Blessed with an oval face shape? You’ve hit the genetic jackpot! Oval faces are versatile canvases that complement virtually any hairstyle, giving you endless possibilities to express your personal style.
We’ve curated the most flattering hairstyles specifically designed to enhance your oval face’s natural symmetry and balanced proportions. From face-framing layers that highlight your cheekbones to bold bangs that add dimension, these cuts will take your look to the next level. Whether you’re considering a dramatic change or subtle update, we’ll help you find the perfect hairstyle that works with your unique features and lifestyle.
10 Most Flattering Hairstyles for Oval Face Shapes
1. Long Layered Cuts
Long layered hairstyles perfectly complement oval faces by creating movement and dimension. These cuts frame your facial features while maintaining the natural balance of your oval shape. The varying lengths of layers add volume and texture, especially when styled with loose waves. We recommend asking your stylist for long layers that start around the jawline to enhance your cheekbones.
2. Sleek Bob
A sleek bob hits right at the jawline and works beautifully with oval face shapes. This classic cut offers a polished look while accentuating your facial structure. The clean lines of a bob draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones without overwhelming your features. Try a side-parted bob for added sophistication or a center part for a more symmetrical appearance.
3. Textured Pixie Cut
Pixie cuts showcase the balanced proportions of oval faces by highlighting your eyes and cheekbones. This short, textured style creates a striking look that emphasizes your facial features. The versatility of pixie cuts allows for various styling options, from sleek and sophisticated to tousled and edgy. Consider keeping a bit more length on top to play with texture and movement.
4. Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs add softness and dimension to oval faces without hiding their naturally balanced proportions. This style draws attention to your eyes while creating visual interest across your forehead. The diagonal line of side-swept bangs complements the symmetry of oval faces. Pair them with any length from short bobs to long layers for a customized look.
5. Middle-Parted Waves
Middle-parted waves enhance the symmetry of oval faces while creating a relaxed, effortless vibe. This versatile style works with medium to long hair and frames your face beautifully. The gentle waves add volume and movement without disrupting your face’s natural balance. Use a large barrel curling iron to create loose, natural-looking waves that start at cheek level.
6. Blunt Lob
The blunt lob (long bob) creates a striking frame for oval faces with its clean, straight lines. This shoulder-grazing cut offers versatility while maintaining a modern edge. The precise cut draws attention to your jawline and neck while preserving the balanced proportions of your face shape. Style it sleek and straight for a polished look or add subtle waves for texture.
7. Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs frame oval faces perfectly by creating a soft border that highlights your eyes and cheekbones. This face-framing style parts in the middle and sweeps to either side, opening up your face beautifully. The gradual length transition from shorter at the center to longer at the sides complements oval proportions. Pair curtain bangs with any length for an instantly flattering effect.
8. Shaggy Layers
Shaggy layers add texture and movement to oval faces while maintaining their natural balance. This effortlessly cool style incorporates shorter pieces around the face with gradually longer layers throughout. The dimensional cut creates volume and frames your features without overwhelming them. Ask for layers that start at chin level to enhance your cheekbones and jawline.
9. Asymmetrical Cut
Asymmetrical cuts create visual interest on oval faces by playing with balanced yet unexpected proportions. This modern style typically features one side longer than the other, adding a contemporary edge to your look. The ever-changing lines draw attention to your best features while maintaining the harmony of your face shape. Try a dramatic difference in length for a bold statement or subtle asymmetry for a more understated effect.
10. Long Straight Hair with Face-Framing Layers
Long straight hair with subtle face-framing layers enhances oval faces by creating a sleek, elegant silhouette. This timeless style showcases the natural symmetry of your face shape while adding softness around your features. The strategic layers starting at chin or cheekbone level highlight your bone structure without disturbing the overall length. Maintain regular trims to keep the ends healthy and the layers precisely defined.
How to Determine If You Have an Oval Face Shape
Understanding your face shape is the first step to finding your most flattering hairstyle. If you’ve always wondered whether you have an oval face shape, these simple assessment techniques will help you confirm.
Measuring Facial Proportions
Oval faces typically have exact proportional characteristics that make them easy to identify with simple measurements. Start by measuring the length of your face from hairline to chin, then measure the width across your cheekbones. An oval face shape will have a length approximately 1.5 times greater than its width, creating that classic egg-like silhouette. Next, measure the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline separately. In an oval face, these measurements maintain a balanced proportion, with the forehead typically appearing slightly wider than the chin area. These measurements don’t need to be precise to the millimeter—using a soft measuring tape or even a piece of string that you can measure afterward works perfectly.
