Best Hairstyles for Long Faces: Flattering Cuts and Styles That Balance Your Features

What makes a long face different?

A long face is usually longer than it is wide, with a forehead, cheekbones, and jawline that are roughly the same width. The chin tends to be pointed or narrow, and the distance from the hairline to the chin feels stretched out. It’s not about being too thin-it’s about proportion. If you look in the mirror and notice your face looks like a rectangle or oval stretched vertically, you likely have a long face shape.

People with long faces often feel their face looks too narrow or drawn out. The goal isn’t to change your bone structure, but to create the illusion of width and balance. The right hairstyle can soften angles, add volume where needed, and make your face appear more even.

What hairstyles to avoid

Some cuts make a long face look even longer. Stay away from these common mistakes:

• **Center parts with straight, sleek hair**-this draws the eye straight down the middle, emphasizing length.
• **Very long, straight hair past the shoulders**-it adds more vertical line without breaking up the shape.
• **High ponytails or top knots**-pulling hair up tight lifts the face upward, making it appear even longer.
• **Extreme bangs that start at the hairline**-if they’re too thin or straight, they can cut the face in half vertically.
• **Hair that’s too tight or flat against the scalp**-no volume = no width = more length.

These styles don’t ruin your look-they just don’t help. The key is to avoid anything that pulls attention straight up and down.

Best hairstyles for long faces

The goal is to add width, soften the jawline, and break up the vertical lines. Here are the most effective styles right now:

1. Shoulder-length layers with soft waves

This is the gold standard for long faces. Hair cut just below the shoulders with layers starting at the jawline adds volume at the cheeks and chin. Soft, loose waves frame the face naturally and create the illusion of width. The movement draws the eye sideways, not down.

Pro tip: Ask your stylist for face-framing layers that start at the cheekbones, not the ears. This targets the widest part of your face and balances the length.

2. Curtain bangs

Curtain bangs are perfect because they start at the crown and gradually fade into the rest of your hair. They don’t cut across your forehead like blunt bangs-they soften the top of your face and add horizontal interest. The part in the middle creates a natural break in the vertical line of your face.

They work with straight, wavy, or curly hair. Just make sure they’re long enough to blend into your sides. If they’re too short, they’ll look like a hard line across your forehead.

3. Medium-length shag with texture

The shag isn’t just a trend-it’s a face-shaping tool. A medium-length shag with choppy layers and lots of texture adds volume on the sides and around the temples. This instantly widens the face. The layers should be uneven and messy, not neat and uniform.

Style with a texturizing spray and scrunch your hair while it’s damp. Let it air dry for a lived-in, natural look that distracts from the length of your face.

4. Side-swept bangs

If curtain bangs feel too bold, side-swept bangs are a softer alternative. They start at the temple and sweep diagonally across the forehead. This creates a diagonal line that breaks up the vertical length of your face. It also draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones.

Pair them with loose waves or a slight curl at the ends to keep the look balanced. Avoid heavy, thick side bangs-they can overwhelm your features.

5. Chin-length bob with volume at the sides

A bob that hits right at the chin is ideal because it stops the eye at the narrowest part of your face. But it has to have volume. A flat bob makes you look even longer. Add lift at the crown and flared ends that angle outward.

Ask for a blunt cut at the chin with internal layers to give movement. This style works best with fine to medium hair. Thick hair can handle more weight, but fine hair needs texture to hold the shape.

6. Half-up, half-down styles with volume

These are great for everyday wear. Pull the top section of your hair back loosely-don’t pull it tight. Leave the bottom half down with waves. The volume on top adds height without making your face look longer, and the loose bottom adds width.

Use a small clip or scrunchie to secure the top. Don’t use a tight ponytail holder. The goal is softness, not structure.

How to add volume where it matters

Volume is your secret weapon. Without it, even the best cut can fall flat. Here’s how to build it:

• **Root lift spray**-apply at the crown before blow-drying. Flip your head upside down and dry for 2 minutes.
• **Barrel curls**-use a 1.25-inch curling iron to curl sections away from your face. This creates outward movement.
• **Texturizing powder**-sprinkle at the roots for grip and fullness.
• **Avoid heavy conditioners on the scalp**-they weigh hair down. Focus conditioner on mid-lengths to ends.

Even if your hair is naturally straight, you can fake volume. It’s about technique, not hair type.

What about hair color?

Color can help, too. Highlights that start at the cheekbones and blend down create dimension and width. Try caramel, honey, or golden brown tones-warmer shades reflect light and draw attention sideways.

Lowlights alone can make your face look darker and longer. Instead, use face-framing highlights: two to three strands around your temples and jawline. They don’t need to be bright-just enough to break up the vertical line.

For darker hair, a subtle balayage that fades from root to mid-length can add depth without flattening your shape.

What if you have curly or textured hair?

Curly hair naturally adds volume, which is a huge advantage. But it needs the right cut to work with your face shape.

• **Avoid cuts that end above the chin**-they can make your face look like a triangle.
• **Go for shoulder-length or longer with layered curls**-this lets your curls fall around your face.
• **Ask for a “curly shag”**-a cut designed for texture, with choppy layers that add width.
• **Keep the sides fuller**-don’t let your curls get thinned out at the temples.

Use curl-defining cream and avoid heavy gels. Let your curls fall naturally. If your curls are tight, they’ll add more width than loose waves.

How to test a style before cutting

Don’t just trust a photo. Try this trick: take a photo of yourself from the front. Then, use a photo editing app to add horizontal lines at your cheekbones and jawline. If the lines make your face look more balanced, that’s your target length.

Or, grab a headband and place it at your cheekbones. If the area below it looks too long, you need a cut that ends around there. This gives you a real-time preview without the scissors.

Final rule: Balance is everything

There’s no single ‘perfect’ hairstyle for a long face. It’s about balance. You want to add width where your face is narrow, and soften where it’s long. Volume at the sides, layers at the jaw, and texture that moves horizontally-that’s your formula.

It’s not about hiding your face. It’s about showing it in the most flattering way. The right cut doesn’t just change your look-it changes how you feel when you look in the mirror.