The Best Hairstyles For Oblong Face Shape

Not every hairstyle suits everyone. For example, the hairstyles for oblong rectangular faces may not suit a person with another face shape. Your hairstyle should go well with your face shape and structure. Furthermore, those lustrous locks help enhance your facial features, too. And a wrong haircut can affect how you look.

Round, heart, square, diamond, oval, and oblong are the 6 types of face shapes. Here, we will discuss the hairstyles that suit the oblong face. An oblong or long face is often misrepresented as an oval face shape. However, this shape is long, and a person with an oblong face will have a long chin and forehead. In addition, their cheeks, jaw, and forehead will be equal in width, and they usually don’t have full cheeks. Since your facial structure is more slender than full, it is essential to make sure the chosen hairstyle complements your slim face. You might also notice some angular features similar to a square face or a pointed chin, but not always.

How do you find the best hairstyle for an oblong face? How do hairstyles help your elongated facial features? If all these questions have left you confused, let us help you get them all answered. In this article, we have compiled a few tips and tricks that help you choose the best hairstyle for your oblong face. Keep reading to know more!

Before You Get Started

• Voluminous, blunt hairstyles will add width to oblong faces and give them a rounded look.
• Keep the front layers about chin-length when opting for a layered hairstyle. You can even go for layers angled inward from your cheeks to your jaw.
• Avoid a middle-part as it will add to the length of your face. A side-part with side-swept hair is ideal.
• Also, avoid going for looks that bring attention to your forehead. If you want hair out of your face, use a silk scarf to cover half and half of your forehead and hairline.
• Choose earrings wisely. Round hoops of all sizes, studs, short drops, and clustered earrings look flattering on this face shape. Avoid long, vertical rectangles.

Tips To Keep In Mind When Styling Hair For Oblong Face Shapes

1. Considering your hair texture is important while styling an oblong face. Curls and waves will never fail you if you have an oblong face. They add to the overall width of the face and, thus, help tone down the appearance of its length. Straight hair, on the other hand, may elongate it further.
2. Girl, if you’ve got a long face, bangs are going to be your best friend. Some straight cut or side swept bangs that cover your forehead and graze your eyebrows will work wonders in reducing the length of your face.
3. Avoid going for high up dos that sit on top of your head if you have an oblong face. The volume of such hairstyles will only add to the length of your face and make it look even more oblong. So, high ballerina buns and high ponytails are a definite no-no for you.
4. Another great way to use your hair to streamline your oblong face is to go in for some highlights. Hair eclipting is a new hair coloring technique that involves positioning your highlights in such a way that they act as a contour for your face.
5. Now, this one is going to sound weird because it doesn’t have anything to do with your hair, but hear me out. Your glasses can work wonderfully to flatter your oblong face. Whether you actually wear prescription glasses or just sport them for ~fashion~ is irrelevant here. Go ahead and get yourself some square glasses or glasses with a contrasting color at the temples and a low bridge as they can make your face wider, instead of long. When it comes to sunglasses, classic aviators will suit you perfectly.

Quick Tip

If you have naturally curly hair, a half updo is an excellent choice, as your flowing mane helps add width to your face.

31 Gorgeous Hairstyles For Oblong Faces

1. Slick Straight

Sleek, straight hair is in style again! Kerry Washington wows with center-parted bone straight black hair that looks natural and bold. Straightened with a hair serum to manage flyaways, this hairstyle frames the face and accentuates the features.

2. Center-Parted Low Ponytail

Singer Ciara keeps it chic and casual with a center-parted low ponytail. It looks effortless, classic, and elegant. To achieve this hairstyle, straighten your hair, make the center parting. and tie your locks in a low pony at the nape of your neck. To make it more fashionable, take a small section of the hair from the ponytail, wrap it around the hair tie, and pin it under. Pull out a few face-framing strands to finish the look.

3. Tight High Ponytail

It’s a make-or-break move to tie all your hair into a tight high ponytail, and no one does it better than Kim Kardashian. It brings all the attention to your facial features with no extra effort and adds a faux facial lift effect. It has become the popular go-to hairstyle for those with oblong faces as it accentuates their face shape in a positive way. This is a great hairstyle for round chubby faces as well.

