Which glasses should you get? Should you grow a beard? Are bangs going to make you look like He-Man or Taylor Swift? Knowing your face shape can help you answer all the questions you might face.
Face shapes 101
There are six main face shapes. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out which one comes the closest to describing your face.
- Round. Round faces tend to be symmetrical. The length and width of your face are even, and your chin is soft and rounded.
- Oval. Your face is longer than it is wide. Your jaw is rounded, and your forehead is taller than your jawline.
- Heart. Heart-shaped faces are similar to round ones, but your forehead is wider. You also have a sharper chin and an angled jawline.
- Diamond. Your cheekbones are the widest part of your face. Your forehead is narrow, and your chin comes to a point.
- Rectangular/oblong. You have the proportions of an oval-shaped face, but with sharper angles. Your jawline is strong and you have a squared hairline.
- Square. Your cheekbones, forehead, and jaw are the same width. You also have a strong jawline and pronounced cheekbones.
Spoiler alert: You might not fit perfectly into one of these categories, and that’s OK!
Examples: Jack Black, Selena Gomez, Mila Kunis, and Idris Elba.
How to tell you have a round-shaped face
- Face. The length and width of your face are basically even.
- Forehead. You have a rounded hairline.
- Cheekbones. Your cheekbones and forehead have the same width.
- Jawline. You have a rounded jawline and a softer chin.
Hairstyles to try
- Try opting for brow-length bangs.
- A center part with angles can help frame and balance your face.
- For shorter hair, get a cut that adds height on the top and slims the sides. (Like a high fade with a pompadour).
Styling tips
- To create more length, blend blush from the apples (fronts) of your cheeks down your cheekbones.
- Pop a bit of highlighter on your chin and the center of your forehead to help them stand out.
Examples: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rihanna, Jude Law, and Kate Middleton.
How to tell you have an oval-shaped face
- Face. Your face is larger in length than width.
- Forehead. The width of your cheekbones is larger than the width of your forehead.
- Cheekbones. Your cheekbones are wider than any other part of your face.
- Jawline. You have a slightly rounded jawline with no sharp angles on your chin.
Hairstyles to try
- Shaggy styles or side-swept bangs can complement your face shape.
- You’ll prob want to avoid lots of volume at your roots. Try a nice side-part or a shorter brush up.
Styling tips
- A clean-shaven face looks great on an oval shape. But a full beard would also look fab.
- Bring out the natural angles of your face with bronzer or blush along your cheekbones.
Examples: Ruby Rose, Ryan Gosling, Halle Berry, and Reese Witherspoon.
How to tell you have a heart-shaped face
- Face. Your face is a little longer than it is wide.
- Forehead. You have a rounded hairline and your forehead is wider than your jaw.
- Cheekbones. Your cheekbones are about even with your forehead.
- Jawline. Your jawline is more narrow than your cheekbones or forehead. It may also have a strong point.
Hairstyles to try
- Side-swept bangs can add major definition to your cheekbones.
- Try a long bob (aka lob) that falls just above your shoulders in length.
Styling tips
- Apply bronzer to the bottom of your chin and along your temples to soften your forehead.
- Draw attention to your lips with a bright and bold lipstick.
Examples: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Levine, Ricky Martin, and Jennifer Lopez.
How to tell you have a diamond-shaped face
- Face. The width and length of your face are even.
- Forehead. The width of your cheekbones are longer than the width of your forehead.
- Cheekbones. Your cheekbones are wider than your jawline and forehead.
- Jawline. You have a narrow chin that comes together at a point.
Hairstyles to try
- Go long with layers and lots of texture.
- A chin-length bob can flatter your face’s curves.
Styling tips
- A beard can add a sense of softness to your chin and jaw.
- Contour your jawline to add a sense of fullness.
- Highlight your cheekbones to make them the star of the show.
Examples: Adam Sandler, Jessica Alba, Kim Kardashian, and Will Smith.
How to tell you have a rectangular/oblong-shaped face
- Face. Your face has squarish angles, but it’s longer than it is wide.
- Forehead. Your forehead is the same width as your jaw. You may also have a longer forehead and a straight hairline.
- Cheekbones. Your cheekbones are the same width as your jaw and forehead. They will also connect a straight line from the top of your face to the bottom.
- Jawline. You have a strong jawline that lines up with your forehead and cheekbones.
Hairstyles to try
- Long layers can make your face look less angular.
- Bouncy bobs and wavy long locks can help round out your face.
Styling tips
- A smokey eye can distract from the face length.
- Pop some blush on your outer forehead.
Examples: Brad Pitt, Demi Lovato, Tom Cruise, and Cameron Diaz.
How to tell you have a square-shaped face
- Face. Your face is equally wide and long.
- Forehead. Your forehead is the same basic width as your jawline. You may also notice a straight hairline.
- Cheekbones. The width of your cheekbones line up with the width of your jaw and forehead.
- Jawline. The sides of your face form a straight line from your forehead to a squared jaw.
Hairstyles to try
- Slay a shoulder-length bob that flatters your angles.
- Add volume and texture to your roots to create a rounder vibe.
Styling tips
- Do a nice rounded eye that will balance out your face shape.
- Some subtle stubble can soften your jawline.
- Tap hint of blush or bronzer on your jawline and cheekbones.
Not every face falls into one particular face shape category. And that’s OK! You’re probably a combination of a few of these main categories. Have fun experimenting with different hair, beard, or makeup looks until you find your styling sweet spot.
There’s also a chance you won’t have the same face shape your whole life. One study showed that your face shape can change as you age. A smaller study noted that changes in hormones, fat redistribution, collagen production, and tissue elasticity can all be a factor. But good old gravity can also play a major part.
Reminder: There’s no “best” face shape to have. Your “ideal face shape” is the shape of your wonderful face!
The main face shape types are round, oval, heart, diamond, rectangular/oblong, and square. But there’s also a good chance you don’t fit into one of these categories 10/10.
