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Hair

40 Flattering Hairstyles for Oval Faces

 

See the best haircuts for this versatile face shape.

If you have an oval face shape, then you possess the most versatile shape for hairstyles. But don't just take it from us. Amy Abramite, creative director at Maxine Salon in Chicago tells us, "An oval shape face is the ideal form for balance; the forehead and jawline are equally petite with soft elongating outlines creating slenderness, while a touch of width at the sides highlights the cheekbones." Still, that's not to say that those with round, oblong, square, and heart-shaped faces can't achieve facial symmetry. After all, it's all about the right haircut to give the illusion of an oval face.

To find which style works best for you, it's also worth considering your hair type and texture in addition to your face shape. We teamed up with Abramite and some of the most sought-after stylists in the biz to round up our favorite celeb-inspired haircuts for oval faces along with pro styling tips. Whether it's face-framing layers à la Jennifer Aniston or a blunt bob like Rihanna, it's easy to find a haircut that complements your features.

MEET THE EXPERT

Amy Abramite holds the titles of creative director, salon educator, and stylist at Chicago's Maxine Salon.

Gretchen Friese is a Bosley Professional Strength certified trichologist.

 

Below, discover 40 of the most flattering cuts and styles for oval face shapes.

Shoulder-Length Loose Waves

No matter how many celebrities cut their long hair into a trendy style, shoulder-length hair will always remain in vogue. "This shoulder-length look frames an oval-shaped face perfectly," comments certified trichologist Gretchen Friese. "Straight or wavy hair are great textures for this style. Curly hair may get too wide and take away from the framed look," she adds. Depending on how oval your face shape is, the key is to trim the hair regularly to avoid it growing too long and drawing the face downward.

Long and Wavy

If you have wavy hair and an oval face, a style with â€‹long, soft waves is a perfect option for you. To avoid dragging an oval face shape downward, Abramite suggests adding layers. "Soft layers that fall between the eyes and collarbone will lighten up the heaviness and add definition to the facial features," she says. "I recommend styling the layers in a way that sweeps away from the face to reveal the cheekbones. The goal is to open up the face rather than cover it up."

Blunt French Bob

A blunt French bob, wherein hair is cut shorter than the chin, can completely change the look of your face shape. Here, the key is to keep ends as blunt as possible, and wear the hair straight and with a center part.

Curtain Bangs

Low-maintenance and stylish, curtain bangs flatter an oval face. "The forehead will remain covered while the bang width will widen for a better balance up top," notes Abramite. "I recommend using a large round brush to blow out the fringe until smooth and to get the ends to flick out." 

Textured Pixie

Halle Berry's iconic pixie shows off her gorgeous face. "An oval face has often been considered the 'perfect shape.' Some will argue that any cut will look good on this face. I tend to agree, however, I will always look at the part of the face that I think should be accentuated like eyes, cheekbones or lips," says Friese. To achieve Berry's style, "a product like the BosleyMD Volumizing & Thickening Styling Mousse ($9) will help give lift and volume to the hair," she says.

Textured Bob With Heavy Bangs

Oval face shapes can play with any bang style. According to celebrity hairstylist Chaz Dean, "Deep side, middle, and side-swept all generally work well with the oval face shape. Here, Kelly Rowland's heavy bangs and chin-length bob accentuate her eyes, Friese points out. She adds, "Because this style can be done with volume or have a more smooth look I would recommend BosleyMD Blow Dry and Styling Gel ($19)."

Grown-Out Pixie

Edgy hairstyles take guts, but the results can be head-turning and sophisticated at the same time. If you're in that in-between stage of growing out your pixie, add choppy layers to make the hair blend. You can also use this time to play with fun accessories like barrettes and trendy hair clips.

Shoulder-Length Soft Curls

If you're not ready to take the plunge and go super short, consider a shoulder-length style or one that hits somewhere between shoulder-length and chin-length. The versatility of this cut cannot be overstated. Part it right down the center for a more sophisticated style, or off to the side for a little added volume. Style it straight for a sleek look or soften it up with curls like Olga Kurylenko.

Side-Swept Bangs

This is a great hairstyle for long hair that has big, natural waves. "Having an oval face is great for big hair, so don't be afraid to go for it!" exclaims Annagid "Kee" Taylor, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Shear Genius Collection hair products. "Volume and length will both complement your overall features and help create overall balance."

