Quick Answer:
For men with an oval face, the best curly hairstyles keep the sides tight and let curls build texture on top: a curly taper fade, textured crop with fringe, or a curly quiff with moderate height.
An oval face shape is a face roughly 1.3 to 1.5 times longer than it is wide, with the cheekbones as the widest point and a softly rounded jaw. Curly hairstyles for oval-faced men are cuts that use natural curl volume to keep that balance, usually with tapered sides and textured length on top.
By Muhammad Rehan Iqbal, Founder and Developer of OvalFaceShape.com
Who this is for:
Men with an oval face, or who suspect they have one, who want a specific curly haircut to bring to a barber, sorted by length and curl type. If you haven’t confirmed your shape, the Face Shape Detector takes under a minute.
Why Curls and an Oval Face Work Together?
An oval face is already balanced, so the haircut’s job is to avoid disturbing it. The oval face shape guide covers the measurements. The short version: divide face length by cheekbone width, and a result near 1.3 to 1.5 is oval. Farkas’s Anthropometry of the Head and Face is the standard reference for these landmark measurements (Farkas, 1994).
Curls add horizontal volume, which counters the slightly elongated look of an oval face. The risk is the opposite problem: too much height on top, or flat sides, can make the face read longer and narrower.
The rule that follows: Tight sides, textured top, moderate height.
Check the Edge Case: Oval or Oval-Oblong?
If your length-to-width ratio is closer to 1.5 or above, you sit on the border with oblong. In that case, favor a little more side volume and less height. The oval vs oblong comparison shows how to tell the two apart.
Match the Cut to Your Curl Type
Hair-texture charts, usually built on Andre Walker’s type 2 to 4 system, are widely used to describe wavy to coily hair. A 2022 dermatology paper notes that the public uses these curl-pattern categories to communicate about products and styling (Int J Womens Dermatol, 2022). Curl tightness changes how much length a cut needs.
| Curl type | How it behaves | Length on top to discuss with your barber |
|---|---|---|
| 2A–2B (waves) | Falls with more weight, loses shape when short | Medium; leave extra length |
| 2C–3A (loose curls) | Holds shape at moderate length | Short to medium |
| 3B–3C (springy curls) | Holds volume at short lengths | Short, textured, or medium |
| 4A–4C (coils) | Shrinks when dry, gains height | Short crop or medium; account for shrinkage |
These are starting points to discuss, not rules.
Short Curly Hairstyles for Oval Face Men
Curly taper fade:
Sides taper short, curls stay natural on top. The taper stops the sides from adding width low on the face while the top frames it.
Textured crop with curly fringe:
An even cropped length with the front curls left slightly longer and pushed forward. This shortens the visible forehead-to-chin distance on a longer oval face.
Short curls, no fade:
Even length all around, cut close but not shaved. It is a low-effort option if you don’t want fade appointments.
Medium Curly Hairstyles for Oval Face Men
Curly quiff with a mid fade:
Curls lifted up and slightly back, with tight sides. Keep the height moderate so you don’t add length to the face.
Curly fringe with a skin fade:
Medium curls kept forward, with a close fade. The contrast between fade and curl is clear and easy to request.
Side part with curl definition:
A classic side part with enough length for curls to show. It reads more polished than a fringe or quiff.
Want to find the best curly hairstyles for women with oval face shapes? Read our complete guide to explore flattering styles, practical tips, and expert-backed recommendations.
Long Curly Hair on an Oval Face
An oval face carries long hair well, but unshaped length can hang straight down the sides and add vertical length. Ask for layers that start around the cheekbones so the curls build width rather than drop. Tying it half-up shows the face and keeps the proportions open.
