An oblong face is longer than it is wide, with the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline running close to the same width. It is often confused with an oval face, but the difference matters for hair: an oval face is balanced in length and width, while an oblong face has straight sides and extra vertical length. Quick check in the mirror: if your face length is about one and a half times its width and your sides run fairly straight from temple to jaw, you are likely oblong.
The styling goal is simple: build width at the sides and keep height at the crown modest. These 27 oblong face hairstyles for women all do that at medium and long lengths, from layered cuts to bangs, waves, updos, braids, and color tricks. Each idea includes salon language, a styling time, a difficulty rating, and an honest cost range.
Quick Takeaways
- Oblong means long and narrow with similar-width forehead, cheeks, and jaw. Oval faces are shorter and more balanced, so the two need different styling rules.
- Width beats height: layers, waves, and curls at cheek and jaw level flatter an oblong face, while flat tops and teased crowns draw the eye down.
- Bangs are the fastest fix. Curtain, side-swept, wispy, curly, and full bangs all shorten the forehead visually.
- Medium length around the collarbone is the easiest balance point, but long hair works with texture and side volume.
- Use heat protectant before any curling iron, flat iron, or blow dryer. Long hair shows heat damage at the ends first.
27 Oblong Face Hairstyles for Women
1. Long Layers with Side Volume
The foundation cut for long oblong faces. Layers start at the cheekbones and build outward through the jawline, so the hair pushes sideways instead of hanging straight down. Keep the shortest layer no higher than the cheek to protect the width effect. This works on straight, wavy, and curly textures at any length past the shoulders.
Ask for long layers with the volume concentrated at the sides, not the crown. Blow-dry with a round brush, flipping sections outward at cheek level for extra fullness. Style time is 15 to 20 minutes on long hair.
Try this: a light volumizing mousse at the roots on the sides keeps the width from collapsing by midday.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $60-$120 (layered cut)
2. Textured Long Hair
When long hair goes pin-straight, it pulls the eye down and stretches an oblong face further. Texture breaks that vertical line. Tousled, piecey ends and separated waves give the lengths movement and air, which reads as width. This is a styling approach rather than a cut, so it works on one-length long hair too.
Scrunch a texturizing spray into damp hair and let it air-dry, or rough-dry and twist random sections around a curling iron, leaving the ends out. Apply heat protectant first. Ten minutes is enough for the undone finish.
Try this: flip your part an inch to the side before texturizing for instant asymmetry and lift.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY; $60-$120 if you need the cut shaped first
3. Layered Lob
The lob sits at the collarbone, the sweet spot where hair frames the face without adding drag. Wispy, point-cut ends keep it light, and interior layers stop the sides from lying flat against the cheeks. It reads polished worn smooth and relaxed with a wave, so one cut covers workdays and weekends.
Ask for a collarbone-length lob with face-framing layers starting at the chin. Style with a flat iron, bending the front sections away from the face. Use heat protectant before the iron. Daily styling takes about 10 minutes.
Try this: tuck one side behind the ear to show off the layering and keep the look neat.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $50-$100 (cut)
4. Curly Shag
A shag built for curls: short, choppy layers through the crown and lots of texture at the ends. The layers push curls outward at cheek level, which is exactly where an oblong face needs fullness. The cut also removes weight, so curls spring up instead of stretching long and narrow.
Ask for a curly shag with layers that start at the cheekbones and heavily textured ends. Diffuse upside down for maximum lift, then pick gently at the roots on the sides. Wash-and-go friendly at 15 minutes.
For even more shaggy cuts at this length, browse the guide to medium length shag haircuts.
Try this: sleep in a loose pineapple to protect the crown layers and refresh with water in the morning.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $60-$120 (curly cut)
5. Shullet
The shullet mixes a shag with a mullet: heavy texture on top, wispy length through the back, and ragged pieces around the face. All that choppiness creates horizontal movement, which stops the eye from traveling straight down the face. It suits fine to medium hair that needs the look of density.
Ask for a shag-mullet hybrid with textured crown layers and longer, piecey ends. Work a pea-sized amount of styling cream through the mid-lengths and ends for definition. Air-dries well in about 10 minutes.
