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How to Find Face Shape: A Guide to Identify Facial Features

Jami Stansfield
March 29, 2024
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Have you ever wondered what face shape you have and how you can enhance your overall appearance? Figuring your face shape is fun and tricky at the same time. If you have randomly searched "What is my face shape" or "What face shape do I have?" in Google, then you are someone who is eager to know about your facial structure and curious whether it's round, oval, or square. But don't worry, you are not alone; you have landed in the right place. 

Determining the shape of your face is an essential step in understanding how to enhance your natural features and can be necessary for several reasons. Choosing the faltering hairstyles, makeup looks, and accessories will be easy if you can correctly figure out what face shape you have. In this beauty guide, "How to Find Your Face shape", I will reveal simple tips to measure your face and analyze the overall proportion to figure out your accurate face shape. Finding your exact face shape helps you make informed decisions about your style and confidently enhance your unique beauty.

Why Is Understanding Your Face Shape Important?

Understanding your face shape is essential to creating a balanced appearance in your overall facial features. It serves as a guide to help you choose the best look and highlights your unique beauty. The shape of your face can inform you how you can use concealer and contour to sculpt your face in the best way. By identifying your face shape, you will have a proper idea of what to choose and avoid to enhance your appearance. Analyzing the shape of your face can guide you in choosing a hairstyle, makeup application process, and accessories to wear and make sure that you highlight the best of you.

For example, if you have a round face shape, you may want to avoid hairstyles that are too curved inward. This prevents you from drawing attention to your face's too-roundness. And those who have heart-shaped faces look best with hairstyles that hit at the chin or collar bone to soften the smaller chin area.

[Recommended to Read: Different Types of Eye Shapes]

How to Find Your Face Shape: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your face shape plays an important role in dictating the right hairstyles, makeup techniques, and even accessories for you. Finding your face shape isn't as complicated as it may seem all it takes is being able to recognize the distinctive proportions and angles of your features. Here is a step-by-step process for finding your face shape.

Different Face Shapes

Step 1: Measure Your Face

To determine your face shape, you need to take a few measurements to get a clearer understanding of its proportions:

  • Forehead Width: Measure the widest part of your forehead. This is usually about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline.
  • Cheekbone Width: Next, measure from one cheekbone to the other, right across the tops of your cheekbones, just under your eyes. This is the widest part of your face, so it’s important to get an accurate measurement.
  • Jawline Width: For your jawline, measure from the tip of your chin to just below one ear, where the jawline angles. Then, double that number to get the full width of your jaw.
  • Face Length: This is the distance from the midpoint of your hairline, straight down to the tip of your chin. That's the overall length of your face.

Step 2: Compare the Measurements

Now that you’ve got all the numbers, let’s compare them to figure out your face shape. Here’s how the measurements break down:

  • Oval: When your face length is a bit longer than your cheekbones, and your forehead is slightly wider compared to the jawline, you may have an oval face. It is well-proportioned and soft in a general, subtle roundness.
  • Round: If your cheekbones and face length are about the same width and you have a soft, rounded jawline, your face shape is round.
  • Square: If all your measurements (forehead, cheekbones, and jawline) are pretty similar, and you have a strong, angular jawline, then you’ve got a square face.
  • Rectangular (Oblong): If your face length is much longer than the other measurements and you’ve got more angular features, you’re looking at a rectangular face shape or oblong shape.
  • Heart: A heart-shaped face has a wide forehead, narrower cheekbones, and a pointed chin, making it look like an upside-down triangle.
  • Diamond: When the cheekbones are the widest part of your face, and your forehead and jawline are narrower than that, you have a diamond-shaped face.
  • Triangle (Pear): If your jawline is the widest part of your face, followed by your cheekbones, and your forehead is narrow, you’ve got a triangle (or pear) face shape.

Step 3: Confirm with a Visual Check

Once you have an idea of what shape your face is, take a good look in the mirror to confirm. You can even trace the outline of your face in the mirror with a washable marker or lipstick to see the shape more clearly. If you're still unsure, you can look up pictures of different face shapes online and compare them with what you see in the mirror.

