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If you have an oval face shape, you can count yourself lucky, as you have one of the most versatile face shapes for modern and classic hairstyles. Famous celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Rihanna, and Liv Tyler all boast oval-shaped faces. However, not everyone can work with celebrity hairstyles. So how do you find the perfect hairstyles for oval faces?
We’re here to help! Below we’ve compiled a list of the top ten perfect hairstyles for oval faces. Keep reading below to find inspiration for your next go-to hairstyle and cut.
How To Find Your Face Shape
Are you looking to update or upgrade your current appearance? Are you trying to figure out which hairstyle would look best on you? Maybe you’re looking at your makeup and wondering how to contour or apply bush in a way that most flatters your face shape.
All of these questions require you to know what your face shape is. Determining your face shape not only helps you select the proper hairstyle and makeup application, but it also enables you to understand which angles work to your advantage and what you have to work with. Luckily, you can easily measure your face at home using simple techniques.To measure your face, at home, start by finding a ruler or tape measure and a mirror. We also recommend that you have a piece of paper or something to write on, to write down your measurements as you go along. You can begin by measuring the following:
- Across the widest point of your
- Across the widest point of your cheekbones
- Across the widest point of your jawline
- Entire length of your face Entire length of your face verticallyList Element
When measuring your face horizontally, it’s okay if the ruler or the measuring tape rests against the bridge of your nose. Merely place the measurement tool underneath your eyes, from ear to ear. When measuring your face vertically, you can use your hairline and your chin as starting and ending points. When you have completed your measurements, you should receive a ratio that will help determine your face shape.
The Oval Face Shape
After you’ve completed all the steps to properly measure your face shape, you should have a ratio. If you have an oval face shape, your face equals 1 ½ times the width of your face. This is the face shape that is most versatile with hairstyles.
If you have an oval face shape, you find yourself among many celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Oval face shapes can pull off almost any hairstyle and shape – long, curly, straight, short, edgy, you name it. For oval face shapes, you simply want to pick out your best facial feature and select a hairstyle to flatter it.
Styles To Avoid
I know what you’re thinking. Even though we said oval face shapes are the most versatile of face shape for hairstyles how can there be any styles to avoid? Well, just like Superman, we all have our kryptonite. There are styles you will want to avoid if you have an oval face shape.
First on the list of hairstyles to avoid for oval face shapes would be anything that adds height to the top of the head. Short layers are great, but when they add volume, that can make an oval face appear longer. This also goes for curly hair.
How We Reviewed The Top 10 Hairstyles For Oval Faces
Below we have compiled a list of the top ten perfect hairstyles for oval faces. This extensively researched list is based on the following parameters: how easy is the hairstyle to achieve, how easily is the hairstyle maintained, how much product is required, and of course, how well it works for and with the oval face shape.
It is essential to consider how achievable each hairstyle is on an individual basis. You will want to ensure that the hairstyle you select not only works for your hair’s length, texture, and ability, but you want to ensure that the hairstyle fits your lifestyle. If you choose a hairstyle that takes 20 minutes of styling to achieve when you only have 5 minutes to get ready in the morning, you’re never going to be happy with your look.
Your hairstyle should make you look and, most importantly feel, great! That’s why we’ve taken the time to review the best hairstyles for oval faces. Keep reading below if you want to find the perfect hairstyle for your oval face.
What We Reviewed
- Side swept
- Pixie cut
- Side part with beach
- Boho waves
- Side part with minimal layers
- Long layered curls
- Lob parted to side
- Side part with light layers
- Shaggy bob
- Curved bangs
1. Side Swept Look
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Looking for a classic and glamorous way to accentuate your oval face shape? Then the side swept look is perfect for you. This timeless hairstyle is an easy way to switch things up for almost any length of hair.
The side swept look is as simple as sweeping more hair to one side. This is an excellent option if you have a lob, or a grown-out bob, and are looking to take some of the excess weight off the sides of your face. Style your hair at the part to one side for a chic, Hollywood look that works best with curly or wavy hair.
2. Pixie Cut
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Looking to go short? There’s never been a better time to experiment with your hair length than there is now! Today, short hair is becoming more and more mainstream.
Keep up with fashion trends with the classic pixie cut. The pixie cut keeps things simple yet fierce. Not to mention, there’s no easier maintenance than a pixie cut.
“It’s really the simplicity of it that makes it work,” says Rodney Cutler, Redken Brand Ambassador that gave Emma Watson her signature pixie cut back in 2010. With the oval face shape, a pixie cut helps accentuate the beautiful oval shape and keeps attention on the face itself. It’s a great option if you want something easy, edgy, and ultra-modern.
