The Best Short Hairstyles for Oval Faces

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
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So, you have an oval face. What exactly does that mean? Well, firstly, apparently you got pretty lucky. Though we think that every face shape has plenty of flattering cuts that can suit your signature style, it’s whispered through the salon grapevine that oval face shapes are the most versatile and easiest to complement. Secondly, it means that technically your face is roughly a 3:2 length-to-width ratio and is aesthetically balanced. Your cheekbones are the widest point, and there aren’t any major edges—an overall smooth, rounded shape that’s longer than wide. Lastly, it means you’ve got some awesome options for short cuts in particular. You can go with some seriously stylish shorts cuts without much risk because, odds are, they are going to be perfectly flattering.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few guidelines to pay mind. Rule of thumb: bangs and face-framing layers are your friends. With those on your side, your face won't appear shorter or longer than it is. Their job is rather to enhance your naturally balanced face. To help you find the perfect inspiration to bring for your next salon visit, here are the best shorts haircuts for the oval-faced ladies.

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Deep Side-Part Bob

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A deep side part, with or without bangs, with a bob-length cut looks great on an oval face, while it can be tricky for very round or angular faces. The deep part lends elegance to the balanced oval shape.

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Blunt Lob

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We just love a blunt lob, but you do have to watch out. It can cover too much of the sides of the oval face to make it appear longer, but it can look so stylish if paired with a center part and sparse face-framing layers.

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Growing-Out Pixie

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This short cut takes the same approach as heavy side-swept bangs by highlighting one side of the oval face and letting the other lay bare. It shows the lovely balance of the face shape using its asymmetry.

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Heavy Side-Swept Bangs

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A heavy side-swept bang doesn’t overwhelm oval faces, and it actually flatters them by leaving a cheekbone completely visible while lending volume and shape with the bangs on the other side.

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Super Pixie

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You can do a super-short pixie with an oval face because your 3:2 length-to-width ratio will help avoid an unflattering, too-short look. It can handle the lack of hair.

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Pumped-Up Volume

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Some major volume, especially paired with a side part, lets oval faces shine as they are—nothing special needed. It lifts hair off the face to avoid shortening or elongating it.

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Major Face-Framing Layers

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If you’re not into bangs, go with some longer face-framing layers. While oval faces don’t need any major shaping, they will look longer than they are if not framed—and face-framing layers are the universal hair trick, anyway.

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Shoulder-Length with Full Bangs

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You can still do full bangs with an oval face by letting them not be too blunt or heavy, which could be overwhelming. The shoulder-length cut balances it out.

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Stacked Bob

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While a stacked bob can be tricky, it works for oval faces. It could graze the issue of lengthening the face a little, but not in an unflattering way. It looks chic and stylish instead.

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Center-Parted Bangs Crop

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A little bolder than some shorts cuts, this crop gives major shape with some center-parted—Bardot-esque—bangs. This cut would not work on very round or square face, but works great on smooth, lengthy oval face.

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Shag-Inspired

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We love the tousled look of a shag-inspired cut, and it doesn’t work for everyone. If you have an oval face and a little boldness, this cut has the potential to be your new signature ‘do.

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