Choosing a hairstyle that complements your unique features is a wonderful way to express your personal style and enhance your natural beauty. For those with an oblong face shape, the key is to create an illusion of width to balance the length. The right cut and style can masterfully add volume to the sides, drawing the eye horizontally and creating a beautifully harmonious silhouette. It's not about changing your features, but about celebrating them with a flattering frame.
Understanding the Oblong Face Shape
Before diving into specific hairstyles, it's helpful to identify the characteristics of an oblong face, which is also sometimes referred to as a long or rectangular shape. Typically, this face shape is longer than it is wide, with a jawline, cheeks, and forehead that are of a similar width. The chin may be pointed or rounded, but the overall impression is one of length. The goal of a complementary hairstyle is to visually shorten the face and add width around the cheekbones.
The Principles of Balance: Width and Fringes
The secret to flattering an oblong face lies in two main principles: adding horizontal volume and breaking up the vertical length. Volume on the sides of the head creates an illusion of a wider face, counteracting the natural length. Curls, waves, and strategic layers are your best tools for this. Secondly, a fringe or bangs can be incredibly effective. By covering the forehead, a fringe instantly shortens the face's appearance, drawing attention to your eyes.
Strategic Volume Placement
Volume is crucial, but its placement is even more so. Avoid adding height at the crown, as this will only elongate the face further. Instead, focus on creating fullness from the temples down to the jawline. This can be achieved through:
- Soft waves or curls that start around eye or cheek level.
- Layers that are cut to add body and movement to the sides.
- Styling techniques that encourage hair to flick outwards rather than fall straight down.
The Impact of a Fringe
A fringe is one of the most effective ways to balance an oblong face. There are several styles to consider:
- Blunt Fringe: A full, straight-across fringe creates a strong horizontal line, effectively 'shortening' the face.
- Side-Swept Fringe: This style breaks up the forehead on a diagonal, softening the overall look while still reducing length.
- Curtain Bangs: Parted in the middle and swept to the sides, curtain bangs frame the face beautifully and add width around the cheekbones.
Recommended Haircuts and Styles
Certain cuts are particularly well-suited to the oblong face shape because they naturally incorporate the principles of balance. When discussing options with your stylist, you might consider these universally flattering choices.
The Bob and Lob (Long Bob)
A bob that ends around the chin is a fantastic choice. This length creates a horizontal line that visually widens the lower part of the face. For a softer look, a 'lob' that grazes the collarbones is equally flattering, especially when styled with gentle waves. The key is to ensure the length doesn't extend too far past the shoulders, which can start to have an elongating effect again.
Shoulder-Length Cuts with Layers
A cut that sits on or just above the shoulders is often considered the sweet spot for oblong faces. Incorporating soft, face-framing layers that begin around the chin will add the desired body and movement on the sides. This prevents the hair from hanging straight and drawing the face down, instead creating a lighter, more voluminous shape.
Styling Tips and What to Consider
Beyond the cut itself, how you style your hair at home can make a significant difference. When blow-drying, use a round brush to lift the hair at the roots on the sides and encourage a slight outward curve. Parting your hair to the side rather than in the centre can also help break up the symmetry and add a touch of softness. While straight, sleek hair can be beautiful, for an oblong face, it's often best to avoid very long, one-length styles that lack volume, as they can accentuate length. Similarly, very high updos that add volume directly on top of the head can have the same elongating effect. The goal is always to build width, not height, to achieve a look that feels balanced and effortlessly chic.
