Top 20 Men’s Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shapes

If you have an oblong face shape, you’re in luck. This facial structure—longer than it is wide, with balanced cheekbones, forehead, and jawline—gives you the flexibility to try a wide variety of hairstyles. The key is choosing styles that create balance, avoid elongating the face further, and bring out your best features. Whether you want something timeless, trendy, bold, or low-maintenance, here are 20 of the best hairstyles to elevate your look.

Table of Contents

1. What Is an Oblong Face Shape?

2. Top 20 Hairstyles for Oblong Faces

3. Beard Pairings

4. Hair Maintenance Tips

5. Style Evolution by Age

6. Seasonal Haircuts

7. Pro Barber Advice

8. Product Recommendations

9. FAQs

10. Final Thoughts

What Is an Oblong Face Shape?

An oblong face is typically longer than it is wide, with the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline having similar widths. The chin tends to be more rounded than angular. If your face fits this profile, the goal with your haircut is to add visual width, reduce vertical emphasis, and create an overall sense of balance.

1. Classic Side Part

This timeless cut features short, tapered sides and a longer top that’s swept to one side. It’s great for adding structure and subtle width to an oblong face. Use a matte pomade or styling cream for a clean, professional look without too much shine.

2. Taper Fade

A taper fade is modern and versatile. The gradual transition from short sides to a longer top draws attention upward without overemphasizing the face’s length. Opt for a mid or low taper to keep proportions in check.

3. Textured Crop

Short, layered, and full of movement, the textured crop is perfect for adding dimension to the top of the head without adding height. It’s easy to style and works well with wavy or straight hair.

4. Short Quiff

The short quiff brings just enough volume to the top of your hair while keeping the sides neat and balanced. Blow-dry your hair upward and use a light-hold product to maintain the shape throughout the day.

5. Pompadour with Fade

The pompadour is a bold style, and when paired with a low fade, it creates a flattering silhouette. Keep the top voluminous but not overly high, and use a pomade or styling cream to slick it back and maintain hold.

6. Brush Up

This style lifts the front and top of your hair while keeping the sides short and neat. It’s ideal for creating texture and a casual, slightly tousled look. Use a blow dryer to lift the hair up and back, then set with a light hairspray.

7. Ivy League

Refined and classy, the Ivy League cut is a slightly longer version of a crew cut and works very well for men with an oblong face. It allows for parting and subtle styling on top while keeping the sides trimmed. This cut is great for business professionals and guys who want a polished look.

8. Crew Cut

A no-fuss, masculine haircut that keeps the top slightly longer than the sides. It’s clean, easy to maintain, and doesn’t draw unnecessary attention to face length. Use a bit of product if you want to add light texture to the top.

9. Buzz Cut with Line-Up

A sharp, minimalist cut that works well for men with strong facial features. The line-up (or shape-up) around the hairline adds definition. To avoid making your face appear even longer, consider pairing it with a short, well-groomed beard.

10. Slick Back Undercut

The slick back is all about pulling the hair straight back with shine and hold. Paired with an undercut, this style can be bold and elegant. Keep the sides low and tight, and avoid adding too much height at the crown.

11. Faux Hawk

A modern, edgy choice, the faux hawk creates volume through the center of the head while keeping the sides tapered. This draws the eye toward the middle of your face, creating symmetry and interest.

12. Modern Spikes

Today’s version of spiky hair is textured, soft, and styled with purpose. Apply a light wax or clay to add controlled height and movement without exaggerating the length of your face.

13. Side-Swept Fringe

A side-swept fringe helps reduce the appearance of a long forehead and adds width around the brow line. It’s especially effective with medium-length hair and works well with a layered cut.

14. Medium Waves

If you’ve got natural waves, show them off. Medium-length wavy hair adds body and fullness to the sides of the face. Use a curl cream or sea salt spray to bring out texture and volume.

15. Curtain Bangs

A throwback style that’s trending again, curtain bangs soften the angles of the face and reduce the appearance of length. This style works best with straight to wavy hair and looks great paired with medium-length cuts.

16. French Crop

The French crop is a low-maintenance style featuring short sides and a straight-across fringe. It helps visually shorten the face and brings attention to the eyes. Use matte products for a clean, casual finish.

17. Low Fade with Hard Part

This modern twist on a classic style adds definition with a hard part and clean fade. It’s a sharp, structured look that suits both casual and formal settings. Keep the part defined and the sides crisp.

18. Temple Fade with Short Afro

For men with textured hair, the temple fade with a short afro creates a balanced silhouette. It’s stylish, clean, and easy to maintain with regular shape-ups.

