BYRDIE

Hair

54 Flattering Haircuts for Oval Faces

 

There are a number of flattering haircuts and styles that suit oval-shaped faces. What's so great about an oval-shaped face in particular is that any hair length and texture can suit it. So, whether you have a super-short pixie cut or long, hip-grazing strands, there's a hairstyle that'll work for you. Below, we asked hairstylists Amy Ambramite and Gretchen Friese for their insights into the best haircuts for people with oval faces. From Rihanna's blunt bob to Jennifer Anniston's long face-framing layers, keep scrolling for 54 examples to inspire your next hair appointment.

Meet the Expert

Amy Abramite is the creative director, salon educator, and stylist at Chicago's Maxine Salon.
Gretchen Friese is a Bosley Professional Strength-certified trichologist and hairstylist.

 

Side-Swept Pixie

For those with super-short hair, a side-swept pixie will give an oval-shaped face a more angular look.

Textured Pixie

Halle Berry's iconic pixie allows her gorgeous face to take center stage. "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.

Grown-Out Pixie

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

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's Matte Pomade for its texture-refining formula and medium hold.

Structured Undercut

Meet the cut that guarantees you'll stand out: the undercut. "To add strength and structure to an oval-shaped 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."

Natural Pompadour

Add height to a classic pixie with a pompadour. Use pomade and a good brush such as Woody's Pomade and Denman's Classic Styling Brush to replicate the look.

Voluminous Pompadour

To style a pompadour, use a medium round brush to roll the bangs up and away from the face, creating volume. Lock the style in place with a strong-hold hairspray like the Sebastian Shaper Fierce Hairspray.

Chin-Length Bob

It may not seem like it, but a bob can be incredibly versatile. Bobs have the power to take on many different vibes: When worn flat-ironed and sleek, they can exude sophistication, and when paired with blunt bangs, they can add a playful element to your look. We love how Ryan Destiny styles her bob in a wet look with some volume at the root.

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. Use a round brush to create volume at the roots and bend at the ends. Set with a finishing spray."

Textured Bob With Heavy Bangs

Oval face shapes can play with any bang style. Here, Kelly Rowland's heavy bangs and chin-length bob accentuate her eyes, Friese points out.

Wet-Look Bob

To get the wet, wavy look like Alexa Chung, apply hair gel to damp hair and scrunch it through the hair. Adding some oil and letting it air-dry will keep it looking damp all day.

Shoulder-Length Shag

The beauty of a shag haircut 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 because it thickens without stiffening.

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 in length (albeit cut at an angle). Touting lobs is a crowd-pleaser on an oval-shaped face, Abramite says, and going angled "will eliminate any boxiness in the back and slim out any weight toward the front."

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.

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 volume, and sweep the bangs to the side to accentuate the jawline. A texture spray—like Sexy Hair Surfer Girl Dry Texturizing Spray will add some thickness.

Heart-Shaped Fro

Let your natural curls shine by shaping them into this heart-shaped cut, which frames an oval-shaped face beautifully.

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 chic and takes the classic bob (where the length is the same all around) to the next level.

Blunt Bob

The classic bob will never go out of style. "The slenderness of [the jawline and chin] area allows the bob to hug it," says Abramite, "and it's a haircut that suits any texture." For low-maintenance styling and a crisp line, she recommends sticking to a one-length bob and air drying with a leave-in conditioner.

'80s Lob With Bangs

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

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 create an airy effect all over," says Abramite.

Soft Curls

If you have natural curls, now is the time to embrace them. 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 down through the length and that long layers be added to the interior to free the curls to bounce up."

Byrdie Tip

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

Modern Mullet

To achieve a natural, wavy look, as seen with Miley Cyrus' mullet, apply a dollop of Virtue 6-in-1 Leave-In Cream. Finish with a product like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.

Shoulder-Length Loose Waves

No matter how many celebrities cut their hair short, shoulder-length hair will always remain popular. "This shoulder-length look frames an oval-shaped face perfectly," comments Friese. "Straight or wavy hair are great textures for this style. Curly hair may get too wide and take away from the framed look.

Byrdie Tip

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.

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.

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." 

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.

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 that some texture spray goes a long way.

Shoulder-Length Soft Curls

If you're not ready to 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.

