If you have an oval face, you are honestly in luck. An oval face is slightly wider at the cheekbones than at the forehead and jaw, with a softly rounded chin, and that balance means almost every haircut works.
Medium length is especially flattering because it shows off those proportions without hiding them, and it gives you plenty of styling options for any texture.
Here are 15 medium haircuts for oval face shapes, for women and men, straight, wavy, and curly hair.
1. Layered Lob with Curtain Bangs
A layered lob with curtain bangs is one of the most flattering cuts for an oval face. The bangs part in the middle and frame your face without shortening it, and the layers keep the lob from looking heavy.
It works on straight, wavy, and fine to medium hair. A round brush blowout gives it that soft bounce.
Project Card · 15 minutes · Easy
What You Need
- A volumizing hair dryer brush
- Heat protectant spray
- Sectioning clips
How to Do It
- Rough dry your hair until it is about 80 percent dry.
- Clip the top half out of the way.
- Brush the bottom sections with the dryer brush, rolling the ends under.
- Do the top, then dry the curtain bangs away from your face on each side.
My Pick
Revlon One Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler
Dries and smooths in one step for an easy salon style blowout at home.
2. Shoulder Length Straight Cut with Side Part
Straight hair at shoulder length shows the balanced shape of an oval face clearly, and a side part adds a little movement.
A drop of smoothing serum on damp hair gives a glossy finish that looks great in photos.
- Polished
- Low effort
- Straight hair
My Pick
John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum
A few drops tame frizz and add shine to straight medium hair.
3. Textured Quiff for Men
The textured quiff adds a little height at the front that suits an oval face without making it look longer. A taper on the sides keeps it clean.
Work a small amount of matte paste through damp hair and push it up and forward. That is the whole routine.
- Modern
- Quick styling
- Men
My Pick
STMNT Matte Paste for Men
Strong hold with a natural matte finish, ideal for textured quiffs.
4. Medium Curly Cut
Medium curly hair and an oval face are a natural match. The goal is a shape that is balanced on both sides, with volume spread evenly instead of piled at the sides.
Get it cut dry by a stylist who knows curls, so the shape follows where your curls actually sit.
Project Card · 20 minutes · Easy
What You Need
- Curl cream
- A diffuser attachment
- A microfiber towel
How to Do It
- On soaking wet hair, rake curl cream through in sections.
- Scrunch upward to encourage curl clumps.
- Blot gently with a microfiber towel, never rub.
- Diffuse on low heat, cupping curls into the diffuser until dry.
My Pick
Cantu Coconut Curling Cream
A rich, affordable curl cream that defines curls and cuts frizz.
5. Medium Long Layered Cut
Hair between the collarbone and mid chest with long layers shows off the full length of an oval face while the layers add movement.
Face framing layers starting at the cheekbones draw attention to the most flattering part of your face.
- Movement
- Face framing
- Day to night
6. Textured Cut for Boys
A textured top with a clean taper is modern, easy, and school friendly for boys with oval faces.
A tiny bit of matte clay pushed forward on damp hair is all it needs.
- Easy care
- School friendly
- Boys
7. Wavy Bob
A bob that ends just below the chin, with soft waves, is a great match for an oval face. The waves stop it from looking too blunt.
Oval faces wear shorter bobs well because the proportions stay balanced.
- Chic
- Soft waves
- Easy to style
8. Side Swept Bangs with Layers
Long side swept bangs add a little asymmetry and movement while keeping your full face visible. Unlike blunt bangs, they do not shorten the face.
They also grow out gracefully into face framing layers.
- Grows out well
- Flattering
- Movement
9. Center Part for Men
A center part on medium length hair suits oval faces because the symmetry matches the balanced shape.
It often forms naturally as hair air dries, so styling is minimal.
- Effortless
- Air dry
- Men
10. Shag Cut
The shag uses heavy layering and usually curtain bangs. Oval faces can wear both easily, so the cut looks effortless.
It is especially good on wavy hair. A spritz of sea salt spray brings out the texture.
- Textured
- Air dry friendly
- Wavy hair
11. Clean Medium Cut for Men
A clean medium length cut with a light taper sits between short and long, and suits work and weekends.
Comb through a little light hold cream pomade for a neat, natural finish.
- Professional
- Versatile
- Men
12. Half Up on Medium Waves
A half up style keeps hair off your face while the waves below add movement. Oval faces shine in this because there is nothing to hide.
It takes two minutes and works for errands or dinner.
- Two minutes
- Face showing
- Everyday
13. Curly Medium Bob
A curly bob gives a rounded shape that frames an oval face softly. Because your face is balanced, the round bob shape does not make it look wider.
Diffusing helps the curls hold their shape with less frizz.
- Soft shape
- Curly hair
- Playful
My Pick
Conair Universal Diffuser Attachment
Fits most dryers and dries curls gently without blowing them apart.
14. Feathered Layers
Feathered layers add soft, wispy texture at the ends without changing the overall shape. They work anywhere from chin to collarbone length.
Blow dry the front pieces away from your face for that classic feathered look.
- Soft
- Classic
- Light texture
15. Wavy Cut with No Bangs
Medium waves with no bangs and a slight side part keep your whole face on show. Oval faces are one of the few shapes that look great fully open.
The natural wave adds enough interest that the style never looks plain.
- Open face
- Low maintenance
- Natural waves
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have an oval face?
Your face is a bit longer than it is wide, with cheekbones slightly wider than your forehead and jaw, and a softly rounded chin.
What haircut looks best on an oval face?
Almost any cut works. Medium layers, lobs, and curtain bangs are especially flattering because they show off your balanced proportions.
Should I get bangs with an oval face?
Curtain bangs and side swept bangs are great choices. Very heavy blunt bangs can make the face look shorter.
What is the best medium haircut for men with an oval face?
A textured quiff, a center part, or a clean medium cut with a taper all suit an oval face.
How often should I trim medium hair?
Every 8 to 12 weeks keeps the shape fresh and the ends healthy.
Final Thoughts on Medium Haircuts for Oval Face
With an oval face, your haircut does not have to fix anything, so you can simply choose what you love.
Take a photo from this list to your stylist, be honest about how much styling time you have, and enjoy the freedom.
