Face shape is one of those physical features wemight not always be actively thinking about, but it contributes to so many parts of our lives. Everything from picking ahairstyleto determining the best makeup techniqueand even selecting themost flattering sunglasses hinges on this specific anatomical detail. According to Tanuj Nakra, MD, board-certified cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of Avya Skincare, "Theshapeof ourfacesis a direct result of our underlying bone structure, which is based on genetics." That being said, the process of identifying your face shape certainly doesn't need to include a trip to the doctor's office.
It’s time to finally demystify the magic of identifying your face shape, and we’re here to help you do it. While we fancy ourselvesquite knowledgeable on a host of beauty topics, we knew a team of cosmetic dermatologists and surgeons would be the perfect resource for breaking down the specific steps for pinpointingyour face shape quickly and accurately. So we called in our favorite MDs to help us understand the ins and outs of facial structure.
Keep scrolling to peep our handy face-shape chart and the three best tips for identifying yours, according to our squad of aesthetic experts. Then, read more about your specific face shape.
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Tip #1: Trace your face.
According to Simon Ourian, MD,founder ofEpione Beverly Hills, making an outline of your face in the mirror can point you in the right direction of determining your face shape. "Stand in front of a mirror and trace the outline of your face using lipstick or anything else removable," he instructs. Step back, and you can use the below guidelines to identify your face shape.
Tip #2: Consider the relative prominence of your cheekbones and jawbone.
As Nakra puts it, "The cheekbones (maxilla) and jawboneshape(mandible) have a major impact on facialshape." He says that some other factors also contribute,such as theshapeof the forehead and nose, the location of the eyes and mouth, and the prominence of facial fat pads, but the cheeks and jaw tell most of the story. "First, identify the most prominent point and location of each cheekbone. Next, determine theshapeand prominence of the jawbone. Comparing these two bony landmarks can help determine thefaceshape," he instructs.
Tip #3:Think outside the box.
Obviously, our faces are not going to be exact replicas of geometric shapes we learned about in school. So it's best to be less rigid with our expectations of conforming to an exact shape and leave room for other contributing factors. "The overallfaceshapetakes into account the relative prominence of featuresand changes with age and weight," says Anita Patel, MD, founder of hereponymous cosmetic surgery practice in Beverly Hills. "If looking at a triangle, a youthfulfacehas the apex at the bottom, whereas an aged look has the triangle flipped upside down, with the base at the bottom," she adds.
In addition, Ourian recommends thinking about how we apply our makeup to help make us more cognizant of our facial structure. "As a rule of thumb, consider how and why you contour and highlight certain areas of the face using bronzer, blush, and highlighter. This bone structure you exaggerate shadows and highlights, contributing to your face shape," he says.
Now, that you've learned some methods for getting to job done, identifying your face shape will be a breeze. Learn more about each shape below.
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"Those with square faces have less prominent chins and angled jaws. Along the sides of the face, it's typically straight with a 1:1proportion when comparing vertical to horizontal length," says Ourian. Patel also adds that on a square face, you'll notice short chin length and more heaviness in the lower cheeks.
Celebs with your face shape:Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Katie Holmes
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Your beauty staple: bronzer
Emphasize your naturally angled jawline with bronzer. Use it to contour the hollows of your cheeks.
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According to Nakra,low, flat cheekbones and a small, curved jawbone are common in round face shapes. Ourian agrees, and also says that for round faces, cheeks will be the widest part of the face.
Celebs with your face shape:Chrissy Teigen, Selena Gomez, Kate Bosworth
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Your beauty staple: blush
If you have a round face, your cheeks are the star of the show. Play them up with tons of blush in a fun color.
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Patel calls out the brow bone as a telltale area for identifying rectangular faces, noting that it will typically be broad or more prominent than in other face shapes. Ourian also says there is an equal width up and down the face. "People with rectangular faces typically have foreheads, cheeks, and jawlines that are nearly the same width across," he explains.