Try this: keep the very front pieces slightly longer to frame the cheekbones.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $60-$110 (cut)
6. Choppy Layers with Fringe
Choppy, disconnected layers plus a piecey fringe attack face length from two directions. The fringe covers the forehead while the jagged layers kick outward at the cheeks and jaw. The result is edgy rather than soft, a good pick if blunt cuts feel too severe and beachy waves feel too sweet.
Ask for choppy face-framing layers with a textured fringe cut to brow length. Emphasize the layers with a curling iron, alternating directions, and finish with a light wax on the ends. Heat protectant goes on before any hot tool. Allow 15 minutes.
Try this: let the fringe air-dry with a tiny round brush for a lived-in bend.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $60-$120 (cut)
7. Full Bangs
A full, straight-across fringe is the quickest way to shorten a long forehead. By covering the upper third of the face, it resets the proportions and lets the eyes and cheekbones take over. Pair it with long layers or waves so the overall shape stays soft and the fringe does not read harsh.
Ask for full bangs cut just at or below the brows, slightly longer at the corners. Rake a little mousse through the roots before blow-drying for lift. Trim every 3 to 4 weeks to hold the line. Morning styling takes 5 minutes.
Try this: blow-dry bangs side to side with a paddle brush to stop them splitting down the middle.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $15-$30 (fringe trim); $70-$130 with a full cut
8. Curtain Bangs with Layers
Curtain bangs part in the middle and sweep to both sides, framing the eyes and cheeks while breaking up forehead length. Because they blend into face-framing layers, they grow out gracefully and suit every texture from straight to curly. They add width exactly where an oblong face runs narrow.
Ask for curtain bangs cut to cheekbone length, blended into long layers. Blow-dry with a round brush, sweeping each side away from the face. Five minutes a day keeps them in shape.
Curtain bangs also shine on shorter lengths, see curtain bangs for short hair for the cropped versions.
Try this: twist each side away from the face while damp and pin for 10 minutes for a heat-free swoop.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $70-$130 (cut with bangs)
9. Side-Swept Bangs
A long fringe swept across the forehead draws a diagonal line that interrupts the face’s vertical pull. It shortens the forehead while keeping part of it visible, which suits women who find full bangs too heavy. Worn with loose curls or waves, it reads soft and romantic.
Ask for side-swept bangs cut from the outer brow to the cheekbone on the long side. Sweep damp bangs to the side and blow-dry in that direction for natural fall. Pair with layers or curls for extra side fullness. Daily styling runs about 5 minutes.
The roundup of medium length hairstyles with bangs has more fringe pairings at this length.
Try this: a deep side part makes the sweep look intentional even on second-day hair.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $60-$120 (cut with bangs)
10. Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs give the forehead-shortening effect of a fringe with a lighter touch. The feathery, separated pieces let skin peek through, so they soften rather than cover. They are a smart entry point for anyone nervous about committing to bangs, and they blend into layers as they grow.
Ask for a thin, textured fringe cut with point-cutting so the ends stay piecey. Style by finger-combing with a drop of smoothing serum, no brush needed. Trims every 3 to 4 weeks keep them light. Two minutes a day.
Try this: skip heavy styling products on wispy bangs, they separate best when the hair is clean and light.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $60-$110 (cut with bangs)
11. Curly Bangs
Curly bangs let coily and curly textures join the fringe club without fighting the hair’s nature. The curls sit on the forehead and spring outward, adding width right at the top of the face where oblong shapes run narrow. They pair naturally with big, voluminous lengths.
Ask for curly bangs cut dry, curl by curl, at brow length to allow for shrinkage. Style on soaking wet hair with curl cream, scrunching the fringe upward. Diffuse or air-dry. Expect 10 minutes of styling on wash day.
Try this: refresh day-two bangs by wetting just the fringe and re-scrunching with a little cream.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $70-$130 (curly cut)
12. Deep Side Part with Long Retro Waves
A deep side part throws most of the hair to one side, piling volume where an oblong face needs it. Add glossy, vintage-style waves and the whole style moves horizontally instead of vertically. The polished finish makes this a strong pick for events, photos, and evenings out.
