Look, I get it. Having an oblong face shape as a guy can feel like you're stuck in style limbo. I remember standing in front of the mirror last year trying to figure out why my new hairstyle made me look like a stretched version of myself. That's when I realized most style advice is written for oval or square faces, leaving us oblong face shape men hanging. Well, not anymore.
See, oblong faces (sometimes called rectangular faces) are longer than they are wide, with a straight cheek line and similar width at forehead, cheeks, and jaw. Your face length is noticeably greater than the width. If you measure from hairline to chin and compare to cheekbone width, length wins by about 1.5 times. That's the oblong club.
Here's the thing they don't tell you: What works for Brad Pitt (square face) will make you look like a bobblehead. I learned that the expensive way after a disastrous haircut. But get this right, and you'll actually balance your proportions instead of exaggerating them. Let's fix this.
Hairstyles That Don't Make Your Face Look Longer
Hair is your best weapon against looking stretched out. The goal? Create width. Avoid height. Sounds simple but 90% of guys get it wrong. Last summer I made the mistake of getting a faux hawk - instant horse face. Never again.
Your golden rule: Keep sides fuller, avoid height on top. This creates horizontal volume where you need it most.
| Hairstyle | Why It Works | What to Tell Barber | Maintenance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textured Crop | Adds width at temples without adding height | "2-3 inch messy crop, texture on sides, keep weight around ears" | Low (just wax) |
| Side-Swept Undercut | Diagonal lines break up vertical length | "Undercut with 1.5 inch top, side part comb-over" | Medium (daily styling) |
| French Crop | Fringe shortens forehead visually | "Short fringe hitting eyebrows, tapered sides" | Low (monthly trim) |
| Messy Quiff (careful!) | Only if kept forward, not upward | "Forward volume only, no height at crown" | High (daily product) |
Disaster Zone: Avoid these like bad tattoos:
- High fades or pompadours (adds vertical inches)
- Center parts (creates a long visual line)
- Super short buzz cuts (reveals full face length)
- Slicked-back styles (like Dracula's forehead)
Personal tip: I've worn a textured crop for 2 years now. My barber uses thinning shears on my thick hair to remove weight. Cost me $45 every 6 weeks but makes me look 10 pounds heavier in the face. Worth every penny.
Facial Hair Magic for Oblong Faces
Beard game is crucial when you've got an oblong face shape. The right facial hair can literally shorten your face. My beard journey went through awkward phases so you don't have to.
The 3-Day Test
Before committing, grow for 72 hours. If patches show below cheekbones, stick to stubble. If coverage is solid, go full beard. My cheeks looked like a mangy dog until age 28 - genetics suck sometimes.
Beard styles ranked best to worst:
Top Tier Choices:
- Full Boxed Beard - Kept at 10-15mm length. Fills lower face creating width.
- Extended Goatee - Connects mustache to beard, widening chin area.
- Short Stubble (3-5mm) - Creates shadow that defines jawline without elongation.
- Soul Patch - Draws attention downward.
- Long Goatee - Extends chin visually.
- Chinstrap - Emphasizes jaw length.
Shaving hack: Use a 3mm guard on your trimmer for the cheeks, 5mm on chin. This subtle graduation adds width where you need it most. Takes practice - I butchered my neckline twice before getting it right.
Eyewear That Fixes Proportions
Glasses are optical illusions for oblong face shape men. I spent $400 on frames that made me look like a surprised owl before learning these rules:
| Frame Style | Why It Works | Brand Examples | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Frames | Softens angles, adds width | Warby Parker Percy, Ray-Ban Clubmaster | $95-$200 |
| Browline Glasses | Top-heavy design shortens forehead | Shuron Ronsir, Persol 714 | $150-$350 |
| Wayfarers | Horizontal lines create width | Classic Ray-Ban, Oakley Holbrook | $150-$250 |
| Aviators (large) | Double bridge widens mid-face | Ray-Ban RB3025, Maui Jim World Cup | $200-$400 |
Measurements matter more than style. Ideal specs for oblong face shape:
- Lens width: Wider than your cheekbones (creates horizontal stretch)
- Bridge: Low-set (shortens nose appearance)
- Temples: Contrasting color (breaks up length)
Skip these unless you want to look like a stretched Picasso painting:
- Small rectangular frames
- Wire-thin rimless glasses
- Cat-eye shapes
- Oversized square frames
Hats That Actually Suit You
Most hats make oblong faces look like lollipops. After testing 20+ styles, here's what actually works:
Winning Formula: Look for hats with wide brims that sit low on the forehead and have structured crowns.
