Choosing the right hairstyle can make a dramatic difference in how your facial features are perceived, especially if you have a longer face structure. Hairstyles for oblong face shape are designed to add width, soften vertical lines, and create better overall balance between the forehead, cheeks, and jawline. By understanding your face shape and applying the right styling principles, you can enhance your natural features while avoiding looks that exaggerate facial length. This guide will walk you through the most flattering hairstyle options, common mistakes to avoid, and practical styling solutions that help oblong face shapes look more harmonious and confident.
What Is an Oblong Face Shape?
An oblong face shape, often referred to as a long face shape, is characterized by a face that is noticeably longer than it is wide. The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline tend to be similar in width, which creates a straight, elongated silhouette rather than a rounded or angular one. Because of this vertical emphasis, the face can sometimes appear narrower or longer than desired, especially when paired with certain hairstyles.
How to Know If You Have an Oblong Face Shape
You may have an oblong face shape if the length of your face is clearly longer than its width and your features appear vertically aligned rather than wide or angular. A high forehead is a common characteristic, often drawing attention to the upper portion of the face. The chin tends to be slim and narrow rather than pointed or square, while the jawline appears soft and smooth without sharp angles.
When looking at your face in the mirror, you may notice that your cheekbones do not extend outward dramatically, and the sides of your face remain relatively straight from the temples down to the jaw. This overall balance creates an elegant and delicate appearance, but it also means that certain hairstyles can unintentionally exaggerate facial length.
Identifying these traits helps you make smarter choices when selecting hairstyles for oblong face shape, ensuring your haircut or style works with your natural proportions instead of against them.
Hairstyling Goals for Oblong Face Shapes
The primary goal when choosing hairstyles for oblong face shape is to visually balance facial proportions. Since the face naturally appears longer, hairstyles should focus on adding width rather than height. Creating fullness along the sides of the face helps counteract vertical length and brings more harmony to the overall look.
Another important goal is reducing the visual length of the face. This can be achieved by minimizing excessive height at the crown and incorporating elements that break up the vertical line of the face, such as layers, texture, or fringe. Softening the appearance of the forehead and jawline also plays a key role in achieving a balanced look.
Ultimately, the most flattering hairstyles for oblong face shape are those that create a softer, more symmetrical appearance. Whether using natural hair, hair extensions, or wigs, the right style can enhance facial harmony, highlight your best features, and give your face a more proportionate and polished look.
Best Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shape
Below are the most effective hairstyle approaches that consistently work well for oblong face shapes.
Curly and Wavy Hairstyles
Curly and wavy hair is one of the most flattering choices for oblong face shapes because it naturally adds horizontal volume. Loose curls and soft waves expand the look of the hair around the cheeks and jawline, helping the face appear shorter and fuller rather than long and narrow. This texture softens facial lines and creates a romantic, feminine effect that feels effortless and balanced.
Curly hair, body wave textures, and loose waves all work beautifully for this face shape. These styles are versatile and can be achieved with natural hair, hair extensions, or wigs without looking heavy or overdone. Another advantage is ease of styling, as waves and curls tend to hold shape well while still allowing movement and softness.
Layered Hairstyles with Side Volume
Layered hairstyles are especially effective for oblong face shapes when the layers are designed to build volume at the sides. Layers around the cheekbones and jawline create the illusion of width, which helps counteract the natural length of the face. Instead of drawing the eye downward, side-focused layers redirect attention outward, resulting in a more balanced overall appearance.
This type of hairstyle works well across many lengths, from shoulder-length cuts to longer styles, making it a flexible option for different preferences. Layered hair with side volume also gives a youthful and modern feel, adding movement and dimension without making the hair look bulky or flat.
Best Bangs for Oblong Face Shape (Curtain, Wispy, Blunt)
Bangs are one of the most effective styling elements for oblong face shapes because they visually shorten the face by covering part of the forehead. Wispy bangs offer a soft, airy look that blends naturally into the rest of the hair, making them ideal for those who prefer subtle framing. Blunt bangs create a stronger visual line that significantly reduces the appearance of a high forehead, giving the face a more compact look.
Curtain bangs are particularly flattering because they part gently at the center and frame the face symmetrically. They add width around the eyes and cheeks while still maintaining a natural flow. For the most harmonious result, bangs often work best when paired with curls, waves, or layered hairstyles that enhance texture and volume.
Short Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shape That Flatter Long Faces
Short hairstyles can be very flattering for oblong face shapes when they are designed with softness and width in mind. Cuts such as textured bobs, layered pixie styles, or short hair with side-swept bangs help break up facial length and emphasize cheekbones. The key is to avoid styles that sit too flat or add height at the crown, as these can make the face appear even longer.
