An oblong face, also called a long or rectangle face, is clearly longer than it is wide, with a forehead, cheekbones and jaw of similar width. It often comes with elegant, defined features. The best haircuts for oblong faces add width at the sides and visually shorten the face. Here's how to recognize the shape and choose flattering cuts.
What is an oblong face shape?
You may have an oblong face if:
- your face is noticeably longer than it is wide (often more than one and a half times),
- your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are similar in width,
- the sides of your face look fairly straight,
- you may have a tall forehead or a long chin.
Oblong vs. rectangle: a rectangle face is an oblong face with a more angular jaw. Oblong vs. oval: an oval face is widest at the cheekbones and narrower at the forehead and jaw.
Check with the free face shape detector or the full face shapes guide.
Haircut rules for long faces
- Add width, not height. Volume at the sides balances length; height on top makes the face longer.
- Bangs are your friend. They shorten the visible length of the face.
- Keep length moderate. Very long, straight hair drags the eye down.
- Waves and curls add width.
Best hairstyles for oblong faces (women)
Short
- Chin-length bob with bangs: one of the most flattering cuts for long faces.
- Wavy bob with volume at the sides.
- Pixie with a full fringe rather than height on top.
Medium
- Shoulder-length layers with waves.
- Lob with curtain bangs.
- Shag with lots of side volume.
Long
- Long layers with curtain bangs and waves from the cheeks down.
- Side-swept long hair with volume at the sides.
- If you love very long hair, add bangs and waves to keep it from elongating the face.
Bangs
Full, blunt, curtain and side-swept bangs all work well on oblong faces because they cover part of the forehead.
Best haircuts for long faces (men)
- Side part with fuller sides (avoid skin-tight fades).
- Fringe or French crop.
- Textured crop with moderate height.
- Medium-length hair swept to the side.
- Curtains that add width.
- Avoid tall pompadours and quiffs, which add length.
For facial hair, keep beards fuller on the cheeks and shorter at the chin to add width rather than length. See beard styles by face shape.
Styles to avoid
- Tall styles with lots of height on top.
- Very long, straight, center-parted hair with no layers.
- Slicked-back styles that expose the full forehead.
- Very tight sides with long tops (men).
Glasses for oblong faces
Choose oversized, deep frames (tall lenses) that cover more of the face vertically, such as square, round, aviator or bold browline frames. Decorative temples add width. Avoid small, narrow frames. More in glasses for your face shape.
Brows and makeup
Flatter, straighter brows visually shorten a long face. Contour at the top of the forehead and under the chin, and apply blush horizontally across the cheeks. See eyebrow shapes for your face.
Try it on
Compare a chin bob with bangs, a wavy lob and long layers on your own face with the hairstyle try-on.
FAQ
How do I know if I have an oblong face?
Your face is clearly longer than it is wide, and your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are similar in width.
What haircut suits a long face?
Chin-length bobs with bangs, wavy lobs, shoulder-length layers and long hair with curtain bangs. For men, side parts with fuller sides, fringes and textured crops.
Do bangs help a long face?
Yes. Bangs cover part of the forehead and shorten the visible length of the face.
Is an oblong face the same as a rectangle face?
They are very similar; a rectangle face has a more angular jaw.
What should long faces avoid?
Lots of height on top, very long straight hair with a center part, slicked-back styles and tight sides with long tops.