3. Side Part With Beach Waves
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Do you have long hair and an oval face shape? Are you afraid that your long hair is making your oval face look that much longer? The side part with beach waves is one of the hairstyles for oval faces that is an ideal solution.
Add movement to your long hair with a deep side-part and beachy waves. To add even more depth and dimension, incorporate long layers for added bounce. This hairstyle lifts and opens up the face with its effortless styling.
4. Boho Waves
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If you have an oval face shape, you share the shape with the famed Kate Hudson. One of Kate Hudson’s signature hairstyles for oval faces is the boho waves. Celebrity hairstylist David Babaii says, “This is the classic Kate Hudson look.”
This styled yet messy look is a manageable classic that continues to stay in style. “Each side has fullness and the top is a little bit lifted, which balances,” advises Babaii. The wave helps to keep things soft, feminine, and more playful. “A bone-straight style” for this cut, as we learn from David Babaii, would work to accentuate a “longer face frame.”
5. Side Part With Minimal Layers
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Are you trying to achieve that innocent and effortless girl-next-door hairstyle? Aren’t we all? Well, we’ve finally found it; the side part with minimal layers.
Think Kate Middleton. Kate Middleton’s side part with minimal layers is one of the most perfect hairstyles for oval faces. Rodney Cutler advises that, “It’s all about the relationship between the length and the layer. If the length is at your collarbone, it’s ideal to keep the layers 2-3 inches shorter than the length to keep the cut from appearing shaggy.”
6. Long Layered Curls
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Do you have thick hair? If you have thick hair and a lot of it, then you know the struggles involved in finding perfect hairstyles for oval faces. Luckily, there’s the long layered curls hairstyle perfect for thick hair.
Think girl-next-door for this classic look. Long, layered curls is a style that is always in fashion and much sought after. Kate Middleton is known for her gorgeous head of hair. David Babaii, celebrity hairstylist, commented on the Duchess of Cambridge saying, “She’s got more hair than God. The layers help frame her oval face and control the volume. All-one-length hair would weigh her down.”
7. Lob Parted To Side
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The messy, wavy, lob has become more and more popular in recent years. A lob is similar to the bob hairstyle and between what is considered to be long hair and a bob-length cut. Generally this is just above the shoulders at shoulder length or just below the shoulders or collar bones.
A lob parted to one side is a Hollywood classic that is often paired with wavy or curled hair. Charlize Theron is often seen sporting a lob parted to the side, keeping everything styled up and away from the face. This, although a more maintenance heavy style, is a gorgeous and fashion-forward style versatile for any occasion.
8. Side Part With Light Layers
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If you’re a fan of Anne Hathaway, then you’ve probably seen her side part with light layers hairstyle. The side part with light layers style is one of the most ideal hairstyles for oval faces. This haircut is generally mid-length and doesn’t extend too far past the collar bones.
With lighter layers, you leave framing up to your facial features. Keeping your bangs light also helps encourage the overall soft appearance the side part with light layers brings to the table. This is a look that works with curly, wavy, or straight hair.
9. Shaggy Bob
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Are you looking to take your bob to the next level? We’ve seen long bobs, curly bobs, and every bob in between, but what about the shaggy bob? The shaggy bob incorporates jagged ends that encourage hair to look thicker.
The trick to this look, says Babaii, is “the layers on this A-line bob give the ends a choppy look.” The choppy ends actually help to fill the space where an oval-shaped face is thinnest. However, if you have curly or wavy hair, extensive styling may be required to get each end to lay just right.
10. Curved Bangs
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With an oval face shape, it’s all about accentuating your beautiful facial features. To add framing around the eyes, you may want to consider a curved bang. “Bangs on an oval face are a great choice, because they change the face shape by shortening its length,” says celebrity hairstylist Babaii. “These [bangs] aren’t blunt. Instead, they curve on the sides, adding a frame around the eyes.”
Curved bangs can be paired with many textures and types of hair. Style with curly or wavy hair for a soft look or add sleekness like Jessica Biel with a smoothing serum. Don’t forget a round brush when blow drying for added volume that will stay all day!
The Verdict
If you’re deciding on a new look, and you have an oval-shaped face, your options are almost limitless. However, it’s always a great idea to get a second opinion and consider the styles that help enhance rather than overwhelm your face shape and overall framing. Always consider your hair’s texture when looking into new styles and cuts.
Whichever hairstyle you choose, remember that hair can grow back, and styling can usually be washed out. It’s important to experiment and find styles that not only fit your personal style, but work with your lifestyle as well. Take into account the styling time, how often a touch-up would be required throughout the day, and how often you’ll have to head back to the salon for a trim. Believe it or not, shorter cuts actually need frequent trips to the salon to keep the cut looking precise and styled.
Whether you keep it short or long, there is a perfect hairstyle out there for you and your oval-shaped face.
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