Face Shape Oval: How to Tell and What Styling Suits It

Oval is the most versatile face shape, but how do you tell if your face is oval? And what haircuts, glasses frames, etc. suit it best? Almost anything works: pixie cuts, bobs, lobs, shags, long layers, and curtain or side-swept bangs, plus square, rectangle, geometric or oversized frames. The main frames to skip are oval and aviator styles. Yesglasses says most frames suit oval faces, yet lists these to avoid. Oversized frames play down face length, and angular ones add structure. But first, let’s figure out if your face is actually oval.

How to Measure a Face Shape Oval

The first step in figuring out your face shape is to measure it. You can use a tape measure, or take a photo of your face from the front (you can use an app like Google Lens), then measure the length and widths on your phone.

Face Length

Measure the distance from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin. That’s your face length.

Face Widths

There are three main widths:

Forehead width: Measure across your forehead from one side to the other.
Cheekbone width: Measure across your cheekbones from one side to the other.
Jaw width: Measure across your jaw from one side to the other.

Average Face Width

Add up your three face widths and divide by 3. That’s your average face width.

Face Ratio

Divide your face length by your average face width. If the result is between 1.25 and 1.45, then your face is oval. That’s one calculator’s range, and it also expects your cheekbones to be widest.

You can also use online calculators to help you determine your face shape. However, keep in mind that these calculators may not be accurate for everyone. This is because there is no agreed-upon ratio for an oval face. Some sources point to the golden ratio of 1.6 instead (one study uses it as the mark of a “normal” face, not an oval one), while others say that it should be around 1.25 to 1.45. Small errors can tip a borderline result into another shape, so keep your head level, relax your jaw (clenching widens it by several millimeters), and pull your hair back.

Checking for an Oval Face in the Mirror

If you’re unsure whether your face is oval, you can also look at yourself in the mirror. An oval face is usually longer than it is wide, with a gently tapered curve at the jawline. The cheekbones are typically the widest part of the face. A ratio of 1.5 or higher, with forehead, cheeks and jaw about the same width, points to oblong. A diamond face is oval with high cheekbones and a pointed chin.

Oval is the most versatile face shape, so it’s easy to find hairstyles and makeup looks that work well with it. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s face is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. A good stylist will know which styles and products will work best for your particular face shape.

So, if you think you might have an oval face, try using some of the tips above to see if you can confirm it. Once you’ve determined your face shape, you’ll be able to find the right hairstyle, makeup, and accessories to flatter your features.

Are Oval Faces More Attractive

Some people believe that having an oval face makes someone more beautiful, but this isn’t necessarily true. Beauty is subjective, and there are many factors that contribute to a person’s overall appearance. In fact, there's no single global ideal: face proportions vary with age, gender and ethnicity, so one standard can't fit everyone. So, even if you don’t have an oval face, you can still be considered beautiful.

That said, there is some evidence that oval faces are generally considered more attractive than other face shapes. Attractiveness research tends to favour the average, oval-like band of face proportions, which overlaps with a well-documented preference for averageness. That doesn't mean other face shapes are objectively unattractive. So, while there’s no objective standard of beauty, there is some evidence that oval faces are generally considered more attractive.

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide what they find beautiful. There are many factors that contribute to a person’s overall appearance, and beauty is subjective. So, if you think you have an oval face, that doesn’t mean you’re automatically beautiful. And if you don’t have one, that doesn’t make you any less attractive.

Resources on Oval Faces

If you want to learn more about oval faces, I recommend checking out the following resources:

“Skin Beauty” – This website provides information on how to identify different face shapes, including oval.
“Yesglasses” – This website offers tips on finding the right glasses frames for your face shape.

I hope this article has been helpful! If you have any questions about face shapes, feel free to ask in the comments below.