Face shape guide
Oblong Face Shape
An oblong face shape — sometimes called a rectangle or long face — is clearly longer than it is wide, with a forehead, cheekbones and jaw of similar width and fairly straight sides.
Flattering an oblong face is about adding width and breaking up length: deep frames, volume at the sides and horizontal lines all help.
- ~1.6× long
- Straight sides
How to tell
How to tell if you have an oblong face shape
An oblong face is long: the length is about 1.6 times the cheekbone width or more, and the forehead, cheekbones and jaw are similar in width, so the sides of the face run fairly straight. Styling adds width and breaks up the length with horizontal lines.
- Your face length is about 1.6 times its width or more.
- Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are close to the same width.
- The sides of your face are fairly straight.
- You may have a tall forehead or a long chin.
| Face length ÷ cheekbone width | 1.60× |
|---|---|
| Forehead width (vs cheekbones) | 90% |
| Lower jaw width (vs cheekbones) | 70% |
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Oblong vs similar face shapes
Oblong vs oval
Both are longer than they are wide. An oblong face is longer (about 1.6× or more) and stays a similar width down to the jaw; an oval face narrows toward the chin.
Oblong vs square
Both have similar widths from forehead to jaw. A square face is about as long as it is wide; an oblong face is clearly longer.
Common mix-ups
Hair pulled tight or styled high on top makes any face look longer, so an oval face can read as oblong in some photos. Selfies taken from below also stretch the face; hold the camera at eye level.
Glasses
Best glasses for an oblong face
Frames that balance an oblong face shape, and what each one does.
Oversized square frames on an oblong face — made with our try-on.
Oversized square glasses
Deep, wide frames cover more of the face vertically, which shortens a long face visually.
Aviator glasses
Large aviator lenses fill the space between brow and cheek and add width.
Round glasses
Round frames add curves and width to straight, long proportions.
Choosing frames for an oblong face
For an oblong face, choose deep frames — taller lenses cover more of the face vertically — and frames with a strong top line or decorative temples that add width. Oversized square, aviator and round styles all work.
Frames to avoid
Avoid small or narrow frames — they leave a lot of face showing above and below and make the face look longer.
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Hairstyles
Best hairstyles for an oblong face
Haircuts for women
- Bangs. Any fringe shortens a tall forehead — the most effective change.
- Shoulder length with side volume. Width at cheek level counteracts a long face.
- Waves and curls. Texture adds width that long, flat hair doesn’t.
- Chin-length bob. Ends at a point that adds width to the lower face.
Haircuts for men
- Medium length, full sides. Avoids tight sides that make the face look longer.
- Fringe or side part. Covers part of the forehead and shortens the face.
- Low-height crop. Keeps volume off the top of the head.
- Short boxed beard. Adds width at the jaw without extra length.
Hairstyles to avoid
- Long, straight, flat hair with a centre part
- Tall styles — high quiffs, top knots — that add more height
- Very short sides with length on top
Bangs for an oblong face
Bangs are the single most flattering choice for an oblong face: blunt, curtain or side-swept fringes all shorten a tall forehead.
Brows & makeup
Eyebrows, makeup and beards for an oblong face
Eyebrow shape
A flat, straight brow is the best match for an oblong face: horizontal lines make the face look wider and shorter. Avoid high arches.
Beard styles
Keep beards fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin — a short boxed beard or mutton chops. Avoid long, pointed beards that add length.
- Contour
- Contour along the hairline and under the chin to shorten the face visually.
- Blush
- Apply blush across the cheeks horizontally, toward the ears, to add width.
- Highlight
- Highlight the cheekbones horizontally rather than down the centre of the face.
Accessories
Earrings, hats and necklines for an oblong face
Earrings
Studs, round hoops and wide, short earrings add width. Avoid long, linear drops.
Hats
Wide-brimmed hats and low crowns shorten a long face. Avoid tall crowns.
Necklines
Crew necks, turtlenecks and boat necks break up the length. Avoid deep V-necks.
FAQ
Oblong Face Shape FAQ
Yes. Oblong, rectangle and long face describe the same shape: a face clearly longer than it is wide with similar widths top to bottom.
Deep frames with some height — oversized square, aviator and round styles — break up the length of an oblong face.
An oblong face is longer (around 1.6–1.7 times as long as wide) and keeps a similar width down to the jaw. An oval face is shorter and narrows toward the chin.
Bangs, shoulder-length cuts with volume at the sides, waves and curls, and chin-length bobs. For men: medium-length hair with fullness at the sides and a fringe.
“Horse face” is an unkind nickname for a long face. The neutral terms are oblong, rectangle or long face shape.
Oversized, deep sunglasses — square, aviator and round styles — that cover more of the face vertically.
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