An oblong face is clearly longer than it is wide, with fairly straight sides and a forehead, cheekbones and jaw of similar width. It is also called a long or rectangle face. Oblong faces often read as elegant and composed. Styling one is mostly about adding a little width at the sides or breaking up the length, if you want to.
What an oblong face shape looks like
These signs usually show up together.
- Length well over the width. The face is noticeably long from hairline to chin.
- Similar widths. The forehead, cheekbones and jaw are close in width.
- Fairly straight sides. The outline runs down without much curve at the cheeks.
- A long chin or a tall forehead. The extra length often sits in one or both.
How to tell if your face is oblong
Check in a mirror, with a tape measure, or with our free face shape detector, which compares your face length with your face width from a selfie.
The mirror trace
- Pull your hair back, face a mirror and keep your head level.
- Trace your outline on the glass with a washable marker or soap.
- Step back. An oblong face traces like a long rectangle with rounded corners, clearly taller than it is wide.
The tape measure
Measure across your forehead, your cheekbones and your jaw, then from the middle of your hairline to the tip of your chin. If the length is well over one and a half times the cheekbone width and the three widths are close, your face is oblong. If the face tapers gently at both ends and is less long, look at the oval face shape. If the face is short with a strong jaw, look at the square face shape.
Best hairstyles for an oblong face
The aim is to add width at the sides and to break up the length with horizontal lines.
Short hair
A pixie or crop with fullness at the sides, rather than height on top, balances an oblong face. A fringe shortens the forehead. Very tall, spiky styles add length.
Medium hair
Shoulder length cuts and layered bobs with waves or curls at the sides add width. A bob at the chin with bangs is a classic choice. Center parts with flat, straight hair can make the face look longer.
Long hair
Long hair works best with layers and movement at the sides, such as waves, curls or a soft blow out. Bangs, either straight or curtain, break up the length. Very long, sleek, straight hair worn flat runs down the face and adds length.
For men
Keep the sides a little fuller and the top at medium height. A fringe or a textured cut worn forward shortens the face. Very short sides with a tall quiff add length.
Glasses for an oblong face
Deep, wide frames add width and break up the length. Oversized, round or square frames with a strong brow line all work. Decorative temples, the arms of the glasses, also add width at the sides. Very narrow or small frames make the face look longer.
Makeup and contouring
Contour along the hairline and under the chin to shorten the face slightly. Sweep blush straight across the cheeks toward the ears, rather than up toward the temples, to add width. A soft highlight on the cheekbones also widens the face.
Beards and facial hair
A beard kept fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin adds width. Mutton chops or a full beard with fullness at the cheeks both work. Long, pointed beards at the chin add length.
Oblong, oval and square compared
Oblong faces are most often confused with oval and square ones.
- An oval face is a little shorter and tapers gently at the forehead and jaw.
- A square face has the same straight sides and similar widths, but is close to as wide as it is long.
If your result sits between two shapes, try ideas from both pages.
Face length and the photo
Face length is the measure that moves most with the camera. A phone held low makes the chin look longer, and a fringe hides the top of the forehead. For the truest result, hold the phone at eye level and pull your hair back from your forehead. Our guide to facial thirds explains how face length splits into three parts.
Oblong face at a glance
| Hairstyles to try | Bangs, straight or curtain, Waves and curls with volume at the sides, Shoulder length cuts and layered bobs, Short sides kept a little fuller |
|---|---|
| Go easy on | Very long, flat straight hair, Lots of height at the crown |
| Glasses | Deep, wide frames such as oversized or round styles add width and break up the length. |
| Makeup | Contour along the hairline and under the chin, and sweep blush straight across the cheeks. |
| Beard | A beard kept fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin adds width. |
