The Ultimate Guide to Haircuts for Oblong Faces (Male)
The oblong face shape, characterized by its length exceeding its width, presents a unique set of styling challenges and opportunities. While some styles might accentuate the length, creating a more elongated appearance, others can cleverly balance proportions, resulting in a more harmonious and flattering look. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the world of haircuts for men with oblong faces, exploring various styles, providing expert advice, and offering a wealth of inspiration to help you find the perfect cut.
Understanding the Oblong Face Shape:
Before diving into specific hairstyles, it’s crucial to understand the defining features of an oblong face:
- Length: The face’s length is significantly greater than its width.
- Forehead: The forehead is typically relatively high.
- Jawline: The jawline is usually angular, but can vary in definition.
- Cheekbones: Cheekbones are usually prominent, but not necessarily high.
The goal with haircuts for oblong faces is to create the illusion of width, thereby shortening the perceived length and achieving a more balanced, symmetrical appearance. This is achieved through strategic styling techniques and haircut choices.
Hairstyles to Avoid:
Certain hairstyles can exacerbate the oblong face’s length, making it appear even more elongated. These should generally be avoided:
- Long, Straight Hair: Long, straight hair, particularly if parted in the middle, emphasizes the length of the face and draws the eye downwards, highlighting the verticality.
- Center Parts: Center parts similarly accentuate the face’s length, creating a more pronounced vertical line.
- High and Tight Sides with Long Top: While popular, this style can make an oblong face appear even longer, particularly if the top is very long and styled upwards.
- Slicked-Back Hair (without volume): A sleek, slicked-back style without any volume on the sides can further emphasize the length and lack of width.
- Short, Straight Hair with No Volume: A very short, straight cut without any volume or texture can make the face look even more elongated and narrow.
Hairstyles to Embrace:
The key to flattering an oblong face is to add width and visual balance. The following hairstyles are generally excellent choices:
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Side Parts: A side part, whether high or low, helps to break up the vertical lines of the face and create a more horizontal emphasis. This is a versatile option that works well with various lengths and textures.
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Short Sides, Fuller Top: This classic style creates a visually wider appearance at the top of the head, counteracting the length of the face. The volume on top should be substantial but not overly exaggerated. Consider textured styles, like a textured crop or a quiff, to add dimension.
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Medium-Length Hair with Side Swept Bangs: Medium-length hair, styled with side-swept bangs, can soften the face’s features and add width to the forehead area. The bangs should be styled to fall slightly over the forehead, without completely covering it.
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Layered Haircuts: Layers add texture and movement to the hair, creating the illusion of volume and width. Layers should be strategically placed to avoid making the face appear longer. A well-executed layered cut can work with various lengths, from short to medium.
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Undercuts: Undercuts, particularly those with a textured top, offer a modern and stylish way to add width and visual interest. The contrast between the short sides and the fuller top helps to balance the proportions of the oblong face.
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Pompadours (with modifications): While a traditional pompadour can sometimes emphasize length, a slightly modified version with more volume on the sides and a less exaggerated height can be very flattering. The key is to ensure the sides have enough volume to balance the height.
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Textured Crops: Textured crops are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various hair types and preferences. The texture adds volume and visual interest, helping to create a more balanced look.
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Fades (with the right top): Fades can work well, but the top needs to be styled carefully. Avoid extremely short tops; instead, opt for a fuller, textured top that creates the necessary width. A high fade with a textured top is a particularly stylish choice.
Hair Texture Considerations:
Your hair texture plays a significant role in determining which hairstyles will work best.
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Thick Hair: Men with thick hair have an advantage, as they can easily achieve volume and texture. Layered cuts, pompadours (modified), and textured crops are excellent choices.
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Thin Hair: Men with thin hair need to focus on creating the illusion of volume. Shorter styles with strategic layering and styling products can help achieve this. Avoid overly long styles that will appear thin and lifeless.
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Curly Hair: Curly hair naturally adds volume, making it ideal for balancing an oblong face. Well-defined curls, styled with a side part or with layers, can create a flattering and stylish look. Avoid styles that weigh the curls down.
Styling Products and Techniques:
The right styling products can make all the difference in achieving the desired look. Experiment with different products to find what works best for your hair type:
- Pomade: Provides hold and shine, ideal for creating sleek styles or adding texture.
- Wax: Creates texture and definition, perfect for tousled or textured looks.
- Clay: Offers strong hold and matte finish, ideal for creating structured styles.
- Hairspray: Provides hold and keeps the style in place.
Choosing the Right Barber:
Finding a skilled barber is crucial. Show them pictures of hairstyles you like and be upfront about your face shape and goals. A good barber will understand how to tailor a haircut to your specific features and create a style that flatters your oblong face.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right haircut for an oblong face requires careful consideration of several factors, including hair texture, personal style, and the overall goal of creating visual balance. By avoiding styles that emphasize length and embracing those that add width, men with oblong faces can achieve a stylish and flattering look. Remember that this guide provides general recommendations; experimentation and consultation with a skilled barber are key to finding the perfect haircut that enhances your unique features. Don’t be afraid to try different styles and find what works best for you. The ultimate goal is to find a hairstyle that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
