Guides

The Best Hairstyles for Long Faces

A long (or oblong) face is noticeably longer than it is wide, often with a higher forehead and a longer chin. The most flattering cuts add width at the sides and visually shorten the face with fringe and blunt, horizontal lengths. Here are the styles that balance it best, each one you can preview on your own photo.

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What to look for with a long face

Build width, not height: cheek-level waves, blunt lengths and soft, full fringe all add horizontal balance and make a long face look shorter and rounder.

Avoid very long, straight, one-length styles and lots of height at the crown — they stretch the face longer.

Pixie Cut

Soft volume at the sides adds width to a long face.

Blunt Shoulder Cut

A blunt, horizontal line adds visual weight across.

Curtain Bang Lob

Curtain bangs shorten the look of a long face.

Wispy Fringe

A soft fringe breaks up length and shortens the forehead.

Beach Waves

Waves build fullness at the cheeks.

Bob with Curtain Bangs

A chin-length bob plus bangs widens and shortens.

Hollywood Waves

Side-swept waves add fullness at the sides.

Boho Layers

Soft layers add width through the mid-lengths.

Cherub Bob

A rounded bob adds cheek-level volume.

Birkin Bangs

Full, soft bangs shorten a long face.

Mermaid Waves

Voluminous waves broaden the silhouette.

Face-Framing Layers

Layers at the cheeks add horizontal balance.

FAQ

01What haircut makes a long face look shorter?

Fringe is the most effective tool — curtain bangs or a soft full fringe shorten the forehead, while cheek-level waves and blunt, chin-to-shoulder lengths add width to balance the length.

02Should long faces avoid long straight hair?

Very long, one-length straight hair tends to drag a long face longer. Adding waves, layers or a fringe — or going for a blunt mid-length — gives more balance.