Unlocking Your Unique Look: Understanding Different Face Shapes

Have you ever wondered why certain hairstyles or eyeglass frames look stunning on some people but not on others? The secret lies in understanding the nuances of face shapes. Your face shape is like a blueprint that can guide you towards the most flattering hairstyles, makeup techniques, and even accessories.

Whether you have an oval, round, square, heart-shaped, or diamond-shaped face, each comes with its own set of characteristics and styling principles. By understanding your face shape, you can unlock the key to enhancing your features and embracing your unique look with confidence.

Let's explore the contours of your face and discover how to make them work to your advantage.

What are the key factors to consider when determining someone's face shape?

Step 1: What's the Widest Part of Your Face?

• Forehead: If your forehead is the widest part of your face, tapering down to a narrower jaw, you probably have an inverted triangle or heart-shaped face. Proceed to Step 2 to get more insight.

• Cheekbones: If your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you probably have an oval, round, diamond or heart-shaped face. Proceed to Step 2 to get more insight.

• Jaw: If your jaw is the widest part of your face, with a narrower forehead, you probably have a pear-shaped face. 

• They're all equal: If your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are about equal in width, then you probably have a long or square face. Proceed to Step 2 to get more insight. 

Step 2: What's Your Jaw Shape?

• Round: If you have a rounded jaw shape, you probably have a round, long or oval-shaped face. Proceed to Step 3 to get more insight.

• Pointy: If you have a pointy chin, and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, with a narrower chin and forehead, you probably have a diamond-shaped face. If you have a pointy chin and your forehead or cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you probably have an inverted triangle or heart-shaped face. Proceed to Step 4 to get more insight.

• Square: If you have a square jaw shape, you probably have a square-shaped face. Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw should also be about equal in width; your face may be as long as it is wide, or slightly rectangular. (Note: Pear-shaped faces can also appear to have a square jaw, but the forehead is narrower.) 

Step 3: How Long is Your Face?

• Short: If your face length and width are about equal, and your jaw is rounded, you probably have a round face shape. 

• Average: If your face is slightly longer than it is wide, and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, with a rounded chin, you probably have an oval face shape. If your face is slightly longer than it is wide, with a pointy chin, you probably have an inverted triangle or heart-shaped face. Proceed to Step 4 to get more insight.

• Long: If your face is noticeably longer than it is wide, you probably have a long face shape. Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw should also be equal in width, with a rounded jaw. 

Step 4: Do You Have a Widow's Peak?

• Yes: If you have a widow's peak and pointy chin, and your forehead or cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you probably have a heart-shaped face. 

• No: If you don't have a widow's peak, but you do have a pointy chin, and your forehead is the widest part of your face, you probably have an inverted triangle face shape. 

Note: Some people are a combination of face types, such as a long square (rectangle), rounded heart, etc. If this is the case, go with the shape that is most dominant. 

The Round Shape

The Round Shape

If you have a round face shape, your face length and width are about equal. You have no angles to your jaw, which is also rounded. Your cheekbones are the widest part of your face. To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that elongate the face.

Celebrities with round faces: Elizabeth Olsen, Mila Kunis, Chrissy Teigen, Kate Upton, Ginnifer Goodwin, Selena Gomez

HAIRCUTS THAT WORK

Long Layers

Have hair a few inches past your shoulders with layers that hit at the jaw 

Asymmetrical

A round face looks really good with an uneven cut, a mix of lengths. Adding a deep side part and long, side-swept bangs will contour the face

Angled Bob

Long, dramatic layers that sweep along the

chin, and a shortening of the hair as you go back to the nape of the neck. This cut gives you structure and angles. The hard lines of it balance out the soft lines of a round face

The Heart Shape

The Heart Face Shape

If you have a heart-shaped face, you have a widow's peak and pointy chin. Your forehead or cheekbones are the widest part of your face, tapering down to a narrower jaw. To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that de-emphasize the wide forehead, and create the illusion of width at the jawline. 

Celebrities with heart face shapes: Kat Graham, Alyson Hannigan, Blake Lively, Kourtney Kardashian, Kerry Washington, Cote de Pablo

HAIRCUTS THAT WORK

Bouncy Bob

For a heart-shaped face, "hair that hits right below the jaw helps fill in the area around the chin, and de-emphasizes the triangle. To blur those lines even more, add a bit of body.

