Should I avoid a fringe on an oval face?

No. A fringe can suit an oval face, but heavy coverage hides length and can make the outline look rounder.

Does thick hair on an oval face need extra height?

No. Your proportions don't need lengthening. Choose a quiff or pompadour if you want a longer-looking outline, rather than treating height as a requirement.

Best men's hairstyles for an oval face with thick hair

At a glance

Face shape: Oval
Hair type: Thick
What thick hair adds: weight and width, so it usually needs thinning or layering to hold a shape
Aim for: Keep the balance; pick the style for your hair type and how much upkeep you want
Styling tip: ask for weight taken out of the sides so the shape comes from the cut, not the bulk
Top picks: Skin fade, Slick back, Undercut

Thick hair on an oval face (men)
Style	Fit	Why
Skin fade	Good	It adds straight lines and corners that a soft outline lacks.
Slick back	Good	It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.
Undercut	Good	It adds straight lines and corners that a soft outline lacks.
Messy fringe	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Crew cut	Good	It adds straight lines and corners that a soft outline lacks.
Textured crop	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.
Quiff	Good	It adds height on top, which lengthens the outline.
Pompadour	Good	It adds height on top, which lengthens the outline.
Curtain fringe	Good	It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Buzz cut	Good	It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.
Side part	Good	It adds straight lines and corners that a soft outline lacks.
Taper fade	Good	It adds straight lines and corners that a soft outline lacks.
Man bun	Good	It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.

What thick hair changes

An oval face is about one and a half times as long as it is wide. The cheekbones are the widest point, and the jaw tapers softly. Most styling rules use these proportions as their starting point.

Height, width and fringe are choices here, rather than fixes. Thick hair usually needs thinning or layering to hold a shape. Its extra volume can add a little height, which lengthens the outline without necessarily upsetting the balance.

Start with a skin fade, slick back or undercut

The best thick hairstyles for oval faces give the hair a clear shape. These top picks change what you emphasise:

Skin fade: adds straight lines and corners to a soft outline.
Slick back: shows the whole face outline, which suits balanced proportions.
Undercut: adds straight lines and corners, giving the outline more definition.

Choose the effect first. Then ask your barber how the cut will handle your hair's weight and fit the upkeep you're willing to do.

Choose how much forehead and height to show

A messy fringe, textured crop or French crop covers part of the forehead, shortening the visible face. All can suit an oval outline. Keep the coverage deliberate: a heavy fringe can hide enough length to make the face look rounder.

A quiff or pompadour adds height and makes the outline look longer. You can choose that effect without needing it for balance. Curtain fringe creates soft, broken-up lines, which can also take the edge off a stronger-looking jaw.

A crew cut, side part or taper fade adds straight lines and corners. A buzz cut or man bun exposes the whole outline. The broader hairstyle guide helps you compare those different effects.

Choose the cut for the hair you have

Picking a cut designed for another hair type is the common mistake. Product can't replace a cut that accounts for thick hair's weight and width. Bring the conversation back to where the bulk sits and how you want the sides to look.

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

For men's thick haircuts on an oval face, use that shape label as a starting point. Your preferred outline and upkeep should decide the final choice.

Questions people ask

Should I avoid a fringe on an oval face?: No. A fringe can suit an oval face, but heavy coverage hides length and can make the outline look rounder.
Does thick hair on an oval face need extra height?: No. Your proportions don't need lengthening. Choose a quiff or pompadour if you want a longer-looking outline, rather than treating height as a requirement.

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

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The best men's hairstyles for an oval face with thick hair