7 Best Beard Styles for Long Faces (Oblong Face Shape Guide)

Got a long face? You’re in good company. Oblong and rectangular face shapes are some of the most striking — think Keanu Reeves, Benedict Cumberbatch, or Matthew McConaughey. But when it comes to the best beards for long faces, it can be a little challenging.

Grow the wrong shape and you’ll stretch your features even more. That’s fine if you want to look like you’ve been put through a mangle, but it's not ideal if you’re looking to balance your face. Choose wisely, though, and a good beard can add width, balance proportions, and make your jawline look sculpted, not stretched.

This guide will show you exactly which beard styles suit long faces best, which ones to avoid, and how to trim to flatter your bone structure.

What Counts as a Long Face?

A long face — also called an oblong or rectangular face — is exactly what it sounds like: longer than it is wide, with a relatively straight cheek line and a more vertical appearance overall. 

It’s not sharply angular like a square face, nor soft and round. The chin may be slightly pointed or flat, and the forehead and jaw are typically of equal width.

If you look in the mirror and see height rather than width — especially if your cheekbones don’t flare and your chin tapers subtly — you likely have a long face.

 Characteristic features of a long/oblong face include:

• Face length noticeably longer than width
• Cheekbones, jaw, and forehead similar in width
• Vertical impression: more “up and down” than “side to side”
• Chin may be rounded or squared, but isn’t particularly wide
• Forehead often appears tall

Quick test: If the length of your face is more than 1.5x the width, you’re probably working with a long face.

What a Beard Can Do for a Long Face

A well-chosen beard can completely rebalance the proportions of a long or oblong face. The goal? Visually shorten the face and add width at the sides, helping the whole structure feel more grounded, symmetrical, and masculine.

Beards work like subtle optical illusions.

By focusing on fullness in the jawline and cheeks (and keeping the chin neat), you can reduce the emphasis on facial length, making your features appear better proportioned. The right beard is your best ally. But pick the wrong style and it’ll drag your features down into the dreaded horse-face territory

7 Best Beard Styles for Long Faces

The golden rule for a long or oblong face is width over length. That means choosing beard styles that fill out the sides of your face while avoiding too much volume on the chin. (Basically, the reverse of square faces.)

Here are the top styles that work with — not against — your bone structure.

1. Full Beard with Rounded Bottom

Let it grow out fully, but keep the chin trimmed shorter than the cheeks. This builds horizontal weight and shifts the emphasis away from vertical lines.

2. Beardstache

A short, trimmed beard with a full moustache. The contrast draws the eye to the center of your face — great for balancing a tall forehead or long jaw.

3. Short Boxed Beard

Clean edges, high cheek lines, and a squared-off bottom make this ideal for creating a compact, structured frame without exaggerating facial length.

4. Ducktail with Tapered Sides

Unlike the long, pointed ducktail, this version keeps the chin rounded and modest while the cheek density adds fullness, preventing that “chin-heavy” look.

5. Mutton Chops (Modern)

While it might be associated with Victorian strongmen and Wolverine, this bold choice puts all the volume where you need it — on the sides. Works best when balanced with a clean jawline.

6. Balbo

A moustache paired with a short, detached goatee — but no sideburns. Neat and contained, the Balbo keeps the vertical axis in check while adding personality.

7. Chin Strap with Faded Sides

If you like sharper lines, a chin strap can define your jaw without lengthening the face. Keep it low and pair it with a fade or stubble for contrast.

Beard Styles to Avoid with a Long Face

Some beard styles can work against you — especially if you’ve got a long or oblong face. They exaggerate the length, pull the eye downward, and make your features feel narrow or stretched.

If you want balance and structure, avoid these styles:

• Long Goatee or Van Dyke. These concentrate length at the chin and do nothing for your cheeks or jaw width.
• Pointed Ducktail. A sharp chin taper might look regal on round faces — but for long faces, it adds too much vertical emphasis.
• Soul Patch or Thin Chin Beards. These do almost nothing structurally. Instead of anchoring your jaw, they just draw the eye to the lowest point.
• Heavy Neckbeard. Volume under the chin without cheek structure only makes the face appear droopy and elongated.
• Anchor Beard. This style creates strong vertical lines without the horizontal balance you need. It ends up exaggerating length, not correcting it.
• Overgrown Stubble with Patchy Cheeks. Letting it all grow out sounds effortless, but if your cheeks aren’t dense, the result is vertical scraggliness — not structure.

How to Trim and Maintain the Right Shape

Trimming a beard for a long or oblong face isn’t just about looking tidy — it’s about shaping your face. The right trim adds width, creates balance, and avoids drawing the eye downward.

What You’ll Need:

• Beard Brush
• Beard Balm
• Trimming Scissors
• Beard Oil
• Beard Shaping Tool (optional)

Here’s how to do it right:

• Focus on the sides: Let the cheeks grow fuller to add width to your face. A square or rounded edge at the bottom can help counterbalance length.
• Avoid sharp tapers: Don’t fade too tightly down the sides. You want bulk near the cheekbones, not a narrow strip that elongates the look.
• Keep the chin under control: Trim the bottom regularly to stop it getting too long or pointy. A heavy chin beard will stretch your face further.
• Define your neckline: A clean neckline keeps things sharp, but avoid cutting too high — it can make your face seem longer.
• Use a beard brush or balm: Styling tools help you shape the beard outward at the sides, rather than letting it fall straight down.

Think of your beard as a frame. With a longer face, the goal isn’t to hide it — it’s to balance the angles so your features feel stronger, not stretched.

Own Your Look, Don’t Fight It

A long face isn’t something to “fix” — it’s a foundation to build on. The right beard doesn’t just fill space; it adds weight, balance, and presence. Whether you’re going for a short boxed look or a fuller, squared-off beard, the goal is structure, not length.

The key? Intentional grooming. Use the right shape, tools, and texture to control how your beard grows — and how it frames your face.

You’ve got the shape. Now get the tools.

Shop Beard Sorcery’s grooming kit →

Read More:

• Best Beard Styles for a Round Face: Slimming and Sharpening Techniques
• 15 Best Hairstyles for Men with Beards