Part hair deeply to one side, then wrap sections around a 1.25-inch curling iron away from the face. Brush the curls out gently for that smooth retro wave. Apply heat protectant before the iron. Styling takes 20 minutes.
Try this: pin the heavy side behind the ear with a decorative clip to lock the asymmetry in place.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $0 DIY; $50-$80 for a salon blowout
13. Beachy Waves
Loose, undone waves are one of the most repeated recommendations for long faces, and for good reason. The bends push hair outward at every level, building width from the temples to the ends. They work at shoulder length and longer, on natural waves or hair coaxed with tools.
Twist 2-inch sections away from the face around a curling wand, leaving the last inch straight, then shake out with fingers. Or braid damp hair overnight for a heat-free version. Sea salt spray adds the lived-in texture. About 15 minutes with tools.
Try this: a middle part keeps beachy waves balanced on both sides of an oblong face.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY
14. Classic Polished Waves
Smooth, glossy S-shaped waves are the timeless version of the wave story. The sculpted bends catch light and create the look of fullness through the mid-lengths, which balances a long face without any frizz or fuss. A center part keeps the symmetry clean and elegant.
Create S-bends with a flat iron, clamping and turning in alternating directions down each section. Finish with a light shine serum on the mid-lengths and ends. Use heat protectant before the iron. Allow 20 to 25 minutes.
Try this: let the waves cool fully before touching them so the shape sets and lasts.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $0 DIY; $40-$70 for a salon blowout
15. Voluminous Curls
Big, full curls are a natural advantage for oblong faces because volume is built into the texture. A side part throws fullness across the forehead line while the curls expand at the cheeks, cutting the face’s length visually in half. Layers keep the shape from going triangular.
Ask for layers cut to remove weight without thinning the ends. Rake a flexible-hold gel through damp hair and diffuse, or let curls air-dry for a softer result. A side part adds extra coverage. Wash-day styling takes about 20 minutes.
Try this: lift the roots at the sides with clips while drying for width that lasts all day.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY; $70-$130 for a layered curly cut
16. Bouncy Blowout
A round-brush blowout with curled-under ends and fullness around the ears gives straight hair the body it needs for an oblong face. The short, curled layers near the ears create accents of width, and the overall silhouette stays rounded rather than long and flat. It is the salon staple for a reason.
Blow-dry in sections with a large round brush, rolling the ends under and directing the side sections outward. Apply heat protectant before drying. Set the front with velcro rollers for 10 minutes while you finish getting ready. About 25 minutes at home.
Try this: a cool shot from the dryer on each section locks the bounce in place.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $40-$70 (salon blowout)
17. High Textured Ponytail
A high ponytail can work on an oblong face when the hair is textured and the front stays soft. Waves through the pony add width at the sides, and loose face-framing pieces stop the style from pulling everything back flat. Keep any pouf at the front small and low so it does not add more vertical length.
Gather hair high, leaving two face-framing pieces out, and secure with an elastic. Tease the pony lightly and add bends with a curling iron for texture. Wrap a strand of hair around the elastic for a clean finish. Five minutes.
Try this: pull a few pieces loose at the temples to keep width around the face.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY
18. Low Ponytail
The low ponytail is the safest ponytail for long faces. Sitting at the nape, it adds no height at the crown, and a center part with curtain bangs or face-framing layers keeps softness around the forehead. It looks intentional with a little polish and takes almost no time.
Part hair in the middle, smooth the sides back, and secure low at the nape. Leave the curtain bangs or front layers out to frame the face. A wrapped strand over the elastic and a smoothing serum on the lengths finish it. Three minutes.
Try this: gently loosen the hair above the elastic for a soft, undone crown.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY
19. Half-Up Half-Down
Half-up styles give the polish of an updo while the loose lengths keep width around the jaw. Pulling the top section back opens the face, so the trick for oblong shapes is keeping it loose: no tight scraping, plenty of softness at the hairline, and waves through the hanging hair.
Gather the top third of hair and secure it loosely at the back of the crown with an elastic or clip. Leave face-framing pieces out and add loose waves to the lengths with a curling iron. Heat protectant first. Five to ten minutes.
