Will bangs make my oval face look rounder?

A heavy fringe can make an oval look rounder because it hides some of the face's length. Side-swept bangs and curtain bangs cover part of your forehead if you'd like to shorten the visible outline without covering as much.

Should I follow straight-hair advice if my ends bend?

Judge your texture by how your hair dries naturally. If you see a wave beside your cheeks, look for a cut that leaves room for that movement.

Women's hairstyles for an oval face with straight hair

At a glance

Face shape: Oval
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: Keep the balance; pick the style for your hair type and how much upkeep you want
Styling tip: a matte paste or texture spray gives it the lift it does not have on its own
Top picks: High ponytail, Pixie, Soft waves

Straight hair on an oval face (women)
Style	Fit	Why
High ponytail	Good	It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.
Pixie	Good	It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.
Soft waves	Good	It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Sleek straight	Good	It adds vertical lines that lengthen the outline.
Butterfly cut	Good	It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Side-swept bangs	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Braids	Good	It shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face.
Long layers	Good	It adds vertical lines that lengthen the outline.
Shag	Good	It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Wolf cut	Good	It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Curtain bangs	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.
Textured bob	Good	It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Lob	Good	It adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw.
Blunt bob	Good	It adds straight lines and corners that a soft outline lacks.

Decide which part of the oval to show

An oval face is about one and a half times as long as it is wide. Your cheekbones mark the widest point, and your jaw tapers gently toward your chin. Most styling rules start with those proportions, so you can choose where you'd like the eye to go.

If you like seeing the taper of your jaw, pull your hair into a high ponytail before you consider a pixie. Both leave your outline in view, as do braids worn away from your face. The ponytail lets you try that effect while keeping your length.

Choose the line you want the cut to make

For a short cut on straight hair, compare a blunt bob with a textured bob. The blunt edge adds a straight line and corners against the soft curve of your jaw. A textured bob breaks up that edge, as does a lob with softer ends.

If you prefer longer hair, long layers or a sleek straight style draw the eye down. A butterfly cut, shag or wolf cut gives you broken lines instead. Like soft waves, those lines can soften the look of a strong jaw.

Match the cut to your morning routine

Choose a cut you like when it lies flat. A matte paste or texture spray can give straight hair the lift it lacks on its own. The mistake is picking a cut meant for another texture and counting on your stylist to recreate it with product.

If your reference photo shows soft waves, ask to see the cut worn straight before deciding. You may love the wave but prefer a different edge on days you skip styling.

Questions people ask

Will bangs make my oval face look rounder?: A heavy fringe can make an oval look rounder because it hides some of the face's length. Side-swept bangs and curtain bangs cover part of your forehead if you'd like to shorten the visible outline without covering as much.
Should I follow straight-hair advice if my ends bend?: Judge your texture by how your hair dries naturally. If you see a wave beside your cheeks, look for a cut that leaves room for that movement.

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

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