19. Tapered Afro

This version of the afro emphasizes a rounded shape and gradual taper on the sides. It brings visual balance and keeps the face from appearing too narrow or long. Moisturize and define curls to keep it fresh.

20. Mullet Fade

The modern mullet pairs a short fade at the front and sides with longer hair at the back. It’s bold, eye-catching, and coming back in style. Ask for a modern variation to avoid an outdated look, and keep the top soft and slightly textured.

Men’s Hairstyles with Oblong Face Shapes – Style Guide

Choosing the right men’s hairstyle for oblong face shapes isn’t just about what looks good at first glance — it’s about balance, texture, and the confidence that comes from a well-fitted cut. In Part 1, we covered the top 20 haircuts that suit this facial structure. In Part 2, we’ll go deeper: pairing styles with beards, maintaining your haircut, and answering the most common questions about styling men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes.

Matching Beards with Men’s Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shapes

A good beard can complement your hairstyle and help balance out your facial proportions. Here are some tried-and-true pairings for men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes:

1. Short Hairstyles + Full Beard
If you go with a buzz cut or crew cut, a fuller beard can widen your jawline and reduce vertical emphasis. This combo brings boldness and symmetry to the face.

2. Quiff or Pompadour + Light Stubble
High-volume styles up top can elongate the face, so offset them with a bit of stubble or a short boxed beard to give the lower half some visual weight.

3. Side Part + Faded Beard
The clean lines of a side part match perfectly with a sculpted, faded beard. This sharpens the overall appearance while enhancing jawline structure.

4. Textured Crop + Chin Strap
A textured crop already adds width — pair it with a tight chin strap or goatee to maintain balance and highlight your cheekbones.

Remember, when it comes to styling men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes, the beard can act as a secondary tool to even out the facial structure.

Here's a great guide on matching your face shape with your hairstyle where they detail the oblong face shape for men and make some suggestions:

Hair Maintenance Tips for Oblong Face Shapes

Having the right haircut is only half the battle. Maintaining your men’s hairstyle for oblong face shapes ensures you always look polished and confident. Here are some essential upkeep tips:

Regular Trims:
Most styles suited for oblong faces require clean edges. Visit your barber every 3–4 weeks to maintain shape and avoid overgrowth on the sides that may throw off the balance.

Use the Right Products:

• For matte texture and volume: Use a texturizing clay or fiber.

• For a sleek look: Pomades or creams work best.

• For control without crunch: Lightweight hair sprays keep things in place.

Blow-Dry for Shape:
If your hairstyle requires volume (like a quiff or brush up), a blow dryer is your best friend. Always blow-dry in the direction you want your hair to fall, then lock it in with a product that matches your hair type.

Don’t Overdo Height:
Remember, the goal with men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes is to reduce excessive height on top. Keep things proportionate by blending volume and shape.

Bonus Style Ideas for Men’s Hairstyles with Oblong Face Shapes

Looking to take your style to the next level? Here are a few creative ideas that still align with the principles of men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes:

1. Side-Part Pompadour with Low Taper:
This hybrid gives you a modern look with vintage flair — the part adds structure, the taper tones down the height.

2. Mid-Length Textured Fringe:
If you prefer longer hair, this style keeps the forehead covered and adds width to your face. Use sea salt spray for definition.

3. Curly Top Fade:
For men with natural curls, this cut brings all the texture up top but fades into the sides to avoid bulk — great for balancing proportions.

4. The “Messy Gentleman” Look:
A controlled messy style with light wave or curl and soft fringe. It gives a casual, effortless vibe while flattering the oblong structure.

Each of these looks works within the frame of men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes, ensuring your overall appearance stays balanced, sharp, and stylish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best men’s hairstyle for oblong face shapes overall?
The best universal option is the classic side part. It flatters most hair types, adds controlled width, and minimizes the appearance of a long face.

Can men with oblong face shapes grow long hair?
Yes, but be strategic. Keep long hair layered with added body or wave, and avoid styles that hang flat along the sides. Adding volume around the temples or pairing it with a beard can help maintain facial balance.

Should men with oblong face shapes avoid fades?
Not at all. Fades are great as long as they’re not paired with excessive volume on top. Low or mid fades with a modest top work best.

Do bangs work for oblong face shapes?
Absolutely. Fringe styles like curtain bangs or a textured crop with bangs help break up the length of the forehead and soften the face.

Is facial hair necessary for men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes?
Not necessary, but it can help. A well-maintained beard or stubble adds width to the lower face and brings symmetry to your overall look.