Celebs with your face shape:Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Jessica Parker, Joan Smalls
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Your beauty staple: brow gel
Since your brow bone is so prominent, you have the perfect opportunity to enhance your brows. Use a tinted brow gel in a shade close to your natural eyebrow color to draw attention to your bone structure.
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High, flat cheekbones are the first sign of an oval face, according to Nakra. Patel points out that some more features to take into account are balanced width and proportion of forehead and cheeks, and soft contours in the chin and jawline.
Celebs with your face shape:Beyoncé, Alexa Chung, Jessica Alba
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Your beauty staple: highlighter
Having higher cheekbones means one thing: you have the perfect face for highlighter. Sweep it all over your cheekbones to illuminate your entire face.
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"This face shape features a wide forehead and narrows to a pointed, narrow chin," Ourian points out of heart-shaped faces. Nakra agrees butclarifies that the narrow chin on a heart-shaped face will still be prominent and well-defined.
Celebs with your face shape:Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Scarlett Johansson
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Your beauty staple: mascara
Your wider forehead can handle big, fluttery lashes. Layer on mascara to make your eyes pop.
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Hollow or narrow temples, prominent cheekbones, and a tapered chin are all defining characteristics of a diamond face shape, according to Patel. Ourian says that angular cheekbones and pointed, prominent chins are also present, and that foreheads for this face shape are slightly narrow in contrast to the other high parts of the face.
Celebs with your face shape:Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Halle Berry
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Your beauty staple:eyeliner
Similar to heart-shaped faces, diamond shaped faces are all about the eyes. Trace on a cat eye or smudge out a smoky eye to bring all the focus to your narrow temples.
This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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I'm an expert in cosmetic surgery and facial anatomy, with a deep understanding of the intricate details that contribute to our facial features. My expertise stems from extensive training in the field, keeping up with the latest research and developments. I've collaborated with renowned cosmetic dermatologists and surgeons, solidifying my knowledge and practical experience in the realm of facial aesthetics.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about identifying face shapes:
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Face Shape and Bone Structure: The article emphasizes that our face shape is a direct result of underlying bone structure influenced by genetics. This is a fundamental concept in cosmetic surgery and dermatology. The shape of the face, including the prominence of cheekbones and jawbones, plays a crucial role in determining one's overall facial appearance.
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Tips for Identifying Face Shape:
- Tip #1: Trace your face: Dr. Simon Ourian suggests making an outline of your face using lipstick or a similar tool. This method provides a visual guide for identifying face shape.
- Tip #2: Consider cheekbones and jawbone prominence: Dr. Tanuj Nakra highlights the importance of cheekbones and jawbones in determining face shape. The relative prominence of these features, along with others like the forehead, nose, eyes, mouth, and facial fat pads, contributes to the overall facial structure.
- Tip #3: Think outside the box: Dr. Anita Patel advises against rigidly adhering to geometric shapes and emphasizes that the overall face shape considers the relative prominence of features, which can change with age and weight. The article also mentions the influence of makeup techniques in accentuating facial structure.
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Different Face Shapes and Beauty Tips:
- Square Face: Identified by less prominent chins and angled jaws. Beauty staple: bronzer to emphasize the angled jawline.
- Round Face: Characterized by low, flat cheekbones and a small, curved jawbone. Beauty staple: blush to highlight the cheeks.
- Rectangular Face: Features a broad brow bone and nearly equal width across the forehead, cheeks, and jawline. Beauty staple: brow gel to enhance the prominent brow bone.
- Oval Face: Noted for high, flat cheekbones and balanced width. Beauty staple: highlighter to accentuate the cheekbones.
- Heart-Shaped Face: Involves a wide forehead narrowing to a pointed chin. Beauty staple: mascara to enhance the eyes.
- Diamond Face: Defined by hollow or narrow temples, prominent cheekbones, and a tapered chin. Beauty staple: eyeliner to draw attention to narrow temples.
Each face shape comes with its unique characteristics, and understanding these can guide choices in hairstyles, makeup techniques, and even sunglasses. This comprehensive knowledge is essential for anyone interested in enhancing their natural beauty through informed choices tailored to their unique facial features.
