Face Shape Guide

The Oblong Face Shape

An Oblong face shape is characterized by a long face that's noticeably longer than it is wide, with similar width at the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. Key features include a face length that's about 1.5x the width, a gently rounded jawline (softer than Rectangle), similar widths at forehead, cheeks, and jaw, and soft, elongated features. The face appears long and narrow. This guide covers everything you need to know: characteristics, best hairstyles, glasses frames, makeup tips, and styling recommendations.

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Oblong Face Shape Illustration

Oblong Face Shape: Key Characteristics and How to Identify

An Oblong face shape has three main identifying features: a face length that's about 1.5x the width, similar widths at the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, and a gently rounded jawline (softer than Rectangle). If your face appears long and narrow with uniform width, you likely have an Oblong face shape.

Long Face

The length of your face is the largest measurement, significantly longer than the width.

Uniform Width

Your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are all similar in width.

High Forehead

Often features a tall forehead and a longer chin area.

What to Avoid

Avoid styles that add vertical height or elongate the face further.

  • High Pompadours: Adding height on top makes the face look even longer.
  • Long, Straight Hair: Drags the face down visually.
  • Small, Round Glasses: Can get lost on a longer face.

Styling Guide for Oblong Faces: Expert Recommendations

The goal when styling an Oblong face is to add width and create the illusion of a shorter, more balanced face. Since Oblong faces are long and narrow with uniform width, you want to add visual width, shorten the face length, and break up the elongated appearance. This guide covers the best hairstyles, glasses frames, makeup techniques, and accessories for Oblong faces.

Best Glasses Frames

Oversized and tall frames are perfect for breaking up the length of your face. Avoid small or narrow frames that can make your face look longer.

  • Oversized/Square: Adds width and breaks up vertical lines.
  • Aviators: The teardrop shape works well to balance length.
  • Thick Frames: Adds horizontal weight to the face.

"Break the Length"

Hairstyles for Women

  • Bangs/Fringe The best way to shorten a high forehead.
  • Chin-Length Bob Creates a horizontal line that widens the face.
  • Waves/Curls Adds volume to the sides, making the face appear wider.

Hairstyles for Men

  • Side Part Comb-overs add width and break up the vertical line.
  • Buzz Cut Short uniform cuts work well to not add extra height.
  • Beard A well-groomed beard can help shorten the appearance of the face.

Makeup Tips

  • Contouring Contour the top of the forehead and the bottom of the chin to shorten the face.
  • Blush Apply horizontally across the cheeks to create width.
  • Eyes Cat-eye liner extends the eyes outward, adding width.

Accessories

  • Earrings Large studs or short, wide hoops help widen the face.
  • Necklines High necklines like turtlenecks can shorten the neck and face.
  • Hats Hats with low crowns and wide brims cut vertical length.

How to Identify an Oblong Face Shape: Step-by-Step Guide

Not sure if you have an Oblong face? Follow these simple steps to identify your face shape accurately.

1

Measure Face Length vs Width

Stand in front of a mirror and measure the length from your hairline to your chin, then measure the width at the widest point. If the length is about 1.5x the width, you likely have an Oblong face.

2

Check Your Jawline

Look at your jawline in profile. Oblong faces have a gently rounded jawline (softer than Rectangle). If your jawline is soft and curved without sharp angles, this indicates an Oblong face.

3

Compare Width Measurements

Measure the width at your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. In an Oblong face, all three measurements are roughly equal. If your face has uniform width throughout, you likely have an Oblong face.

4

Look for Soft Features

Oblong faces are characterized by soft, elongated features�no sharp angles. If your face appears long and narrow with gentle curves, you have an Oblong face shape.

5

Check for Uniform Width

Oblong faces have similar widths at forehead, cheeks, and jaw, creating a uniform appearance. If your face has consistent width throughout and is noticeably long, this confirms an Oblong face.

6

Use Our AI Tool

For the most accurate identification, use our free AI face shape detector. Simply upload a photo or use your camera, and our advanced algorithm will analyze 468 facial landmarks to give you a precise face shape classification.

Common Styling Mistakes for Oblong Faces (And How to Avoid Them)

Learn from these common mistakes to ensure you're styling your Oblong face shape in the most flattering way possible.

Mistake: Long, Straight Styles

Long, straight hairstyles without layers, volume, or bangs can emphasize the length of your face and make it appear even longer.

