Men with an oval face shape are in luck, as their balanced and versatile facial structure is considered the ideal canvas for almost any hairstyle. The key is to choose cuts that maintain this natural harmony without elongating the face. The best hairstyles for oval face shapes include volume-building styles like the quiff and pompadour, which complement the face’s proportions, as well as clean, structured cuts like fades and undercuts that accentuate the jawline. For a low-maintenance look, textured crops and crew cuts are excellent, while classic slick backs and side parts highlight the face’s inherent symmetry. Ultimately, the flexibility of an oval face allows men to experiment confidently with everything from sharp buzz cuts to long, wavy hair.
In this guide, we’ll break down the absolute best men’s haircuts for oval faces, from timeless classics to modern trends. Get ready to find your next signature look.
How to Identify an Oval Face Shape
Not 100% sure if your face is oval? Here’s a quick and easy way to check:
- Measure Your Face: Use a soft tape measure. Your face length should be about one and a half times longer than its width.
- Check Your Forehead: The width of your forehead will be slightly wider than your jawline.
- Analyse Your Jaw: Your jawline is rounded, not sharply angled or square, and tapers gently to a narrow chin.
- The Overall Shape: Think of the shape of an egg, balanced on its wider end. Your face has soft, rounded contours without any extreme angles.
Best Hairstyles for Oval Face Shape Men
Your oval face is your superpower. Let’s use it. Here are the top 10 hairstyles that will look fantastic on you.
The Quiff
The quiff is a quintessential choice for men with oval faces. It builds height on top, which works in perfect harmony with your face’s balanced length. This style adds a dose of confidence and personality without throwing off your natural proportions.
- Styling Tips: Blow-dry your hair upward and back, using a pre-styling spray for hold. Finish with a strong-hold matte paste or clay to maintain the volume and texture.
- Maintenance: Regular trims every 4-6 weeks to maintain the shape on the sides and prevent the top from getting too heavy.
Pompadour
Similar to the quiff but often more polished, the pompadour is a volume-driven classic. It’s ideal for creating a bold, formal look that beautifully balances the facial structure. The dramatic sweep upward and back draws attention to your eyes and forehead.
- Styling Tips: Requires longer hair on top. Use a blow dryer and a round brush to create a smooth, high arc. Lock it in with a high-hold pomade for a shiny finish or a matte product for a more modern, textured feel.
- Maintenance: High maintenance. You’ll need to style it daily and get frequent trims to keep the shape sharp.
Fade Haircut (Low, Mid, High)
A fade is the ultimate way to add a clean, modern edge to any hairstyle. It works exceptionally well with oval faces because it sharply defines the sides, enhancing your jawline and creating a clean contrast with the hair on top.
- Styling Tips: Pair a fade with any style on top—a quiff, crop, or even a simple, messy look. The fade does the heavy lifting of looking sharp, so you have flexibility with the top.
- Maintenance: Fades grow out quickly, so expect a visit to the barber every 2-3 weeks to keep it looking fresh.
Textured Crop
The textured crop is a low-maintenance, modern masterpiece. It’s characterised by short, choppy layers on top that create a natural, lived-in texture. This style is perfect for guys who want a stylish look without the fuss of elaborate styling.
- Styling Tips: Work a small amount of texturising cream or sea salt spray through damp or dry hair. Use your fingers to mess it up and create separation.
- Maintenance: Very easy. A quick trim every 4-5 weeks is all it takes to maintain the shape and texture.
Slick Back
Embrace your inner classic movie star. The slick back is a timeless look that uses length on top, brushed straight back to highlight your face’s natural symmetry. It’s a confident, sophisticated choice for an oval face.
- Styling Tips: Apply a high-shine pomade or gel to damp hair and comb it straight back. For a less severe look, use a matte product and allow for some natural texture to show through.
- Maintenance: Requires significant length on top. Regular trims on the sides and back are needed to keep it looking neat.
Side Part
You can never go wrong with a side part. It’s professional, timeless, and works for all hair types, from straight to wavy. The clean, defined part adds a touch of structure and elegance that complements the oval face’s balance.
- Styling Tips: Create a sharp part with a fine-tooth comb. Use a light- to medium-hold cream or pomade to sweep the hair over, keeping it neat but soft.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance. A regular haircut schedule is all that’s needed to keep the part defined and the shape clean.