Key Characteristics of Oval Faces
Oval faces showcase a harmonious balance of features that make them particularly versatile for various hairstyles. The length-to-width ratio of approximately 1.5:1 creates the elongated oval shape that’s considered highly balanced. Your forehead will appear slightly wider than your chin, with a gently rounded jawline rather than sharp or angular contours. People with oval faces also tend to have high, well-defined cheekbones that contribute to facial symmetry without being overly prominent. The overall facial silhouette appears curved and symmetrical, lacking any extreme features or sharp angles that might dominate your appearance. This natural balance explains why oval faces are often considered the most adaptable shape for different hairstyles, as they don’t have any particular features that need to be minimized or emphasized.
Short Hairstyles That Complement Oval Faces
Oval faces have the advantage of looking fantastic with shorter styles that might be challenging for other face shapes. These cuts can accentuate your balanced facial proportions while offering low-maintenance styling options.
Pixie Cuts and Crops
Side-swept pixies provide an incredibly flattering option for oval faces, creating an elegant frame that enhances your natural features. This sophisticated cut keeps hair short while sweeping strands to one side, adding both dimension and visual interest to your look. Textured pixie cuts work wonderfully by incorporating layers and volume on top, drawing attention to your eyes and cheekbones while maintaining balanced proportions. For those wanting a bit more length, grown-out pixies offer versatility while still capitalizing on the face-flattering benefits of shorter styles. Polished pixies deliver a sleek, refined appearance that perfectly complements the symmetrical nature of oval faces, creating a chic look that’s both modern and timeless.
Textured Bob Haircuts
Structured undercuts combine the classic bob silhouette with an edgier undercut element, adding fascinating depth and texture that works harmoniously with oval face proportions. This ever-changing style maintains balance while introducing an element of contemporary flair to your look. Textured bobs with layers create movement and volume that beautifully frame oval faces, available in various lengths from chin to shoulder level. Men with oval faces also benefit from short styles like classic undercuts paired with well-groomed beards, textured crops with subtle stubble, or simple side part haircuts. These masculine options enhance rather than overwhelm the natural symmetry of an oval face shape, providing clean lines and definition that complement inherent facial balance.
Medium-Length Styles Perfect for Oval Faces
Medium-length hairstyles offer the perfect balance of versatility and manageability for oval face shapes. These styles enhance your natural facial symmetry while providing many styling options for everyday wear.
Layered Lobs
Layered long bobs (lobs) represent one of the most flattering medium-length options for oval faces. This polished cut typically reaches the chin or collarbone area, creating a frame that beautifully highlights your balanced facial proportions. Layers within the lob add essential depth and dimension, preventing the style from appearing flat or one-dimensional.
The versatility of layered lobs allows for various styling approaches—wear it sleek and straight for professional settings or add tousled waves for casual outings. Many celebrities with oval faces choose this adaptable style because it requires minimal maintenance while delivering maximum impact. The graduated layers can also be customized to emphasize your best features, such as high cheekbones or defined jawlines.
Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs, particularly curtain bangs, provide an elegant framing element for oval faces. These bangs sweep gracefully across the forehead without overwhelming your face’s natural balance, adding a sophisticated touch to medium-length styles. Their diagonal line creates visual interest while maintaining the harmonious proportions that make oval faces so versatile.
Combining side-swept bangs with layered haircuts enhances the overall silhouette by creating a balanced, flowing appearance. The strategic placement of these bangs draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones—typically standout features of oval face shapes. Styling options remain plentiful, as these bangs can be blown out for a polished look or left textured for a more relaxed vibe. Professional stylists often recommend this combination for clients with oval faces seeking a refreshed appearance without a dramatic change.
Long Hairstyles That Enhance Oval Face Shapes
Oval faces truly hit the genetic jackpot when it comes to hairstyle versatility, especially with longer locks. Long hairstyles complement the natural balance of oval faces, creating a frame that enhances your features while adding movement and dimension.
Face-Framing Layers
Face-framing layers are a perfect match for oval faces, improving the natural contours without disrupting your face’s inherent symmetry. Adding layers around the jawline and cheekbones creates definition and structure, bringing attention to your best features while maintaining balance. These strategic cuts work brilliantly on both short and long hairstyles, offering versatility for various styling options. Side-swept bangs can also serve as an excellent face-framing element, softening your overall look while maintaining the balanced appearance that makes oval faces so adaptable. We recommend asking your stylist for graduated layers that start at chin level, continuing downward to preserve length while adding movement that flatters your face shape.