Mid-Length With a Deep Side Part

Mid-length hair that is heavily layered around the face and strong side swept bangs. The cut sort of closes off her forehead, giving her more balance and drawing more attention to her eyes and cute little chin. The bangs, in particular, help change the shape

ALSO TRY: Pixie with Push Back Bangs, Long Layered Waves

The Pear Shape

The Pear Face Shape

If you have a pear face shape, your jaw is the widest part of your face. Your forehead and cheeks are both narrower. To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that soften the jawline and create the illusion of a wider forehead.

Celebrities with pear face shapes: Ellie Kemper, Kelly Osbourne, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jenna Ushkowitz, Ali Larter, Minnie Driver

Pear Shaped and Round Shaped Faces can use the similiar hairstyles.

The Diamond Shape

The Diamond Face Shape

If you have a diamond face shape, your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, with a matching narrower jaw and forehead. The chin is pointy, but the difference between a diamond and a heart or inverted triangle is that the hairline is not as wide. To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that create the illusion of a broader forehead and jawline.

Celebrities with diamond face shapes: Camila Alves, Freida Pinto, Halle Berry, Ashley Greene, Vanessa Hudgens, Selma Blair

Diamond shape and Heart Shape can use the same hairstyles 

The Triangle Shape

The Inverted Triangle Face Shape

If you have an inverted triangle face shape, your forehead is the widest part of your face, tapering down to a narrower, pointy chin. The difference between an inverted triangle and a heart is that the heart shape has a widow's peak. The inverted triangle hairline is either straight across or slightly rounded. To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that de-emphasize the wide forehead, and create the illusion of width at the jawline.

Celebrities with inverted triangle face shapes: Scarlett Johansson, Rashida Jones, Jessica Szohr, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Chloë Moritz

Triangle Shape and Heart Shaped Faces can use the same hairstyles

The Long Shape

The Long Face Shape

If you have a long face shape, your face is noticeably longer than it is wide. Your forehead, cheekbones and chin are all equal in width, and your chin has a rounded shape. To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that create the illusion of width.

Celebrities with long face shapes: Alexa Chung, Molly Sims, Joan Smalls, Liv Tyler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Maggie Q

HAIRCUTS THAT WORK 

Center Part

A center part on hair that's shoulder-length or longer and all one length is "nice against an oval backdrop. To help avoid looking too blunt, add some soft waves

Long, Blunt Bangs

Your face tends to look long, cutting straight bangs across the brow line can break up the length by creating the illusion of width. Keep them blunt, but side-swept

Bob With Side Bangs

A bob with side-swept bangs helps break up a long face and add softness

ALSO TRY: Shaggy Pixie

The Oval Shape

The Oval Face Shape

Oval face shapes are slightly longer than they are wide, similar to the shape of an egg, and the cheekbones are the widest part of the face. The jaw and forehead are rounded, and the sides of the face are slightly curved—there are no sharp angles. The oval is considered the "ideal" face shape, and is also the most common.

Celebrities with oval face shapes: Paula Patton, Sienna Miller, Camilla Belle, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson

Oval Shape faces can also use Heart Shaped and Long Shaped hairstyles.

The Square Shape

The Square Face Shape

If you have a square face shape, you have a squared jaw, and minimal curves to your face. Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are about equal in width. Some squares have faces that are as wide as they are long, while others are longer and more rectangular in shape. To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that soften the jawline.

Celebrities with square face shapes: Keira Knightley, Rosario Dawson, Angelina Jolie, Bella Heathcote, Olivia Wilde, Lucy Liu

HAIRCUTS THAT WORK

Long and Straight

Straight and long softens square angles and the center part opens up the middle of the face, drawing attention away from the jawline.

Long with Wavy Ends

Try waves from the ears down, which helps obscure any severity in the jawline

ALSO TRY: Thinned out bobs or tousled Lobs

Ultimately, understanding your face shape is not about fitting into a mold, but rather about celebrating the unique contours and features that make you, you. Embrace the beauty of your individuality and use your knowledge of face shape to enhance your best features, express your personal style, and radiate confidence in every aspect of your life. Remember, beauty comes in all shapes and sizes – including yours.