Should I choose a pixie or a bob for thin hair?

Both suit an oval face. A pixie shows the whole outline, while a blunt bob adds straight lines and corners. Choose around your preferred length and upkeep.

Can I keep a longer style?

A lob is a good fit for the face shape. For fullness, shorter lengths and blunt ends read fuller than long layers.

Do bangs suit an oval face with thin hair?

Side-swept and curtain bangs both fit. They shorten the visible face by covering part of your forehead, while a heavy fringe can make it look rounder.

A guide to women's hairstyles for an oval face with thin hair

Choosing women's hairstyles for an oval face with thin hair

At a glance

Face shape: Oval
Hair type: Thin
What thin hair adds: little volume; shorter lengths and blunt ends read fuller than long layers
Aim for: Keep the balance; pick the style for your hair type and how much upkeep you want
Styling tip: keep it shorter and blunter, and avoid styles that depend on density
Top picks: Pixie, Soft waves, Sleek straight

Thin hair on an oval face (women)
Style	Fit	Why
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.
Side-swept 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.
Curtain bangs	Good	It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face.

Keep the balance you already have

An oval face is about one and a half times as long as it is wide. The cheekbones form 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. Nothing needs correcting. The oval face guide explains the outline if you're unsure how yours compares.

Start with these styles

These oval-face hairstyles for thin hair offer different ways to show or frame your features. Choose the effect you want.

Pixie: shows the whole outline, which suits a balanced face. It's a starting point if you want a short cut.
Soft waves: add soft, broken-up lines. They can soften the look of a strong jaw if that's a feature you want to play down.
Sleek straight: adds vertical lines that lengthen the outline. Keep the ends blunt rather than relying on long layers for shape.

Bobs and bangs also fit

Short haircuts for an oval face don't have to mean a pixie. These options also suit the outline:

Textured bob or lob: adds soft, broken-up lines that soften a strong jaw. Keep enough weight at the ends to suit thin hair.
Blunt bob: adds straight lines and corners to a soft outline. Its blunt ends also fit the aim of making thin hair read fuller.
Side-swept or curtain bangs: cover part of the forehead, shortening the visible face.

A heavy fringe can make an oval outline look rounder by hiding its length. Decide whether you want that effect before choosing bangs.

Give your stylist a brief your hair can support

The common mistake is choosing a cut designed for another hair type and expecting product to make it work. Start with your own hair.

Ask for a shorter, blunter shape that doesn't depend on density. Tell your stylist how much upkeep you want before settling on the cut. The aim is to keep the balance while matching your hair type and routine.

Check your outline separately from your hair

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.

Use the hairstyle guide to compare options once you've chosen your shape and hair type.

Questions people ask

Should I choose a pixie or a bob for thin hair?: Both suit an oval face. A pixie shows the whole outline, while a blunt bob adds straight lines and corners. Choose around your preferred length and upkeep.
Can I keep a longer style?: A lob is a good fit for the face shape. For fullness, shorter lengths and blunt ends read fuller than long layers.
Do bangs suit an oval face with thin hair?: Side-swept and curtain bangs both fit. They shorten the visible face by covering part of your forehead, while a heavy fringe can make it look rounder.

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

The closest pages in this section, picked by topic rather than by date.

Browse all Hairstyles, beards and glasses by face shape