Do I need bangs if my face is oblong?

Bangs help by covering part of your forehead and shortening the visible face. A textured or blunt bob offers another good option through side width.

Can I keep long, straight hair?

Yes, but long, straight lines make the outline look longer. Ask your stylist how to add side width or forehead coverage without extra height.

Is a shag a good choice for straight hair and an oblong face?

A shag is a good fit because its fringe shortens the visible face. Ask your stylist to watch the height on top.

Women's hairstyles for an oblong face with straight hair

At a glance

Face shape: Oblong
Hair type: Straight
What straight hair adds: lies flat and shows every line of the cut, so the shape comes from the cut itself
Aim for: Width at the sides and a fringe, no extra height
Styling tip: a matte paste or texture spray gives it the lift it does not have on its own
Top picks: Curtain bangs, Side-swept bangs, Textured bob

Straight hair on an oblong face (women)
Style	Fit	Why
Curtain bangs	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Side-swept bangs	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Textured bob	Good	It adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline.
Shag	Good	It 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 cut	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face. Watch one thing: it adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Blunt bob	Good	It adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline.
Soft waves	Neutral	It adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline, but it also adds length to an outline that is already long.
Butterfly cut	Neutral	It adds width at the sides, which balances a long outline, but it also adds height on top, and this face is already long.
Lob	With a tweak	It 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 layers	With a tweak	It 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.
Pixie	With a tweak	It exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
Braids	With a tweak	It exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
Sleek straight	With a tweak	It adds length to an outline that is already long.
High ponytail	With a tweak	It adds height on top, and this face is already long.

Put the fullness beside your cheeks

An oblong face is clearly longer than it is wide, with sides that run fairly straight. Cheek-level volume helps balance that length. A fringe covers part of your forehead, shortening the visible face.

Height on top and long, straight vertical lines extend the outline. When comparing straight hairstyles for women with long faces, check where the fullness sits before choosing a length. The oblong face guide explains the outline.

Start with bangs or a bob

Curtain bangs, side-swept bangs and a textured bob are the top picks. Choose between forehead coverage and side width, or ask your stylist about combining them.

Curtain bangs are a good fit because they cover some forehead and shorten the visible face.
Side-swept bangs are also a good fit for the same reason, with the coverage swept across.
A textured bob is a good fit because it adds width beside your face.
A blunt bob also works well by adding side width.

Check the top before choosing a layered cut

A shag and a wolf cut are good fits because their fringes shorten the visible face. Watch the crown, though. Both add height on top, where an oblong face doesn't need more length.

Soft waves are neutral: they add useful side width, but also length. A butterfly cut is neutral too, pairing side width with extra height. For these oblong-face hairstyles, ask your stylist where the finished cut will look fullest.

Adapt longer cuts and exposed outlines

A lob and long layers need a tweak because they add length. Their soft, broken-up lines can soften a strong jaw, if you have one. Ask how the cut can retain width beside your face.

A pixie and braids also need adapting. They expose your full outline and put its width on show. Discuss whether some side fullness or forehead coverage fits the version you want.

Sleek straight hair needs a tweak because it extends an already long outline. A high ponytail needs one because it adds height. Compare these tradeoffs in the women's oblong-face hairstyle guide.

Ask for a cut that works with straight hair

The common mistake is choosing a cut meant for another hair type and expecting your stylist to force it with product. A matte paste or texture spray gives straight hair lift it doesn't have on its own. Keep that lift at the sides.

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

Use the hairstyle guide to compare cuts, then show your stylist the fringe and side shape you want.

Questions people ask

Do I need bangs if my face is oblong?: Bangs help by covering part of your forehead and shortening the visible face. A textured or blunt bob offers another good option through side width.
Can I keep long, straight hair?: Yes, but long, straight lines make the outline look longer. Ask your stylist how to add side width or forehead coverage without extra height.
Is a shag a good choice for straight hair and an oblong face?: A shag is a good fit because its fringe shortens the visible face. Ask your stylist to watch the height on top.

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

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