Your Ultimate Guide to Styling an Oval Face Shape (From a Pro)

After years behind the salon chair, I can tell you one thing for sure: people worry way too much about their face shape. We often hear that the oval face is the “ideal,” but honestly, that’s just talk. It sets up a weird standard that nobody needs. I prefer to think of the oval shape as a study in balance. It’s an incredibly versatile canvas, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. The wrong choices can throw its natural harmony right out the window.

So, before we dive in, let’s figure this out. Are you actually an oval?

First things first: How to tell if you have an oval face

It’s simpler than you think. Stand in front of a mirror with your hair pulled back. You can grab an old lipstick or a dry-erase marker (just make sure it wipes off your mirror!). Trace the outline of your face directly onto the mirror. Step back and look at the shape. Does it look like a gentle, upside-down egg? If so, you’re likely in the oval club.

For the more technical folks, a face is generally considered oval if the length is about one and a half times its width, and the forehead is slightly wider than the softly curved jawline. The cheekbones are usually the widest point. But listen, almost no one is a textbook example. You might be oval-ish with a slightly stronger jaw or a wider forehead. That’s totally normal! A true pro doesn’t just stick you in a category; they see these little nuances and customize the look just for you.

Hairstyles for the Oval Face: A Pro’s Toolkit

When it comes to a haircut, it’s all about managing weight, lines, and texture to celebrate your features, not hide them. With an oval face, the goal is to avoid doing anything that disrupts that nice balance—like adding way too much volume on top or making things too narrow at the chin. Your hair should frame your face, not fight with it.

Short & Sweet: Pixies and Bobs

Going short can be a serious power move for an oval face because it puts your features on full display. The magic is in the details.

• The Pixie Cut: For someone with fine hair, a soft, textured pixie is gorgeous. We use techniques like point cutting to soften the ends so it doesn’t look like a helmet. For thicker hair, a bolder, more gamine pixie can look amazing. Heads up, though! I always check the hairline for stubborn cowlicks. A very short pixie can be a nightmare to style if you have a strong growth pattern at the crown or nape. Daily styling time? A breezy 5-10 minutes with a bit of pomade. Maintenance is the real commitment here, with trims needed every 4-6 weeks.
• The Classic Bob: A chin-length bob is a timeless choice that perfectly frames the jaw. But hair texture is EVERYTHING here. On straight hair, a blunt bob is sharp and chic—a quick 10-minute flat iron job in the morning. On wavy or thick hair, though, a blunt cut can turn into an unflattering triangle. To fix this, we use a pro trick called ‘internal layering.’ (P.S. This is our secret weapon. We remove weight from the inside of the haircut, so it falls beautifully without those choppy, dated layers. Ask your stylist about it!) With blow-drying, expect a 20-25 minute styling time. That precision requires upkeep, so plan for a trim every 4-6 weeks, which can cost anywhere from $60 to $150 depending on your salon.

I learned this lesson the hard way. A client once wanted a very short, layered cut that was popular at the time, with tons of volume on top. On her balanced face, it just stretched everything out vertically and threw her proportions off. We fixed it by taking the volume down at the crown and adding a little more fullness at the sides. It was a tiny change that made all the difference.

The Sweet Spot: Medium-Length Lobs and Layers

Hair that lands anywhere from the jawline to the shoulders is the sweet spot for versatility. It’s long enough for updos but feels light and easy.

• The Long Bob (Lob): The lob is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. A cut that ends just above the collarbone is perfect; it keeps the eye from being dragged down. It can be blunt for a modern vibe or have soft, long layers for movement. Styling time is usually a manageable 10-20 minutes for some quick waves or smoothing. Maintenance is easier on the wallet, too, with trims needed every 8-10 weeks.
• Shoulder-Length with Layers: A true classic. But ‘layers’ is a broad term. For an oval face, I love face-framing layers that start around the chin. This highlights your eyes and mouth and prevents the hair from looking like a heavy curtain. We usually avoid super short layers on top to prevent that elongating effect I mentioned earlier.