Styling Tips for Different Face Shapes

Once you’ve identified your face shape, here are some tailored suggestions for hairstyles, makeup, and accessories:

Oval Face Shape

  • Hairstyle: Layers or waves are ideal for this versatile face shape. They enhance your natural features and add movement to your look.
  • Accessories: Bold earrings help create balance and draw attention to your face's symmetry.
  • Makeup: Emphasize the center of your face with a highlighter to enhance your well-balanced proportions and subtly define your nose.

Round Face Shape

  • Hairstyle: Opt for long layers or side parts to add vertical length, balancing your head shape and creating the illusion of a more elongated face.
  • Accessories: Long necklaces and earrings elongate your facial appearance and add elegance.
  • Makeup: Use contour along your jawline and temples to add definition and dimension.

Square Face Shape

  • Hairstyle: Soft curls or side-swept bangs work wonders to soften the strong, angular features of this face shape.
  • Accessories: Rounded or hoop earrings help balance the sharp angles of the jawline.
  • Makeup: Focus on blush to create a softer look and add warmth to your features.

Heart-Shaped Face

  • Hairstyle: Chin-length bobs or soft waves help balance a wider forehead and narrow chin.
  • Accessories: Earrings with a wide base, like teardrop shapes, complement the natural heart shape.
  • Makeup: Highlight the chin to bring light to the narrower area and contour the forehead for balance.

Diamond Face Shape

  • Hairstyle: Shoulder-length styles with volume around the chin area help balance this narrower face shape.
  • Accessories: Delicate necklaces and subtle earrings add elegance without overwhelming the high cheekbones.
  • Makeup: Highlight your forehead and contour the cheekbones to enhance your unique structure.

Oblong Face Shape

  • Hairstyle: Soft bangs or layers reduce the appearance of length and add volume to the sides of the face.
  • Accessories: Short necklaces and circular earrings create the illusion of a shorter, more balanced face.
  • Makeup: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks to add width and make your face appear more proportional.

Triangular Face Shape

  • Hairstyle: Choose hairstyles with volume at the crown or layers around the forehead to balance the wider jawline. Soft waves or pixie cuts with fullness at the top work wonderfully.
  • Accessories: Opt for statement necklaces or earrings that draw attention upward, such as a chandelier or teardrop earrings.
  • Makeup: Contour along the jawline to soften its width, and highlight the forehead to bring balance to the face. Applying blush higher on the cheeks can help create a lifted appearance.

Finding Your Face Shape: Tips and Tricks

1. Take a Picture of Yourself
Take a clear picture with the hairline exposed. Then, outline your face using either a marker or a photo editor. This can help you visualize the shapes and proportions of your face.

2. Apps and Online Tools
Try a face shape detector or explore several free apps designed to analyze face shapes. Simply upload your outlined or natural photo, and these tools, like FaceShape Calculator or YouCam Makeup, will identify your face shape using facial recognition technology.

3. Professional Help
Seek advice from stylists or makeup artists, who are experts in analyzing face shapes. They can offer personalized insights into hairstyles, makeup techniques, and accessories that complement your features.

Final Thoughts on Different Face Shapes

Figuring out how to find your face shape is essential in understanding your unique features and finding hairstyles, makeup techniques, and accessories that enhance your natural beauty. By looking into your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and chin proportions, you can identify whether your face shape falls into categories such as oval, round, square, heart, diamond, oblong, or triangle. With this knowledge, you can confidently explore and experiment with different styles that flatter your face shape, allowing you to embrace your individuality and showcase your best features.

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FAQs on How to Determine Face Shape

What if my face shape doesn't fit perfectly into one category?

It's common to have a combination of features or fall somewhere between two face shapes. In that case, you can consider yourself a mix of those two shapes and adapt recommendations accordingly.

Is face shape the only factor to consider when choosing hairstyles or makeup?

While face shape is an important consideration, other factors like hair texture, skin tone, personal style, and lifestyle preferences also come into play. It's essential to find a balance between face shape recommendations and your unique characteristics.

How important is knowing face shape when choosing eyewear or accessories?

Knowing your face shape can help you select eyewear and accessories that complement your features. Certain styles and shapes can enhance your overall look and bring balance to your face.

Can my face shape change over time?

No, your face shape doesn't change significantly over time. However, factors like weight loss or gain can affect the appearance of your face temporarily.

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