20 Best Hairstyles for an Oval Face Shape
Photo Credit:@jourdandunn
If someone has ever told you that you have the most versatile face shape and you had absolutely no idea what to do with that information this post is for you. Oval face shapes are genuinely the lucky ones when it comes to hairstyles, because there’s no shape you need to work around. Your natural proportions are already balanced. The question isn’t what you can wear. It’s what you want to wear.
I put together 20 styles that consistently look incredible on oval faces all rooted in the natural hair, protective style, and textured hair world. Save the ones that speak to you and bring them to your next appointment.
Need Help Determining Your Face Shape? Take This Quiz
Who this is for: Your face is slightly longer than it is wide, with a gently curved jaw and a forehead just a touch wider than your chin. If that sounds like you — you’re oval, and every style on this list is yours.
Your Face Shape At A Glance
An oval face is slightly longer than it is wide, with a rounded jaw and balanced proportions from forehead to chin. There’s no dominant angle to work around and no shape to compensate for. Virtually every silhouette length, volume, texture, asymmetry works beautifully here. The goal is simply to pick what you love.
01. MEDIUM KNOTLESS BRAIDS — MIDDLE PART
Photo Credit:@zendaya
This is the sweet spot for oval faces. Medium knotless braids with a middle part sit perfectly within oval proportions the length frames without overpowering, and the middle part creates a clean, symmetrical line that feels intentional. Add a subtle color like honey blonde tips and this becomes a signature look.
Pro tip: Go medium-length (shoulder to bra strap) for the most balanced look. Too short clips the face; too long can overwhelm.
02. HIGH PUFF WITH LAID EDGES
Photo Credit:@foreverflawlyss
The high puff adds vertical height that complements an oval face’s natural length. Laid edges frame the face sharply and give the whole look a polished, finished quality. One of those styles that looks effortless but photographs like it took real work.
Pro tip: Use a satin-lined puff holder to protect your edges while keeping the volume full.
03. LONG LOCS WITH VOLUME
Photo Credit:@loviesimone_
Long locs on an oval face are one of the most consistently stunning combinations in natural hair. The length and texture both work in your favor — the locs have weight and movement that frame the balanced oval proportions beautifully. Dress them up, pin half back, or wear them fully down.
04. FAUX LOCS — GODDESS STYLE
Photo Credit:@sydneymoonbeauty
Goddess faux locs give you the fullness and movement of real locs with more texture and volume at the ends. On an oval face, the length and the body of the style create exactly the kind of frame that makes this face shape look its most striking.
Pro tip: Ask for curly ends to add extra body and softness at the tips it gives the whole style more dimension.
05. BOX BRAIDS — SIDE PART
Photo Credit:@marsaimartin
Box braids with a side part introduce asymmetry that oval faces wear beautifully. The off-center line draws the eye diagonally across the face in a way that feels dynamic and fashion-forward rather than simple.
06. SILK PRESS — STRAIGHT AND FULL
Photo Credit:@choycebrown
A silk press on an oval face is one of those looks where the simplicity does everything. Straight hair sits flat against the sides and falls cleanly past the shoulder the smooth lines complement balanced oval proportions in the most classic way.
Pro tip: Protect your ends with a heat protectant and finish with a glossing serum for maximum shine.
07. NATURAL AFRO — FULL AND ROUND
Photo Credit:@solangeknowles
A full natural afro sits beautifully on an oval face because the rounded shape of the fro mirrors and complements the oval’s own soft proportions. Volume goes upward and outward symmetrically completely in harmony with this face shape.
08. CURTAIN BANGS — ANY STYLE
Photo Credit:@faceovermatter
Curtain bangs are one of the few things oval faces can pull off in every variation — with braids, with a sew-in, with natural hair. The middle part and soft sweep to the sides frame the forehead without creating any imbalance. Chic and extremely wearable.
Pro tip: Try curtain bangs on a lace front first to test the look before committing.
