An oval face is often used as the reference point in style guides, because its proportions sit close to the middle of every scale. It is a little longer than it is wide, and nothing about its outline stands out sharply. That balance is why so many haircuts, frames and makeup looks suit it. It is not a better shape than any other, just an easy one to dress.
What an oval face shape looks like
Think of an egg turned upside down, a little wider at the top than at the bottom. Four things usually show up together.
- Length about one and a half times the width. Measured from the hairline to the chin and across the widest part of the cheeks.
- Cheekbones as the widest point. The face widens gently from the temples to the cheekbones, then narrows again.
- A forehead a little wider than the jaw. The difference is small, which keeps the outline smooth.
- A softly rounded jaw and chin. There is no sharp corner at the jaw, and the chin is neither pointed nor flat.
How to tell if you have an oval face
You can check your face shape in a few minutes with a mirror, or measure it from a selfie with our face shape detector.
The mirror trace
- Pull your hair back from your face and stand straight in front of a mirror.
- Use a washable marker, an old lipstick or a bar of soap to trace around your face on the glass, from the hairline down the sides to the chin.
- Step back and look at the outline. An oval face looks like a smooth egg with no strong corners and with the widest point in the middle.
The tape measure
Measure four things with a soft tape measure. Your forehead across its widest part, your cheekbones from one outer edge to the other, your jaw from the corner below one ear to the same point on the other side, and your face length from the middle of the hairline to the tip of the chin.
If the length is around one and a half times the cheekbone width, and the cheekbones are the widest of the three widths, your face is probably oval. If the length is closer to the width, look at the round face shape. If it is clearly longer, with straight sides, look at the oblong face shape.
Best hairstyles for an oval face
Because an oval face has no strong width or length to balance, you can choose a haircut for your hair texture and lifestyle rather than for your outline.
Short hair
A pixie, a textured crop or a classic short back and sides all suit an oval face, because they show off the whole outline. For a softer look, keep a little length at the front and sweep it to one side.
Medium hair
A blunt bob at the chin or a long bob at the collarbone frames the face neatly. Shoulder length layers add movement without hiding the cheekbones. If your face is on the long side of oval, a fringe or curtain bangs keep it balanced.
Long hair
Long layers, soft waves and sleek straight hair all work. Very long hair worn flat and parted in the middle can make a long oval face look longer, so add a little volume at the sides or some face framing layers if that is a look you want to avoid.
For men
A quiff, a side part, a textured crop or a buzz cut all work with an oval face. Keep a little height on top only if your face is on the shorter side. Short sides with a lot of height can make a longer oval face look stretched.
Glasses for an oval face
Most frames suit an oval face. The simplest guide is to pick frames about as wide as the widest part of your face. Square, rectangular and geometric frames add a little structure, while round and aviator frames echo the soft curves. Very small frames can look lost on a wide oval face, and very large frames can overwhelm a narrow one.
Makeup and contouring
An oval face needs very little contouring. A light touch of bronzer under the cheekbones and at the temples adds shape, and blush on the apples of the cheeks blended up toward the temples keeps the look fresh. If your face is long, a little bronzer along the hairline and under the chin shortens it slightly.
Beards and facial hair
Most beard styles suit an oval face. Light stubble and a short, even beard keep the natural balance, while a fuller beard squares off the jaw for a stronger look. If your face is long, keep the beard fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin.
Oval, oblong and heart compared
Oval faces are most often confused with oblong and heart shaped faces.
- An oblong face is longer, with straighter sides and a forehead, cheekbones and jaw of similar width.
- A heart shaped face is widest at the forehead and narrows more sharply to a slim jaw and a pointed chin.
If your result sits between two shapes, take the advice for both. Face shapes are a guide for styling, and most real faces sit somewhere between the textbook outlines.
Why face shape is only a starting point
Face shape describes the outline only. Your hair texture, neck length, height, glasses prescription and personal style all matter just as much when you choose a haircut or frames. Use the shape as a first filter, then trust what you see in the mirror. Our guide to the most attractive face shape explains why no outline is better than another.
Oval face at a glance
| Hairstyles to try | Long layers, A blunt bob, Curtain bangs, A textured crop or quiff |
|---|---|
| Go easy on | Very heavy bangs that hide the forehead, Lots of height on top if your face is already long |
| Glasses | Most frames suit an oval face. Pick frames as wide as the widest part of your face, and try square or geometric shapes for contrast. |
| Makeup | Light contour under the cheekbones and a soft blush on the apples is all an oval face needs. |
| Beard | Most beard styles work. A short, even beard keeps the natural balance. |