To achieve a successful side-swept bang, the parting should be above your pupil. This will allow gravity to keep the sweeping motion in place while also exposing the forehead to lift the eyebrow, eye, and cheekbone.

Layered Bob

Donning thinner or fine hair? You'll likely find it best to keep your cut on the shorter side. Pop in a few long layers for body and sweep the bangs to the side to accentuate the jawline. A texture spray—like Sexy Hair Surfer Girl Dry Texturizing Spray ($20) will add the thickness your hair craves.

Long and Sleek

While blunt bangs work with shorter cuts, they can also do wonders on a longer mane. Go for bangs that are left longer on the sides, as they add flattering framing to the face and the eyes. And when it comes to blowdrying blunt bangs (and avoiding the "bubble bang" look), try blowing your bangs dry using a flat or paddle brush rather than a round one.

Side-Parted Lob

To really show off your oval face shape, go for a long bob with a side part. To style, Friese instructs, "Blowdry with BosleyMD Volumizing & Thickening Styling Mousse ($9). Use a round brush to create volume at the roots and bend at the ends. Set with a finishing spray."

Polished Pixie

With an oval face, you can afford to go short—super short even. "A pixie haircut mimics the overall shape of the head and accentuates the natural beauty of an oval face," says Abramite. She recommends a pomade to add shine and control to the fringe when styling. (Our pick? Ouai Matte Pomade, $24, for its texture-refining formula and medium hold.)

Blunt Bob

The classic bob will never go of style. "The slenderness of [the jawline and chin] area allows the bob to hug it and give it a super swinging effect, and it's a haircut that suits any texture." For low-maintenance styling and a crisp line, Abramite recommends sticking to a one-length bob and air drying with a leave-in conditioner. Try Arbonne True Hair Daily Leave-In Treatment ($19) for both hydration and shine.

Face-Framing Layers

Jennifer's Aniston's mane is touted as being one of the best haircuts for an oval face. The long layers hit perfectly at the cheekbones, and the hair is longer in the back and shorter in the front, eliminating that heavy, weighted-down feeling.

Chin-Length Bob

You may not realize it, but a bob is incredibly versatile. It can take on many different vibes: When worn flat-ironed and sleek, it can exude sophistication, and when paired with blunt bangs, it can add a playful element to your look. That said, blunt bangs can often come with oiliness. Try shampooing your bangs separately from the rest of the hair if you feel it getting oily, or opt for a dry shampoo instead.

Modern Shag

Looking for a tousled 'do? The modern shag is the perfect complement to an oval-shaped face because of its softness. "With lots of short layers around the face and sides—along with a longer back—the diffused layers throughout this style get rid of extra weight and creates an airy effect all over," says Abramite.

Shoulder-Length Shag

We don't think we could mention "shag" without Billie Eilish. The beauty of this cut is that it flatters all face shapes and can be styled to your preference of the day. "To get a messy tousled look, use a spray wax or mousse and scrunch into the hair using your fingers," instructs Abramite. We love Living Proof's Full Thickening Mousse ($29) because it thickens without stiffening.

Voluminous Pompadour

Introduced by Madame de Pompadour in the 18th century and then popularized two centuries later by Hollywood starlets, the voluminous pompadour is still a favorite style among modern-day fashionistas. To style, use a medium round brush to roll the bangs up and away from the face to create volume. Lock the style in place with a strong-hold hairspray like Sebastian Shaper Fierce Hairspray ($21).

Soft Curls

If you've got curls, embrace your hair, au naturale. However, to avoid a triangular shape, Abramite advises, "add layers to release weight and accentuate the eyes and cheekbones of an oval face shape. I recommend that these layers extend all the way down through the length and that long layers be added to the interior to free the curls to bounce up."

To break up the density of this look and add the feeling of movement and lightness around the face, consider a full balayage highlight.

Asymmetrical Bob

With bobs, you have options when it comes to the type of cut you get. An asymmetrical bob—where one side is longer than the other–is equal parts chic and stylish, and takes the classic bob (where the length is the same all around) to the next level.

Beachy Face-Framing Layers

Sienna Miller looks California-cool with her tousled waves. "The face-framing layers in this cut open up the face and accentuate the cheekbones and lips," notes Friese. While "wavy hair is great for this style, straight hair may hang too flat. Blow-dry with a round brush after applying a volumizing mousse on wet hair," she says. To set, finish with a spritz of hair spray.

