Face Shape
Oblong face shape
Longer than wide with soft curves
What is an oblong face shape?
An oblong face shape is notably longer than wide — similar to oval but more elongated, with a longer forehead and chin. Features are softly curved rather than angular, and the sides of the face are roughly parallel rather than tapered. The styling goal is to add horizontal width (chin-length cuts, soft waves, boat necks) and to break up the vertical length (curtain bangs, layered styles). Sarah Jessica Parker and Gisele Bündchen are commonly cited oblong-faced celebrities.
An oblong face shape is longer than it is wide, with a slightly rounded chin and hairline. It is more elongated than an oval face. Oblong faces also have less angular corners compared to a rectangular face shape. To help identify your face shape, pull your hair back and examine your face straight on in a photo. Styling with volume at the cheeks or a fringe can make an oblong face appear wider, if desired.
Proportions are a guide: camera angle and hairstyle can change the impression. When choosing glasses, also check that the bridge and temples fit comfortably. Specsavers frame fitting guide.
The proportion rule
Length > width · soft curves · long forehead
How to identify an oblong face
- Pull your hair back and measure.
- If face length is 1.6×+ width, you are notably elongated.
- Forehead, cheeks, and jaw are roughly the same width (parallel sides).
- Jawline is softly rounded, not angular (otherwise you are rectangle).
- The forehead and chin both feel longer than average.
Defining signals
The four geometric markers that place you in this shape.
| Forehead | Longer than wide, gently rounded |
| Cheekbones | Width similar to forehead and jaw |
| Jawline | Softly rounded, slightly narrower than cheekbones |
| Face length | Notably longer than face width (1.6×+) |
Hairstyles that flatter
- +Chin-length to shoulder-length cuts (add horizontal width)
- +Curtain bangs or side-swept bangs (shorten the forehead)
- +Wavy and curly textures (add visual width)
- +Layered lobs with volume at the cheeks
- +Soft shags with face-framing layers
Hairstyles to skip
- −Very long straight one-length styles (lengthen further)
- −High volume on top (adds vertical line)
- −Slicked-back styles
Glasses
- · Round and oval frames (add width)
- · Oversized frames
- · Decorative top corners (cat-eye, brow lines)
Necklines
- · Boat necks · off-shoulder · wide scoops (horizontal lines)
- · Avoid deep V-necks and long pendants
Earrings
- · Wide statement studs
- · Circular hoops
- · Avoid long drops that elongate further
Oblong vs Oval
Oval faces are 1.5× width with a soft taper; oblong faces are 1.6×+ with parallel sides and longer forehead/chin.
| Trait | Oblong | Oval |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1.6×+ width | 1.5× width |
| Sides | Parallel | Soft taper |
| Forehead | Same width as jaw | Slightly wider than jaw |
| Best cuts | Chin-length, add width | Anything |
| In a word | Elongated | Balanced |
Read the full Oval guide.
Oblong vs Rectangle
Both notably longer than wide — but oblong has softly rounded jaw; rectangle has strong angular jaw.
| Trait | Oblong | Rectangle |
|---|---|---|
| Jawline | Softly rounded | Strong angular corners |
| Hairline | Rounded | Squared |
| Best cuts | Curtain bangs, lobs | Layers + soft waves |
| Best glasses | Round (add width) | Round (soften angles) |
| In a word | Long-soft | Long-strong |
Read the full Rectangle guide.
Celebrities with an oblong face
Images from Wikipedia.
Oblong face shape — frequently asked
- What is an oblong face shape? +
- An oblong face shape is notably longer than wide — similar to oval but more elongated. The forehead and chin both appear longer than average, the sides of the face are roughly parallel, and features are softly curved rather than angular. Oblong faces convey gracefulness and length.
- How do I know if I have an oblong face? +
- Pull your hair back. If your face length is 1.6×+ your face width, your forehead and jaw are roughly the same width with parallel sides, and your jawline is softly rounded — you have an oblong face.
- What hairstyles flatter an oblong face? +
- Chin-length to shoulder-length cuts add horizontal width. Curtain bangs or side-swept bangs shorten the forehead. Wavy and curly textures add visual width. Layered lobs with volume at the cheeks work well. Avoid very long one-length straight styles.
- What glasses flatter an oblong face? +
- Round and oval frames add width. Oversized frames work. Decorative top corners (cat-eye, brow lines) help balance the long forehead.
- What necklines flatter an oblong face? +
- Boat necks, off-shoulder cuts, and wide scoops add horizontal lines that balance the length. Avoid deep V-necks and long pendants that elongate further.
- What is the difference between oblong and oval faces? +
- Oval faces are about 1.5× the width with a soft taper from cheeks to jaw. Oblong faces are even more elongated (1.6×+) with parallel sides — the forehead is the same width as the jaw, with no taper.
- What is the difference between oblong and rectangle faces? +
- Both are notably longer than wide. Oblong has a softly rounded jaw and rounded hairline. Rectangle has a strong angular jaw with defined corners and a squared hairline.
- What earrings flatter an oblong face? +
- Wide statement studs and circular hoops add horizontal width. Avoid long drops that further elongate the face.
Three axes of style
Now find your color season and body archetype
Face shape tells you which hairstyles, glasses, and necklines flatter you. Color analysis tells you which palette flatters you. Kibbe tells you which silhouettes do. Run all three for a complete style picture.
