If your round face feels wider in photos and you want styles that add vertical lines, these 1920s looks for long hair are the kind you can actually recreate at home. They suit straight to wavy hair best, and I include adjustments for thicker curls. Most styles take 15 to 40 minutes, with one tool splurge if you want a Marcel iron. Budget ranges from under $15 for pins to about $150 for a specialty iron. Some styles are easy salon asks, others are genuinely doable on your bathroom counter.
Finger Waves Focused On One Side
Start by dampening hair and applying a quarter size of lightweight gel to the section you want to wave. I do three 2-inch vertical sections on the side and shape each with a wide-tooth comb and two bobby pins while it dries. The result is that signature 1920s curve, but kept on one side to create asymmetry and lengthen a round face. Works best on 2A to 2C hair, or on relaxed 3A with extra smoothing cream. Let hair dry fully before removing pins, about 40 minutes, or diffuse on low heat under 300F to speed things up. A common mistake is using too much gel, which makes waves rigid. Two light spritzes of a flexible-hold styling spray after drying keeps movement.
Deep Side Part With Marcel Waves
A deep side part is the simplest cheat for round faces, adding one long face-framing line. I use a 1-inch Marcel iron at 300F, clamp for about 6 seconds per S-shape, and work in 1.5-inch sections to avoid bulky curls. For fine hair, backcomb the roots lightly at the crown in two small sections to add 1/2 inch of lift. The technique pairs well with a smoothing serum, two drops from mid-length to ends only, following the 80/20 product placement rule so your roots do not get weighed down. Salon pros will tell you Marcel waving is fast in-chair, but you can absolutely do it at home if you section and time each clamp.
Faux Bob Rolled From Long Hair
If you love the bob look but keep long hair, the faux bob gives that 1920s silhouette without cutting. Work on dry hair with a little texture spray so pins hold. I divide hair into two horizontal sections, roll each under toward the nape, and pin with 8 to 10 long hairpins—start with the bottom roll, then the top. This creates a shorter line that visually narrows cheeks on round faces. It takes 15 to 20 minutes. A common slip is not anchoring the roll to the scalp at the center, which makes it sag. For extra hold, mist with a medium-hold spray, like a flexible finishing spray.
Low Sculpted Chignon With Face-Framing Tendrils
This is my go-to for weddings because the low placement draws the eye down, balancing a round face. I lightly smooth the top using the LOC method, applying leave-in, then oil, then cream to control frizz. Twist hair into a low chignon and pin with U-shaped hairpins, leaving two 1.5-inch tendrils out in front. For Type 3 curls, stretch these tendrils with a 1/2-inch barrel for soft waves. Damage note: always use a heat protectant when touching an iron, especially above 300F. If you want salon polish, ask for a detailed set. DIY takes about 20 minutes.
Pin Curls Along The Hairline To Slim The Forehead
Pin curls are small but mighty. I take 3/4-inch sections, roll toward the scalp, and secure each curl with a single metal bobby pin or duckbill clip. Do four to six curls on the temple and hairline area to create vertical ridges that break a rounded hairline. Leave them to set for at least 30 minutes or overnight with a lightweight mist. This is perfect for fine to medium straight or wavy hair. A common mistake is making sections too big, which loses the vintage ridge. For hold without crunch, use a pea-size of styling cream per row and finish with a light-hold spray.
Side-Swept Curtain Bangs Rolled Under
Curtain bangs that sweep to the side create a vertical frame that slims cheeks. If your hair is long, ask for longer curtain pieces that hit mid-cheek. I clip-dry bangs with a round brush, rolling under at 350F for eight seconds, then cool with a finger for set. For a round face, keep the part off-center and leave the bangs slightly longer at the cheekbone. A mistake I see is cutting bangs too short, which closes the face. Salon note: a stylist can feather the ends for you. Home fix: trim in small 1/4-inch increments.
Half-Up Pompadour With Root Volume
This variation adds height at the crown, which is exactly what a round face benefits from. I backcomb two small 1-inch sections at the crown, smooth the top layer, and pin the half-up bump with three pins. Pull the sides back to meet the bump and secure with a small elastic before pinning to keep things neat. This look suits medium to thick hair and takes 10 minutes with practice. The mistake is over-teasing and skipping smoothing, which leaves a halo of frizz. Use a pea-size of smoothing serum only at mid-lengths and ends.
What I Keep In My Vintage-For-Long-Hair Kit
- Honestly the best $30 I spend in any year. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector used once a week is the difference between damaged ends and smooth ones. Buy from the official store on Amazon or Sephora to avoid counterfeits.
- For setting, metal bobby pins in a pack of 100 (~$6). I lose them constantly.
- A 1-inch Marcel iron for those authentic S-waves, set to 300F for most hair. If you have fine hair go slightly lower.
- Flexible-hold styling spray (~$12). Keeps waves soft, not crunchy.
- Silk pillowcase queen size (~$20). Cuts morning frizz by a large margin.
- Microfiber hair towel for quicker drying and less friction.
- Lightweight smoothing serum 1oz to finish lengths.
- Duckbill clips (set of 6) for sectioning during Marcel waves.
