Hairstyle guide
Hairstyles for an Oval Face: 7 Cuts for Women and Men
An oval face is longer than it is wide, a little narrower at the forehead than at the cheekbones, and tapers to a softly rounded chin. Because nothing needs balancing, most cuts work, and the choice is more about hair type and upkeep.
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What a haircut can do for an oval face
A typical oval face on our face shape detector is about 1.23 times as long as it is wide at the cheekbones, with a forehead about 0.86 and a jaw about 0.78 of that width. Those are the middle values among the six shapes, which is why styling guides call oval the most versatile shape.
That gives you freedom rather than rules. Short, medium and long cuts all keep the proportions, and fringes are optional. The few cuts to think twice about are the ones that add a lot of length or cover most of the face, because they hide the balance an oval face already has.
For how the shape is measured and how to tell it from its neighbours, read the oval face shape guide.
Hairstyles for women with an oval face
Long layers with curtain bangs
Curtain bangs open at the centre and frame the cheekbones, the widest point of an oval face. Long layers keep movement without adding width anywhere.
Ask for: Long layers and curtain bangs parted in the centre, ending at the cheekbones.
Blunt chin-length bob
A blunt bob that stops at the chin draws a strong horizontal line, and an oval face has the length to carry it. It also shows the jaw, which on an oval face tapers evenly.
Ask for: A one-length bob cut blunt at chin level, with a centre or slight side part.
Textured pixie
With no hair framing it, a pixie shows the whole outline of the face. An oval outline is already balanced, so the cut works without extra height.
Ask for: A textured pixie, short at the sides and nape, with piecey length on top swept to one side.
Shoulder-length shag
Choppy layers add texture and volume at the crown and sides without changing the overall shape, and a wispy fringe softens the forehead.
Ask for: A shoulder-length shag with feathered layers and a wispy fringe just above the brows.
The pictures are AI-generated previews: the women's cuts are edits of one example face and the men's of another, with only the hair changed. Real results depend on your hair's texture and density.
Haircuts for men with an oval face
Textured quiff
A moderate quiff adds a little height and texture. An oval face does not need extra length, so keep it to a few centimetres rather than a tall pompadour.
Ask for: Tapered sides and 6 to 8 cm on top, styled up and back with a matte product.
Classic side part
A side part is a low-maintenance cut that leaves the proportions as they are, which is all an oval face needs.
Ask for: A scissor-cut side part, medium-short on top, with tapered sides and a natural neckline.
Buzz cut
A buzz cut shows the full outline of the head and face. An oval face, with no strong width to balance, is one of the shapes it suits best.
Ask for: An even clipper cut of about 6 mm (a number 2) with a natural neckline.
- Not sure you have an oval face?
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Cuts to approach with care
None of these is off limits; they are the cuts that work against the shape, so they need more thought or a variation.
Very tall volume on top
An oval face is already longer than it is wide, and a high pompadour or a lot of crown volume can push it toward an oblong look.
InsteadKeep the height to a few centimetres.
A heavy fringe below the brows
A thick fringe that covers the eyebrows hides the forehead and the balance of the face.
InsteadStop a fringe at or above the brows.
Hair worn forward over the cheeks
Long curtains of hair in front of the cheeks narrow the face and hide its outline.
InsteadTuck it behind the ears, or start face-framing layers below the cheekbones.
Frequently asked questions
01What haircut suits an oval face best?
Most cuts do. Long layers, a blunt bob, a pixie and a shag all keep an oval face's proportions. Choose by hair texture and how much styling you want, and avoid adding a lot of height on top.
02Should an oval face have bangs?
Bangs are optional. Curtain and side-swept bangs frame the cheekbones; a straight fringe also works if it stops at or above the eyebrows.
03What is the best men's haircut for an oval face?
Almost any. A side part, a textured quiff and a buzz cut are popular and low-maintenance. Keep very tall styles in moderation, because they make an oval face read longer.
04How do I know if my face is oval?
An oval face is clearly longer than it is wide, widest at the cheekbones, with a softly rounded chin. Read the oval face shape guide or measure your face with the face shape detector.