Top Men’s Hairstyles for an Oblong Face Shape

Last Updated on September 7, 2026 by Dru Meskan

Oblong Face Shape Hairstyles for Men: Best Haircuts by Length

As our clients come to our First & Mane in search of a different look, one of the first things we examine is their face shape. Face shape is the basis for a perfect haircut. Have you observed that you have a face that is longer in proportion to your width, with a rounded lower jaw and a high forehead? Then you have an oblong-shaped face. 

Such faces are very common, but they demand special handling in order not to accentuate, but rather to highlight your facial beauty. If you’re looking for expert advice, be sure to consult our barber shop near Scottsdale, AZ, for personalized recommendations.

Our objective with an oblong face is all about balance. We do not want to make our face look longer. Rather, we want to widen it and make it fuller on both sides with a short top length. Thus, an oval face will be formed, and our most flattering feature will come into prominence. Here is how this can be achieved for an oblong face with short, medium, and long hair.

How to Tell If You Have an Oblong Face Shape

Not sure if an oblong face shape is really yours? It’s one of the easier shapes to self identify. Your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are all roughly the same width, your jawline is straight or softly rounded rather than angular, and the defining trait is that your face is noticeably longer than it is wide. If you’re comparing yourself to a round face or a square face shape, the giveaway is length: those shapes read as wide or angular, while an oblong face reads as long and narrow.

Once you’ve confirmed the shape, the styling goal stays consistent throughout this guide: add width at the sides, avoid height at the crown.

Short Haircuts for an Oblong-Shaped Face Male

If you’re searching for oblong face shape hairstyles for a male, understanding your unique features can help you choose a flattering cut.

Several of our clients think that short hair is the safest option, but you have to be very careful not to go too short on the sides. A high fade can make an oval face appear narrower than before. To avoid this, you can go for a hairstyle that retains some length on the sides.

If you do want a fade, ask your barber for a low fade or taper fade rather than a high or skin fade. A low taper starting near the ear keeps the side fullness that balances an oblong face.

The Caesar style is a great option for this face shape. The short, cut-horizontally hairstyle will help to soften a high forehead by creating an immediate shortening effect on the face. A textured crop is another great option for this face shape. Like a Caesar style, this haircut will bring hair forward to cover the forehead, but with a textured look. This will help to create the needed volume on the sides and top without lengthening the face. A French crop is worth asking for too. Its fringe does the same forward and wide work as a textured crop but with a slightly cleaner, more structured finish.

Medium Oblong Hairstyles for Men

If you’re researching medium hairstyles for an oblong face shape as a male, many options provide great versatility and style. Here are some tips you can follow when styling your hair if you have an elongated face. One of our favorite styling tips is a side part, so keep this in mind. A deep side part with tapered sides or a textured quiff both work the same way, building width across the top rather than height.

A slicked-back look can work well too, provided it is not styled up too high. Our advice would be to keep it flat or slightly angled to one side. The trick in this style is to make sure you are using a product with a matte finish to keep attention focused on the shape rather than on the product you are using. Try not to hide your natural wave if you have this in your hair. Wavy texture will give you volume on the sides, which is exactly what you need to balance out your face length.

Long Hairstyles for Oblong Faces

If you’re interested in exploring long men’s hairstyles for oblong face shape, letting your hair grow is a good idea, but this takes time and a good cut. With an oval face, a straight cut hair style is not a good idea because this will pull your face downward. A shoulder-length style with layers is good.

Layers bring movement and width to your face in the regions of your cheekbones and jawline. A modern mullet is another long option worth considering. The shorter front and sides keep height in check while the length at the back adds visual interest without stretching the face. If your hair is naturally curly or coily, you’re already in good shape at this length, since the volume tends to sit outward at the sides, which is exactly the balance an oblong face needs.

When you wear your hair up, do not pull it back into a high top knot. This will simply accentuate your stature. A low bun or ponytail can be worn at the base of your neck and will look far more flattering on you.

Best Beard Styles to Pair With an Oblong Face

A great haircut only does half the job. The right beard adds the width your jawline needs and takes some visual weight off the length of your face. A full beard is one of the most effective pairings for an oblong face shape, since it broadens the jawline and softens the overall length. If you’re wearing a shorter cut like a Caesar or textured crop, a fuller beard balances it out nicely. If you’ve gone with a side part or slicked-back style, a neatly faded beard keeps the look sharp while still adding width at the jaw.

For a full breakdown of what works for your specific face shape, take a look at our guide to different beard styles for every face shape, or come see us at First & Mane for a beard sculpting appointment.

Hairstyles Men Should Avoid With an Oblong Face Shape

As far as styles go, there are a few that we always recommend our clients avoid with an oval face. The first, and most important, is height. A pompadour, a hawk, or any haircut that puts your hair up straight will make your face appear longer.

We recommend not using very short sides with a lot of length on top. Such a split highlights leanness with a vertical line. A middle part on very long hair will frame your face with a curtain-like effect, again calling attention to length rather than to width.

Selecting an Appropriate Cut for Yourself

When searching for the best haircuts for an oblong-faced male, consider both your lifestyle and maintenance preferences.

A good haircut is a combination of your personal style and the skill of your barber. Although this advice serves you well, your personal style and hair type matter immensely.

Straight, fine hair needs more help from the cut itself. A French crop or textured fringe with a matte clay does the structural work your hair won’t do on its own. Wavy and curly textures have a natural advantage here, since the bend of the hair already pushes volume outward at the sides. When you go to a barbershop in the future, come talk to First & Mane about your worries. We can modify these traditional haircuts to accommodate your facial structure. A good haircut not only alters your appearance but also boosts your confidence when you step out into the world!

If you also wear glasses, pick wide or horizontal frames, such as round, browline, or rectangular styles, over narrow or very tall ones for the same reason: horizontal lines balance an oblong face better than vertical ones. See our guide to the best haircuts for men with glasses for more on pairing the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an Oblong Face Shape? 

An oblong face is longer than it is wide, with the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline all roughly the same width, and a softly rounded or straight jawline.

What Haircuts Should Men With Oblong Faces Avoid? 

Avoid styles that add height at the crown, such as pompadours, faux hawks, and high-volume slicked-back looks, along with high or skin fades and center parts on long hair, since these emphasize length rather than width.

Is a Fade a Good Option for an Oblong Face Shape? 

A low or mid fade works well because it preserves fullness on the sides. A high or skin fade is best avoided since it narrows the face further.

Do Beards Help Balance an Oblong Face Shape? 

Yes. A fuller beard adds width to the jawline and reduces the visual emphasis on face length, making it one of the most effective pairings for this face shape.

Is Oblong a Good or Rare Face Shape for Men? 

It’s a common face shape, and with the right cut, one that prioritizes width over height, it’s easy to style flatteringly.