Picking a new hairstyle is no easy task–you have to consider everything from the length to the thickness, color, and cut. There’s nothing worse than leaving the hairdresser with hair you hate or that just doesn’t suit your face or overall aesthetic. The ultimate trick to making sure you leave happy each time is to follow your natural face shape, opting for hairstyles that suit your particular bone structure, because one cut doesn’t tend to suit everyone equally.
Oval faces, for example, tend to be gently rounded and balanced, with a slightly longer angle toward the chin. Finding the best hairstyle for an oval face might include an extended consultation with your stylist and drawing inspiration from oval-faced celebrities. You might favor Bella Hadid and adopt a slicked-back bun, or try Rihanna’s mini ’fro, for example.
Here, three hairstylists offer their expertise in finding the best, most elegant hairstyles for oval faces.
How to style different hair textures with an oval face
All textures work well with oval face shapes–it’s all in the styling. Pin-straight hair, for example, tends to accentuate the symmetry of an oval face, whereas curly and wavy textures feel a bit more romantic. To that end, whatever your natural texture, it’s worth adding a bit of movement throughout. “Introducing movement, whether through curls, waves, or subtle layering, helps to maintain balance in an oval face,” explains celebrity hairstylist Charlotte Mensah.
For people with fine hair and an oval face, Larry King hairstylist Jake Unger suggests “textured lobs and airy layers,” as they can add body without extra bulk.
What are the best hair lengths for oval faces?
From pixie cuts to midi waves, the oval face can carry pretty much any length. “That being said, shoulder to chest-length styles often feel particularly well-suited, framing the face without stealing the spotlight,” Unger says.
“Longer lengths work particularly well when paired with layers, soft waves, or curls,” adds Mensah. However, she notes that this is styling advice rather than a fixed rule. Personal preference will always be the best determinant of which style you’ll feel most comfortable with.
What are the best bangs for oval faces?
Oval faces suit all styles of bangs, asserts Unger. “Curtain bangs feel effortlessly chic, while side-swept bangs bring a touch of drama,” he says.
Wispy, gappy bangs are a softer choice that can be more easily incorporated into the rest of the hair if you get bored with them. For the particularly bang-confident among us, blunt bangs can look incredibly striking on oval face shapes. Meanwhile, Hershesons hairstylist Silver Mestre is a fan of the super short full bangs.
Need more ideas? Below, find all the best hairstyles for oval faces:
Sleek pixie cut
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