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The best hairstyles for any face shape will amp up its assets and balance its deficiencies. For an oblong face shape -- of which a high forehead and long face are characteristic -- this means adding width to the face by turning up texture, and losing a little length in your face via layers. Oh, and don't forget to bring on the bangs.
Side Chick
When looking to flatter a long face, piling on the volume at the crown is something you definitely want to avoid. It will only lead the eye upward, making your face look longer (and your head look larger). Instead, widen your face by creating va-va-volume at the sides of your hair. Having lots of layers cut at an angle -- the shortest hitting just an inch below your chin -- will broaden your face a bit.
Bang, Bang
You'll really hit the big-time with a good set of bangs. They help broaden your face and shorten the length of it, and visually shrink the size of your head, to boot. Try blunt bangs that hit at your brows or some you can sweep to the side, but just make sure they're heavy; soft, wispy bangs are a bit too wimpy to create the strong horizontal line you'll need. Also, do make sure they're at least brow-length -- any shorter and they'll lengthen your forehead.
Play the Part
Even something as simple as part placement can affect the look of your facial shape. Middle parts tend to lengthen the center of your face, so steer clear of those in favor of side parts. A side part -- whether slightly off-center or deep into the side -- will break up the long visual line along the center of your face. Play with the placement of your part to see which kind balances your own mug the best.
Texture Tips
Adding texture to your hair, especially at the sides, will build up body on the sides of your hair and visually extend your face outward. Create soft curls with a curling iron, add waves by braiding your hair and leaving them in overnight, or simply turn the ends of your hair under with a flat iron. Either way, you'll be adding body to your hair and balancing your face as a result.
