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When you have an oblong face, finding a haircut is very difficult because you should find a style that will balance your face without adding more length to it and, at the same time, keep your style in check.
This is why we decided to create this guide to help you understand what you should be looking for in a haircut if you have an oblong face and also give you some bullet-proof haircut suggestions that will make you look and feel amazing.
So, let’s start by explaining what an oblong face is, how to find if you have one, and then continue with some cool haircut suggestions.
What is an oblong face?
There are certain facial features that define an oblong face. First and most importantly, the face is significantly longer than it is wide and has sharp lines with almost no curves.
When it comes to the width of the face, all three measuring points (forehead, cheekbones, jawline) should have the same length (it is not possible to have the exact same length, but these numbers should be very close). This is important because if the cheekbones or jawline are substantially wider than the rest of your face, then you probably don’t have a long face but a diamond or heart face.
And now that you know the oblong face’s main features, let’s see how you can determine if you have one.
How to know if I have an oblong face shape?
The most accurate way to understand whether you have an oblong face is to take a measuring tape – measure the width and length of your face – and then compare these numbers. So, let’s see how to do it in simple steps!
- First, take the measuring tape and measure the length of your face. Start at the forehead, and measure the distance to your chin. Take a pen and a piece of paper and write this number down.
- After you are done measuring the length, you should measure the width of your face. The first area you should measure is the forehead. Take the measuring tape and measure the distance between the temples (one inch above the end of one eyebrow to the other). Write this number down as well.
- Now you should measure the width of your cheekbones. Again, take the measuring tape and measure the distance between your cheekbones (right below where your eye ends to the other eye’s end).
- And lastly, measure your jawline by putting the measuring tape at the corner of your jawbone (right below your ear), and measure the distance to your chin. Multiply this number by two, and you have your jawline measurement.
Now that you have all these numbers, it is time to put your math hat on and do some simple calculations.
The first and most important thing you should calculate is your face’s length-to-width ratio. To do that, simply divide the length of your face by its width.
If this number is around 1.5 and above, you have ticked the first and most important oblong face characteristic.
Now you should compare the numbers you got for your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. Check if these numbers are about the same.
If they are, then you have an oblong face. If not, then you probably don’t, and you should check out our guides for the oval face shape and the round-face shape.
Now that you know if your face shape is oblong, it is time to look at some very cool haircuts for long-shaped faces.
10 Best Long face shape Hairstyles for men
Before we start looking at photos and talk about the different hairstyles that go well with oblong faces, we should first explain what features you should look for in a haircut if you have an oblong face shape.
If you understand why certain hairstyles go well with the oblong face shape and study their common features, it will be much easier to pick the right haircut next time you go to the barbershop, and you won’t have to look online for advice.
If you have an oblong-shaped face, you should not choose a haircut with volume on top because it will make your face look even longer. Instead, you should either choose a haircut with flat top hair or styled in a way that doesn’t add length to your face.
Hairstyles with features like fringes, bangs, or hair styled to the sides or back are a good choice for guys with long faces.
And now we have got that out of the way; it is time to show you some of the best haircuts for guys with long-shaped faces.
1. Buzzcut
If you have a long face and are looking for a simple, no-need style, short haircut, you should definitely consider giving the buzzcut a try.
And if you are not familiar with the world of buzzcuts, a buzzcut is a very short haircut in which all hair is buzzed down (pun intended) with clippers.
And while the buzzcut is not the top choice for guys with a long face because it doesn’t make your face look shorter, it is a very safe bet as it doesn’t add any face length like other haircuts.
2. Side Part
The side part is a good choice for guys that don’t like experimenting and want the safety of a classic haircut. To get this haircut, all you have to do, as the name suggests, is to part your hair to one side. But the side part is more than parting your hair to the side. Depending on how you style your top hair and how short or long you cut the sides, it can give you a very different look.
What makes this haircut a good choice is that even though it adds a bit of volume to the top because the hair is pointing to the side, it creates the illusion of a shorter face.
3. Shaggy hairstyle with fringe
The shaggy hairstyle with a fringe is probably the best medium-length haircut for guys with long faces. This is because it ticks all the boxes a long-face haircut should have.
- It is shaggy at the sides, adding width to your face.
- The bangs follow gravity and cover the forehead.
- The top hair is not too long or voluminous.
4. Fringe hairstyle
The fringe hairstyle has everything a guy with a long face wants. It doesn’t add volume to the top, and the hair is pointing downwards, thus, giving the illusion of a shorter face. Of course, there are many variations of the fringe hairstyle, and to be honest, all of them will have the desired effect as long as they don’t add much volume to the top.
5. Low man bun
The bad news is that the classic man bun is not a good choice for long-faced guys. This is because the bun is at the top of the head, pointing upwards, and that adds length to your face.
But there is good news too. There is another man bun variation that works well with long faces: the low man bun. The low man bun is pretty much the same as the regular man bun but with a key difference. The bun is not styled at the top but at the back of your head and doesn’t add any length to the face.
6. Long curly hair
Another long-hair haircut that is a good choice for long-faced fellas is the classic long curly hairstyle. What makes this haircut a great choice is that the curls will add width to your face and, because they follow gravity, won’t add any length.
But, this haircut is not for everyone, as there is a prerequisite: you need to have curly hair. If you don’t, unfortunately, there is not much you can do other than choose another haircut from our list. But if you have, by all means, go ahead and give it a try!
7. Dreadlocks
By now, you probably understand why certain haircuts work with long faces, and you can guess why dreadlocks are a good choice. That’s right; they don’t add any length to the face and add width because they are quite voluminous.
The thing with dreadlocks is that they are not for everyone as it is a very special haircut, and it takes a very special kind of person to be able to rock it. But if you think you are that person, go ahead and give it a try!
8. Caesar Haircut
The Caesar haircut is a cut where the hair on top is cut short (2cm to 5cm) and styled to bangs, and the sides are shaved or faded.
What makes this haircut good is that the hair on top doesn’t add any volume, and the bangs are pointed forward, making your face look shorter than it actually is.
9. Long hair
Another long hairstyle that is a good choice for guys with long faces is the classic straight hair long hairstyle. We know that many of you who don’t have curly hair got a bit disappointed when we talked about the long curly hairstyle, but this one is for you.
There is no need to explain why this haircut is good for long-faced guys, as it is pretty much the same as the curly hairstyle.
Pro Tip: If you want to add some zing to this haircut and make it a bit more interesting, we suggest fading or shaving the sides.
10. Simple short haircut
Minimalism and simplicity are always in style, and a simple short haircut is a great choice for guys with long faces. But to make it work, you should follow the long-face golden rule. Don’t style the hair on top too high.
This haircut can be styled in so many different ways, so there is not much to say about it other than following what you have learned in this article, and you will be fine.
Can you pair a beard with a long face?
Of course, you can, but you should pick your beard style carefully, just like with haircuts. The philosophy of choosing a beard style is the same as choosing a haircut. You don’t want long beards that will add length to your face but shorter beards that will add width.
Conclusion
There are many haircuts that will help you look your best no matter your face shape. And by now, you not only saw the ten best haircuts for the long face shape but also learned why they are the best.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try one of these haircuts and let us know how it went!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