When short hair includes layers, texture, or gentle volume at the sides, it creates structure that balances the face beautifully. These styles are especially appealing for those who want a chic, low-maintenance look without sacrificing proportion.
Medium vs Long Hairstyles: Which Works Best?
Both medium and long hairstyles can work well for oblong face shapes, but the difference lies in how they are styled. Medium-length hair, particularly around the shoulders or collarbone, often provides the most natural balance because it avoids excessive length while still allowing volume and movement. This length frames the face effectively and works well with layers, waves, or bangs.
Long hairstyles can also be flattering as long as they incorporate texture and side volume. Straight, overly sleek long hair tends to elongate the face, while long styles with waves, curls, or layered shaping help maintain proportion. The most important factor is ensuring the hair adds width rather than emphasizing vertical length.
Hairstyles to Avoid for Oblong Face Shapes
Below are the key hairstyle categories that people with oblong face shapes should approach with caution, explained clearly to help you avoid common styling mistakes.
- Extra-Long, Straight Hair: Very long hair worn pin-straight with no layers tends to create strong vertical lines. This pulls the eye downward and exaggerates the length of an oblong face, especially when there is no volume at the sides.
- High-Volume Crown Styles: Hairstyles that add height at the top of the head, such as high ponytails or teased crowns, can make a long face look even longer. For hairstyles for oblong face shape, volume should be placed on the sides, not at the crown.
- Ultra-Slick, Flat Looks: Sleek styles that sit close to the head remove natural width from the face. Hair that is tightly pulled back or completely flat lacks the softness needed to balance an oblong face shape.
- Flat Middle Parts: A center part with straight, flat hair can emphasize facial length when there is no texture or movement. Without side volume, this style draws attention to vertical proportions.
- Very Short, Texture-Free Cuts: Short haircuts that lack bangs or texture fully expose the forehead and jawline, making the face appear longer. Short styles can work, but only when they include layering or softness.
In general, avoiding these styles helps ensure hairstyles for oblong face shapes create balance, width, and a more flattering overall appearance.
Styling Tips to Enhance Oblong Face Shapes
When styling hairstyles for oblong face shape, small adjustments can make a big difference in balancing facial proportions.
- Add volume to the sides, not the crown, to create width
- Use soft waves or curls to break vertical length
- Choose a side part or middle part with texture for better balance
- Incorporate bangs (curtain, wispy, or blunt) to shorten the face visually
- Blow-dry outward at cheek level to enhance fullness
- Avoid ultra-straight, flat styles that emphasize length
These simple tips help hairstyles for oblong face shapes look more balanced, soft, and flattering with minimal effort.
Changing Your Look with Wigs and Hair Extensions
If you want to transform your hairstyle quickly without damaging your natural hair, wigs and hair extensions are excellent options for hairstyles for oblong face shape.
At Govihair, we provide 100% Vietnamese human hair (Raw & Virgin Hair) with intact cuticles, ensuring premium quality, softness, and long-lasting durability.
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FAQs About Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shape
What hairstyles work best for an oblong face shape?
The most flattering hairstyles for oblong face shape are those that add width and volume to the sides of the face. Styles with curls, soft waves, layers around the cheeks, and bangs help reduce the appearance of facial length and create a more balanced look. Avoid overly straight, flat styles that emphasize vertical lines.
Is short or long hair better for an oblong face shape?
Both short and long hair can work well for an oblong face shape, as long as the style is designed correctly. Short hairstyles should include texture and side volume, while longer hairstyles benefit from layers, waves, or curls. The key factor is not length, but how the hairstyle balances facial proportions.
Do bangs really help with oblong face shapes?
Yes, bangs are one of the most effective solutions for oblong face shapes. They visually shorten the forehead and break up the vertical length of the face. Curtain bangs, wispy bangs, and blunt bangs are all suitable options, depending on your hair texture and personal style.
Are wigs and hair extensions suitable for oblong face shapes?
Wigs and hair extensions are excellent choices for hairstyles for oblong face shape, especially if you want instant volume and flexibility without damaging your natural hair. They allow you to experiment with layered cuts, curls, waves, and bangs that enhance balance and symmetry while protecting your real hair.
Conclusion
The best hairstyles for oblong face shape are those that add side volume, texture, and softness to balance facial length. Curls, layers, and bangs help create a more proportional look, while avoiding flat or crown-heavy styles prevents extra elongation. With the right styling approach, any hair length can complement an oblong face and enhance its natural harmony.
If you want an easy, damage-free way to achieve these styles, explore premium Vietnamese human hair from Govihair. With high-quality raw and virgin hair designed for volume, texture, and long-lasting beauty, Govihair helps you create perfectly balanced hairstyles with confidence.
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Ms. Rosie