Crew Cut
For the man who values simplicity and a sharp, clean look, the crew cut is a winner. This minimalist cut is short all over, with a slightly longer top. It puts all the focus on your facial features and jawline, exuding confidence and ease.
- Styling Tips: Requires almost no styling. A dab of light hair cream can add a bit of definition and control flyaways.
- Maintenance: Very low maintenance. You’ll need haircuts frequently to maintain the short length.
Undercut
The undercut creates a bold, high-contrast look by keeping the sides and back very short while leaving the top long. This dramatic difference makes your face appear more structured and is a fantastic way to showcase thick, luxurious hair on top.
- Styling Tips: The long top can be styled in any way you like—slicked back, textured, or in a quiff. The key is the stark contrast between the top and sides.
- Maintenance: High maintenance. The sides need frequent shaving, and the long top requires regular care and styling.
Long Wavy Hair
Yes, oval faces can absolutely pull off long hair! Growing out your waves or curls softens the overall look and adds a flow that’s full of personality. The key is to keep it healthy and well-shaped to avoid a “triangle” effect.
- Styling Tips: Use curl-defining creams or mousses to enhance your natural wave pattern and control frizz. Regular conditioning is a must.
- Maintenance: Long hair requires dedication. Regular trims are essential to prevent split ends and maintain a good shape.
Buzz Cut
The ultimate test of confidence and facial structure. The buzz cut brings immediate attention to your eyes, cheekbones, and jaw. For men with a well-proportioned oval face, this no-nonsense cut is a powerful and stylish statement.
- Styling Tips: No styling required. You can use a electric clipper to maintain it yourself at home.
- Maintenance: The lowest maintenance of all. You’ll be buzzing it every week or two to keep it at your preferred length.
Hairstyling Tips for Men with Oval Faces
- Embrace Volume: Don’t be afraid of height. Styles with volume on top, like quiffs and pompadours, complement your face length perfectly.
- Show Your Forehead: Avoid heavy fringes or bangs that cover your forehead, as they can make your face look rounder or shorter. Instead, opt for styles that sweep up or back.
- Choose the Right Product: Match your product to your desired finish. Use matte pastes and clays for texture and volume, pomades for a classic, shiny look, and creams for a natural, lightweight hold.
- Experiment with Textures: Your face shape can handle both sleek, sharp styles and messy, textured looks. Have fun trying different finishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding Too Much Height: While volume is good, extreme height on top can make your face look unnecessarily long.
- Covering the Face: Hiding your forehead and brows with a heavy fringe obscures your best asset—your balanced facial structure.
- Over-styling with Gel: A solid, crunchy helmet of hair is never a good look. Aim for a more natural, touchable texture.
- Ignoring Your Hair Type: Work with your hair’s natural texture (straight, wavy, curly) rather than forcing it into a style that fights it every day.
FAQ – Hairstyles for Oval Face Men
What hairstyle is best for an oval-faced male?
The “best” style is subjective, but the most recommended and versatile are the quiff, pompadour, and textured crop. They are designed to work in harmony with the oval face’s balanced proportions.
Should men with oval faces keep their hair short or long?
Both! Oval faces are one of the few shapes that can pull off both short and long hairstyles with equal success. It ultimately comes down to your personal style and maintenance preference.
Which celebrity has an oval face shape?
Look to celebrities like Henry Cavill, Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal, and David Beckham. Notice how they effortlessly switch between short, long, classic, and trendy hairstyles—all thanks to their versatile oval face shapes.
How to style hair daily for an oval face?
Start with a good blow-dry to build volume and direction. Then, use a styling product (paste, clay, or cream) that matches your desired hold and finish. Remember to keep the forehead largely visible to maintain facial balance.
Having an oval face shape is a true blessing in the world of men’s grooming. Your natural proportions give you a freedom that other face shapes envy. Whether you’re feeling a sharp, professional side part or a bold, long, wavy look, you can move forward with confidence.
Use this guide as inspiration, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Talk to your barber, bring pictures, and find the hairstyle that not only suits your face but also expresses your unique personality. The perfect look is out there waiting for you.
