Why Experts Say Knowing Your Face Shape Could Change Your Whole Beauty Routine
Before jumping on a new makeup or hair trend, the obvious question you may ask your friends or family is, "Do you think this would look good on me?"
Totally fair, especially since different hairstyles or makeup looks can impact your overall appearance. Cutting your hair into a bob will frame your face differently than, say, a shoulder-length cut with layers. Wouldn't it be great if there were a way you could really tell beforehand what's going to work and what won't?
Well, there is: Knowing your face shape.
Of course, everyone's structure is unique, and some people don't fit into a single category, but face shape is a tool that beauty experts often use as a starting point when making decisions for their clients.
Ahead, see what sets each face shape apart and learn exactly how to determine your own.
Meet the experts: Prem Tripathi, MD, is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in Alamo, California. Elaina Badro is a celebrity makeup artist.
Made To Measure
The easiest way to find your shape—or what category it's generally closest to—is to measure your face in certain spots with a soft measuring tape that can easily rest on your contours, says celebrity makeup artist Elaina Badro. You can also get a pretty good sense of your shape just by looking in the mirror, but measure is the most foolproof way. Here's how:
Measure from the back of the jawline to the center of the chin and multiply it by two. If you're using a soft measuring tape, you can also run it across your whole jawline.
Lay the tape from the center base of your hairline down to your chin to determine the length of your face.
Measure from mid-ear across the cheekbones to the other ear to determine the width.
Heart Face Shape
If your jawline measurements are smaller than your forehead and you have a pointed chin, you most likely have a heart-shaped face. Someone with this face shape will notice there's more "volume" starting around their temples or cheekbones, says Prem Tripathi, MD, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
In this case, there should be less volume down on the lower part of the face on the chin, which may lead to a pointer appearance. Over time, gravity usually causes the volume in your face to shift downwards, leading to more of a triangle shape as you age.
Pro tip: If you're looking to contour your face, focus on the chin area to push it back rather than bring it forward with highlight. The chin is already a prominent area on heart-shaped faces, so taking this step will allow your other features to shine.
Round Face Shape
When you measure a round face, there should be more width than length, but rounder faces are often easier to spot than others. They have more volume in the middle of the face compared to the forehead and chin. "There tends to be less contour between the cheek and jawline or the cheek and the temples," says Dr. Tripathi.
Pro tip: Those who have round faces may want to create a more structured or chiseled look. To do this, contour just above your jawline to slim the face and add more definition, says Bardo.
Oval Face Shape
If your face has more length than width, with the widest part of the face being the cheekbones and the forehead and jawline having similar (but slightly narrower) measurements, you most likely have an oval face.
"Oval faces tend to have more contrast [and] delineation between the mid-face portion of the upper face but less at the lower," says Dr. Tripathi. "So there's a contrast between the cheekbone and the jawline, where there's less of that in a round face."
Pro tip: Sculpting the cheekbones can be helpful for those with oval faces. Bardo suggests applying your product starting at the top of the ear and stroking towards the tip of the nose to contour the cheekbones.
Square Face Shape
Square-shaped faces will have similar measurements in width across the forehead, jaw, and cheekbones. Rather than having more volume on one half of the face than the other, squares usually show some symmetry in width. Badro describes the dimensions in that area as more of a 90-degree angle. Square faces sometimes get mixed in with round faces, but the difference comes from the angle and sharpness of the jaw or temples since rounder faces generally appear softer.
Pro tip: For a softer look, contour across the corners of the jawline. Following the natural face shape with contour on a square face would enhance a square-like appearance, says Bardo.
Diamond/Oblong Face Shape
If your cheekbones are the widest part of your face and you have narrow forehead and chin measurements, you may have a diamond-shaped face (also known as oblong). Diamond or oblong faces tend to have areas of definition between the cheekbones, the temple, and the jawline. "You could see a diamond-shaped face, and someone else would call it an oblong face," says Dr. Tripathi. "There's a more gaunt temple area, more width to the mid-face, and then a narrower lower face." Badro adds that like heart-shaped faces, the chin may also have a pointed appearance.
Pro tip: Cheekbones stand out the most on diamond faces. But if you wanted to reduce their appearance, you could contour downwards on the cheekbones and highlight the forehead and chin to even out the focus, says Bardo.
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