Image: thehairsaint, Stylist: Ona Diaz-Santin
The beauty of being a curly is that your hair texture, pattern, and type all are unique aspects of you! While there are many reasons your beauty is unique and special, the shape of your face is one that can impact the way your hair falls around your features. Oval face shapes are versatile in that many hairstyles can fit this specific face shape — whether they are short, long, or chin length. A good haircut will highlight your favorite facial features like your cheekbones or lips, but it all depends on the style you are looking to achieve. Check out these cuts and stylists’ tips for oval faces.
An oval face shape is one where the forehead is wider than the chin, and the face length is about one and a half times the width. It’s a versatile shape that allows you to wear a variety of styles and cuts that suit your personality, lifestyle and curl pattern. If you have an oval face shape, the top looks for you include the following:
Stylist Ona Diaz-Santin told NaturallyCurly “because the oval face shape is equally divided into thirds — equal proportions. Any haircut, style, and length would work! A great simple tip to figuring out if you have an oval face shape is to think of an upside-down egg!” This means you have a plethora of options, but we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to for inspiration.
1. Curly layers
This classic cut, custom-tailored to your curl pattern—and with a wispy fringe—is flattering and timeless. Pintura highlights complete the look.
Image by iStock
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2. Cropped
Shorter styles like this one look great with an oval face shape. If you want to emphasize your eyes, this is the cut for you.
Image by iStock
3. Short, blunt cut with a few well-placed layers around the face.
Not only do layers add dimension and movement to curly hair, they can also draw attention to various facial features, depending on their length.
Image by iStock
4. Round layers
“I cut my curly girls dry versus wet because every curly girl has multiple curl patterns naturally and when you wet the hair, it stretches out, and we don’t know how it’s gonna shrink up dry. I always tend to stick with round layers to frame the face. Most of my girls come in with a triangular shape that they are trying to get away from. I cut curl by curl and carve into each curl, especially around the face to take bulk out if needed. I love all my curly girls! The curls come in all shapes and sizes making every haircut unique to custom to fit each person.”
Image: @hairmajestiii, Stylist: Alisha, Lavish Salon
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5. High layers.
This cut is the perfect vehicle to showcase curls and coils. It’s a great look when you want to start fresh (e.g., a big chop”>, or when you want both volume and definition.
Image by iStock
6. Choppy bob
Oval face shapes look great in any type of bob, including this one which will bring out the texture in looser curl patterns. Just make sure the cut is longer than chin-length if you have a pointy chin.
Image by iStock
7. Shag
This cut looks great on every face shape. On oval shapes, use layers to enhance your favorite facial features.
Image by @hollygirldoeshair
8. Cornrow braids
Timeless, beautiful, and a great way to protect hair from breakage, cornrow braids are always runway-worthy.
Image by iStock
9. Messy bun
How one look can look effortless and regal at the same time is a mystery. Regardless, coaxing your curls into this pretty style will make your eyes, lips, and cheekbones pop. It’s versatile enough to wear during work-hours, or for a night out on the town.
Image by iStock
10. Shoulder length with bangs
Stylist Nubia Suarez says “Oval shapes come in different symmetries, depending on the client’s texture and curl type. I like to create a softer fringe that lays around the shoulders. I think this makes a harmonious and balanced shape for my clients.”
Image: @utopia_salon_nj, Stylist: Nubia Suarez
11. Long, soft layers.
Whether you scrunch your curls or set them, they’ll look beautiful in this style. Add a bold lip for drama.
Image by iStock
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12. High and medium layers
This look is a perfect in-between cut when you’re growing out a pixie. For extra volume, use a pick at your roots.
Image by iStock
13. Voluminous curls
Think uptown-glamour-meets-70s-chic. Here, duckbill clips are used to create lift in the front of the style and at the crown.
Image via iStock
14. The pony.
Trendy yet timeless, the pony looks great on everyone no matter what your style.
Image by iStock
15. Heavy curly fringe
Update your look with banging bangs that will draw attention to your eyes.
Image by iStock
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16. Side twists
Sharita says “Curly hair frames an oval shape face very well no matter the length. This Wash and Go style with partial “side twists” shows off a great bone structure. It also helps to give you a fly look to accentuate your oval shape face.”
Image: @actually_ashly, Stylist: Sharita, The Loft Hair Studio
Experimenting with haircuts tailored around your facial shape is a great way to intentionally play up your favorite features. Oval face shapes are long, curvy, and gorgeous! Fellow curlies like Halle Berry, Jordan Dunn, and Selena Gomez are great examples of celebrities with oval face shapes who constantly change their hair game by rocking fierce styles. Use the versatility of your angles to try something trendy whether it’s chopping it off or adding color. Stylist Dashell says “To have an oval face shape is to be blessed with perfect symmetry! Oval is the ideal face shape because it is the most balanced all the way around and is the most visually pleasing. What this means for a client when it comes to the shape of their haircut, is they can wear anything! Side parts, center parts, fringe, and bangs, long or short! The reason for this flexibility and versatility is because there isn’t an unbalance that needs to be corrected in an oval face shape. For example, triangle face shapes, that have wider jawlines, bangs would be favorable to create width up top. Or oblong face shapes, where shorter lengths look nicer to help make the face more oval. Creating an “oval” face shape on someone who may not naturally have one is my job as a stylist. So if you are fortunate to have this shape naturally, embrace the change and try something new, because you can!”