Textured Waves and Curls
Textured waves add ever-changing movement to long hair, making them particularly flattering for oval face shapes. These versatile styles work exceptionally well with medium to long hair, creating dimension that complements rather than overwhelms your balanced features. Mermaid-length waves specifically highlight the symmetrical proportions of oval faces, adding flow and movement that enhances your natural beauty. Curly hairstyles also pair beautifully with oval faces, especially when layers are incorporated to enhance the natural texture and create more vibrant, bouncy curls. The volume and interest that curls add to your hair creates a frame that accentuates your face’s natural symmetry while adding personality to your overall look. Textured styles give you the freedom to play with volume and shape while maintaining the harmonious balance that makes oval faces so adaptable to different hairstyles.
Bangs and Fringe Options for Oval Faces
Oval faces have the unique advantage of being able to wear virtually any type of bangs or fringe. The natural balance of oval facial features creates the perfect canvas for experimenting with different fringe styles that can enhance your best features.
Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs stand out as one of the most flattering options for oval faces, creating a soft frame that enhances your natural facial harmony. These versatile bangs typically extend to the cheekbones or chin, parting in the middle to frame both sides of the face symmetrically. Their gradual length helps accentuate cheekbones while adding texture and dimension around the forehead and eyes. Many oval-faced individuals find that curtain bangs complement their balanced proportions by adding softness without overwhelming their features. Pairing curtain bangs with layered styles like shoulder-length or long shags can further enhance the overall effect, creating a sophisticated yet effortless look.
Wispy Fringe
Wispy fringe offers a light, airy alternative that brings subtle definition to oval faces without dominating your features. This delicate style features thin, textured pieces that typically fall just above or at the eyebrows, often with a center part or slightly off-center arrangement. The intentionally feathery nature of wispy bangs prevents the forehead from appearing too narrow while adding fullness around the jawline. Their weightless quality makes them particularly compatible with oval faces, drawing attention to the cheekbones and lips—natural focal points on this face shape. For additional dimension, combining wispy fringe with layered haircuts creates depth and movement throughout your style. These adaptable bangs work beautifully across various hair lengths, textures, and densities, making them a versatile choice for those with oval face shapes.
Updos and Ponytails for Oval-Shaped Faces
Oval faces have the enviable advantage of being able to rock practically any updo or ponytail style with ease. These hairstyles can enhance your natural facial balance while offering versatile options for both casual and formal occasions.
High Ponytails
High ponytails serve as perfect complements to oval faces, creating a sleek silhouette that emphasizes your balanced features. This versatile style elongates the neck and draws attention directly to your face, highlighting the natural symmetry that oval faces possess. You can customize your high ponytail to match any occasion—opt for a polished, sleek look for formal events or a more relaxed, textured style for casual outings. Adding face-framing pieces to your high ponytail enhances cheekbones and softens the overall appearance, creating dimension without disrupting your face’s natural harmony. For maximum impact, consider incorporating layers or subtle bangs with your ponytail to add fullness and accentuate your best features.
Messy Buns and Topknots
Messy buns and topknots offer effortlessly chic options that beautifully complement oval face shapes without overwhelming your balanced proportions. These styles add volume and texture at the crown, creating visual interest while maintaining harmony with your facial features. Leaving a few face-framing tendrils or incorporating soft bangs with your messy bun enhances the romantic appeal and draws attention to your cheekbones and lips. Topknots can be positioned strategically—higher on the head for an elongating effect or slightly lower for a more relaxed vibe that still flatters your oval structure. The natural versatility of these styles allows for easy transitions from day to night, making them practical choices for those with oval faces seeking both style and convenience.
Celebrity Inspiration for Oval Face Hairstyles
Looking for star-powered hairstyle inspiration for your oval face? Celebrities with this versatile face shape showcase some of the most flattering and adaptable styles in Hollywood.
Women’s Hairstyles
- Rihanna’s Blunt Bob frames an oval face perfectly with its clean lines and versatile styling options. This classic cut offers a bold statement while highlighting the balanced proportions of oval faces.
- Jennifer Aniston’s Long Layers remain a timeless choice that complements oval faces beautifully. Her signature face-framing layers enhance natural features while maintaining movement and dimension.
- Polished Lobs worn by Emma Stone and Taylor Swift enhance the natural symmetry of oval faces. These sophisticated long bobs strike the perfect balance between short and long styles, offering versatility for various occasions.
- Mermaid-Length Waves like those showcased by Gwyneth Paltrow add elegance and sophistication to oval faces. These flowing locks create a romantic silhouette while maintaining facial harmony.
Red Carpet Looks to Copy
- Elegant Updos seen on Kate Middleton and Scarlett Johansson accentuate the features of an oval face while creating a polished appearance. These styles draw attention upward, highlighting cheekbones and eyes.