Let’s Talk About Bangs

Oh yeah, the eternal question: should I get bangs? With an oval face, you have some fantastic options that work with your natural balance instead of against it.

• Curtain Bangs: These are probably the most popular choice right now, and for good reason. They’re parted in the middle and sweep to each side, softly framing your face and highlighting your cheekbones without being too severe.
• Side-Swept Bangs: A long, side-swept bang is another great option. It adds a bit of stylish asymmetry and draws attention to your eyes. Super versatile and easy to grow out if you change your mind.
• Wispy Bangs: If you’re hesitant about a full-on fringe, wispy or see-through bangs are the perfect entry point. They give you that softness across the forehead without the heaviness of a blunt bang, which can sometimes visually shorten an oval face too much.

Lovely Long Hair: Keeping the Balance

Long hair on an oval face can be absolutely stunning… or it can be a big mistake. If it’s all one length with no movement, it can visually drag your face down, making it look longer and narrower. The key is movement and volume in the right places.

We achieve this with long, seamless layers that start below the chin to add bounce. Styling can take a bit longer, maybe 15-30 minutes, but trims are only needed every 10-12 weeks. A center part works, but an off-center part is often even better for a touch of modern asymmetry.

EASIEST TRICK EVER: If your long hair feels like it’s dragging you down, just flip your part to the other side. The instant root lift creates width at the sides and breaks up the length. Takes two seconds and costs nothing!

Makeup: Enhancing, Not Correcting

With makeup, the philosophy is the same: maintain that beautiful balance. You don’t need the heavy, corrective contouring you see all over social media. The job is to add soft dimension and a healthy glow.

Contour, Blush, and Highlight

Let’s keep this simple and subtle. A common mistake is using a warm, orange-y bronzer for contouring—it just looks unnatural. Instead, pick a matte product (cream or powder) that’s a shade or two deeper than your skin with a cooler undertone.

• Contour: Suck in your cheeks a bit to find the hollows. Apply the contour right there, blending from your ear forward and stopping in line with the outer corner of your eye. A little along the hairline adds warmth. For a great budget-friendly option, you can grab the NYX Wonder Stick (around $14) at most drugstores, or if you want to splurge, the Fenty Match Stix (around $32) is a fantastic cream formula.
• Blush: Smile! Apply your blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it up and back toward your temples for a gentle lift.
• Highlight: This is for attracting light. A touch on the top of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow is all you need. If you have any skin texture, maybe skip the super shimmery highlighters as they can emphasize bumps.

Eyebrow Shaping: The Frames of Your Face

Never underestimate the power of a good brow. For an oval face, a soft, gently arched brow is the goal. Go ahead, try this right now. Grab a pencil or a makeup brush and do this in the mirror.

Hold it vertically against the side of your nose. That’s where your brow should start. Now, looking straight ahead, pivot the pencil from your nostril to line up with the outer edge of your iris—that’s where your arch should be. Finally, pivot it to the outer corner of your eye. That’s where your brow should end. How does that map compare to how you’ve been filling in your brows? This simple method creates a shape that’s perfectly proportioned to your face.

Finishing Touches: Glasses and Accessories

Everything you put near your face interacts with its shape. The good news? You have tons of options.

When choosing glasses, the goal is proportion. The frames should be about as wide as the widest part of your face (your cheekbones). Shapes like square, rectangular, or cat-eye styles add a lovely contrast to the soft curves of an oval face. And when you get new glasses, please bring them to your hair appointment! A bold frame and a heavy fringe can end up competing for attention, and we want to make sure they work together.

For earrings, you have total freedom. The only thing to watch out for is super long, narrow earrings, which can sometimes add a bit too much length. But teardrops, studs, and hoops are always a home run.

A Final Word of Caution: Safety and a Reality Check

This guide is built on professional principles, but it can’t replace a one-on-one consultation with a stylist who can see your hair’s texture and your skin’s undertone up close.

