women's hairstyles for an oblong face with curly hair

Curly hair adds volume and width wherever you leave it long, so keep that fullness beside your cheeks. For women's hairstyles for an oblong face with curly hair, start with a shag, wolf cut or side-swept bangs. Aim for width at the sides and a fringe, with no extra height.

An oblong face is clearly longer than it is wide, with fairly straight sides. Curls can balance that outline when their volume sits beside your face instead of above it.

Updated 30 October 2026

women's hairstyles for an oblong face with curly hair

At a glance

Face shape
Oblong
Hair type
Curly
What curly hair adds
volume and width wherever it is left long
Aim for
Width at the sides and a fringe, no extra height
Styling tip
the sides decide the outline: short sides keep width off the cheeks, longer sides add it
Top picks
Shag, Wolf cut, Side-swept bangs
Curly hair on an oblong face (women)
StyleFitWhy
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.
Side-swept bangsGoodIt covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Textured bobGoodIt adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline.
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.
Soft wavesNeutralIt adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline, but it also adds length to an outline that 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.
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.
PixieWith 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 shag, wolf cut or side-swept bangs

The top curly haircuts for a long face cover part of the forehead, which shortens the visible outline. The difference is what happens above it.

  • Shag: a good fit because it covers some forehead, but it also adds height on top. Ask your stylist to limit that height.
  • Wolf cut: another good fit with forehead coverage, though its added crown height needs the same attention.
  • Side-swept bangs: cover part of the forehead to make the visible face look shorter.

Compare the width and height of other cuts

For curly styles on an oblong face, check where each cut places its volume before choosing the length.

  • Textured bob: a good fit that adds side width to balance a long outline.
  • Lob and long layers: both need a tweak because they add length. Their soft, broken-up lines can soften a strong jaw.
  • Soft waves: neutral because they add helpful side width but also add length to an already long outline.
  • Butterfly cut: neutral because its side width helps, while its added height works against the aim.
  • Braids and pixie: both need a tweak. They expose the full face outline, putting its width on show.
  • High ponytail: needs a tweak because it adds height above a face that's already long.

Tell your stylist where you want the fullness

The sides decide the outline: short sides keep width off the cheeks, while longer sides add it. For oblong faces with curls, cheek-level volume helps balance the face's length. Long, straight vertical lines and extra crown height make it look longer.

Ask for fullness beside your cheeks, some forehead coverage and a top that doesn't add height. Avoid choosing a cut designed for another hair type and expecting your stylist to force it with product.

Check face shape and hair type separately

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

Use the oblong face guide to check the outline you're working with. The hairstyle guide lets you compare cuts by face shape and hair type.

Questions people ask

Can a short curly cut suit an oblong face?
Yes. A textured bob adds width at the sides, which balances a long face. A pixie needs more thought because it exposes the full outline.
Should I avoid all volume with a long face?
No. Keep useful volume beside your cheeks and limit extra height on top. Where your curls add fullness matters more than volume alone.

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

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