35 Best Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shapes, According to Stylists (2024)

• McKenzie Lehmann is a Kansas City-based hairstylist who works on behalf of Salon Inspire and CHI Haircare.
• Christopher Didier is a hairstylist and the founder ofPurple Haze Studio in Huntington Station, New York.

Curly Shag

If a flattering style for oblong faces is all about texture and layers, look no further than the shag. The shattered cut is all about choppy ends and tons of angles that can easily hold volume and structure. Kerry Washington's curly shag is a stunning iteration, but the cut works on every texture and length.

Center-Parted Ponytail

Ciara's sleek updo serves to complement her oblong face shape. Lehmann explains, "Expose those ears and let them give your face more width." Regarding your updo's positioning, "Place it at about center or the lower part of the head. If you have an oblong face, you do not want it too high because thiswill add more height to the face's appearance."

Piecy Pixie

Think oblong faces can't go short? Think again. Joan Smalls' textured pixie has all the makings of a flattering cut: rounded structure, soft bangs to shorten the forehead, and just the right length to show off the ears for the illusion of a wider face.

Curtain Bangs

Here Olga Kurylenkodemonstrates how bangs can help to balance oblong facial symmetry and even flatter a bigger forehead. "I can’t get enough of curtain bangs on oblong face shapes," says Lehmann. "They are not only are in style, but they shorten the appearance of the forehead to make the face appear more oval."

Blunt Bangs

Liv Tyler's blunt, brow-skimming bangs are sweet as can be. We love the slight part in them, flashing a bit of forehead, so there's not too much weight crowding her natural features.

Curly Ponytail

Leona Lewis' curly low ponytail is chock full of fabulous texture. Her natural curls, emphasized by the bottom of the ponytail, are wide and voluminous adding width to her face. While a swept-back style may not always be the most flattering for oblong face shapes, the curls create structure that adds to that illusion of width.

Perfectly Messy Bun

Rihanna knows how to make a messy bun look chic. Her loose updo is enhanced by the face-framing pieces cascading past her chin.

Angled Bob

Supermodel Iman's angled bob helps define her neck while bangs flatter her forehead. It's a flattering haircut for women over 50—or any age for that matter. As New York-based salon owner, Christopher Didier notes, the angle of the bangs helps round out the face. "[With] shoulder-length hair or a bob, you're always going to want to have a bang or angles with this face shape," he says. "It's just more flattering. Shorter angles take away from the length of your face."

French Bob

While Kelly Rowland's quintessential French bob has no bangs to speak of, the rounded structure creates the illusion of a rounder face. Characterized by its signature earlobe-grazing length, the French bob is a masterclass in striking sophistication.

Sculpted Curls

If you're looking for hairstyle inspo for your next glamorous event, we've got you covered. Sandra Oh's sculpted curls and side-swept bob take a page straight out of Old Hollywood.

Teased Curls

There's no such thing as too much volume when you have an oblong face. Case in point: Tyra Banks's bouncy, voluminous curls.

Half-Up, Half-Down

Kerry Washington's half-up, half-down 'do is flattering in so many ways. For one, natural curls lend volume and width. Wispy curly bangs serve to shorten the face. The shoulder length is just the icing on the cake.

Long Layers With Short Angles

When it comes to complementing a longer and/or narrower face shape, it's all about the volume. "The best haircuts for someone with anoblong face shape would be anything that is going to round out your face," says Didier. "For example, long layers with shorter angles starting near your cheekbones or lips." Didier recommends styling a cut like Kim Kardashian with big waves or a voluminous blowout.

Blunt Bob With Bangs

From its length to its bangs, Taylor Swift's graduated bob frames her face beautifully. Chin-length bobs and shags are ideal for an oblong face because—we've said it before and we'll say it again—they create the illusion of width. Swift's cut is a modern style that can work for any age.

Middle-Parted Waves

"Middle parts will help the hair fall symmetrical and add needed width," says Lehmann, who recommends using a rotating curling iron (try the Bondi Boost Wave Wand, $58, for natural-looking, boho beach waves) in alternating directions. "Once done, run fingers through and break up the curls and finish with a shine spray," she adds. Add a headband like Lea Michele if you're so inclined.

Bouncy Bob

The classic, bouncy bob—as seen on Bella Hadid—is a great choice for long faces. It's a sophisticated look that works with straight and wavy hair, no matter if it's fine or thick. This tousled style looks beautiful sans bangs, but there's no denying that blunt or side-swept bangs would also look stunning.

Layered Lob

With the right haircut, no one would even guess your face is oblong. That's certainly the case with Maggie Q's masterfully layered lob. It's a great option if you have straight or fine hair. The simplicity also lets you play with color. Highlights, anyone?

