15 Braided Hairstyles for Oval Faces That Look Effortlessly Chic

An oval face is slightly longer than it is wide, with a forehead a little broader than the jaw and no sharp angles to soften. That balance is why braids work so well on it: you can pull everything off your face, add height at the crown, or keep volume at the sides, and none of it throws your proportions off.

The main thing to watch is length. A very high, tight style can make an oval face look longer, and so can long braids worn straight down with a sleek center part. The notes below say which looks need a small tweak, like a side part or some face-framing pieces, to keep things balanced.

Some of these take ten minutes in front of a mirror, and some are salon installs that last for weeks. If you're new to braiding, start with our step-by-step guide on how to do a Dutch braid, since several looks here build on it. For more cuts and styles for this shape, see our hairstyles for oval face shape.

1. Classic Dutch Crown Braid

A Dutch crown braid wraps all the way around your head, so it keeps your hairline fully visible and shows off the even proportions of an oval face. It suits shoulder-length or longer hair with medium to thick density, and it holds well for weddings and long days.

On hair shorter than the shoulders, the braid won't reach around, and very fine hair can look thin once it's wrapped. Plan on 15-20 minutes, a few bobby pins, and a light texture spray on clean hair so the braid grips.

2. Sleek Double Dutch Braids

Two tight Dutch braids from a center part work on an oval face because the symmetry mirrors your face shape. They suit medium to long hair of any texture and are a good gym or travel style, since they stay put for two or three days.

If your face is on the longer side of oval, the flat sides can make it look narrower, so leave a few loose pieces at the temples. Braiding takes about 10-15 minutes once you have the technique; a smoothing cream keeps flyaways down.

3. Side-Swept Fishtail Braid

A loose fishtail pulled over one shoulder adds width on one side, which softens a slightly long oval face. It suits wavy or straight hair that reaches at least the collarbone, and it looks best when the braid is gently pulled apart for a fuller shape.

Layered hair with short pieces will poke out of a fishtail, so expect a messier finish if your layers start above the chin. It takes 10 minutes; a clear elastic and a spritz of dry shampoo for grip are all you need.

4. Braided Low Bun

A three-strand braid coiled into a low bun at the nape keeps the focus on your face without adding height. It suits medium to thick hair of any texture and works for office days, interviews, and formal events.

With very thin hair, the bun can come out small, so add a hair donut or a few extra pins to build the shape. It takes 10 minutes; use four to six U-shaped pins rather than bobby pins so it holds without pressure spots.

5. Halo Milkmaid Braid

Two braids pinned across the top of your head form a halo that frames an oval face evenly. It suits long hair, at least mid-back, and it's a good second-day style because slightly dirty hair holds pins better.

It sits high on the head, so it adds a little length; if your face is long, loosen the braids at the front for more width. It takes 15 minutes and roughly ten bobby pins criss-crossed for security.

6. Half-Up Waterfall Braid

A waterfall braid runs across the back of the head and lets strands drop through it, so you get a braid and loose hair at the same time. It suits straight or wavy hair at shoulder length or longer, especially when the loose lengths are curled.

Tight curls and coils hide the dropped strands, so the pattern gets lost on very textured hair. Budget 15-20 minutes, a 1-inch curling iron for the lengths, and a flexible-hold hairspray.

7. Mid-Back Knotless Box Braids

Knotless box braids start with your own hair at the root and feed in extensions gradually, so they sit flatter and put less tension on the scalp than traditional box braids. Mid-back length suits an oval face because it keeps the braids from overwhelming it, and the style works for Type 3 and 4 hair as a protective style.

They are a salon install that usually takes four to eight hours, and they shouldn't be worn much past 6-8 weeks to avoid matting at the root. Sleep in a satin scarf and oil your scalp lightly once a week.

8. High Braided Ponytail

A high ponytail braided down its length shows off cheekbones and jawline, which an oval face can carry without looking unbalanced. It suits long hair with medium or thick density, or you can wrap in extension hair for extra length.

Pulling the ponytail tight every day can lead to breakage and traction along the hairline, so keep the tension moderate and switch styles often. It takes 10 minutes with a soft elastic and an edge or smoothing gel.

9. Side-Swept Lemonade Braids

Lemonade braids are cornrows that all sweep to one side before falling over the shoulder. The diagonal line adds width on one side of the face, which keeps an oval face from looking long. It suits Type 3 and 4 hair and works as a protective style.

The braids on the swept side sit at a sharper angle and can pull at the edges, so ask for light tension there. Expect a four- to six-hour salon install, and plan to take them out after 4-6 weeks.

10. Boho Pull-Through Braid

A pull-through braid is made with a string of small ponytails flipped through each other, so it looks like a thick braid without any actual braiding. It suits fine and medium hair, since the pulled-apart sections make hair look fuller.

It needs hair at least past the shoulders to get more than three or four sections. Plan on 10 minutes and a pack of small clear elastics; loosen each section with your fingers for the fuller shape.

11. Straight-Back Stitch Braids

Stitch braids are cornrows with neat horizontal "stitches" made by the stylist's fingernail, giving each row a clean, graphic line. Straight back from the hairline, they fully open an oval face and suit Type 3 and 4 hair of any length long enough to grip.

Very short or fragile edges can struggle with the tension, so ask for a looser hairline. Installs take about two to three hours; keep them in for up to 2-3 weeks and use a light scalp spray to stop itching.

12. Braided Headband with Loose Waves

A thin braid pinned across the top of the head like a headband keeps hair off your face while the rest stays loose. It suits medium to long wavy or straight hair and is a good choice when you're growing out bangs.

On very short hair, there isn't enough length behind the ear to anchor the braid. It takes 5-10 minutes; pin each end behind the ear with two crossed bobby pins.

13. Bob-Length Box Braids

Box braids cut to a chin or jaw-length bob put volume right at the widest part of an oval face, which keeps it balanced. They suit Type 3 and 4 hair and are lighter on the neck and scalp than long braids.

Short braids show fuzz at the root sooner, so the style can look older faster than longer braids. Salon installs take about three to five hours; wear for 4-6 weeks and wrap at night.

14. Rope Braid Ponytail

A rope braid is two sections twisted the same way, then wrapped around each other in the opposite direction, which makes a sleek, corded ponytail. A mid-height rope braid suits an oval face and works on straight, wavy, or stretched textured hair.

Rope braids can unravel on very silky hair unless you secure the end tightly. It takes 5-10 minutes; smooth each section with a little styling cream before twisting.

15. Fulani Braids with Beads

Fulani braids combine a center cornrow running front to back with side braids that curve toward the face, often finished with beads or cuffs. The pattern frames the face from all sides, which suits an oval face well, and it works on Type 3 and 4 hair.

Beads add weight, so skip them if your edges are thinning. The install takes about four to six hours at a salon; keep it in for up to 4-6 weeks and cleanse the scalp with a diluted shampoo every week or two.