Does wavy hair suit an oblong face?

Its soft movement and side width help balance a long outline. Keep that width near the cheeks and avoid adding height on top.

What matters most when choosing fringe cuts for a long face?

Choose the forehead coverage you want, then discuss where the fringe will sit dry. Your barber should allow for the wave springing up.

Is a textured crop as suitable as a French crop?

The French crop is a good starting point because its fringe shortens the visible face. A textured crop is neutral because it combines forehead coverage with added top height.

men's hairstyles for an oblong face with wavy hair

At a glance

Face shape: Oblong
Hair type: Wavy
What wavy hair adds: soft movement and a little width at the sides
Aim for: Width at the sides and a fringe, no extra height
Styling tip: cut it dry or with the wave in mind, or the length springs up shorter than planned
Top picks: Messy fringe, Curtain fringe, French crop

Wavy hair on an oblong face (men)
Style	Fit	Why
Messy fringe	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Curtain fringe	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
French crop	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Textured crop	Neutral	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face, but it also adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Taper fade	With a tweak	It exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
Buzz cut	With a tweak	It exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
Crew cut	With a tweak	It adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Quiff	With a tweak	It adds height on top, and this face is already long. On the plus side it adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Undercut	With a tweak	It adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Man bun	With a tweak	It adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Side part	With a tweak	It adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Slick back	With a tweak	It exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
Skin fade	With a tweak	It exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
Pompadour	With a tweak	It adds height on top, and this face is already long.

Let the wave add width beside your face

An oblong face has fairly straight sides. Volume near the cheeks helps balance its long outline, while a fringe shortens the visible forehead. Your natural wave already adds some useful side width.

These wavy haircuts for oblong faces give you a fringe to work with:

Messy fringe: Good. It covers part of the forehead and keeps the wave's soft movement.
Curtain fringe: Good. Forehead coverage helps shorten the visible face.
French crop: Good. Its fringe breaks up the face's length.

Keep the focus beside your face and across the forehead. Height above it works against that aim.

Watch where the other styles add volume

For men's wavy hairstyles for a long face, movement helps most when it adds width. A tall top still adds length, even when the hair has a wave.

Textured crop: Neutral. The fringe covers part of the forehead, but the top also adds height to an already long face.
Crew cut, undercut, man bun, side part and pompadour: With a tweak. Each adds height on top, so ask for a lower shape.
Quiff: With a tweak. Its height adds length, though the soft, broken-up lines can take the edge off a strong jaw.
Taper fade, buzz cut, slick back and skin fade: With a tweak. These expose the full outline and put its width on show.

Long, straight lengths also add vertical lines. Keep that in mind if you plan to wear your waves straight.

Plan the fringe around its dry length

Ask your barber to cut it dry or work with the wave in mind. Otherwise, the length can spring up shorter than planned. That matters when you're choosing how much forehead the fringe should cover.

Give a clear brief: “Keep width at the sides and leave a fringe, without extra height.” Then discuss where the fringe will sit once your hair dries.

A common mistake is picking a cut written for another hair type and expecting product to force the result. A photo from the straight-hair guide needs that distinction.

Choose your hair type from how it dries

The free face-shape finder names the closest prototype from one selfie, on your device. It doesn't read hair type, so choose that yourself from how your hair dries naturally.

The men's oblong-face hairstyle guide covers the shared shape choices. Use the hairstyle hub if you need to compare another hair type before choosing a cut.

Questions people ask

Does wavy hair suit an oblong face?: Its soft movement and side width help balance a long outline. Keep that width near the cheeks and avoid adding height on top.
What matters most when choosing fringe cuts for a long face?: Choose the forehead coverage you want, then discuss where the fringe will sit dry. Your barber should allow for the wave springing up.
Is a textured crop as suitable as a French crop?: The French crop is a good starting point because its fringe shortens the visible face. A textured crop is neutral because it combines forehead coverage with added top height.

Written from the measurements and ingredient facts on this site, then checked for the usual mistakes. Not medical advice.

The closest pages in this section, picked by topic rather than by date.

Browse all Hairstyles, beards and glasses by face shape