The 19 Best Haircuts for Oval Face Shapes, From Pixies to Bobs

The 15 Best Haircuts for Oval Face Shapes — Photo:
Getty Images/ InStyle

If you're deciding on a new signature haircut, it can be overwhelming and difficult to pick your next look. After all, there are so many options to choose from and it's tricky to decide which one will best suit your face shape, curl pattern, and natural hair texture.

However, if you have an oval-shaped face, you're typically exempt from this struggle.

"Oval face shapes are the lucky ones. They have the most the opportunity to play with the versatility and variations of haircuts; whether it's with the texture, or more importantly, with the shape, and style in general," says Rodney Cutler, founder of the bi-costal Cutler Salons.

"If you have an oval face shape, you can get away with any haircut and any style you want," adds Luis Rodriguez, a Clairol Professional Top Artist. "I love doing pixie cuts on someone with an oval face shape."

Whether you want to keep your length, go shorter, or slowly grow it out, there are options for you. So, we turned to the stars for inspiration for oval-faced haircuts. From playful pixies and mermaid-length waves to polished lobs and elegant updos, these are the best celebrity haircuts for oval faces.

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Bella Hadid

For a shoulder-grazing length like Hadid's, ask your stylist for minimal layers. A side-part with the front piece brushed back against your natural hair growth will add extra volume and open up your face. Tucking your hair behind your ear on the opposite side will help, too.

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Dakota Johnson

Good news for oval face shapes: nearly every type of fringe is flattering on you. That being said, airy, pin-straight ones will accentuate your face without feeling bulky.

"Ask for bangs that hit between the brow and the eyelash and are longer on the edges," Johnson's stylist Mark Townsend previously told InStyle. "That way, you can wear them swept aside or straight with a middle part."

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Rihanna

This pixie looks amazing on Rihanna, and it can look good on you too! "Oval face shapes are the most balanced in terms of symmetry," says Rodriguez. "This pixie cut reveals Rihanna's beautiful neck and head shape. It's shorter on the sides and longer on top to add playfulness and variety when it comes to the styling."

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Kim Kardashian

For a fierce yet low-maintenance look, try a blunt bob and part it down the center, like Kim Kardashian's here.

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Blake Lively

Lively's deep side-part and beachy waves add movement and softness to her long layers. By not wrapping thick hair too much around the face when blow-drying it, it lifts the hair away from the face to open it up.

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Halle Berry

When it comes to bangs, avoid a full, blunt fringe. "Short or long bangs that are swingy and have a little bit of movement to them will add softness to the face," says Cutler.

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Zendaya

Bangs and short hair do go together, just ask Zendaya. Previously, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Contents Haircare, Cheryl Bergamy, told InStyle that square, oval, and round face shapes look best with bangs — and we love this tousled look Zendaya rocks.

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Charlize Theron

To keep a lob from looking too heavy, part it off to the side with the front pieces styled away from the face.

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Zoë Kravitz

If you want to go short, Cutler says that a pixie is a great option for oval faces, but keep the cut simple. "You're not relying on squareness of the cut, layers, or bangs to hide something," says Cutler.

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Jessica Alba

"A part that's moved off from the center adds a little more softness to the look and draws attention to the eyes," says Cutler. A side-part and loose, long waves with a few layers like Alba's cut is just the combo to achieve this feat.

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Jourdan Dunn

Since this cut doesn't square-off at the top, it's uber-flattering for oval face shapes who are growing out a pixie because it balances the face shape.

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Olivia Munn

Long, glossy waves parted down the middle à la Olivia Munn are a timeless classic.

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Kate Middleton

Middleton's just off-center part and minimal layers makes her eyes and cheekbones the focal point. " The side part and few layers will open up the cheekbones and the eyes, and add a little more softness," says Cutler. "It's all about the relationship between the length and the layer. If the length is at your collarbone, it's ideal to keep the layers two to three inches shorter than the length to keep the cut from appearing shaggy."

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Kristen Stewart

"With the part, always go against the natural growth of the hair; you'll get more volume and lift away from the face," says Cutler. Case in point: Stewart's brushed back part adds lift to keep her simple pixie cut from looking too flat.

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Jennifer Lawrence

A bob haircut suits anyone with an oval face shape. "Jennifer Lawrence decided to go with a side part and subtle waves to give the style a little edge, but this haircut looks great smooth as well," says Rodriguez. "You can wear a middle part or add layers to make it your own."

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Katy Perry

A deep side part with a medium length haircut works great for oval face shapes. "This deep side part accentuates Katy Perry's cheek bones, exposing her beautiful skin," says Rodriguez.

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Beyoncé

Oval Face, Beyonce — Courtesy Sony Legacy (Album Art)

"Having a bang is a great way to enhance your eyes," says Rodriguez. "People who have an oval face shape can take advantage of different types of bangs."

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Kelly Rowland

If you have an oval face shape any length hair looks great on you - long, medium, or short. "This long layered haircut looks great on Kelly," says Rodriguez. "The precise center part creates perfect balance to enhance the symmetry of her face."

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