You probably think your face is just "long." Most people do. They look in the mirror, see a forehead that goes on for days or a chin that feels a bit more prominent than a classic oval, and they panic. But here is the thing: having an oblong face shape—often called a rectangular face—is actually a gift if you know how to frame it. Think of Sarah Jessica Parker or Liv Tyler. They don't look "long." They look statuesque.
Basically, an oblong face shape is characterized by a face that is significantly longer than it is wide. The cheeklines are straight, and the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are usually similar in width. If you’ve been frustrated that your hair makes you look tired or "drawn out," it's likely because you’re following general hair advice instead of specific oblong face shape hairstyles that focus on width rather than height.
Stop trying to hide your face. Start balancing it.
The Volume Trap: Why Flat Hair is Your Enemy
Length is fine. Flatness is the enemy. When you have an oblong face, gravity is already pulling the visual weight downward. If your hair is pin-straight and hangs close to your cheeks, it acts like two vertical lines that further elongate your features. It's a literal optical illusion.
You need width.
I’m talking about volume at the sides. If you’re going for a long look, you absolutely must incorporate layers that hit at the cheekbones and the jaw. Why? Because those horizontal breaks in the hair’s silhouette trick the eye into seeing more width. It’s basic geometry. Celebrity stylist Chris Appleton often talks about "snatching" the face, but for oblong shapes, the goal is "filling" the negative space around the mid-face.
🔗 Read more: Is Raising Cane’s Bel Air Actually Worth the Wait?
Curling irons are your best friend here. Not for tight ringlets—nobody wants to look like a Victorian doll—but for soft, beachy waves that start at the eye level. If the volume starts at the top of your head, you're just adding more height. Don't do that. Keep the top relatively flat or neutral and explode the volume outward from the ears down.
Let’s Talk About the Power of the Fringe
If you have a high forehead, bangs are not just an option; they are a strategic tool. A heavy, blunt fringe is the most effective way to "shorten" the face. By covering the forehead, you’re effectively cutting off the top third of the facial rectangle.
But be careful.
A tiny, micro-fringe (those super short "baby bangs") will actually make your forehead look even longer. It’s counter-intuitive, but it creates a massive amount of "skin space" between the eyebrows and the hairline. You want something that skims the eyebrows. Side-swept bangs work too, especially if they are thick. They create a diagonal line across the face, which breaks up the verticality.
Honestly, curtain bangs are the gold standard for oblong face shape hairstyles right now. They provide that "70s cool girl" vibe while adding much-needed volume to the sides of the face. They frame the eyes and draw attention to the center of the face, rather than the chin or the hairline.
The Bob is Your Secret Weapon
The chin-length bob is arguably the most flattering cut for this shape. Period.
When the hair ends at the jawline, it creates a strong horizontal line that "caps" the length of the face. If you go slightly shorter—say, a lip-length bob—it’s even punchier. This works because it moves the widest part of your "hair silhouette" to the same level as your cheekbones.
- Avoid the "A-line" bob that is short in the back and long in the front. This creates a forward-slanting line that drags the face down.
- Opt for a "blunt" cut or a "shaggy" bob with plenty of internal texture.
- If you have naturally curly hair, a shoulder-length "lob" (long bob) is fantastic because the curls naturally provide the width you need.
The "Long Hair" Problem
Can you have long hair with an oblong face? Yes. But there are rules.
If you grow your hair past your ribs, it’s going to act like a weight. It pulls the eye down. To make long oblong face shape hairstyles work, you need to be obsessed with "face-framing" layers. We are talking about the "Butterfly Cut" or the "Rachel" reimagined. These cuts use heavy layering to ensure the hair doesn't just sit there.
Stay away from center parts if your hair is long and flat. A center part acts like a giant arrow pointing straight down the middle of your face, highlighting the length. Try a deep side part. It shifts the balance and adds a bit of asymmetrical volume to one side, which is much more forgiving.
Texture and Color Hacks
It isn't just about the cut; it’s about the light.
Colorists use a technique called "hair contouring." For an oblong face, you want darker tones at the roots and the very ends, with lighter highlights around the ears and cheekbones. This "glow" in the middle of your hair’s length draws the eye outward. It’s like using highlighter on your cheekbones, but with hair dye.
Texture also plays a massive role. Frizz is actually better than "liquid hair" for this specific face shape. A bit of grit, a bit of "oomph," and a bit of messy texture will always be more flattering than a sleek, ironed-flat look. Use sea salt sprays. Use dry shampoo even when your hair is clean. Anything to keep the hair from hugging the skull.
Styles to Avoid (The "Never" List)
Sometimes knowing what not to do is more important than the actual style.
- The Sleek High Ponytail: This is the "Bella Hadid" look. On an oval or heart face, it’s snatched. On an oblong face, it’s a skyscraper. It adds inches to your head height and leaves nothing to balance the sides.
- The Pin-Straight Center Part: As mentioned, it’s a vertical nightmare.
- Beehives or High Pompadours: Unless you’re going for a specific vintage costume look, adding 3 inches of height to the top of your head is a mistake.
- Thin, Wispy Bangs: If you can see through your bangs, they aren't doing the job of shortening your face. They just look like accidental strands.
Men’s Oblong Face Shape Hairstyles
Men often get the short end of the stick in these guides, but the principles are the same. If you have a long face, stop getting the "High Skin Fade" with a massive quiff on top. You’re just making your head look like a long rectangle.
🔗 Read more: Layered bobs for older women: What Most Stylists Get Wrong
Instead, go for a "Scissor Fade" where the sides aren't buzzed to the skin. Keep some bulk on the sides. A "Side Part" or a "textured crop" with some fringe over the forehead works wonders. And if you can grow a beard? Do it. A well-groomed, thick beard adds immediate width to the lower half of the face and can "shorten" the distance between the nose and the chin.
Real World Examples and Nuance
Look at someone like Adam Levine or Benedict Cumberbatch. They have distinctly long faces. They rarely wear their hair flat or excessively high. They use texture.
It’s also important to consider your features. A long face with a large nose requires different framing than a long face with tiny features. If you have a prominent nose, side-swept bangs help "soften" the profile. If you have a long chin, keeping hair length just above or just below the chin (not right at it) is usually best to avoid drawing a direct line of comparison.
Nuance matters. Your "oblong" shape might be a "rectangular" shape if your jaw is very square. If that’s you, you need softness—waves, curls, and wispy layers—to round out those hard corners.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Salon Visit
- Audit your current look: Take a straight-on selfie with your hair pushed back. Use a markup tool to trace your face. Is it 1.5x longer than it is wide? You're oblong.
- The "Rule of Thumbs": When talking to your stylist, ask for "horizontal volume." Use those exact words.
- Focus on the "Mid-Zone": Point to your cheekbones. Tell them you want the shortest layer or the "bend" of your waves to start right there.
- Bangs Commitment: If you’re getting bangs, ask for a "heavy" fringe that hits the bridge of your nose when wet—this ensures they hit the eyebrows when dry and styled.
- Product Swap: Ditch the heavy oils that weigh hair down. Switch to a volumizing mousse or a root-lift spray, but apply it to the lengths of the hair at the sides rather than just the top.
Stop looking at your face as something to "fix." It’s a canvas that just happens to be a little taller than the average. When you stop fighting the length and start adding the width, the balance happens naturally. It’s not about hiding; it’s about proportions. Check your profile, grab a texture spray, and stop being afraid of a little volume on the sides.