Safety first: Always, always do a patch test 48 hours before any hair color service to check for allergies. And for any bleaching, a strand test is non-negotiable. I’ve seen what happens when lightener is applied improperly, and believe me, it’s not a risk you want to take at home. And with makeup, keep those brushes clean! Wash them weekly to avoid bacteria buildup and potential skin issues.

Finally, be realistic about maintenance. A precision bob needs regular trims. A long, layered style is more forgiving. The best look is one you not only love but can actually live with and maintain. That, right there, is the true measure of a great style.

Galerie d’inspiration

• For a natural brow, follow the gentle curve of your brow bone.
• Avoid overly sharp, high arches which can unnecessarily elongate the face.
• The tail of your brow should ideally extend towards the top of your ear to maintain harmony.

Luxe Sculpting: The Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick offers a creamy, blendable formula with a curated shade range perfect for creating soft, believable shadows under the cheekbones.

Budget-Friendly Definition: The NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick is a dual-ended crayon that provides both highlight and contour. It’s an excellent, accessible tool for beginners experimenting with defining their features without a big investment.

Both achieve great results; the choice often comes down to texture preference and budget.

What’s the secret to picking the perfect earrings?

Think contrast in shape. Since an oval face is defined by soft curves, earrings with some angularity can add a beautiful counterpoint. However, the most foolproof choices are teardrop and oval shapes, as they echo and flatter your face’s natural form without adding width or length. Studs, of course, are a can’t-go-wrong classic for any occasion.

The oval face shape is often cited as being closest to the ‘golden ratio,’ an ancient Greek mathematical principle of ideal proportions.

While this is more of an artistic concept than a scientific rule, it helps explain why the oval shape is considered so balanced. It’s not about being

A common blush mistake: Applying color in a circle on the apples of the cheeks. For an oval face, this can make it look rounder. Instead, sweep the blush from the most prominent part of your cheekbone back towards your hairline. This technique lifts the face and emphasizes its beautiful natural bone structure.

When considering glasses, don’t forget the bridge! A keyhole bridge, like those found on many classic Ray-Ban or Persol models, creates a small gap of space at the top of the nose. This subtle detail is great for oval faces as it helps to break up the vertical line of the face without adding width, keeping everything in perfect balance.

For men, facial hair is the ultimate tool for refining an oval face. The goal isn’t to hide the shape, but to add definition where you want it. A well-groomed beard can accentuate the jawline and add character.

• The Corporate Beard: A short, neatly trimmed full beard that follows the natural jawline.
• The Beardstache: A fuller mustache paired with light stubble on the cheeks and jaw.
• The Classic Stubble: Kept short (3-5mm), it adds texture without altering the face’s balanced proportions.

• Enhances the natural contours of your cheekbones.
• Promotes lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness.
• Leaves your skin with a radiant, healthy glow.

The secret? A daily 5-minute facial massage. Using a tool like a jade roller or a Gua Sha stone with your favorite facial oil, gently sweep outwards from the center of your face to naturally sculpt and depuff.

A 2018 study in the journal *Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications* found that glasses made people appear more intelligent and trustworthy.

For an oval face, this is a style bonus. Choosing frames that are slightly wider than the broadest part of your face, like a classic Wayfarer or a cat-eye, not only enhances your perceived competence but also perfectly complements your balanced features.

The neckline of your outfit and the length of your necklace work together to frame your face. For an oval shape, most lengths work well, but a ‘princess’ length (around 18 inches) that sits just below the collarbone is particularly stunning. It draws the eye to a graceful point without shortening or elongating your neck, perfectly complementing your features.

The Center Part Comeback: While side parts are universally flattering, don’t underestimate the power of a sharp center part on an oval face. It creates a perfect symmetry that highlights the balanced proportions of the face, drawing attention vertically to the eyes and lips. It’s a bold, modern choice that works beautifully with bobs, lobs, or long, sleek styles.