Try this: twist the two front sections before pinning for extra detail at the sides.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY
20. Top Knot with Bangs
A top knot on its own adds height exactly where an oblong face does not need it, but bangs change the equation. The fringe covers the forehead and rebalances the proportions, so the knot reads as a fun detail instead of extra length. Keep the knot slightly back from the hairline rather than perched right on top.
Smooth hair up into a knot, securing with pins and an elastic. The bangs stay down and get a quick pass with a flat iron or round brush. Leave the knot a little loose for a relaxed feel. About 10 minutes.
Try this: full or curtain bangs both work here, pick whichever fringe you already wear.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY
21. Messy Low Bun
A low, slightly undone bun keeps all the fullness at the nape and sides, which suits oblong faces far better than a high ballerina bun. Strands left loose along the chin and cheeks add the width the style needs. It is quick, forgiving, and works on second- or third-day hair.
Gather hair low at the nape, twist loosely, and pin into a bun, leaving the ends tucked or out as you like. Pull a few strands free around the face and mist with light hairspray. Five minutes.
For more pinned-up styles, see the updo hairstyles for older women guide.
Try this: a zigzag part before gathering stops the style from looking too severe.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY
22. Curly Updo with Tendrils
Pinned-up curls with soft tendrils falling at the cheeks give an updo the side fullness an oblong face needs. The curls build volume naturally, and the loose tendrils stop the style from exposing the full length of the face. It is a strong choice for weddings and formal events.
Pin curls loosely at the back of the head, keeping the shape wide rather than tall. Leave two or three curly tendrils out at each temple and set everything with a flexible-hold spray. About 20 minutes, or book a stylist for $60-$100 for formal styling.
Try this: curl the tendrils with a small iron for definition that holds through the event.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $0 DIY; $60-$100 salon styling
23. Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid draped over one shoulder piles all the hair’s visual weight to the side, which is flattering geometry for a long face. Pancaking the braid, gently pulling the edges wider, doubles the effect and makes the style look thick and deliberate. It keeps long hair contained without a single vertical line.
Braid using the two-section fishtail method, then tug each edge outward to widen it. Leave soft pieces out at the front to frame the face. Ten to fifteen minutes once the technique is familiar.
Try this: start the braid at the side of the neck rather than the back for a more dramatic drape.
Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $0 DIY
24. Long Protective Braids
Long box braids protect natural hair while giving endless styling room. For oblong faces, a middle part with braids worn over both shoulders frames the face symmetrically and adds width at the cheeks. The style lasts weeks, which makes the install cost easier to justify.
Ask your braider for a middle part and medium-sized braids at a comfortable length. Wear them down over the shoulders or swept to one side for asymmetry. Install takes 4 to 8 hours; daily care is a quick scalp oil and edge touch-up.
See braided hairstyles for black women for more protective braid options.
Try this: a few braids pulled back from the face open the features without losing the framing effect.
Difficulty: Easy (after install) · Cost: $150-$300 (install)
25. Sleek Pulled-Back Natural Curls
Sleek on top with fullness at the back is a neat solution for natural curls. Smoothing the front keeps the look polished while the gathered curls sit low and wide, adding volume beside the jaw instead of height on the crown. It shows off the face shape with confidence.
Smooth damp hair back with a strong-hold gel and a brush, then gather into a low puff or tucked bun at the nape. Lay the edges with edge control for a clean hairline. About 15 minutes on wash day.
Try this: a satin scarf for 10 minutes after styling sets the sleek front without frizz.
Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $0 DIY
26. Face-Framing Balayage
Color can do what cutting cannot: brighter pieces around the face pull attention sideways to the cheeks instead of down the length. Balayage with extra lightness at cheek level breaks up long, one-color hair and adds dimension that reads as width. It works on any base color.
Ask for balayage with the brightest pieces concentrated around the face and through the front layers, keeping the roots natural for soft grow-out. Maintain with a color-safe shampoo and a gloss refresh every 8 to 12 weeks. Salon session runs 2 to 3 hours.
Try this: a purple or blue shampoo once a week keeps blonde balayage from turning brassy.