Men’s Hairstyles with Oblong Face Shapes – Complete Style Guide

So far, we’ve explored the best men’s hairstyles for oblong face shapes and how to maintain and enhance them with beard pairings and styling techniques. In this final part of the series, we’re going deeper. We’ll look at how hairstyle choices should evolve with age, how the seasons impact style decisions, and offer some pro-level tips straight from the barbershop chair — all specifically tailored to men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes.

How Your Hairstyle Should Evolve with Age (For Oblong Face Shapes)

As we grow older, our hair texture, density, and lifestyle needs change. That doesn’t mean your style options shrink — it just means your haircut should grow with you.

In Your 20s:

This is the time to experiment. You can get away with volume-heavy styles like pompadours, faux hawks, and fringe-heavy cuts. If you’re still figuring out your identity, the oblong face gives you a flexible canvas to try bold or textured looks.

Try: Short quiffs, textured crops, messy side-swept fringe.

In Your 30s:

Time to sharpen up. Professionalism matters, but you still want to keep some personality in your look. Choose styles that balance structure with maturity.

Try: Ivy League, slick side part, mid fade with a textured top.

In Your 40s and Beyond:

It’s about ease, confidence, and smart maintenance. If you’re dealing with thinning hair, lean into it with cleaner cuts and light styling products.

Try: Taper fade, crew cut, or short back and sides with a classic finish.

Bonus Tip:

No matter your age, keeping your men’s hairstyle for oblong face shapes current and tailored shows attention to detail — and that never goes out of style.

Seasonal Haircut Ideas for Men’s Hairstyles with Oblong Face Shapes

Your haircut should work with the weather — not against it. Here’s how to adapt your men’s hairstyle for oblong face shapes to the season:

Spring/Summer:

Heat and humidity call for lower-maintenance styles. Shorter haircuts that breathe and don’t need heavy styling are perfect here.

Great seasonal picks: Buzz cut, French crop, brush up, crew cut with fade.

Style tip: Use matte clay to avoid greasy looks in warm weather.

Fall/Winter:

This is your chance to grow it out a bit and embrace more volume, texture, or fringe. Hair grows faster in cooler months, so embrace the extra styling room.

Great seasonal picks: Pompadour, slick back, medium-length waves, textured quiff.

Style tip: Switch to moisturizing creams or oils in colder months to combat dry scalp.

Pro Barber Insights on Hairstyles for Men who have Oblong Face Shapes

We spoke with real barbers to get their input on what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes.

"Avoid ultra-high pompadours or mohawks unless you're intentionally going for a dramatic look," says Chris, a master barber with over a decade of experience. “Height on top can really exaggerate the length of an oblong face.”

"Fringes are underrated for oblong faces," says Lena, a stylist from a men’s grooming studio in Toronto. “They help cut down the vertical space on the forehead and add softness.”

Pro tip from the shop:
Take pictures of your haircut right after your barber styles it. This way, you have a reference for how it should look when you style it at home — especially useful for cuts with texture or directional flow.

Choosing the Right Product for Your Hair Type

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to pair the right product with the most common men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes:

• Thick Hair: Use pomades or styling cream with a medium to high hold.

• Fine Hair: Use matte clay or volumizing powder to avoid weighing hair down.

• Curly Hair: Use curl cream or leave-in conditioner to maintain shape.

• Wavy Hair: Light mousse or sea salt spray brings out natural texture without overdoing it.

Using the wrong product can ruin a good cut — or worse, make your face look longer than it is. Stick with products that help sculpt without creating vertical lift unless you’re pairing it with fringe or facial hair.

Men’s with Oblong Face Shapes: Quick Do’s and Don’ts

DO:

• Add volume to the sides or temples to bring width.

• Use fringe or bangs to minimize forehead height.

• Keep your beard well-trimmed to balance your facial length.

• Talk to your barber about your face shape before any big cut.

DON’T:

• Go too short on the sides with excessive height on top.

• Let your hair grow too long and flat along the sides.

• Use heavy gels that weigh hair down and elongate your silhouette.

• Ignore the role of facial hair in shaping your overall look.

Final Thoughts

Men’s hairstyle oblong face shapes require intention — but that doesn’t mean limitations. Whether you’re navigating your first real haircut or fine-tuning your signature look, understanding how your face shape interacts with your style is a game changer. From adapting with age to tailoring your look by season, the best haircut isn’t about trends — it’s about balance, proportion, and personality.

Your face is the frame. Your haircut is the design. Use what you’ve learned in this three-part series to sharpen your look, boost your confidence, and make sure your hairstyle always works for you — not against you.