Haircuts for an oval face: lengths, layers and fringe

The short answer: an oval face is roughly one and a half times as long as it is wide, with the cheekbones as the widest point and a forehead and chin that taper softly. Almost any length works on this shape, from a chin-length bob to long layers. What decides the cut is your hair: its density, the cowlicks and how much time you have in the morning. A haircut at B&B Elegance costs 15 €.

How to tell if your face is oval

Pull your hair back tightly and stand in front of a mirror in daylight. Check three things:

• The length from hairline to the tip of the chin is about one and a half times the width across the cheekbones.
• The forehead is a little wider than the jaw, but not by much.
• The jaw has no hard corner and the chin is rounded.

If all three are true, your face is oval. If your jaw is clearly angular and almost as wide as your forehead, you are closer to a square face, and we have a separate post on haircuts for a square face. For an overview of every shape, see our guide hairstyles for your face shape.

Hairstyles for oval faces: what works

Because the proportions are already balanced, the cut does not need to hide or lengthen anything. Roughly:

What is the best hair length for an oval face

The best length is the one your hair can carry. Very long, straight hair with no layers drags the face down and makes it look longer. A few layers starting at the chin are usually enough to bring the shape back. For more ideas at each length, read hairstyles by hair length.

Fringe and bangs on an oval face

An oval face takes almost any fringe. Curtain bangs, parted in the middle and falling to the sides, are the easiest choice because they grow out into the layers. A side fringe looks softer and tucks behind the ear. A straight, heavy fringe shortens the face the most. It suits a longer oval well, but it needs the hairdryer every morning and a trim every three to four weeks.

Oval face with a high forehead

A fringe takes height off the forehead, most naturally as curtain bangs or a long side fringe ending at the brows. If you do not want a fringe, a deep side part breaks up the space too. Less helpful are lots of volume on the crown and hair slicked straight back. Both make the face longer.

Oval face and glasses

Glasses draw a horizontal line across the face, and the haircut should work with that line. A fringe is best cut to sit just above the frame or worn to the side, so it does not rest on the lenses. With a heavy, dark frame, soft layers around the face look more balanced than a hard, straight cut. Wear your glasses to the appointment, so we cut the front pieces the way you will see them every day.

Haircuts for an oval face after 40

Over the years hair often becomes finer and the contours of the face soften. A long bob to the shoulder, layers that start at the cheekbones and curtain bangs that soften the forehead all do well here. Very long, straight hair with no shape makes the face look tired, because everything falls downwards. Short cuts also suit oval faces after 40 and after 50, as long as there is some movement on top.

Fine hair with an oval face

Fine hair needs an edge where it looks thick. A bob or long bob with straight, solid ends looks much fuller than long, thinned out lengths. Keep layers few and mostly at the front, or the ends turn see-through. A natural blow-dry with a round brush adds volume at the root, from 15 € with us. How to keep that volume at home is in our guide fine hair and volume.

What to avoid with an oval face

• Lots of height on the crown, such as backcombed sections that stretch the face.
• Long, heavy lengths with no layers that pull everything down.

These are guidelines, not bans. Before and after photos online show someone else's face with someone else's hair. Besire, who has cut hair for more than 20 years, looks at your hairline, cowlicks and density before she cuts. She tells you honestly whether the photo you bring will look the same on your hair.

How much a haircut costs in Pristina

A haircut costs 15 € with us, including a short talk about shape and length, a wash and the cut. A straight blow-dry costs from 10 € and a natural blow-dry with volume from 15 €.

Book your new cut

Message us on WhatsApp or Viber and send two photos: one of your face from the front in daylight, hair pulled back so we can see the shape, and one of the cut you like. Tell us if you wear glasses. We reply in English, Albanian or German with an assessment and the first free appointment, Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00, on Rr. Jakov Xoxa in Pristina.