Top 5 Hat Styles:
- Newsboy Caps: Rounded shape adds width. Wear tilted to one side.
- Fedoras: Medium brim (2.5-3 inches), pinched front. Avoid stingy brims.
- Bucket Hats: Casual option that shortens face. Go for structured fabrics.
- Baseball Caps: Only with curved bills worn slightly backward.
- Flat Caps: Classic choice that sits low on brow.
Style Tricks From Tailors
Clothing creates optical illusions. My tailor showed me these fixes after I complained about looking "stretched" in photos:
- Collars: Spread collars (like cutaway styles) widen neck visually. Avoid pointy collars.
- Lapels: Notch lapels should be wide (3.5-4 inches) to broaden upper body.
- Patterns: Horizontal stripes (even subtle pinstripes) beat vertical lines every time.
- Scarves: Loosely wrapped once adds width at jawline. Silk works year-round.
- Necklines: Crew necks shorten, V-necks elongate. Simple but critical.
Bonus tip: Contrast matters. Wearing a light shirt with dark jacket creates horizontal separation at your shoulders, balancing face length.
Grooming Mistakes You're Making
Small details wreck proportions for oblong face shape men. Here's what I've seen go wrong:
Eyebrow Fail: Over-plucked arches create forehead space. Natural brows help shorten upper face.
Hairline Hack: If you have receding hair, keep fringe forward. Exposing hairline adds length.
Sunglasses Rule: Always choose frames taller in lens height. Short lenses make noses appear longer. Oakley's Holbrook model saved my vacation photos.
Skincare matters more than you think. Dry skin emphasizes vertical lines. My routine:
- Morning: Hydrating serum + SPF 50 moisturizer
- Evening: Retinol cream (to prevent nasolabial folds)
- Weekly: Clay mask to reduce oiliness in T-zone
Q&A: Real Questions From Oblong-Faced Guys
Q: Can oblong face shape men pull off buzz cuts?
A: Only if you have exceptional bone structure. Most guys need facial hair to balance it. Grade 2 clipper length minimum with beard stubble.
Q: What celebrity has oblong face shape?
A> Adam Driver is textbook oblong. Notice how he uses boxed beards and side-swept hair. John Krasinski too - see how he avoids vertical hairstyles.
Q: Does face shape change with weight loss?
A> Sadly no. My 30-pound weight loss made my face look longer. Had to grow beard to compensate. Facial fat reduction emphasizes length.
Q: Best glasses for oblong face with receding hairline?
A> Double whammy. Go with dark browline glasses (like Persol 714) to create artificial hairline and shorten forehead.
Q: Are oblong faces unattractive?
A> Absolutely not. It's about styling, not structure. Ben Affleck and Thomas Brodie-Sangster prove it can work. Just requires different rules than round faces.
Photography Tips No One Mentions
Camera angles will betray you. After years of awkward photos, I learned:
- Always shoot slightly above eye level - makes photographer crouch
- Turn 30 degrees to camera - never straight on
- Wear patterned shirts in group shots - breaks up vertical silhouette
- Lean forward slightly when seated - prevents neck elongation
- Smile with teeth - closes jaw gap visually
Phone camera hack: Enable grid lines. Position eyes on upper horizontal line. This avoids unflattering angles.
Why This Matters Beyond Vanity
Getting this right affects more than your reflection. I landed my current job after ditching the slicked-back hair that made me look severe. People respond differently when your proportions feel balanced.
Final reality check: You can't change bone structure (without surgery). But every guy I've consulted improved his look by 80% using these techniques. Start with one change - maybe those browline glasses or a French crop cut. See how people react. Then level up.
Still skeptical? Grab a photo from last year. Try one hairstyle or beard change from this guide. Compare photos. The difference will slap you in the face (in a good way). That oblong face isn't a curse - it's just waiting for the right frame.
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