09. BUTTERFLY LOCS
Photo Credit:@jonica
Butterfly locs have a beautiful texture that creates dimension without bulk. On an oval face, the softness of the style and the natural movement of the locs creates an effortlessly stylish look. Wear them down for maximum inspo.
10. SENEGALESE TWISTS — LONG
Photo Credit:@jaays.hair
The clean, ropelike structure of Senegalese twists frames an oval face with a crisp, polished silhouette. Long twists especially — the uniform texture and length create a consistent, intentional look from crown to end.
11. TAPERED BOB
Photo Credit:@tamiastyles
A tapered bob works on oval faces because the face shape can handle the shorter length without losing balance. The taper creates a clean line that showcases the jaw and neck beautifully.
Pro tip: Ask your stylist to leave length at the front jaw area for maximum framing.
12. TWA — TEENY WEENY AFRO
Photo Credit:@solangeknowles
A TWA on an oval face is striking and powerful. The closeness to the head keeps all attention on the face’s natural proportions which, on an oval, are already balanced and beautiful. Short doesn’t mean simple here.
13. PASSION TWISTS — HALF UP HALF DOWN
Photo Credit:@itsindybindy
Half-up half-down is one of those styles where oval faces genuinely have an advantage — the combination of height from the top half and length from the bottom works because there’s no proportion issue to navigate. It just looks good.
Pro tip: Leave a few face-framing pieces out of the updo for a softer, more relaxed finish.
14. CORNROWS — STRAIGHT BACK INTO A PUFF
Photo Credit:@iamtabithabrown
Cornrows back into a puff is a two-for-one: the flat cornrows highlight the face structure and scalp, while the puff adds height. On an oval face, the combination of sleekness at the sides and volume at the top is perfectly proportioned.
15. JUMBO BRAIDS — LOOSE AND FULL
Photo Credit:@tikasumpter
Jumbo braids on an oval face have serious presence. The size and weight of each braid creates a bold, statement silhouette that oval proportions can handle comfortably. This is a high-impact look that requires no adjustment for face shape.
16. SLEEK LOW BUN
Photo Credit:@loriharvey
A sleek low bun is one of the most classically flattering looks for any oval face. It removes all visual noise and puts the face completely center stage which only works this well when the proportions are already balanced.
Pro tip: Use a light-hold edge gel and a soft toothbrush to lay edges. Finish with a silk scarf press for a smooth, lasting hold.
17. ASYMMETRIC BOB
Photo Credit:@karrueche
Asymmetric cuts that would be risky on other face shapes are genuinely wearable on oval faces because the proportions can absorb the uneven lines without losing balance. This is a fashion-forward look that rewards oval faces specifically.
18. BRAIDED UPDO — CROWN STYLE
Photo Credit:@@marsaimartin
Crown braided updos wrap volume around the top of the head, adding width and height simultaneously. On an oval face, this creates a regal, editorial silhouette that photographs beautifully.
19. LOC UPDO WITH TENDRILS
Photo Credit:@theloccollective_
An updo with a few face-framing tendrils is one of the most universally flattering styles and oval faces are made for it. The elevated height of the updo and the soft tendrils work in perfect balance with oval proportions.
20. BIG CHOP — NATURAL TEXTURE
Photo Credit:@solangeknowles
The big chop on an oval face is almost always stunning. The face’s natural proportions that gentle balance between length and width are beautifully showcased when you remove the length. It’s a brave move with a powerful result on this face shape.
The Oval Face Superpower Styles
Stylist Note: If you have an oval face and aren’t sure where to start, go with medium-length knotless braids. They frame an oval face like they were designed for it. Add color to the ends — honey blonde, burgundy, or cinnamon — and you have a signature look with almost no effort. From there, everything else opens up.
The honest truth about having an oval face is that your only job is to pick what you love. There’s nothing to compensate for, nothing to hide. Every style on this list is yours — it’s just a matter of which one makes you feel most like yourself.
Ready to go deeper? Read the full face shape guide for all 6 face shapes, all the inspo.
Don’t Forget to take this quiz to find your exact face shape
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