Is a slick back a bad choice for an oblong face?

No. Caution isn't a ban: nearly every cut works on every shape once you adjust the feature the verdict flags. Here, keep the extra top length from becoming extra height.

Why leave more length on top if my face is already long?

The request concerns hair length, not upward volume. Keep that length lying back along the head instead of lifting it above the forehead.

Will a slick back make my face look shorter?

It leaves the forehead exposed, so it doesn't provide the shortening effect of a fringe. Controlled height and some side fullness help balance the long outline.

A slick back for an oblong face (men): What to change

At a glance

Style: Slick back
Face shape: Oblong
Verdict: Works with a tweak
Why: It exposes the full outline, which puts its width on show.
Ask your barber to: leave a little more length on top

Ask for length without added height

Ask your barber to leave a little more length on top. Explain that you want the hair to lie back without building a tall shape above your forehead.

Length and height aren't the same. For a slick back on an oblong face, the extra length should follow the head's outline. Check the front view with your barber so the finished style doesn't add the height you're trying to control.

Keep some width beside your face

Don't judge the top in isolation. A slicked-back hairstyle for a long face also needs attention at the sides, where cheek-level volume helps balance the outline.

Combing everything back reveals your forehead and the full shape of your face. That exposure puts its width on show; it doesn't change your proportions. The slick-back guide explains the style itself, while this adjustment addresses how it frames an oblong face.

Decide whether you want your forehead exposed

A slick back leaves the forehead uncovered, so it won't give you the shortening effect of a fringe. Choose it because you like that open outline.

If covering part of your forehead matters more, compare a messy fringe for an oblong face. Long, straight lengths and extra height can make the outline look longer. Neither is the goal when styling this version.

Preview the cut and allow for daily styling

The free face-shape finder confirms your face-shape prototype from one selfie. The hairstyle try-on then shows this cut on your own photo.

Upkeep: daily product, trim every five to six weeks. That daily styling is part of choosing this cut, so factor it into your decision. Browse the hairstyle guide if you want to compare a different outline.

Questions people ask

Is a slick back a bad choice for an oblong face?: No. Caution isn't a ban: nearly every cut works on every shape once you adjust the feature the verdict flags. Here, keep the extra top length from becoming extra height.
Why leave more length on top if my face is already long?: The request concerns hair length, not upward volume. Keep that length lying back along the head instead of lifting it above the forehead.
Will a slick back make my face look shorter?: It leaves the forehead exposed, so it doesn't provide the shortening effect of a fringe. Controlled height and some side fullness help balance the long outline.

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

How to wear a slick back for an oblong face (men)