Men's face shape guide
Best haircuts for a oval face
How to tell you have one, the 32 haircuts that suit it, the ones to avoid, and the beards that balance it.
How to tell you have a oval face
Your face is longer than it is wide, with a jaw slightly narrower than your forehead.
The rule for choosing a cut
The most balanced shape: almost every cut works. Pick by style, not by fixing anything.
32 haircuts that suit a oval face
Low taper fade
Short sides with length on top add a little height, which slims a round or square face.
Textured French crop
A short fringe shortens a long face and hides a high forehead.
Classic quiff
Lift at the front adds height, which lengthens a round face and balances a wide jaw.
Side part
A neat part with balanced volume suits almost every proportion.
Slicked back
Pulling everything back shows off a strong, even jaw.
Modern curtains
The middle part frames the forehead and softens angles.
Medium flow
Length and movement at the sides fill out a narrow jaw.
Curly top fade
Curls on top add height while the faded sides keep the face slim.
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.
Drop fade with sponge twists
The fade curving behind the ear slims the sides, with texture on top.
Modern mullet
Tight sides slim the face, and length at the nape balances a strong jaw.
Wolf cut
Choppy layers around the crown soften a strong or angular jaw.
Edgar cut
The straight fringe shortens a long face.
Broccoli cut
Curl volume sits on top while the tight sides keep the face narrow.
Korean two-block
The heavy top over short sides narrows wide cheekbones.
Modern pompadour
Height swept back lengthens a round or square face.
Hard part comb over
Side volume and a low part balance an angular jaw.
Faux hawk
A central peak adds height and slims a round face.
Caesar cut
The short horizontal fringe shortens a long face.
Flat top
The squared-off top adds structure and height to a round face.
Shaved head
Shows the bone structure, and it's the cleanest look for thinning hair.
Long hair
Length at the sides softens a strong jaw and fills a narrow chin.
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.
Frohawk
A tall centre strip lengthens a round or square face.
Starter locs
Small, even locs read as neat texture on any face shape.
Long locs
Length framing the jaw softens angular faces.
Cornrows
Straight-back lines open the face and lengthen it.
Box braids
Hanging length softens a strong jaw and fills a narrow chin.
Beard styles for a oval face
Clean shaven
Shows a strong jawline and keeps an oval or heart face balanced.
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.
Van Dyke
The pointed chin and detached moustache add vertical angles.
Circle beard
A rounded outline softens a hard, square jaw.
Beardstache
A heavy moustache draws focus to the centre of the face.
Chevron moustache
Horizontal weight across the lip shortens a long face.
Horseshoe moustache
Vertical bars frame and fill out a narrow face.
Faded beard
The fade up the cheeks slims the face while the chin keeps weight.
Ducktail beard
The tapered point lengthens a round or square face.
Cutmaxx for iPhone and Android
Try these cuts on your own oval face.
Cutmaxx confirms your face shape from one selfie and shows each cut on your photo before you see the barber.