32 of the best hairstyles for oval faces (AKA the most versatile shape)

When it comes to the best hairstyles for oval faces, this edit is all the inspiration you need from the A-list

Looking for the best hairstyles for oval faces? Look no further because this is the definitive edit of the perfect hair cuts and styles to suit your face shape.

The good news is that an oval face is generally considered by hairdressers to be the most versatile when it comes to styles that suit it. 'This face shape works with almost any type of short hair cut from super short, to chin length or shoulder-length,' says Charlotte Mensah, award-winning hair stylist and natural afro hair expert.

'The most important consideration to take into account is the individuals’ natural texture,' adds Sam Burnett, KMS Style Council member and Owner and Creative Director at Hare & Bone. 'This will determine the style, shape and length.'

How do you know if you have an oval face shape?

First thing's first, how do you identify oval face shapes? They're fairly similar to round faces in that they have a softer jawline, but the key difference is that they are longer than they are wide – i.e. the distance from your forehead to your chin will be noticeably longer than the width of your face. Your forehead will also probably be wider than your chin. Celebrities like Rihanna, Jessica Alba and Naomi Campbell are perfect examples.

Hairstyles for oval faces with long hair

One thing you'll notice time and time again with long-haired celebs is that their hair is always in tip-top condition. 'The biggest thing to remember with long hair is that it needs to look healthy, says Sam. 'There is no point in having long unhealthy hair as the condition will always determine the length.' Charlotte adds: 'With natural Afro hair, long sections throughout the crown give you the ability to create a look that suits your fashion sense and lifestyle need.'

Hairstyles for oval faces with medium length hair

A blunt medium style is, without doubt, one of the hottest hairstyles of the moment. 'Medium length hair looks great when it’s maintained well; think fuller, blunt styles with no layering,' says Sam. 'If an individuals’ hair is prone to frizz then it’s best to keep the hair on the longer side of medium – the longer and heavier the hair, the more controlled it will be.'

Hairstyles for oval faces with short hair

As your face shape is so versatile, you can work just about any short style – lob, bob, pixie crop, the possibilities are endless. And when it comes to Afro hair, 'the tapered, natural hair is perfect for women who want a short style with options,' says Charlotte.

Hairstyles for oval faces with thin hair

The key to thinner hair is not to over-layer your style. 'If you have fine hair, keep layers longer as over layering will only make the hair appear thinner and sparser,' advises Sam. Look to stars like Keira Knightley for inspiration on working finer hair, or Jennifer Lawrence's wispy pixie cut.

Hairstyles for oval faces with thick hair

Naturally, thick hair is great as it often doesn't require adding an awful lot of volume or texture with heat styling, particularly if curly, wavy or cut with layers. Kim Kardashian often wears her thick hair in a 'wet look' style, which makes hair appear thinner, while Kate Middleton chooses to sport big and bouncy curls at the end of her hair.

Hairstyles for oval faces with curly hair

With naturally curly hair, avoid lots of short layers as this will increase your hair's volume and cause it to grow outwards rather than down with its length. In terms of celeb inspiration, Rihanna's hair is often seen in a full head of curls, and she's no stranger to a big, textured ponytail. Meanwhile, hair royalty Kate Middleton often chooses loose and bouncy curls.

Hairstyles for oval faces with bangs

The beauty of an oval face is that a full fringe won't make your face look too rounded; Jessica Biel works choppy bangs and wavy locks perfectly. And, when she had her pixie crop a few years back, J-Law's feathered bangs were a perfect example of how to work a wispy fringe with an oval face.

Ready for some ideas? Scroll through the below gallery as go through some of our favourite oval-faced celebs' hairstyles.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba's loosely waved mid length hair is sheer perfection.

Meghan Markle

The Duchess of Sussex knows how to work a super shiny, healthy blow dry and is the perfect example of an oval face.

Rihanna

We cannot get enough of Rihanna's look. The sixties flick at the end of the ponytail is giving us life.

Jessica Biel

Long beachy waves with a centre parting suit an oval face shape really well.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry's sweeping asymmetric cut is seriously chic.

Hailey Bieber

To recreate Hailey Bieber's beachy waves, use a dedicated waving tool or simply sleep with your hair in two loose plaits.

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita's gorgeous braided updo at the 2022 Oscars perfectly shows off her bone structure.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian's signature high pony is a dream look for those with oval faces.

Blake Lively

Another half-up, half-down look from Blake Lively. The balyage gives it that true Californian feel.

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid shows off her oval face shape perfectly with this tightly slicked back updo.

Olivia Munn

This relaxed wavy hairstyle is an ideal everyday look. Modelled beautifully by Olivia Munn.

Alicia Keys

We love Alicia Keys' gorgeous braided style.

Eva Longoria

These face-framing highlights paired with loads of thick layers offset Eva Longoria's oval face shape perfectly.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell often goes for sleek, poker straight hair and a centre parting, which suits her face shape down to a tee.

Kristen Stewart

The perfect example of a nineties-esque grungy, lived-in updo served up by Kristen Stewart.

Kate Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge also has an oval face shape, and few people are as synonymous with a big bouncy blow dry.

Cindy Crawford

A big glossy blowout like Cindy's frames the face.

Sandra Oh

Go big and curly like Sandra Oh with a full fringe to set the whole thing off.

Emma Watson

A centre parted updo is always a good idea, like Emma Watson here.

Rihanna

The half-up hairstyle has made a huge comeback in recent years, and Rihanna often favours the 'do. Thanks to having an oval face, you can work the hairstyle with or without added height on top.

Gisele Bundchen

Gisele's undone natural-looking waves are giving us serious festival vibes.

Zoe Saldana

We are obsessed with Zoe Saldana's ultra glossy vintage-inspired waves.

Anne Hathaway

Just Anne Hathaway serving up the glossy blow dry of dreams.

Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss's ever-so-slight wave is the perfect face-framing style.

Beyoncé

Queen B has some of the best hair in the business, that's no question. Here she has shorter layers at the front of her longer-length hair to add structure and definition.

Phoebe Dynevor

To avoid a harsh look with such a sleek up-do, leave a little section of hair out to soften things. Just like Phoebe.

Julia Roberts

Beachy waves look great at all lengths, but Julia Roberts's shoulder-length hair frames her oval face perfectly.

Olivia Munn

A long bob or medium length cut that's wavy or curled is one of the most asked-for styles of the moment – take Olivia Munn's picture to your hairdresser for one of the best examples of how to get it right.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence's long wavy tendrils gives this up-do a modern boho twist.

Emily Blunt

Oval faces suit a huge amount of styles, and these loose medium-length curls seen on Emily Blunt are nothing short of perfection.