There are many face shapes that you can have. Like most of your characteristics, your general face shape is determined by your genetics. You will normally have a face that is shaped like one or both of your parents.
Other than genetic factors, there are also gender factors in determining your face shape. Different sex hormones can make your face sharper, squarer or softer. Because of this, men and women have slightly different face shapes. If you were to suddenly take estrogen or testosterone medication, it would actually change the shape of your face slightly over time.
Women and men also tend to view attractive face shapes differently. Other than gender differences, individual people tend to admire different face shapes. Often, people think that other people are attractive if they look similarly to the friends and family that the person grew up with. Other people view someone as attractive if they look like the socially accepted view of beauty. The individual’s personality plays a huge role in determining how attractive they are. For the moment, we will look at the most attractive face shapes.
The Different Kinds of Face Shapes
Square: A square-shaped face has a prominent jawline. They have a square-like chin and a forehead and a jawline that are the same width.
Oval: An oval shaped face has a length that is 1.5 times its width. They also have a forehead that is slightly wider than their chin.
Pear: Also known as a trapezoid face shape, a pear-shaped face has a jawline that is wider than the forehead. The chin will also be fairly broad.
Heart: A heart-shaped face as a fairly wide forehead and chin. The chin will be slightly pointy and the jawline will be fairly narrow.
Round: A round-shaped face means you have a circular looking face. Often, this means chubby cheeks and a face with a width and length that are nearly equal
Diamond: Someone with a diamond face has a narrow jawline and a narrow forehead. Their cheekbones are fairly wide.
Oblong: An oblong face has a slightly longer face length. The face is not particularly wide and the chin is fairly pointy.
The Most Attractive Face Shape
Before we discuss what the most attractive face shape is, we should also mention that there is a lot of room for individual variance. Your face shape does not determine how attractive you are. Other factors like your facial features, your personality, your mannerisms, your body shape and similar traits all determine how attractive people think you are. Even if you are the most attractive person on earth though, there will still be people who do not think that you are attractive. Different people have different preferences in how their partner looks. Even if you have the most gorgeous face shape, it might not be appealing to one person. Likewise, someone with a less attractive face shape may be seen as extremely beautiful by one person and not another.
Because of these factors, it is impossible to generalize which face shape is truly the most attractive. In general, square and oblong faces are viewed as some of the most attractive. This is because the width of the face means that the eyes are set apart and appear to be more prominent. The shape of this type of face also puts extra focus on the smile. This means that you look like you have a prettier smile and wider eyes than you otherwise would.
Other than individual preferences, there are also societal preferences. While the west tends to like square or oblong faces, this is not true in the east. In Asia, a heart-shaped face or a v-shaped face is preferred because it seems to make the person look thinner.
Scientists have actually done a lot of work to try to figure out which face shape and appearance is the most attractive. When they looked at whether a woman is beautiful or not, they found that slim faces, high cheekbones, large eyes and full lips were viewed as the most beautiful. The ultimate look of beauty was a brunette woman with brown eyes, arched eyebrows, an oval face shape, a smooth jawline and a slim nose. Basically, think of Natalie Portman’s face.
For male faces, researchers have found that a square jawline and an oval-shaped face were the most attractive. This is especially true if they were paired with blue eyes, medium-thick eyebrows, brown hair, average lips, straight eyebrows and a straight, slim nose. For a celebrity example, think of David Gandy.
As a seasoned expert in the field of facial morphology and attractiveness, I have delved deep into the intricacies of genetics, hormonal influences, and societal preferences that contribute to the diverse world of face shapes. With a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the subject, I am well-equipped to guide you through the key concepts presented in the article.
The article begins by acknowledging the role of genetics in determining face shape, highlighting that individuals often inherit their facial characteristics from their parents. Moreover, it emphasizes the impact of gender factors, stating that sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone play a crucial role in shaping the face. Notably, the article suggests that hormonal medications can alter facial features over time.
Diving into the specifics, the article outlines various face shapes, each with distinct characteristics:
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Square Face: Characterized by a prominent jawline, a square-shaped face has a chin and forehead of equal width.
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Oval Face: An oval-shaped face is 1.5 times longer than its width, with a slightly wider forehead than the chin.
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Pear (Trapezoid) Face: This face shape features a jawline wider than the forehead, along with a broad chin.
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Heart Face: A heart-shaped face has a wide forehead and chin, a slightly pointed chin, and a narrow jawline.
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Round Face: Marked by a circular appearance, round faces often have chubby cheeks and similar width and length.
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Diamond Face: Characterized by a narrow jawline and forehead, with wide cheekbones.
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Oblong Face: An oblong face is longer than it is wide, with a somewhat pointed chin and not particularly wide features.
The article then addresses the subjective nature of attractiveness, emphasizing that personal preferences, facial features, personality, and other factors collectively influence how one is perceived. It highlights that even the most conventionally attractive face shape may not appeal to everyone.
However, it suggests that, generally, square and oblong faces are viewed as attractive due to the perceived prominence of eyes and emphasis on a pleasing smile. Societal preferences are also noted, with Western cultures favoring square or oblong faces, while Asian cultures may prefer heart-shaped or V-shaped faces for a perceived slimming effect.
Scientific research is referenced to support the idea that certain facial features are commonly associated with beauty. For women, slim faces, high cheekbones, large eyes, and full lips are considered attractive, while the ideal look is described as resembling Natalie Portman. In contrast, men with square jawlines and oval-shaped faces, paired with specific features like blue eyes, medium-thick eyebrows, and brown hair, are deemed attractive. David Gandy is offered as an example of a male celebrity embodying these characteristics.
In conclusion, the article highlights the complexity of attractiveness, acknowledging individual and cultural preferences while providing insights into the scientific aspects of facial aesthetics.