Curly Fringe and Bangs for Oval Face Men
A fringe works on an oval face because it shortens the forehead area without hiding the cheekbones:
| Fringe length | Look | Best curl types | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short fringe | Cropped, sits above the brows | 3B–4C | Needs regular trims to stay even |
| Medium fringe | Brushed forward or to the side | 2C–3C | Humidity can lift it |
| Long fringe | Falls toward the eyes, can be swept | 2A–3A | Can read as extra length if it hangs straight |
Which Fade Height Works With Curls?
| Fade | Effect on an oval face | Pairs well with |
|---|---|---|
| Low taper | Softest, keeps the sides slightly fuller | Curly fringe, short curls |
| Mid fade | Balanced contrast | Quiff, textured crop |
| High fade | Maximum contrast, sharpest | Quiff, tight 3C–4C curls |
| Skin fade | Strongest contrast at the base | Medium curls |
Curly vs Wavy Hair
The same cuts apply to waves, but waves need more length on top to hold shape. Ask for a few extra millimeters of length on a wavy quiff or fringe compared with 3A curls.
Thick, Coarse, or Frizz-Prone Curls
Thick strands and humidity can make short curly hair look bulky rather than defined. This applies in humid climates such as South Asia, among other places. Keep a slightly longer top and use a lightweight curl cream rather than a heavy pomade.
A Simple Styling Routine!
- Wash with shampoo only as often as your scalp needs.
- Apply curl cream to damp hair.
- Scrunch rather than rubbing with a towel.
- Air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat.
- Don’t brush dry curls; refresh them with a little water.
Beard Pairings
A short stubble or a neat short beard keeps the curl-and-fade contrast clean. Longer beards add length to the lower face, so keep them shaped. See beard styles by face shape for more.
What to Avoid if you have curls with an oval face?
- Long, loose curls hanging flat down the sides, which add length, not width.
- A heavy center part, which splits the face symmetrically and emphasizes length.
- Un-tapered, voluminous sides, which can make an oval face look boxier.
- Skipping product on tighter curls; undefined curls tend to look flat.
How to Ask Your Barber for get a right cut?
Name the cut, the fade height, and what to leave on top:
| Say this | Result |
|---|---|
| “Low taper, keep the curls on top” | Soft sides, natural curl top |
| “Mid fade, leave a medium curly fringe forward” | Contrast with a forehead-framing top |
| “Textured crop, a bit longer at the front” | Cropped length with curl texture |
Bring a reference photo. Curl definition varies between barbers, and a photo removes the guesswork.
For more cuts across shapes, see hairstyles for every face shape, and for named examples, see celebrities with an oval face shape.
Key Takeaways
- An oval face doesn’t need correcting; avoid adding unnecessary length.
- Tight sides, a textured top, and moderate height is the core rule.
- Curl type decides how much length a cut needs; waves need more than tight curls.
- Fringe length, fade height, and top length are the three requests that matter at the barber.
- Thick or humid-climate curls usually hold better with a slightly longer top.
- If your ratio is near 1.5, treat the face as oval-oblong and favor side volume.
Next step:
Not sure of your shape? Run the Face Shape Detector before you book the cut.
FAQs
Is an oval face shape handsome?
Attractiveness depends on many features and on personal and cultural preference, so no single face shape is objectively the most handsome. An oval face is considered versatile because its balanced proportions suit most haircuts.
What is the most handsome haircut?
There is no single answer, but the cut that suits your face shape, hair texture, and daily routine usually looks best. For an oval face with curls, a taper fade with a textured curly top is a dependable start.
Which face shape suits curly hair?
Curly hair can suit any face shape with the right cut. Oval faces take it easily, while round faces generally benefit from height, and long faces from side volume.
Does an oval face mean any haircut works?
Most cuts work, but not all are equally flattering. Haircuts that add a lot of length to the face or leave very flat sides are the ones to be careful with.
Is my face oval or oblong with curly hair?
Hair can hide your outline. Measure face length divided by cheekbone width: near 1.3 to 1.5 is oval, above that leans oblong. The oval vs oblong guide explains the overlap.
How often do I need a touch-up for a curly taper fade?
Many barbers suggest roughly every two to four weeks to keep the fade sharp, though it varies with how fast your hair grows and how crisp you want it.
Can I wear a curly fringe with a big forehead?
Yes. A curly fringe is often chosen to shorten how large the forehead looks. Ask for a medium length and keep it moving forward rather than flat.