Introduction
Do you ever look in the mirror and wonder why certain hairstyles just don’t seem to work for you, or why some glasses frames look awkward while others feel just right? The answer might lie in your facial shape. Understanding your face shape is the foundation of great personal style, and if you have an oblong face shape, you’re in the right place.
The oblong face shape is one of the most elegant and distinctive face shapes out there — think of some of the world’s most celebrated celebrities who rock this look with confidence every day. However, it does come with its own unique set of styling considerations that, once mastered, can completely transform your appearance.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the oblong face shape — from identifying it to finding the most flattering hairstyles, glasses, makeup techniques, beard styles, and even fashion tips. Whether you’re a man or a woman, a makeup beginner or a seasoned beauty enthusiast, this guide has something for everyone.
What Exactly Is an Oblong Face Shape?
Before diving into styling tips, it’s important to understand what defines an oblong face shape and how it differs from similar face shapes like oval or rectangular.
Key Characteristics of an Oblong Face Shape:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Face Length | Noticeably longer than the width |
| Forehead Width | Similar to cheekbone and jaw width |
| Cheek Line | Long and straight |
| Jawline | Slightly rounded or softly defined |
| Overall Shape | Elongated with minimal curves |
How Is It Different From Other Face Shapes?
- Oblong vs. Oval — An oval face is shorter and more balanced, with slightly wider cheekbones. An oblong face is longer with more uniform width throughout.
- Oblong vs. Rectangle — A rectangle face has sharper, more angular features and a more defined jawline. An oblong face has softer, more rounded edges.
- Oblong vs. Round — A round face is almost equal in length and width, with very soft curves. An oblong face is significantly longer than it is wide.
How to Identify If You Have an Oblong Face Shape
Not sure if your face is oblong? Here is a simple step-by-step method to find out:
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
- A flexible measuring tape
- A mirror
- A pencil and paper to note measurements
Step 2: Take Four Key Measurements
- Forehead Width — Measure across your forehead at its widest point
- Cheekbone Width — Measure from the outer corner of one eye to the other
- Jawline Width — Measure across your jaw at its widest point
- Face Length — Measure from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin
Step 3: Analyze Your Results
If your face length is significantly greater than all three width measurements, and all three width measurements are relatively similar to each other, congratulations — you likely have an oblong face shape!
The Mirror Test
Alternatively, you can use the simple mirror test:
- Pull your hair back completely
- Look straight into a mirror
- Trace the outline of your face with a washable marker or lipstick on the mirror
- Step back and evaluate the shape you’ve drawn
Famous Celebrities With Oblong Face Shapes
You’re in great company if you have an oblong face shape! Here are some well-known celebrities who share this face shape:
Women:
- Sarah Jessica Parker — Known for her elegant, long face and great style sense
- Liv Tyler — Her oblong face shape gives her a timeless, classic beauty
- Meryl Streep — One of Hollywood’s greatest actresses with a distinctly oblong face
- Gisele Bündchen — The supermodel has leveraged her oblong face to great effect
- Jennifer Aniston — Often cited as having an oblong or oval face shape
Men:
- Ben Affleck — His long face shape gives him a strong, distinguished look
- Adam Sandler — A classic example of a male oblong face shape
- Tom Hanks — America’s favorite actor rocks the oblong face shape effortlessly
- Will Smith — His long face is one of his most recognizable features
- Keanu Reeves — The action star has a distinctly oblong face shape
Best Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shapes
The golden rule for styling an oblong face shape is to add width and reduce the perception of length. Every hairstyle recommendation below follows this core principle.
Hairstyles for Women With Oblong Faces
✅ Best Hairstyle Choices:
1. Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs are arguably the single most flattering style choice for oblong faces. They break up the length of the forehead and create horizontal visual interest that balances the face beautifully.
2. Wavy and Curly Styles
Waves and curls naturally add volume and width to the sides of the face. Whether you opt for loose beach waves or tight ringlet curls, this style adds the visual width that oblong faces benefit from most.
3. The Classic Bob
A chin-length or jaw-length bob is one of the most universally flattering cuts for oblong faces. The blunt ends create a horizontal line that visually shortens the face.
4. Layered Medium-Length Cuts
Layers that fall around the cheekbones add fullness at exactly the right place, creating the illusion of a wider, more balanced face.
5. Voluminous Updos
Loose, voluminous updos that add width at the sides — think messy buns with pieces falling around the face — are a great option for formal occasions.
6. Pixie Cut With Volume
A pixie cut with extra volume on the sides rather than the top is a chic, modern choice for oblong faces.