4. Modern Pageboy

The modern pageboy style is trendy and incredibly eye-catching. If your thick hair is unmanageable and heavy, and you aren’t afraid to do something out of the ordinary, this is the style you should try. Ashlee Simpson gives a new twist to the original pageboy style by adding side-swept bangs and carries it with confidence.

5. Bed-Hair Bob With Bangs

A tousled short bob with bangs is a dream. Most bobs need daily maintenance, but when you see Taylor Swift in a bob looking like she just woke up and didn’t have time even to adjust her bangs, you need not look elsewhere for guidance. It’s time to embrace slightly messy bobs that make your facial features look soft and youthful.

6. Center-Parted Low Bun

Lupita Nyongo’ loves experimenting with her hairstyles and doesn’t shy away from exposing her face. She still loves the classic center-parted low bun. Her coily locks have been stretched out giving it a crimped look. It works for all hair types and also complements the oblong face shape.

7. Chin-Length Ombre Bob

Say goodbye to long locks and hello to short-hair chic! Chin-length bobs are all the rage and a great way to freshen up your look. Jessica Alba made this bob look timeless. Not only does it add volume and movement to your hair and flatter an oblong face shape, but it is also incredibly versatile. A great hairstyle for oval faces too, the warm-toned ombre brings out warm undertones.

8. Wavy Hollywood Bob

This blunt bob is perfect if you’re looking for a laid-back yet pulled-together look. Bella Hadid pulls off this classic Hollywood glam hairstyle with ease. Its gives oblong faces an edgy, clean and sophisticated look. And if you have thick hair, this style will make you look stunningly beautiful. Blunt-end bobs are timeless, so why not jump on the trend and try it out yourself?

9. Downward Pixie Cut

If you’re feeling like adding a little pizzazz to your look, you could go for this daring pixie cut! It might take you out of your comfort zone, but you will reap the rewards – a super-glam, low-maintenance hairstyle that’s perfect for hot summer days. Plus, if you need any motivation, just look at Halle Berry and rock that pixie cut with unshakable confidence!

10. Beaded Side-Swept Braids

Protective braids are incredibly adaptable! With so many variations, the possibilities for styling your hair with these braid styles are almost endless. Just take a cue from singer and actress Gabrielle Union, who rocks this style like a boss. From work events to a night out, the beaded braid is the ideal way to add classic sophistication to your look. Side-sweep your braids for added edge.

11. Loose Waves

Carrie Underwood sure knows how to make her hair work for her oblong face. You will usually find her sporting some loose and relaxed waves that give off a super casual vibe. The dents of these waves fall right on her cheekbones, thus adding to the width of her face. This is further achieved by the center parting that allows for her hair to fall equally on both sides of her face.

12. Layered Hair

When you have a long face, the volume lent by a layered haircut is exactly what you need. The first layer of Courteney Cox’s hair falls right at her cheekbones and the second layer halfway down her neck. When styled in some loose curls, these layers create tons of volume around her face and alter her oblong face shape by adding more width to it. The asymmetry created by the slightly off-center parting also works wonderfully.

13. Thick Side Swept Bangs

Take a page out of Kelly Rowland’s look book and go get yourself some bangs! The perfect bangs for long faces are those that cover 1/3rd of your face. And Rowland’s bangs do just that. Her side swept bangs cover all of her forehead and conceal the length of her face. Paired with some shaggy curls at the bottom, there’s no stopping her from rocking this look.

14. Classic Side Sweep

Girl, when Kim Kardashian is sporting a look, you best believe you should be following her lead. Here she has gone for a classic look to complement her long narrow face. Her voluminous waves have been swept over to one side to draw the eye sidewards and counteract the oblong shape of her face. Her hair falling sexily down one side of her forehead also adds to the look.