Solution: Add volume on the sides with layers, waves, or curls. Bangs work beautifully to shorten the face length.

Mistake: Narrow Glasses

Small or narrow glasses can make your long face appear even longer and emphasize the elongated appearance.

Solution: Choose wide frames that add width to your face. Round, oval, or oversized frames work well.

Mistake: Center Parts

Center parts can emphasize the length of your face and make it appear even longer.

Solution: Use side parts or side-swept bangs to break up the length and add width.

Mistake: Vertical Lines

Clothing or accessories with vertical lines can emphasize the length of your face and make it appear even longer.

Solution: Choose horizontal lines, patterns, or accessories that add width and break up the length.

Celebrities with Oblong Face Shapes: Style Inspiration

Get inspired by these celebrities who share your Oblong face shape and see how they style their features.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Known for her long, narrow face. Often styles with bangs and wide frames to add width.

Look for: Bangs, wide frames, volume on sides

Liv Tyler

Her Oblong face shape is beautifully complemented by layered styles with volume and round glasses.

Look for: Layered styles, round frames, side parts

Gwyneth Paltrow

Often seen with side-swept styles and wide accessories that add width and shorten the face length.

Look for: Side-swept styles, wide accessories, bangs

Makeup Techniques for Oblong Faces: Detailed Guide

Master these makeup techniques specifically designed to add width and shorten Oblong face shapes.

Contouring to Add Width

Contouring is essential for Oblong faces to add width and shorten the appearance. Here's how:

  • Contour your temples slightly to reduce the width of your forehead, but maintain balance.
  • Soften your jawline by applying contour along the outer edges of your jaw to create a more rounded appearance.
  • Use a matte bronzer that's 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone. Blend thoroughly to avoid harsh lines.
  • Focus on softening rather than creating more definition, which can emphasize the elongated shape.

Blush Placement

Proper blush placement can add width and warmth:

  • Apply blush horizontally on the apples of your cheeks, blending outward toward your temples to create width.
  • Create a horizontal line with your blush rather than a diagonal line to add visual width to your face.
  • Choose warm, peachy tones that add warmth and draw attention to the center of your face.
  • Blend outward to create a soft, diffused look that adds width without looking obvious.

Highlighting Techniques

Strategic highlighting can add width and shorten the face:

  • Highlight the sides of your face along your cheekbones to add width and create the illusion of a shorter face.
  • Add highlight to your temples to create width at the top of your face.
  • Avoid highlighting the center of your forehead or chin, as this can emphasize length.
  • Focus on horizontal highlights rather than vertical ones to add width.

Eye Makeup Tips

Eye makeup can help balance your features:

  • Create width with your eyeshadow by extending it outward horizontally to add width to your face.
  • Use rounded eyeshadow shapes rather than angular shapes to soften your features.
  • Define your brows with a soft arch to add structure without emphasizing length.
  • Apply mascara focusing on the outer lashes to create width and balance.

Styling for Different Occasions: Professional vs Casual

Learn how to adapt your Oblong face styling for different settings, from the office to weekend outings.

Professional/Office Styling

  • Hairstyles: Opt for polished styles with soft waves, side parts, or medium-length cuts with volume on the sides. Bangs work well to shorten the face.
  • Glasses: Choose wide, round or oval frames in classic colors. Avoid narrow or rectangular frames.
  • Makeup: Keep it polished with soft contouring, horizontal blush placement, and a classic lip color. Focus on adding width.

Casual/Weekend Styling

  • Hairstyles: Embrace texture with beachy waves, messy buns with face-framing pieces, or tousled layers. Bangs and volume on the sides work beautifully.
  • Glasses: Have fun with trendy wide frames, round styles, or colored frames. Wide frames add width to balance your face.
  • Makeup: Go for a more relaxed look with dewy skin, horizontal blush placement, and maybe a pop of color. Less structured makeup works well.

Oblong Face Shape: Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common questions about Oblong face shapes. Learn about characteristics, styling tips, and how to enhance your features with the right hairstyles, glasses, and makeup techniques.

Is oblong the same as oval?

No. While both are longer than wide, oblong faces have a more uniform width from forehead to jaw, whereas oval faces taper slightly.

Can I wear long hair with an oblong face?

Yes, but it's best to add layers or waves to create volume at the sides. Stick straight long hair can elongate the face further.

What is the best beard style for oblong faces?

A full beard kept shorter on the chin and fuller on the sides helps to widen the face and balance the length.

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