Choosing the right hairstyle for a long (or oblong) face shape is all about creating balance. The goal is typically to minimize the vertical length while adding width and volume to the sides. By incorporating elements like bangs, layers, and texture, you can soften sharp features and create a more harmonious, oval-like appearance. This guide explores 29 versatile styles designed specifically to flatter and enhance your natural beauty.
1. Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs are a classic choice for long faces. By parting the hair in the middle and allowing the fringe to sweep outward toward the ears, you create a horizontal line that breaks up the length of the forehead. These bangs frame the eyes and draw attention to the cheekbones, effectively making the face appear wider and more balanced.
2. Soft Waves
Flat, pin-straight hair can make a long face appear even longer. Soft, beachy waves add necessary volume and texture. When the waves begin around the level of the eyes or cheekbones, they add horizontal “weight” to the silhouette, softening the jawline and giving the face a more rounded, approachable look.
3. Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs are excellent for masking a high forehead. By cutting across the face diagonally, they disrupt the vertical line and create an illusion of a shorter face. This style works well with both short and long hair, providing a sophisticated and polished finish.
4. Shoulder-Length Bob
Length is a critical factor for oblong faces. A bob that hits right at the shoulders or slightly above provides a “stop” point for the eye, preventing it from traveling further down. This creates a frame that hugs the jawline, adding fullness where it is needed most.
5. Layered Shag
The shag is all about volume at the sides. With multiple layers of varying lengths, this cut adds “fuzziness” and width to the mid-section of the face. The inclusion of a fringe further helps to shorten the face’s appearance, making it a double-win for those with longer features.
6. Deep Side Part
A center part can sometimes emphasize the symmetry and length of an oblong face. Shifting to a deep side part creates an asymmetrical look that redirects the eye horizontally rather than vertically. It also adds a natural lift at the roots, providing some width to the top of the head.
7. Glossy Blowout
A classic blowout focuses on body and movement. By using a large round brush to create volume from the roots to the ends, the hair occupies more space around the head. The glossy finish adds a healthy glow that softens the features and provides a luxurious, balanced look.
8. Wispy Fringe
If a full, blunt fringe feels too heavy, a wispy fringe is a great alternative. It provides the shortening effect of bangs while remaining light and airy. It softens the forehead area without completely hiding it, making it ideal for those who want a more delicate aesthetic.
9. Messy Bun with Tendrils
When wearing hair up, it’s important not to pull it back too tightly, as this can elongate the face. A messy bun with loose tendrils or “face-framers” breaks the perimeter of the face. These soft strands add width to the cheek and jaw area, making the updo much more flattering.
10. Face-Framing Layers
Layers that start at the chin help to “fill in” the space around the neck and jaw. This prevents the hair from looking like two flat curtains on either side of the face. Instead, the layers add movement and volume that softens the overall facial structure.
11. Textured Lob
The “Lob” (long bob) is a versatile middle ground. By adding texture—either through a curling iron or sea salt spray—you prevent the hair from hanging flat. The textured ends create a horizontal baseline that balances the length of the face.
12. Blunt Bangs
Blunt bangs are perhaps the most effective way to “shorten” a face. By physically covering the forehead, they redefine where the face starts, making it appear more oval. This is a bold, high-fashion choice that works exceptionally well for those with high foreheads.
13. Boho Braids
Loose braids that hang forward over the shoulders add width to the lower half of the face. They create a soft, romantic frame that prevents the face from appearing isolated. Adding a bit of volume at the crown and sides before braiding ensures the look isn’t too sleek.
14. Half-Up Top Knot
The half-up, half-down style is perfect because it provides the best of both worlds. The hair hanging down adds the necessary width to the sides, while the top knot adds a bit of height that—if kept soft and messy—doesn’t over-elongate the face but rather adds a playful element.
15. Pixie Cut with Volume
Short hair can be tricky for long faces, but a voluminous pixie works wonders. By keeping the sides textured and the top styled slightly forward or to the side, you avoid a “pointy” look. The texture adds width to the temple area, which balances the jaw.
16. Long Layers
If you love long hair, layers are non-negotiable. Without them, the weight of long hair can pull everything down, emphasizing the verticality of your face. Layers add bounce and “swing,” which creates a sense of fullness around the mid-face.
17. Bottleneck Bangs
Bottleneck bangs are a hybrid between curtain bangs and a full fringe. They are narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, which perfectly contours a long face. They draw the eyes outward and soften the transition between the forehead and the cheekbones.
18. Sleek Side-Tuck
Tucking one side of your hair behind your ear while leaving the other side full and wavy creates a flattering asymmetry. It highlights your bone structure on one side while providing the necessary volume on the other to break up the length of the face.
19. Hollywood Waves
Hollywood waves are the epitome of volume. The structured, S-shaped waves provide a wide, consistent texture that fills the space around the face. This is an excellent choice for formal events where you want to look soft and elegant.
20. Choppy Bob
A choppy bob creates a lot of “air” and movement. The uneven ends prevent the eye from following a straight vertical line, and the volume created by the “choppiness” adds width exactly at the jawline, helping to square off a long face.
21. Low Side Ponytail
A low side ponytail pulls the hair horizontally across the nape and over one shoulder. This redirect of the hair’s weight is highly effective for long faces. Keeping the ponytail loose rather than tight ensures the look remains soft and flattering.
22. Beachy Waves
Beachy waves are the ultimate “widening” tool. The matte, textured finish of the hair creates a wider visual profile than sleek hair. Because beachy waves are typically messy, they add a casual softness that balances a more structured, long face.
23. Butterfly Cut
The butterfly cut is a modern favorite for long faces. The short layers on top provide a “shorter” silhouette around the face, while the longer layers provide length. The way the shorter layers flip outward creates a wide, wing-like effect that is incredibly flattering.
24. French Girl Bob
The French bob is usually cut shorter than a traditional bob, often reaching the cheekbones. This high cut-off point is perfect for long faces because it emphasizes the center of the face and the eyes, while the fringe takes care of the forehead length.
25. High Volume Crown
While too much height can be risky, a soft lift at the crown—when paired with width at the sides—can create a more oval overall head shape. This “beehive-lite” approach works best when combined with layers or waves that add horizontal balance.
26. Asymmetrical Cut
Asymmetry is the enemy of a long, narrow face shape. By having one side of the hair shorter or styled differently, you disrupt the long vertical lines. This creates visual interest and redirects focus across the face rather than up and down.
27. Feathered Layers
Feathered layers are designed to move away from the face. This “opening up” of the style creates a wider look around the temples and cheekbones. It’s a soft, airy technique that adds volume without the heaviness of blunt cuts.
28. Bardot Bangs
Bardot bangs are iconic for a reason. They provide a massive amount of volume and “pouffiness” at the eye level. This volume expands the face horizontally, while the fringe covers the forehead, making it one of the most effective styles for long face shapes.
