Oval Face Shape

What is an oval face shape?

An oval face shape is longer than it is wide, with the cheekbones as the widest line and a jaw that is a little narrower than the forehead. The outline curves gently from the temples down to a rounded chin, without a hard corner anywhere.

Because none of its proportions is extreme, the oval face is often described as the most versatile shape for styling. That does not mean it is the “ideal” face; it simply means there is nothing in particular to balance, so you can choose haircuts and frames by taste, hair texture and lifestyle.

In numbers: length ≈ 1.5 × cheekbones · forehead > jaw · soft jaw.

How to tell if you have an oval face shape

Look for these signs in a mirror or a straight-on photo with your hair pulled back:

• Face length is roughly 1.4 to 1.6 times the cheekbone width
• Cheekbones are the widest line; forehead is slightly wider than the jaw
• The jawline curves smoothly into the chin with no hard corner

To check with numbers, measure four things with a soft tape measure: forehead width across the widest part near the temples, cheekbone width across the highest points of the cheekbones, jaw width from the corner of the jaw below one ear to the other, and face length from the hairline to the bottom of the chin. Then enter them in the face shape calculator, or let the face shape detector measure them from a photo.

Oval vs. similar face shapes

• Oval vs. Oblong: Oblong is longer still (length 1.6× the width or more) and keeps the same width from forehead to jaw. An oval face narrows gently toward the chin.
• Oval vs. Round: A round face is almost as wide as it is long. If your face length is clearly more than your cheekbone width, you are closer to oval.
• Oval vs. Heart: A heart face also narrows toward the chin, but the forehead is as wide as the cheekbones or wider and the chin is more pointed.

Best haircuts for an oval face shape

Keep the natural balance. Almost any cut and frame works, so choose by hair type and lifestyle rather than to correct anything.

With an oval face the main question is your hair type, not your face. Fine, straight hair looks fuller in a blunt bob or a lob; thick or curly hair can carry long layers. Very heavy bangs are the one thing to think twice about, because they hide the forehead and make the face read shorter and rounder than it is.

Hairstyles for women

• Long layers that start below the chin
• A blunt bob at jaw or collarbone length
• Curtain bangs, which show off the even proportions
• Sleek high ponytails and pulled-back styles

Haircuts for men

• Textured quiff
• Classic side part
• Buzz cut or crew cut
• Medium-length swept-back hair

What to avoid

• Very heavy, full bangs that hide the forehead and make the face read shorter

Glasses for an oval face

Pick frames that are about as wide as the widest part of your face. Frames that are much wider look oversized, and very narrow frames make the face look longer. Wayfarer, rectangular and soft cat-eye shapes all work.

• Most frames suit you
• Wayfarer and rectangular frames add a little structure
• Frames as wide as the widest part of the face look most balanced

Beard styles and makeup for an oval face shape

Beard

• Almost any beard works
• A short boxed beard or light stubble keeps the natural outline

Contour and blush

• Light contour under the cheekbones only
• Blush on the apples of the cheeks, blended up toward the temples

Treat all of these as starting points. Hair texture, the features you like most and your personal style matter as much as face shape.

How the detector recognises an oval face

The face shape detector places 478 landmarks on your face, finds your hairline, and compares the whole outline of your face with thousands of labelled faces. Instead of one verdict, it gives you a percentage for each of the seven shapes. If oval comes out on top but a second shape is close, read both guides: most faces are a blend, and the advice the two shapes share is the safest bet.