women's hairstyles for an oblong face with coily hair

Coily hair grows outward and upward, so its dense volume can both balance and lengthen an oblong face. The best women's hairstyles for an oblong face with coily hair direct that volume toward the sides. Start with a textured bob, shag or wolf cut, keeping the crown from gaining extra height.

Aim for width beside your cheeks and a fringe that covers part of your forehead. The outline matters more than the cut's name: the same shag can add welcome width or unwanted height.

Updated 4 November 2026

women's hairstyles for an oblong face with coily hair

At a glance

Face shape
Oblong
Hair type
Coily
What coily hair adds
dense volume that grows outward and upward
Aim for
Width at the sides and a fringe, no extra height
Styling tip
shape is cut into the hair itself, so ask for the outline you want rather than a length
Top picks
Textured bob, Shag, Wolf cut
Coily hair on an oblong face (women)
StyleFitWhy
Textured bobGoodIt adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline.
ShagGoodIt covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face. Watch one thing: it adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Wolf cutGoodIt covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face. Watch one thing: it adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Butterfly cutNeutralIt adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline, but it also adds height on top, and this face is already long.
LobWith a tweakIt adds length to an outline that is already long. On the plus side it adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Long layersWith a tweakIt adds length to an outline that is already long. On the plus side it adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
BraidsWith a tweakIt exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
High ponytailWith a tweakIt adds height on top, and this face is already long.

Start with a textured bob, shag or wolf cut

A textured bob is a good starting point because it adds width at the sides. For coily hair on a long face, that width helps balance the outline without needing height.

  • Textured bob: a good fit for adding side volume where an oblong face benefits from it.
  • Shag: a good fit when its fringe covers part of the forehead. Watch the top, because added height makes the face look longer.
  • Wolf cut: a good fit for the same forehead coverage. Ask for side width without building extra height into the crown.

For an oblong face, coily hairstyles work best when the fringe and side volume support the same outline. A fringe shortens the visible face; a tall crown pulls it back toward length.

Compare the other cuts by their outline

The other styles need a closer look at where they place volume or expose your face.

  • Butterfly cut: neutral. It adds useful side width, but its height on top also lengthens an already long outline.
  • Lob: works with a tweak. Its length can extend the face, while soft, broken-up lines take the edge off a strong jaw.
  • Long layers: work with a tweak for the same reason. They add length, but their softer lines can soften a strong jaw.
  • Braids: work with a tweak. They expose the full outline and put its width on show.
  • High ponytail: works with a tweak. Its height adds length that this face shape doesn't need.

You can compare these options with the broader hairstyle guide, keeping your natural texture in mind.

Ask your stylist for a shape

With coils, the shape is cut into the hair itself. Ask for the outline you want rather than giving your stylist only a length.

Try this request: "I'd like width beside my cheeks, a fringe and no extra height on top." For a coily haircut on an oblong face, that gives your stylist a clear direction.

A common mistake is choosing a cut designed for another hair type and expecting product to force the result. Judge the cut by how its outline works with your coils, including where they grow upward.

Check your face shape and hair type separately

An oblong face is clearly longer than it is wide, with fairly straight sides. That geometry explains the focus on cheek-level width and forehead coverage.

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.

Questions people ask

Does coily hair suit an oblong face?
Its outward volume adds helpful side width, while its upward volume can add unwanted height. Ask for an outline that favors the sides.
Should I get a fringe with an oblong face?
A fringe covers part of the forehead and shortens the visible face. Pair it with side width rather than extra crown height.
Can I keep long coily hair?
Long layers can work with a tweak, but they can extend an already long outline. Their soft, broken-up lines can also soften a strong jaw.

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

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