Here Are the Most Flattering Hairstyles & Cuts for Oval Faces

E! Illustration/ghd

There are plenty of celebs with oval faces just like you, with Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson and Charlize Theron among them. "I also love Lily-Rose Depp as a more current reference. Her midi-length cuts and soft waves show how an oval face can look incredibly chic with a little undone texture rather than something overly sculpted," she added.

Oval faces are incredibly versatile, and "you really have the freedom to play" TerraRose shared. "It’s a naturally balanced face shape, so I don’t think you need to use the haircut to “correct” anything. Instead, I’d ask: What feature do I want to highlight, and what kind of hair do I have? Think enhancing rather than “correcting” the face."

You can read on for more styling and haircut tips from TerraRose, who also shared her "biggest tip" with us: "don’t overthink the face shape when you’re styling. Think about creating movement and balance."

What are the best hair lengths for oval faces?

TerraRose suggests breaking things into three main lengths, because "genuinely" any length will work, but it's all about styling at the end of the day.

Short

"Pixies, bixies and textured crops are fantastic," said TerraRose. "The key is deciding whether you want to emphasize the cheekbones, eyes or jawline."

Medium

TerraRose said this is "probably the most universally wearable category. A chin-length bob, French bob, lob or collarbone cut gives you tons of styling options and works with virtually every texture."

Long

"Long hair looks beautiful on an oval face, especially when there are layers and movement. I prefer some face framing over hair that’s completely one length because it keeps the look from becoming visually heavy," TerraRose explained.

Oval Face Celebrities for Inspiration

Look to the stars for inspiration before your next trip to the salon! One of TerraRose's "favorite examples" is Rihanna, who "has worn everything from a pixie and short crop to long waves."

If you prefer longer locks, Jessica Alba is "a beautiful example of long, softly layered hair and relaxed waves."

Looking for something more polished? She cites Lucy Liu as "especially good inspiration for a polished collarbone-length cut."

Haircut Mistakes for Oval Faces

TerraRose shared she doesn't necessarily want to call these mistakes "because there aren't many hard-and-fast rules," but there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Skip one-length hair: The biggest thing I’d watch is unintentionally adding too much vertical length. For example, if someone has a naturally longer oval face, I’d be cautious about extremely long, one-length hair with tons of height at the crown. That combination can visually elongate the face. Adding some width and movement through the cheekbone and jaw area will generally create a more balanced result.
• Add customization: I’d also avoid assuming that because you have an oval face, every haircut will automatically look good without customization.
• Remember the puzzle: Face shape is only one piece of the puzzle. Your hair density, texture, growth pattern, forehead, cheekbones, jawline and lifestyle all matter.

How to Style an Oval Face at Home

TerraRose's favorite rule? Focus on movement, which can make you literally look like a million bucks.

"I’d focus on creating movement around the cheekbones, softness around the jaw and enough volume to keep long hair from falling flat against the face. That’s what makes even a very simple haircut look expensive," she said.

TerraRose shared a few of her favorite ways to style, below, but she also added something to keep in mind: "You don’t need a cabinet full of products. I’d rather have one good heat protectant/prep product, one styling tool that suits your hair texture, and one finishing product. The technique matters more than having 15 different bottles."

The Big, Brushed-Out Wave

TerraRose says this is "probably my favorite" look for styling.

1. Blow-dry the hair with volume at the roots, then use a 1- to 1½-inch iron to create loose waves.
2. Let everything cool completely and then brush it out.
3. The result is that expensive, second-day, salon blowout texture. Bella Hadid and Jessica Alba are great inspiration for this type of look.

The Center-Part Sleek Look

"Oval faces can really take advantage of symmetry, so a clean center part with sleek hair is gorgeous. Add a little bend at the ends or tuck the hair behind the ears to keep it modern," said TerraRose.

Slick Back Bun

"This is another reason oval faces are so fun—you can completely expose the face," said TerraRose. "Bella Hadid is a great reference for this."

Undone Texture

TerraRose said, "For a more editorial finish, I love taking a polished blowout and roughing it up slightly with texture spray. You don’t want every strand to look 'done.' "

Best Haircuts for Oval Faces

Don't forget - every oval face isn't the same! TerraRose shared that "the key is that an oval face can handle a huge range of lengths, bangs, parts and textures; the haircut should ultimately be chosen based on hair density, texture and the feature the client wants to emphasize."

• Short: "A textured pixie, bixie or even a really short crop can look incredible because an oval face can support stronger, more graphic shapes. Rihanna is a great example of someone who can completely change her haircut without losing that facial balance."
• Medium: "A collarbone-length lob is another great option. It’s incredibly flattering because it hits in that sweet spot around the shoulders and can be worn sleek, wavy, voluminous or air-dried. A blunt bob or French bob is also fantastic on an oval face because you can really see the cheekbones and jawline."
• Long: "I love soft, face-framing layers that start around the cheekbone and cascade into the length. They create movement and keep long hair from looking heavy or dragging the face downward."

Bangs can work with any length, and TerraRose added that "oval faces are basically bangs-friendly territory."

"For someone wanting a fringe, oval faces are basically bangs-friendly territory. Curtain bangs, wispy bangs and even a more substantial blunt fringe can all work," she added. "I particularly love a soft curtain bang because it frames the cheekbones without feeling too severe."

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