Byrdie Tip

To achieve this look, 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.

Deep Side Part

A surefire way to bring volume and dimension to your face is by adding a deep side part to create a more angular look. For added drama, curl your hair à la Eva Mendes.

Face-Framing Layers

Jennifer 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, weighed-down feeling.

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.

Byrdie Tip

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."

Side-Swept Bangs

This is a great hairstyle for long hair that has big, natural waves. The length and volume complement your features and help to create balance.

Byrdie Tip

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.

Beachy Face-Framing Layers

We can't get enough of Sienna Miller's California-cool 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 hairspray.

Long and Sleek

While blunt bangs work with shorter cuts, they can do wonders on a longer mane. Go for bangs that are left longer on the sides, as they frame the face and the eyes in a flattering way.

Byrdie Tip

When blow-drying blunt bangs, avoid the "bubble bang" look by blowing out your bangs with a flat or paddle brush rather than a round one.

Long, Tight Waves With Center Part

Iman's long, center-parted waves are tighter than a standard beach wave and go well past her shoulders, creating movement that draws attention to her face.

Butterfly Haircut

Considered "the Rachel" of the 2020s, the butterfly haircut involves short face-framing layers that swoop outwards like wings. The length of the layers and volume are adjustable depending on your face shape, which is why it's such a popular look.

Curly Side Part

People with naturally curly hair know that every bend essentially acts as its own type of layer, but Angela Basett's soft and subtle layers give her long hair even more dimension.

Side-Parted Retro Waves

You can't 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 achieve a more polished curl.

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.

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.

Long Single Braid

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

Updo With Wavy Tendrils

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

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 but keeps a couple of face-framing pieces free.

Updo with Cascading Curtain Bangs

Selena Gomez's cheekbone-grazing curtain bangs will create balance on an oval-shaped face and allow a strong jawline to shine.

Natural Half-Up, Half-Down

Bring the drama with this surprising half-up look that's sleek up top and fuller on the bottom. Use a strong-hold gel on top and slick back your natural curls to just above your ears. Then, leave your texture on display at the bottom. Leona Lewis' honey-blonde highlights also lend interest to this half-and-half style.

Center-Parted Topknot

The standard topknot looks a lot more interesting with a severe center part. Copy Lea Michele's look above by combing the hair up and back. Secure the topknot by wrapping added hair around the elastic to hide it.

Low Braid with Layers

These face-framing pieces on Sarah Jessica Parker level up her chunky braid and bring balance to her face.

Full Fringe

Dakota Johnson's full fringe has become part of her signature look—and it's the ultimate inspo for those wanting sleek, straight bangs. It's a go-to for many with an elongated forehead, giving full coverage and working with just about any hairstyle.

Center-Parted Curls

A few overnight rollers with a spritz of volumizing hairspray will give you effortless curls just like Gisele Bündchen (or at least, very close to it).

Casual Toussle

The best hairstyles for oval-shaped faces don't always require a ton of effort effort. This look on Jennifer Garner proves that a side part and tousled waves works wonder for any occasion.

Sleek and Center-Parted

Jennifer Lopez shows that those with oval-shaped faces need not worry about a center part. She wears sleek, straight hair and a middle part with ease.

Subtle Side-Swept

If a middle part doesn't suit your look, go for a subtle side part, as seen on Lucy Liu. Here, she keeps the same sleek, straight hair as J.Lo's above, but the off-center part softens up the look a bit.

Slick-Back Ponytail

A slicked-back ponytail like Tracee Ellis Ross wears here allows her beautiful bone structure to take center stage.

Runway-Ready Waves

Over the decades, Tyra Banks has given us tons of hair inspo for oval faces. One of her most-worn styles, though, is her cascading copper-brown waves. We love how she adds some interest with this dramatic side part.

FAQ

Should those with oval face shapes wear layers?

A layered haircut will create more movement and can help the hair to blend more seamlessly. Plus, the more you frame the face with layers, the more definition you'll see in the cheekbones and lips.

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

Those with fine, wavy hair would be wise to accentuate their waves. And since wavy hair equates to more volume, wearing your hair this way helps to fake the appearance of fuller strands. Just be sure to ask for layers, which will make hair look thicker, but not weighed 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 top or a blunt cut, where the hair is chopped to be the same length the entire way around the head.