- Face-Framing Layers worn by Jessica Alba and Charlize Theron on red carpets add glamour and sophistication. Their strategically placed layers enhance facial contours while maintaining the natural balance of oval faces.
Everyday Celebrity Styles
- Casual Waves as seen on Jennifer Lawrence and Julianne Moore offer effortless style for daily wear. These relaxed textures complement oval faces without requiring extensive styling time.
- Short Pixies showcased by Michelle Williams and Halle Berry prove that oval faces can rock dramatically short cuts. These bold styles highlight facial symmetry while offering easy maintenance for busy lifestyles.
- Classic Undercut with Beard popularized by David Beckham works exceptionally well for men with oval faces. This combination enhances natural facial features while providing a modern, masculine edge.
- Textured Crop with Stubble Beard adds casual yet stylish dimension to men’s oval faces. This contemporary style balances proportions while allowing for personalized styling.
- Side Part Haircut favored by Ryan Gosling and George Clooney offers a versatile, easy-to-maintain option. This classic style suits oval faces perfectly while transitioning seamlessly from casual to formal settings.
Hair Colors That Enhance Oval Face Features
Choosing the right hair color can elevate your oval face’s natural symmetry and balanced proportions. The versatility of oval faces allows for many color options that can accentuate your best features.
Neutral and Earthy Tones
Oval faces look stunning with warm, natural color palettes that complement their balanced features. Honey blonde creates a sun-kissed glow that enhances facial symmetry without overwhelming your natural beauty. Caramel brown tones add richness and depth while maintaining a sophisticated look that frames oval faces perfectly. Rich reds provide a bold yet flattering option that draws attention to your face’s natural harmony and balanced proportions.
Multi-dimensional coloring techniques work exceptionally well for oval faces. Combining lighter and darker shades throughout your hair creates visual interest and texture that complements your face shape. This approach adds depth to your overall look while maintaining the natural balance that makes oval faces so versatile.
Highlight Placement Strategies
Strategic highlight placement can dramatically enhance an oval face’s natural symmetry. Face-framing highlights positioned around the temples and sides create definition that accentuates your balanced features. This technique draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones while maintaining the harmonious proportions of your oval shape.
Subtle highlighting approaches generally work better than dramatic contrasts for oval faces. Gentle, blended highlights that seamlessly integrate with your base color preserve the natural balance of your face shape. Avoiding harsh, chunky highlights helps maintain the elegant symmetry that makes oval faces so adaptable to different styles.
Balayage and Ombré Techniques
Balayage offers a particularly flattering coloring option for oval-shaped faces. This freehand highlighting technique creates a natural, sun-kissed appearance with soft transitions between colors. The gradual blending complements the balanced proportions of oval faces while adding dimension and movement to your hair.
Ombré coloring transitions beautifully from darker roots to lighter ends on oval face shapes. This gradient effect creates visual interest and depth without harsh lines or obvious transitions between colors. The soft blend of shades adds texture and dimension that enhances rather than disrupts your face’s natural symmetry. Both techniques allow for customization based on your personal style while maintaining the inherent balance that makes oval faces so versatile.
Common Hairstyling Mistakes to Avoid With Oval Faces
While oval faces are versatile and can pull off many styles, certain hairstyling choices can disrupt their natural balance. We’ve identified six common mistakes to avoid when styling your oval-shaped face to maintain its harmonious proportions.
Avoiding Too Much Volume on Top
Creating excessive volume at the crown can make an oval face appear elongated. Styles that add important height at the top disrupt the natural balance of oval faces by visually stretching facial proportions. Instead of sky-high volume, opt for moderate lift that maintains your face’s inherent symmetry.
Steer Clear of Blunt Cuts Without Layers
Blunt cuts without any layering often create a flat, boxy effect that doesn’t enhance oval face shapes. These one-dimensional styles lack the movement and texture that complement oval proportions. Adding even subtle layers to blunt cuts creates necessary depth and dimension while maintaining the clean lines you desire.
Avoid Overly Asymmetrical Styles
Highly asymmetrical hairstyles can throw off the natural balance of an oval face. Dramatic side parts or extremely uneven cuts sometimes create visual imbalance rather than improving your features. Subtle asymmetry works well, but extreme versions can distort your face’s inherent harmony.
Be Cautious with Too Much Length Without Layers
Long, straight hair without layers can visually elongate an oval face beyond its natural proportions. The weight of unbroken length pulls the eye downward, making your face appear narrower and longer. Strategic layers around the cheekbones and jawline maintain proper proportions while still allowing you to enjoy longer styles.