Shoulder-Length Finger Waves

As Jessica Alba can attest, a shoulder-length cut can frame and flatter like no other. Throw in some soft finger waves, and you've got the extra volume that gives an angular and oblong face a more oval appearance.

Asymmetric Lob With Bangs

As Gabrielle Union demonstrates, a tousled 'do—particularly one with bangs—can do wonders to shorten a longer face. To achieve her style, "Blow-dry hair 60 percent dry and spritz hair with CHIAloe Vera Curl Reactivating Spray ($18)," instructs Lehmann. Then use Dyson's Corrale Straightener ($500) to flat-iron your fringe.

Long, Tousled Layers

Some of the best styles for those with oblong faces are cut past the shoulders. However, keep in mind that if you go too long, it can elongate your face. To create balance, opt for layers and a tousled style like Gisele.

Bouncy Blowout

Blake Lively's glossy blowout is the inspo pic we'll be taking to all our salon appointments moving forward. While she may be rocking a lot of weighty length, those shorter, bouncier pieces around the ears bring the eye upward and create the illusion of a wider face.

Full Curls

Tracee Ellis Ross's curly lob hits at the shoulders, which we consider the sweet spot that perfectly balances the face and satiates any desire to maintain a longer length. Bonus: Curls help add width to her face. Try a volumizer—like Rossano Ferretti Parma's Favoloso 18 Natural Hair Movement Enhancer ($50)—if you need an added boost.

Beachy Waves

Kelly Rowland's boho-inspired look doesn't require a ton of maintenance. The key is to ensure these waves never look too "done." The trick? A middle part, plenty of volume through the roots, and a wave that's loose and manageable. Revlon's cult-followed One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer ($60) can help get you there.

Updo With Bangs

The competing textures of Sandra Oh's style make a fabulous choice for a formal updo. Though stylists often caution against too much volume on top of your head when you have a longer face, the forward momentum of her bangs balances things out. Plus, you have to appreciate the messy intricacy of curly bangs.

Weightless Waves

Cutting yourhair at or just below the shoulders, as seen on actress Jessica Lowndes, is also a great choice for thick hair. It's a length that will not weigh down curls or waves, and it's easier to care for every day. Integrate a light styling product (we like Verb's Ghost Weightless Hair Oil, $20) to smooth flyaways.

Close-Cropped Pixie

Lupita Nyong'o's short, cropped pixie cut highlights her best features. Even better, it's easy to maintain. To add some oomph, style a pixie with a beaded headband or your hair accessory du jour.

Center-Parted Tousled Lob

Alexa Chung's center-parted lob is the type of style that's universally flattering. To get her texture, ask your stylist for long layers. They will keep the edges of this cut lighter and create movement.

Long, Retro Waves

Kate Beckinsale's center-parted locks are all about retro glam, and not all that difficult to replicate at home. Just use a 1-inch barrel curling iron to define sections of hair, starting with the strands nearest to your ear.

Pineapple Updo

Leona Lewis's front-heavy updo couldn't be more perfect for oblong face shapes. The pineapple effect of her lush spirals creates a cascade of curls that fall at all the right places to create fullness in the face. The key to curls like these is to keep hairproperly moisturized, so invest in a deep-conditioning hair mask such as Ouai's Moisturizing Thick Hair Treatment ($38).

Faux Curtain Bangs

Chloe Bennet's center part helps further highlight her beachy waves and perfectly accentuates her face. While she doesn't actually have bangs, the intentional bend in those face-framing pieces gives all the fringe benefits without the commitment. Use a wave wand to create perfectly shaped curls as seen here.

Modern Pageboy

Ashlee Simpson's pageboy-style cut is very dramatic, with plenty of shine. The side-swept bangs complete the look, and it's a perfect style for anyone who has thicker hair that can produce this much volume. A pomade (we like OUAI's Matte Pomade, $26) will help add texture.

Classic Braid

You can never go wrong with a classic braid. However, you can give the classic style a twist by adding a few face-framing curls to add balance. and widen an oblong face shape

Jellyfish Cut

Joan Smalls hit the 2022 American Music Awards red carpet with a jellyfish haircut, created by celebrity hairstylistAndrew Fitzsimons. We love how the blunt, layered cut frames Smalls's face perfectly.

Textured Length

Blake Lively's long, textured look is positive proof that the right hairstyle can alter your face's shape. To replicate the 'do, Lehman recommends parting hair into sixvertical sections, then curling with CHI'sLava Curl Shotiron ($130). Finish by applying a dime-size amount of BioSilkSilk Therapy With Organic Coconut Oil ($30)through strands to separate curls. "This will also add shine," she notes.

Center-Parted Waves

Tousled texture is the easiest way to style center-parted hair. For tight but beachy waves like Hilary Swank's, break your hair into sections and use a small, tight-barrel curling iron.