Best Hairstyles for Long & Oblong Face Shapes

If you have a long or oblong face shape, you're in excellent company. This elegant and statuesque facial structure is shared by many icons, from Sarah Jessica Parker to Liv Tyler. The key characteristic is a face that is longer than it is wide, with a fairly consistent width from forehead to cheekbones to jawline. The primary goal when choosing hairstyles for a long face is to create the illusion of width and add balance, visually shortening the face's length. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best cuts, styles, and techniques to flatter your features, turning your face shape into your greatest beauty asset. Let's explore the world of long face shape styles designed to add volume, softness, and perfect proportion.

Understanding Your Long or Oblong Face Shape

Before diving into specific styles, it's crucial to correctly identify your face shape. An oblong face is typically characterized by a length that is more than one and a half times its width. You'll likely have a high forehead and a longer chin, with the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline being relatively similar. The goal of any oblong face haircut is to interrupt the vertical line and bring the eye outward. This means we focus on styles that add volume at the sides, create width around the cheekbones, and often incorporate bangs or fringe to reduce the forehead's apparent height. Avoiding styles that elongate the face further—like severe center parts or overly long, straight hair—is the first rule of thumb.

The Golden Rules for Choosing Long Face Hairstyles

Adhering to a few fundamental principles can make all the difference. These rules are the foundation for every great long face shape style.

• Create Width: The number one objective. Seek cuts and styling techniques that build volume at the sides of your face, around your cheekbones and ears.
• Embrace Layers: Layers are your best friend. They add movement, texture, and can be strategically placed to add bulk where you need it most.
• Utilize Bangs: Bangs are a powerful tool for shortening the appearance of a long forehead and face. They create a horizontal line that cuts the length.
• Avoid Excessive Length: Hair that falls far past the shoulders can drag the face down. Opt for lengths that hit at the chin, shoulders, or collarbone.
• Say Yes to Side Parts: A deep side part breaks up the symmetry of the face and creates diagonal lines, which are more flattering than a severe center part.
• Incorporate Waves and Curls: Soft waves and curls add lateral volume, making the face appear wider and softer.

Top Haircut Recommendations for Oblong Faces

Now, let's get specific. Here are the most flattering haircuts to discuss with your stylist for an oblong face haircut that adds balance.

1. The Blunt Bob or Lob (Long Bob): A cut that hits anywhere between the chin and the shoulders with a blunt, heavy baseline creates a strong horizontal line that counteracts length. Ask for subtle layers on the interior for movement, but keep the perimeter full.
2. Shag or Modern Mullet: This heavily layered cut is a revelation for long faces. The short, textured layers on top and around the crown add height, while the longer, face-framing layers kick out at the sides, creating incredible width.
3. Shoulder-Length Layers with Face-Framing: This is a classic and endlessly versatile option. Long layers throughout the body of the hair add bounce, while shorter layers cut around the cheeks and jawline draw the eye outward.
4. Pixie Cut with Volume on Top: Don't shy away from short hair! A pixie with volume and height at the crown can actually make the face appear shorter and wider. Keep the sides slightly fuller rather than closely cropped.

Styling Techniques to Add Width and Volume

The right cut is half the battle; styling is the other half. These techniques will maximize the width-adding potential of your hairstyles for a long face.

• Volumizing at the Roots: Use a root-lifting spray or mousse on damp hair before blow-drying. Flip your head upside down while drying to build natural volume at the crown and sides.
• Creating Soft, Face-Framing Waves: Use a large-barrel curling iron (1.5 inches or wider) to create loose waves. Wrap sections of hair away from your face to encourage the curl to open outward, adding width. Brush them out for a soft, blended look.
• Mastering the Side Part: A deep side part is more flattering than a center part. It creates asymmetry and diagonal lines that break up the face's length. For special occasions, consider incorporating a deep side part into an elegant updo, like those we explore in our Wedding Hairstyle Ideas article.
• Texturizing for Dimension: Use a texturizing spray or sea salt spray on dry hair to create separation and grit. This makes layers pop and adds visual bulk without weight, perfect for creating that coveted width.

Bangs: The Secret Weapon for Long Faces

Bangs are arguably the most effective way to instantly shorten and balance a long face. The key is choosing the right type.

• Curtain Bangs: The ultimate choice for an oblong face haircut. These parted, face-framing bangs create a soft, diffused horizontal line and draw the eye to the center of the face, adding width at the temples.
• Blunt, Full Bangs: A bold, straight-across bang that sits at or just above the eyebrows creates a strong horizontal line that effectively "chops off" a portion of the face's length.
• Side-Swept Bangs: These long, angled bangs create a beautiful diagonal line, which is more interesting and flattering than a vertical one. They add softness and blend seamlessly into the rest of your hair.
• Wispy or Piecey Bangs: A lighter, more textured option that doesn't feel heavy. They still break up the forehead but with a softer, more modern edge.

Remember, healthy hair is the foundation of any great style. If you're using heat tools to style bangs frequently, consider incorporating nourishing treatments from our Essential Hair Oil Guide to keep them shiny and strong.

Hairstyles to Avoid with an Oblong Face

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to embrace. Steer clear of these styles that can accentuate length.

• Severe, Slicked-Back Styles: These expose the entire hairline and forehead, emphasizing the face's length.
• Excessively Long, Straight Hair with a Center Part: This creates a long, unbroken vertical line from the crown to the ends, which can make the face look even longer.
• Very High, Tight Ponytails or Top Knots: These pull the hair upward, lifting the features and elongating the face.
• Overly Voluminous Height at the Crown: While some height is good, extreme volume on top without balancing width at the sides can make the face look taller.

Experiment Before You Commit: The Power of Visualization

Choosing a new hairstyle is exciting but can feel like a leap of faith. What if you could try on dozens of long face shape styles from the comfort of your home before ever setting foot in a salon? This is where technology becomes your best friend. Using a virtual hairstyle simulator app allows you to upload your own photo and experiment with different cuts, lengths, colors, and even bangs. You can test-drive a blunt bob, see how curtain bangs look on you, or play with a shaggy mullet—all without snipping a single strand. It's the ultimate tool for building confidence in your next oblong face haircut decision. For more on creating and sharing content around your new look, you might find our guide on SEO Best Practices for Hair & Beauty insightful.

Embracing your long or oblong face shape is all about working with your natural architecture. By focusing on styles that add width, incorporate strategic layers, and utilize bangs, you can create stunning, balanced looks that highlight your features beautifully. Remember, these guidelines are a starting point—the most important thing is that you feel confident and fabulous in your chosen style. So, book that salon appointment, or fire up that hairstyle simulator, and get ready to discover your most flattering look yet.