Half-Up Rolled Faux Fringe For Long Hair
If you want the 1920s forehead cover without cutting bangs, this faux fringe is fast. Take a 3-inch front section, roll it under toward the forehead, and pin from inside with two long pins. Let the rest of the hair remain straight or softly waved. I add one small pump of mousse to the section before rolling to give shape. It is great for straight to wavy long hair and takes under 10 minutes. Common mistake: pinning the roll too far back, which makes the line look artificial. For extra grip, roughen the underside with a little dry shampoo.
Pin-Up Headband With Finger Wave Accents
Headbands are a quick way to add a 1920s vibe while elongating a round face. I sculpt two small finger waves at the temples, then place a slightly slanted headband so the waves peek out. This is especially flattering on medium density wavy hair. Use a thin layer of setting spray before sliding the band in, or it will slip. If you have thick hair, choose a wider, structured headband to balance volume. Salon vs DIY: you can buy vintage-style bands online or have a millinery add details for a special occasion.
Sleek Long Wave With Low Center Part
A low center part and long, smooth waves creates vertical flow down the face and reduces the roundness visually. Brush hair straight and form waves with a 1.25-inch iron set to 320F, curling away from the face in alternating directions, then brush through once for a continuous wave. For fine hair, slide a small foam pad under the crown to add subtle lift. The finishing touch is a few drops of serum on the ends only. Damage note: heat protectant goes on damp hair, not dry, so apply before styling.
Victory Curls Pinned At The Nape
Victory curls are less about volume and more about precise shape, which helps define jawlines on round faces. Use a 3/4-inch barrel for tighter curls, set each, let cool fully for 15 minutes, then flatten and pin horizontally across the nape. I usually do six curls across and secure with U-pins. This is a great DIY for medium to thick hair because the pins have enough hold. The common mistake is not letting curls cool before pinning, which causes the style to fall. Remove pins gently and touch up with a small comb if needed.
Tucked Low Side Bun With Pinned C-Curls
This asymmetrical shape draws attention downward and adds length visually. Create 2-inch C-curl sections along the face and pin them into place around a low side bun. For long hair, secure the bulk into a soft roll before anchoring the curls. I use three to five C-curls on the cheek side, which narrows the face. Time is about 25 minutes. Safety note: if you heat the curls, use a protectant and do not exceed 350F for medium-thick hair. Salon option: a stylist can create a tighter, more durable set if you need it to last all day.
Heatless Robe-Tie Waves Overnight
If you want gentle 1920s waves without heat this is my favorite sleep trick. Dampen hair slightly, braid two sections then wrap the braid around a soft robe tie across the crown, tucking ends under. Unwrap after 6 to 8 hours and finger through for soft waves. It keeps the face elongated because the crown wrap sits higher than a standard ponytail. Great for 2A to 3A hair and safe for color-treated lengths. Common mistake: wrapping too tightly, which makes kinks. This is the tech that saved me when I skipped heat for a month.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Vintage Styles For Long Faces
- Heat protectant works best on damp hair. Apply before any iron and never exceed 300F without extra protection. A reliable heat protectant spray is worth the small spend.
- Grab a microfiber hair towel for $12. It cuts your blow dry time by a third and stops the frizz before it starts.
- Hair grows about half an inch a month at most, regardless of what biotin gummies promise you. The faster fix is protecting ends and reducing trims to every 10 to 12 weeks.
- My curls looked great on TikTok and like wet noodles by 11am. Finally figured out it was the gel-only routine. Added a leave-in cream underneath and it changed everything. Try layering product rather than one heavy step.
- If you use Olaplex or K18, buy from the brand store on Amazon or a major retailer to avoid counterfeits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make finger waves on thick, long hair or is it only for thin hair?
A: You can absolutely do finger waves on thick hair. The trick is working in narrower 2-inch sections and using a smoothing cream before the gel so waves sit flatter. You may need more pins and an extra 10 to 15 minutes to set.
Q: How often should I use Olaplex No. 3 if I am styling vintage looks weekly?
A: Once a week is enough for most people. If you style with heat multiple times per week, keep using it weekly and watch for dryness in between. Overusing deep treatments can make hair feel heavy.
Q: Will curtain bangs make my round face look wider?
A: Done short and centered, bangs can emphasize roundness. Sweep them to a side part and keep length hitting mid-cheek to create vertical lines instead. If you want a faux option, try the rolled faux fringe from this list.
Q: Is the Marcel iron necessary for authentic 1920s waves?
A: A Marcel iron gives the crisp S-shape faster, but a 1-inch curling iron works fine if you clamp and shape each S for 6 to 8 seconds. If you plan to do this monthly, a Marcel pays off. For occasional use, a standard barrel is fine.
Q: How do I stop the faux bob from sagging by midday?
A: Anchor the roll at the center nape with two long pins and hide them under the top roll. Lightly mist the whole roll with flexible-hold spray after pinning. Avoid heavy oils near the scalp which can make pins slip.
Q: Can I do these looks on color-treated hair without damage?
A: Yes, as long as you use heat protectant before any hot tool and keep iron temps conservative. If you are lifting or bleaching, consult a stylist. If a technique requires heat over 300F, use extra protection and consider a salon service instead.