❌ Hairstyles to Avoid:
- Long, straight, flat hair — This mirrors the elongated shape of the face and makes it appear even longer
- Center parts — These emphasize the length and symmetry of the face
- High, straight ponytails — They add height and length to the face
- Very long layers — Layers that fall straight down add visual length
Hairstyles for Men With Oblong Faces
✅ Best Hairstyle Choices:
1. Textured Side Sweep
A side-swept style with plenty of texture adds width to the face and breaks up the linear quality of an oblong face shape.
2. Short Back and Sides With Volume on Top
Keep the sides short and add moderate volume on top — not too tall, just enough to create proportion.
3. The French Crop
A clean, textured crop with a fringe works beautifully for oblong faces as the fringe creates a horizontal line across the forehead.
4. Buzz Cut
A well-executed buzz cut can actually work well for oblong faces, especially when paired with a beard that adds width to the lower face.
5. Messy Textured Styles
Casual, messy styles with plenty of side volume are great for everyday wear.
❌ Hairstyles to Avoid:
- Very tall, slicked-up styles — These dramatically elongate the face
- Long, straight hair — Adds too much length
- Center-parted flat styles — Emphasize the length of the face
Best Glasses for Oblong Face Shapes
Choosing the right eyewear can make a dramatic difference for oblong faces. The key is to find frames that add width and cover vertical space.
✅ Best Frame Styles:
1. Oversized Frames
Large frames are your best friend. They cover a significant portion of the face vertically, making it appear shorter and more balanced.
2. Wide Frames
Look for frames that extend slightly beyond the sides of your face. This adds crucial visual width.
3. Round Frames
The circular shape of round frames creates a beautiful contrast against the straight lines of an oblong face, softening features and adding width.
4. Oval Frames
Similar to round frames, oval shapes complement the straight, elongated features of oblong faces.
5. Aviator Frames
The classic aviator shape — wide, slightly angular, with a downward curve — is an excellent choice for oblong faces.
6. Browline Frames
These frames draw the eye horizontally across the upper portion of the face, adding visual width exactly where it’s needed.
7. Butterfly Frames
The upswept wings of butterfly frames add width and draw attention horizontally, making them a stylish choice for oblong faces.
❌ Frames to Avoid:
- Narrow rectangular frames — These mirror and emphasize the face’s length
- Very small frames — They appear lost on a longer face
- Rimless frames — Don’t provide enough visual presence or width
- Deep, narrow frames — Emphasize the vertical dimension of the face
Makeup Tips for Oblong Face Shapes
Makeup is one of the most powerful tools for creating the illusion of a more balanced, proportionate face. Here’s how to use it to your advantage if you have an oblong face shape.
Contouring
Contouring is the art of using darker shades to create shadows and visually reshape the face.
Where to Contour:
- Top of the forehead — Apply contour along the hairline at the top to visually shorten the forehead
- Tip of the chin — A touch of contour here reduces the appearance of length at the bottom of the face
- Sides of the nose — Keep nose contouring minimal to avoid adding more length
Pro Tip: Use a matte bronzer or contour powder that is 2-3 shades darker than your natural skin tone for a natural-looking result.
Highlighting
Highlighting draws attention to specific areas and creates the illusion of fullness.
Where to Highlight:
- Cheekbones — Apply highlight horizontally across the cheekbones to add width
- Center of the forehead — A small amount here draws attention forward rather than lengthening
- Cupid’s bow — Highlighting here adds fullness to the lips
Blush Application
- Apply blush horizontally across the cheeks rather than sweeping downward
- Extend blush slightly toward the temples to add width
- Choose peachy or rosy shades that naturally draw attention outward
Eye Makeup
Best Techniques:
- Extended cat-eye liner — Sweep liner beyond the outer corners of the eyes to create width
- Horizontal eyeshadow application — Apply shadow in horizontal bands rather than deep, dramatic cuts
- Bold, straight brows — Fuller, straighter brows with a subtle arch add horizontal emphasis
- Lower lash line emphasis — Adding liner or shadow to the lower lash line widens the eye appearance
Lip Makeup
- Choose bold lip colors that draw attention to the center of the face
- Overline slightly on the sides of the lips to create a wider appearance
- Berry, red, and coral shades work particularly well
Beard Styles for Men With Oblong Faces
For men, a well-chosen beard style can completely transform the appearance of an oblong face shape.
✅ Best Beard Styles:
1. Full Beard With a Flat Bottom
A full, well-groomed beard with a flat, squared-off bottom edge adds significant width to the lower face and reduces the appearance of length. This is the gold standard for oblong face shapes.
2. Extended Goatee
An extended goatee that reaches toward the sides of the jaw adds width at the chin area.
3. Mutton Chops
While bold and unconventional, mutton chops dramatically widen the face — perfect for oblong shapes.
4. Stubble
A well-maintained stubble can add texture and dimension without adding length.
5. Chinstrap With Full Sides
A chinstrap beard that extends fully along the jaw adds width and definition.
