Men's face shape guide
Best haircuts for a oblong face
How to tell you have one, the 18 haircuts that suit it, the ones to avoid, and the beards that balance it.
How to tell you have a oblong face
Your face is clearly longer than it is wide, with fairly straight sides.
The rule for choosing a cut
Avoid extra height. Fringes and fuller sides make the face look more balanced.
18 haircuts that suit a oblong face
Textured French crop
A short fringe shortens a long face and hides a high forehead.
Side part
A neat part with balanced volume suits almost every proportion.
Modern curtains
The middle part frames the forehead and softens angles.
Crew cut
Short and even, it lets a defined jaw do the work.
Curly fringe
Curls falling forward cover a long forehead and soften the face.
Afro taper
A rounded top with tapered sides balances most face shapes.
Two-strand twists
Texture on top adds width to a narrow face without heavy sides.
360 waves
Close-cropped and even, it shows clean angles on a defined face.
Edgar cut
The straight fringe shortens a long face.
Broccoli cut
Curl volume sits on top while the tight sides keep the face narrow.
Fluffy fringe
A soft fringe shortens the forehead and narrows a long face.
Korean two-block
The heavy top over short sides narrows wide cheekbones.
Caesar cut
The short horizontal fringe shortens a long face.
Shaved head
Shows the bone structure, and it's the cleanest look for thinning hair.
Man bun
Pulled-back hair opens up and lengthens the face.
Natural afro
Volume on the top and sides widens a narrow or long face.
Long locs
Length framing the jaw softens angular faces.
Cornrows
Straight-back lines open the face and lengthen it.
Haircuts to avoid with a oblong face
- Classic quiffExtra height makes a long face look even longer.
- Slicked backWith nothing at the sides or forehead, a long face or a narrow chin looks more pronounced.
- Curly top fadeHeight from the curls makes a long face look longer.
- High-top fadeA tall block on top makes a long or pointed face look longer.
- Modern mulletLength at the back makes a long face look longer.
- Modern pompadourThat much height makes a long face look even longer.
- Hard part comb overHeight from the comb over adds length to a long face.
- Faux hawkA tall ridge makes a long face look longer.
- Flat topA tall flat block makes a long or narrow face look longer.
- Long hairLong straight lengths make a long face look longer.
- FrohawkA tall strip makes a long face look longer.
Beard styles for a oblong face
Designer stubble
A shadow of hair adds definition to any jaw with almost no upkeep.
Short boxed beard
Sharp lines add structure to a soft jaw.
Circle beard
A rounded outline softens a hard, square jaw.
Chevron moustache
Horizontal weight across the lip shortens a long face.
Horseshoe moustache
Vertical bars frame and fill out a narrow face.
Garibaldi
Width and length fill out a narrow lower face.
Better skipped: Goatee, Anchor beard, Van Dyke, Balbo, Ducktail beard.
Cutmaxx for iPhone and Android
Try these cuts on your own oblong face.
Cutmaxx confirms your face shape from one selfie and shows each cut on your photo before you see the barber.