Structured Undercut

Meet the cut that's striking enough to make you stand out from the crowd: the undercut. "To add strength and structure to an oval shape face, go for an undercut, which would remove softness from the look and add more angular features," says Abramite. "The top lengths of an undercut are more squared and fill out weight near the temples while the shorter length underneath offers an edgier look."

Angled Lob

Not to be confused with an asymmetrical bob, an angled lob is a long bob that is shorter in the back and gradually gets longer toward the front. Hair on each side of the head is equal length (albeit cut at an angle). Touting lobs as a crowd-pleaser on an oval shape face, Abramite says going angled "will eliminate any boxiness in the back and slim out any weight toward the front."

Half-Up, Half-Down Topknot

The topknot is one of the easiest looks to replicate and, with the addition of long, face-framing bangs, it helps draw attention to the best features of an oval face — namely, the eyes and center of the face.

Updo With Wavy Tendrils

An updo looks great on any face shape, but those eager to add balance to the mid-length of their ace might appreciate the addition of face-framing tendrils. Just pull a few pieces out from the updo and curl with a medium-barrelled wand.

Center-Parted Topknot

The standard topknot looks a lot more chic with a severe center part. Make like Lea Michele and comb hair up and back, securing the topknot by wrapping added hair around the elastic, to hide it.

Retro Waves

Retro, bouncy waves will help widen the face and create the perfect frame for killer makeup. Use hot rollers for a similar look, parting the hair slightly to the center for added drama.

Long Single Braid

For a similar style, pull hair into a ponytail at the base of the head and secure with an elastic. Take the end and braid it tightly, securing with another elastic at the bottom. Finish with shine spray and flexible-hold hair spray to set.

Wavy Shag With Bangs

Sandra Oh's style has all the hallmarks of a great shag: The look is loose, wavy, and the bangs are perfectly imperfect. For this look, try air-drying and remember texture spray goes a long way.

Long, Tight Waves With Center Part

Iman's long, center waves are tighter than a standard beach wave and go well past her shoulders. The center part makes the look more sophisticated than casual.

Natural Pompadour

Add height to a classic pixie with a pompadour. Use a pomade and a good brush — like Woody's Pomade ($15) and Denman's Classic Styling Brush ($24) to replicate the look.

Wet-Look Bob

Try a twist on the classic bob by styling it wet. For this look, apply hair gel to damp hair and scrunch it through the hair. Added oil and an air-dry will keep it looking damp all day.

Air-Dried Waves With Volume

This look is all about texture, so try air-drying to start. If you have natural waves, work with those. Otherwise, use a wide-barrel curling iron and brush the waves out with your fingers.

Side-Parted Retro Waves

It's hard to go wrong with wavy hair. For this retro look, use a curling iron held close to the scalp, and wrap sections in the same direction to create a more polished curl.

Natural Half-Up, Half-Down

A half-up style goes full drama when you keep the volume over-the-top. For this look, working with natural curls and use a strong-hold gel on the top of the head, slicking down the part of the hair above the ears, so it sits flat against the head.

Lob With Bangs

This 1980s-inspired look adds volume to the slimmest part of the face. Adn the bangs are super-sophisticated. To replicate the look, use a round brush while you blow dry the ends inward, to create a rounded edge.

Long Double Braids

Tessa Thompson proves that pigtail braids aren't just for the kindergarten set. Here, she keeps the looks polished by using a gel to hide flyaways and keeping a couple tendrils loose and curled, to frame the face.

Half-Up, Half-Down Lob

Constance Wu's half-up, half-down look is full of energy, thanks to the ponytail being tightly secured to the top of her head. The result is a waterfall of hair that adds volume up top.

Modern Mullett

To achieve this look, apply a dollop of Virtue 6-in-1 Leave-In Cream ($34) to naturally wavy strands. Finish with a product like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($49).

FAQ

Should those with oval face shapes wear layers?

A layered haircut can serve to add definition to the face, and help the haircut to blend. Plus, the more you frame the face, the more definition you'll see in the cheekbones and lips.

What are the best hairstyles for women who have fine wavy hair and oval faces?

Those with fine, wavy hair, would be wise to accentuate the waves. Wavy hair equates to more volume. Just be sure to ask for layers, which will make hair appear thicker, but not weighted down.

What hairstyles are best suited for thick hair and long faces?

Those with thick hair could go one of two ways, opting for either a pixie with added volume up or a blunt cut, where the hair is chopped to be the same length the entire way around the head.