15. Low Curls

Supermodel Iman sure knows what she’s doing when she’s styling her hair for her oblong, narrow-faced shape. Now, the aim of this particular hairstyle is to flatter her long face, not hide it. Her shoulder length hair has been curled right at the ends and parted down the middle to create an elegant hair look. She has highlighted her dark brown hair with some caramel highlights to work beautifully to complement her oblong face.

16. Retro Curls

This effortless and elegant look is one of the best hairstyles for oblong faces. The retro curls paired with the side swept style and the deliberate show of her ear makes this look perfect for someone like Liv Tyler, who has an oblong face.

17. Curtain Bangs

Another great style of bangs that is great for long faces is curtain bangs. These style of bangs are parted down the middle and reach till your ears. The way they drape down the sides of your face is similar to curtains pulled back from a window, hence, the name. The way these bangs cover a part of the forehead is perfect for altering the silhouette of your long face.

Trivia

Actress Dakota Johnson is known for her love for curtain bangs and has sported variations of this style over the years.

18. Short Bob

Short bob is the best haircut for oblong face shape. We all know that Victoria Beckham is the queen of everything fashion and style. Her trademark bob has been wowing the world for years now and for a good reason. Her side parted bob has blunt ends that fall a couple of inches below her chin. But it’s her blonde highlights that work wonders at adding width to her oblong face and bring the whole look together.

19. Half-Up Shaggy Curls

If there’s one person you should be taking inspiration from for styling your hair for your oblong face, it has got to be Angelina Jolie. Though she has created volume on top with a slight pouf (a big no-no for anyone with an oblong shaped face), she has counteracted its lengthening effect with the help of some center parted long bands and some shaggy curls to create volume at the sides.

20. Carrie’s Crazy Curls

Carrie Bradshaw is no less than an icon for the modern millennial woman. But what’s even more iconic are the crazy curls that Sarah Jessica Parker sported for the role in Sex And The City. To flatter her extremely oblong face, she went in for some super voluminous and bushy curls that added width to her face and also made her face look smaller in comparison.

21. Side Ponytail

When you have a long face, you really need to experiment with different styles and angles when styling your hair. Look at Iman, for example. Here, she is sporting a simple low side ponytail parted on one side. The deep side parting makes her hair cut across her forehead diagonally and alter the shape of her oblong face.

22. Headband Updo

OK, I know said that oblong faced ladies should avoid high updos, but hear me out. This formal updo sported by Sanaa Lathan rests elegantly at the crown of her head. The thin gold headband wrapped around her head three times draw the eyes sideways, thus working perfectly to take attention away from the length of her face.

23. Curly Short Bob

Our favorite Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher sure knows how to make things work for her oblong face. She knows that the best way to add width to her oblong face is to go for a short bob. Just styled in tight curls and parted on one side, and she’s good to go and rock that red carpet!

24. Bumped Up Waves

Sandra Oh is absolutely working her oblong face with a big hair look. And by big, we mean BIG. She has added volume on all three sides of her face by going for a pouf on top and some super voluminous waves. With loads of textured added to shag up her hair, this look makes for an edgy and bold style. The sheer volume of this hairstyle works to complement her oblong face structure and makes it look smaller in comparison.

25. Voluminous Curly Bob

Tracee Ellis Ross looks absolutely stunning with her naturally curly hair cut into a bob that grazes her shoulders. When parted down the middle, her curls frame her gorgeous oblong face perfectly. She has also gotten some section of her hair cut short in the front to create pseudo-bangs that draw attention to her eyes and finish framing her face beautifully.

26. Simple Short Bob

Whoever said you can’t sport short hair on a long face was wrong. There are plenty of perfect short hairstyles for oblong faces. Take a look at Milla Jovovich, for example. She has simply straightened her short bob and parted it to one side to create an effortlessly chic look. The gold headband adds a bit of sparkle to her style and brings the whole look together.

27. Long Lustrous Waves

A variety of hair trends keep coming in and going out of fashion but there are a few styles that remain evergreen. Long, flowing hair styled in waves is one of them. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has been sporting this classic look for years now because it flatters her oblong face perfectly.