Difficulty: Easy (salon service) · Cost: $150-$280
27. Dimensional Color Placement
Strategic color placement shifts where the eye lands. Brighter pieces around the crown and face draw attention upward and outward, which counterbalances a long face without a single snip. Copper, caramel, and honey tones are popular picks, but the placement matters more than the shade.
Ask your colorist for brightness concentrated at the crown and through face-framing layers, blended into your natural base. This is a salon service, so bring reference photos of the exact placement you want. Plan for a touch-up every 8 to 10 weeks.
Try this: pair new color with a trim so the ends look as fresh as the shade.
Difficulty: Easy (salon service) · Cost: $120-$250
What to Avoid with an Oblong Face
A few styles work against oblong proportions no matter how well they are cut. Extra-long hair worn pin-straight with no layers creates one long vertical line that stretches the face further. Teased crowns and high, tight ponytails add height at the top, which has the same stretching effect.
Slicked-back, flat styles remove the side width the face needs, and a center part on flat, straight hair emphasizes length with nothing to interrupt it. Very short cuts with no texture or fringe expose the full forehead-to-jaw distance. When in doubt, add texture at the sides and keep the crown close to natural volume.
Quick Comparison
| Hairstyle | Why it works for oblong faces | Upkeep | Typical salon cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long layers with side volume | Layers push hair outward at the cheeks and jaw | Trim every 8-10 weeks | $60-$120 |
| Curtain bangs with layers | Fringe shortens the forehead, layers add cheek width | Bang trim every 4-6 weeks | $70-$130 |
| Curly shag | Choppy layers expand curls sideways at cheek level | Trim every 8-10 weeks | $60-$120 |
| Layered lob | Collarbone length frames without dragging down | Trim every 6-8 weeks | $50-$100 |
| Voluminous curls | Built-in width from texture, side part covers forehead | Wash-day styling, trim every 10-12 weeks | $0-$130 |
| Low ponytail | No crown height, face-framing pieces keep softness | None | $0 |
| Messy low bun | Fullness stays at the nape and sides | None | $0 |
| Face-framing balayage | Bright pieces pull the eye sideways to the cheeks | Gloss refresh every 8-12 weeks | $150-$280 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an oblong face different from an oval face?
An oblong face is noticeably longer than it is wide, with the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline close to the same width and fairly straight sides. An oval face is shorter and more balanced, with a forehead slightly wider than the jaw and curved sides. Measure your face: if the length is about one and a half times the width, it is likely oblong rather than oval.
Is medium or long hair better for an oblong face?
Both work when styled with the right principles. Medium hair around the collarbone is the easiest balance point because it frames the face without adding drag. Long hair is equally flattering as long as it has texture, layers, or waves that build width at the sides. What to skip is very long hair worn pin-straight with no layers, since that emphasizes vertical length.
Do bangs make an oblong face look shorter?
Yes. Bangs cover part of the forehead, which visually shortens the face and breaks up its vertical line. Curtain bangs, side-swept bangs, wispy bangs, curly bangs, and full bangs all work. Curtain and side-swept styles are the most forgiving while growing out, and full bangs give the strongest shortening effect.
What hairstyles should women with oblong faces avoid?
Avoid styles that add height at the crown or emphasize vertical lines: teased tops, high tight ponytails, extra-long pin-straight hair with no layers, and slicked-back flat looks. A center part on flat straight hair also draws the eye down the face. The fix is usually simple: add texture or volume at the sides and keep the crown near its natural volume.
Can you wear a ponytail with an oblong face?
Yes, with the right placement. A low ponytail at the nape adds no crown height and works well with a center part or curtain bangs. A high ponytail can also work if the hair is textured and soft pieces frame the face, but keep any front pouf small. Skip tight, scraped-back high ponytails, which expose the full length of the face.
Final Thoughts
Oblong faces suit far more styles than their reputation suggests, as long as the width rule guides the choice. Pick the ideas that match your texture and your real routine, bring reference photos to the salon, and use the salon language from each section to get the cut you actually want.
For more cuts across every length and texture, explore the full PrimeHairPicks hairstyle collection.
