← Hairstyles · Oval face
Best men's hairstyles for a oval face.
If your face reads oval, these are the cuts that balance it. Each one links through to a full guide with barber instructions and styling steps.
Brush Up
The brush up leaves the top long enough to sweep upward and slightly back into visible height, with shorter sides. The lift is the whole look. It needs thick hair, a hairdryer and matte product, and it rewards all three.
Curtains
Curtains are medium-length hair with a middle or off-centre parting, so the front falls in two soft panels on either side of the forehead. The length usually reaches the eyebrows, and on longer versions the cheekbones.
French Crop
The French crop is a short cut with a blunt fringe pushed forward onto the forehead and short, tapered or faded sides. The top is cut choppy, so it looks messy on purpose.
Ivy League
The Ivy League is a crew cut with extra length left at the front, long enough to comb into a side part. It is the smartest version of a short haircut, and it is also called a Princeton.
Mid Fade Haircut
A mid fade is a fade that starts at the temple, roughly halfway up the side of your head, and blends down towards the ear. It is the middle option between a low fade and a high fade, and it is the most common fade choice for a reason: it is sharp without being loud. Almost any top style can sit on it.
Pompadour
The pompadour is length at the front swept up and back into a rounded shape, with short sides for contrast. It is the boldest of the classic cuts. This guide covers all four versions, from the full modern pompadour down to the short one you can style in five minutes.
Pompadour Fade Haircut
A pompadour fade pairs a high-volume top swept up and back with sides faded down to short or skin length. Here's how to choose the fade height, ask your barber, and style it.
Quiff
A quiff is a haircut where the front section of hair is lifted up and slightly back, while the sides stay short. It is softer and more casual than a pompadour, and it comes in five main versions depending on how much height and texture you want.
Slick Back
The slick back taper keeps the hair on top long enough to comb straight back, while the sides and back get shorter as they go down. It is a clean, formal cut that shows your whole face.