28. Dramatic Side Sweep

Ashlee Simpson is absolutely slaying it with her dramatic hair look. To offset her oblong face shape, she has swept all of her hair over on one side. Styled in big, texturized curls, this side swept hairstyle creates immense volume on one side of her face to draw the eye sidewards and take attention away from the oblong shape of her face.

29. Wavy Mid-Length Bob

Follow Hilary Swank’s lead when picking a short hairstyle for your long , rectangular-shaped face. Her golden brown tresses have been cut in a long bob and styled in some open curls to create a simple yet chic hair look that complements her long face perfectly. A simple trick that Swank has used to add a bit of width to her face is pushing one side of her hair back behind one ear.

30. Slicked Down Center Parting

If you want to go for a totally fierce hairstyle, look no further. Jessica Lowndes looks like a total badass with this slicked down center parted look styled in waves that compliments her sharp features. Lowndes has pushed all her hair back behind her ears to leave them exposed and make her oblong face look wider.

31. Jellyfish Cut

This hairstyle has its roots in the Japanese Hime cut and can often be seen on anime characters that are then cosplayed by fans. It combines two classic looks, namely the blunt bob and mullet. The short bob at the top or front resembles a jellyfish’s crown while the mullet mimics its tentacles, hence the name. Blunt bobs are great for obscuring a broad forehead while the mullet adds a dimensional charm, making for a great hairstyle for oblong faces. This unique and edgy haircut has made its way into the K-pop industry, with multiple idols sporting it to fit their futuristic music video themes, and recently, celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, and Gwen Stefani have also given it a go for their professional projects.

Along with the right hairstyle, choosing the right accessories for oblong faces can enhance your overall look. Scroll down to learn more about these accessories.

Styling Accessories For Oblong Faces

The right hair styling accessories can help you soften your face shape, accentuate your facial features, and give the illusion of a shorter face. Here are some accessories you may choose:

• Opt for wide, embellished headbands to draw attention horizontally and make your face appear less long. They draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones, focusing on facial width instead of length.
• Add statement clips or barrettes on the sides of your head to add width to your face.
• Choose wide-brimmed hats to help create horizontal balance and shorten your face.

In addition, you can also play around with your jewelry. For instance, try large, round earrings or hoops to add volume and soften the angularity of your face. Similarly, short, choker-style necklaces can help break up the length of your neck and create balance.

Infographic: Top 8 Hairstyles For Oblong Faces That Are Easy To Create And Maintain

The ideal hairstyles for oblong faces or egg-shaped faces are those that either hide the length of your face by breaking it up with bangs and asymmetric cuts or those that add an illusion of width to balance out the proportions. However, not all hairstyles are simple or easy to maintain.

Check out the infographic for the top 8 easiest hairstyles for oblong faces.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is short hair or long hair better for an oblong-shaped face?

Certified trichologist and professional hairstylist Monica Dickenson agrees that both short and long hair are ideal for an oblong-shaped face. Hairstyles for long faces have a lot of variety. While short lengths frame the face and make it appear round, longer ones highlight the natural features. She says,”As a stylist, I would suggest trying on wigs of both long and short hair that are close to the style you are interested in, to see which one you like and looks better.”

Can oblong faces wear long hair?

Hair that is too long and straight can elongate the face. However, long hair with waves and curls looks good on people with oblong face shapes.

Is a bob cut good for an oblong face?

In general, bob hairstyles for oval faces and oblong faces are very popular. Chin-length bobs look amazing on people with oblong face shapes. They not only balance and flatten the face but also add volume and movement.

Illustration: Best Hairstyles For Oblong Face Shape

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to choose the perfect hairstyle and haircut for your long or oblong face shape in this video below. Embrace your unique beauty and rock the perfect style.

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Monica DickensonCertified Trichologist

     

Monica Dickenson has more than 30 years of experience as a dedicated technician and business owner. She is very passionate about providing the best service possible to anyone experiencing hair loss and has certifications in hair replacement and holistic trichology.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Asmita DeAssociate Editor

Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.

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Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.

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