Avoid Full Fringes That Are Too Thick
Excessively thick, straight-across bangs can overwhelm oval faces by hiding too much of the forehead. These heavy fringes disrupt the balanced oval shape by making the face appear shorter and wider than it actually is. Opt for lighter, more textured fringe styles that frame rather than dominate your features.
Steer Clear of Too Much Weight at the Bottom
Hairstyles with excessive bulk or volume concentrated at the ends create an inverted triangle effect that disrupts facial harmony. Bottom-heavy cuts that lack proper weight distribution throughout the hair can make oval faces appear imbalanced. Distribute volume evenly throughout your style or focus on face-framing layers to maintain your face’s natural proportions.
How to Style Your New Haircut at Home
Your oval face shape is truly a gift in the industry of hairstyling! We’ve explored many flattering options that enhance your naturally balanced features while expressing your personal style. Whether you’ve chosen a textured pixie bold curtain bangs or flowing layers remember that confidence is your best accessory.
The perfect hairstyle isn’t just about face shape but also your lifestyle hair texture and maintenance preferences. Experiment with different styling techniques to make your new cut work for everyday wear and special occasions.
Take advantage of your versatile face shape by refreshing your look seasonally. With so many celebrity-inspired options and expert styling tips at your disposal you’re well-equipped to showcase your oval face’s natural harmony with whatever style speaks to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have an oval face shape?
You likely have an oval face if the length-to-width ratio is approximately 1.5:1, with a slightly wider forehead than chin and well-defined cheekbones. Your face has naturally balanced proportions without extreme features. To check, pull your hair back and trace your face outline in a mirror, or take a front-facing photo and outline your face shape.
What makes oval faces so versatile for hairstyles?
Oval faces are considered versatile because they have naturally balanced proportions without dominant features that need minimizing or emphasizing. This natural symmetry allows oval-faced individuals to successfully wear virtually any hairstyle, from pixie cuts to long layers, blunt bobs to shaggy styles, making it easier to experiment with different looks.
What are the best short hairstyles for oval faces?
The most flattering short styles for oval faces include textured pixie cuts, side-swept pixies, and structured bobs. These styles accentuate balanced facial proportions while highlighting features like eyes and cheekbones. Grown-out pixies offer versatility, while textured bobs add depth and movement while maintaining your face’s natural balance.
Can oval faces wear bangs?
Absolutely! Oval faces can wear virtually any bang style. Curtain bangs are particularly flattering, creating a soft frame that enhances facial harmony. Wispy fringes offer subtle definition without overwhelming features. Side-swept bangs draw attention to the eyes, while even blunt bangs can work well on oval faces.
What long hairstyles work best for oval faces?
Long layered cuts with face-framing layers complement oval faces beautifully by enhancing contours without disrupting symmetry. Textured waves and curls add movement and dimension while maintaining balanced proportions. Middle-parted waves enhance natural symmetry, and straight styles with subtle layers create a sleek silhouette that showcases oval face harmony.
Are there any hairstyles oval-faced people should avoid?
While oval faces can wear most styles, avoid creating excessive volume on top, which can elongate your face. Steer clear of blunt cuts without layers, extremely asymmetrical styles, and long straight hair without dimension. Thick, full fringes and bottom-heavy hairstyles can disrupt your face’s natural balance and should be approached with caution.
What medium-length styles are best for oval faces?
Layered lobs are particularly flattering for oval faces, as they frame the face beautifully while adding depth through graduated layers. Side-swept bangs and curtain bangs pair excellently with medium lengths, elegantly framing the face. Textured waves at shoulder-length provide versatility and manageable styling options while enhancing facial symmetry.
Which celebrities have oval faces I can look to for inspiration?
Look to celebrities like Jennifer Aniston (known for long layers), Rihanna (blunt bob), Emma Stone (polished lob), and Kate Middleton (elegant updos). For men, David Beckham and Ryan Gosling showcase classic undercuts and textured crops that complement oval faces. These stars demonstrate the versatility oval faces have with different hairstyles.
What hair colors best complement oval faces?
Neutral and earthy tones like honey blonde and caramel brown complement the balanced features of oval faces. Multi-dimensional coloring techniques such as highlights, balayage, and ombré add depth and visual interest. Strategic highlight placement around the face can accentuate features while maintaining symmetry, enhancing your oval face’s natural advantages.
How can I style updos for my oval face?
High ponytails work exceptionally well on oval faces, elongating the neck and emphasizing balanced features. Messy buns and topknots provide chic options that maintain harmony with facial proportions. These styles can be customized with face-framing tendrils or textured elements for different occasions, from casual to formal events.