❌ Beard Styles to Avoid:
- Long, pointed beards — Van Dykes and other pointed styles dramatically elongate the face
- Very long beards — They add significant length to the lower face
- Soul patches alone — These draw attention downward and add length
Fashion Tips for Oblong Face Shapes
Your clothing choices can also play a role in how your face shape is perceived.
Necklines and Collars:
- Boat necklines — Excellent for drawing the eye horizontally
- Wide collars — Add width to the neck and upper chest area
- Off-shoulder styles — Create a wide, horizontal line that balances a long face
- Crew necks — A classic horizontal neckline that works well
- Avoid deep V-necks — These elongate the neck and face further
Jewelry:
- Wide chokers — Add width to the neck area
- Statement necklaces — Horizontal, wide designs work best
- Large, wide earrings — Chandelier or hoop earrings add width
- Avoid long, dangling earrings — These add visual length to the face
Scarves and Accessories:
- Wide scarves worn loosely — Add horizontal volume
- Wide-brimmed hats — A wide brim adds significant width and balances an oblong face beautifully
- Avoid tall, narrow hats — These exaggerate face length
Skincare Tips for Oblong Faces
While skincare is about health rather than shape, there are some considerations specific to oblong faces:
- Moisturize the full face evenly — Longer faces can sometimes have drier patches along the extended cheek area
- SPF is crucial — The larger surface area of an oblong face means more sun exposure
- Facial massage techniques — Horizontal massage strokes can improve circulation and give a subtle glow across the wider planes of the face
- Sheet masks — Look for masks designed for longer faces, or use two if needed for full coverage
Common Myths About Oblong Face Shapes
Let’s bust some common misconceptions:
Myth 1: “Oblong faces aren’t considered beautiful”
❌ FALSE — Many of the world’s most celebrated models and actors have oblong face shapes. It is considered elegant and distinctive.
Myth 2: “You can’t wear your hair long if you have an oblong face”
❌ FALSE — Long hair can work beautifully for oblong faces when styled with volume, waves, or curls on the sides.
Myth 3: “All glasses look bad on oblong faces”
❌ FALSE — There are many stunning frame options for oblong faces. The key is choosing wide, oversized, or round styles.
Myth 4: “Makeup can’t change the appearance of face shape”
❌ FALSE — Strategic contouring and highlighting can dramatically alter the perceived shape and proportions of the face.
Myth 5: “Only women need to worry about face shape styling”
❌ FALSE — Men benefit equally from understanding their face shape for haircut, beard, and glasses choices.
Quick Reference Style Guide for Oblong Faces
| Category | Best Choices | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Hairstyle (Women) | Side bangs, bobs, waves, curls | Straight long hair, center parts |
| Hairstyle (Men) | French crop, textured sides, buzz cut | Tall slicked styles, flat center parts |
| Glasses | Oversized, round, wide, aviator | Narrow rectangles, small frames |
| Makeup | Horizontal blush, cat-eye, contour hairline | Heavy vertical contouring |
| Beard | Full flat-bottom beard, stubble | Long pointed beards, Van Dyke |
| Necklines | Boat neck, wide collar, off-shoulder | Deep V-necks, turtlenecks |
| Jewelry | Chokers, wide earrings, statement necklaces | Long dangling earrings |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is an oblong face shape the same as a long face shape?
A: Yes, oblong and long face shapes are often used interchangeably. Some also use “rectangular,” though that typically implies sharper angles.
Q: Can an oblong face shape become more oval with age?
A: Facial structure doesn’t change dramatically with age, though skin changes can slightly alter the appearance of face shape over time.
Q: What is the most flattering haircut for an oblong face?
A: For women, a layered bob with side-swept bangs is widely considered the most flattering. For men, a French crop or textured side sweep works best.
Q: Do I need to contour if I have an oblong face shape?
A: Not necessarily! Contouring is optional. Hairstyle and glasses choices alone can make a significant difference.
Q: Is oblong a rare face shape?
A: Oblong is actually one of the more common face shapes, particularly among people of Northern European, East Asian, and West African descent.
Conclusion
Having an oblong face shape is something to celebrate, not hide. With the right knowledge and styling choices, you can enhance your natural features, create beautiful balance and proportion, and feel more confident than ever in your appearance.
The key principles to remember are:
✅ Add width wherever possible
✅ Reduce visual length with horizontal elements
✅ Choose wide, oversized glasses frames
✅ Opt for side-swept bangs and voluminous hairstyles
✅ Apply makeup horizontally for blush and contouring
✅ Choose wide necklines and statement jewelry
Armed with these tips, you now have everything you need to make the most of your beautiful oblong face shape. Remember — the goal is never to change who you are, but to highlight and celebrate your unique features in the most flattering way possible.