straight hair with a center part
It adds two vertical lines and no width, which is the opposite of what an oblong face needs.
Height at the crown
A high root lift or a top knot adds length. If you wear your hair up, keep the crown low and the sides soft.
In practice
Hairstyles for an oblong face: what to ask for
The most direct request is bangs that cover part of the forehead. Curtain bangs or soft side bangs shorten the visible face and add a horizontal line. Ask for the shortest point at the brow and the longest at the cheekbone.
Add width at the sides with layers that begin at the jaw or the collarbone. Keep the crown low, because height makes a long face look longer. A center part with long, straight hair does neither of those things.
If you want a bob, ask for it to end at the chin or just below, with a little fullness at the sides. A very short pixie can work, but it exposes the full length of the face unless the top stays flat and the bangs cover the forehead.
Regrowth is the practical issue with bangs. Bangs that sit at the brow need a trim every three or four weeks, or they start to cover the eyes and change the shape. If you would rather not maintain them, ask for a longer curtain bangs that can be pushed to the side as they grow, or a face-framing layer that starts at the cheekbone. Both give you a horizontal line without a monthly appointment.
Questions
Questions about haircuts for women
Do oblong faces suit bangs?
Yes, more than most shapes. Bangs are the fastest way to shorten a long face. Curtain bangs and soft side bangs are the easiest to wear.
Can an oblong face wear long hair?
Yes, with layers that start at the cheekbone and some wave. Long, straight, one-length hair is the version that makes the face look longest.
Is a bob the best cut for an oblong face?
A chin-length bob is one of the most reliable options because they add a horizontal line at the jaw. A very short pixie can also work if it keeps width at the sides.