Home >> Make up >> you are now on the face shapes page

                Face Shapes

Mouse over the images to get an idea of how the different hair, neckline and jewelry shapes change the illusion. There is no right or wrong way. Ultimately it is all in the eye of the beholder.

To discover your face shape stand in front of a mirror and outline your face on the mirror using a lipstick. It is easier if you close one eye while doing this.

Face shapes generally belong to either the oval group or the
round group.

* Oval
* Oblong
* Triangular with apex at chin

* Round
* Square
* Pear

Oval Face

The forehead is a little wider than the chin and it is revered as the ideal shape. Probably because it is the easiest to dress with make-up, jewelry and various hairstyles. All shapes interact well with the oval.

Anything goes is especially true for this shape:

• Oval faces suit a hair style that is soft and natural for day wear, although anything goes. A middle parting is perfect for ovals. More than other face shapes, a bandana or turban looks good.
• Shape the eyebrows to suit the eyes.
• A variety of necklines will suit this face shape.
• Most earrings and jewellery look good on an oval face shape.

                      

Home >> Back to Make up page >> you are now on the face shapes page

The oblong Face

This is a long shape that is flattened at the sides and often has hollow cheeks and straightish eyebrows. The sides continue straight down a bit from under the ear before they meet the jaw bone.

Any long lines will accentuate the oblong shape. Horizontal lines will add width.

The oblong shape is accentuated by:

• Long straight hair. A centre parting. Hair piled high right on top.
• Thinly plucked and highly arched eyebrows.
• Eyes made up to look round.
• V neckline. Long tie blouses and scoop necklines.
• Long drop earings.

The oblong shape is counter balanced by:

• A wide hairstyle. If wide/curly along the flat sides, a diamond shape can be created as in the image on the left. The hair in the photo is shingled. Blond highlights around the face will add width. A side parting that is fairly low down will cut across the face in a diagonal line and break the length. A fringe/bangs will shorten and widen the face, but does not suit every face.
• Straight eyebrows. Generally speaking this face type has straightish eyebrows anyway. A touch of extra length to the outer sides of the eyebrows will add width to the face at the temple area.
• Slashed, square or rounded necklines. Broaches, corsages near the shoulder as shown on the photo on the left , (when moused over), diverts the gaze horizontally
• Round, fuller earings.

                      

Home >> Back to Make up >> you are now on the face shapes page

The Triangular (apex underneath)

The forehead area is wide in comparison with the chin. The jaw line slopes in from the ear lobes forming a triangle that ends at the chin. This shape is beautiful for its wide forehead and cute chin.

Drawing attention to the upper part of this face with horizontal or big shapes, accentuates the triangle. Drawing attention to the lower part of the face with full hair around the shoulders/chin, strong lips and wide dangling earrings will counter balance the triangular shape.

The triangular shape is accentuated by:

• Hair that is full at the top or that is piled up on top.
• Flowers in hair or any other big hair ornaments.
• Eyebrows that are straight.
• Emphasizing and rounding the eyes (lends an innocent 'pixie' look}. Eyes that are heavily made up or eymake towards the outer edges of the eyes.
• V, plunging or very small round necklines
• Up sweeping earings and long necklaces

The triangular shape is counter balanced by:

• A hair style that is full at the sides from the ear lobes to the shoulders will add width to the lower half of the face. Hair that is cut at chin level will also suit this face shape.
• This face suits a brow which starts low down by the nose, quickly arches and then curves back down again. Of course adjust the length to suit your eye spacing.
• By emphasizing the mouth, the chin will be strengthened and balance created.
• Boat or slashed necklines. Broaches, corsages near the shoulder diverts the gaze horizontally.
• Biggish dangling earrings will add width to the lower part of the face, avoid ones ending at the chin line.

                      

Home >> Back to Make up page  >> you are now on the face shapes page

The Round Face

As its name suggests this is a rounded shaped face. The sides are rounded rather than going down straight. This is a very feminine shape that was particularly popular in the middle of the 20th century and in centuries past.

Horizontal lines and round shapes will accentuate the roundness. Vertical lines/shapes will lengthen the roundness. Diagonal lines, such as a side parting with half fringe will break the roundness.

The round shape is accentuated by:

• Centre partings and hair that is flat on top. Full fringe/bangs and the "pudding bowl" type of hairstyle. Lots of curls at the side of the face.
• Eyebrows that are thick and straight.
• Rounded necklines especially ones that are very close to the neckline. Turtle necked garments.
• Rounded bulky earrings.

The round shape is counter balanced by:

• Hair styles that add height. Exotic hair styles that are piled up on top - think Tressy doll top knots and 60's, 70's big buns. A half fringe reduces the width of the face.
• Eyebrows that are arched quite high up, starting thicker at the nose and tapering off
• Eyeshadow applied in a diagonal from the eyelids going up and outwards towards the temple, (taking eye shape into consideration of course).
• V, scoop and plunge necklines
• Drop earrings as long as they are longer than the chin line. Earrings that are long and thin but not wide.

                      

Home >> Back to Make up page >> you are now on the face shapes page

The Square Face

This shape is fairly broad and short and is flattened at the sides. Accentuating the natural contours of the face can give a strong chiseled look, but still remain feminine.

Actually, this face shape is already well balanced, but horizontal lines will broaden it more. It goes without saying that any vertical lines will lengthen the square.

The square shape is accentuated by:

• A low side parting. Hair ending at the jaw line, especially with lots of curls at the sides. A heavy and wide fringe/bangs.
• Eyebrows that are thick and straight.
• Eyeshadow and liner that extends to the outer edges of the eye and into the temple area (needs to be considered with eye shape make up of course).
• Square or slashed necklines.
• Bulky earrings and/or earrings that end at the jaw line.

The square shape is more balanced by:

• A layered hairstyle with volume around the top part of the head will slim down the jaw area. Assymetrical styles are very flattering on a square shape. Hair that is flat at the sides and lifted high up on top following the countours of the sides of the face will lengthen the square.
• Eyebrows that start off quite thick and fairly low down by the nose, arch and continue in an upward movement tapering off at the end. The diagonal shapes cut across the square, pulling it up and outwards.
• Eyeshadow applied in a diagonal from on the eyelids going up and outwards towards the outer edge of the eyebrows. This compliments the eyebrows mentioned above.
• V and plunge necklines.
• Earrings that sweep upwards.

                      

Home >> Back to Make up page >> you are now on the face shapes page

The Pear Face

This is an inverted triangle shape. Here, the triangle's widest part is the chin area and the narrower forehead is the apex.

Drawing attention to the upper part of the face with full hair at the temples will counter balance the pear shape. Also eye make up that is heavier than lip make up, will counter balance the pear shape. Drawing attention to the lower part of this face with horizontal or big shapes, accentuates the pear.

The pear shape is accentuated by:

• A hair style that is full at the sides from the earlobes to the shoulders will add width to the pear. Hair that ends at the chin line. A thin and tight bandana.
• Extreme eyebrow shapes - too arched or too straight.
• A very bright obvious lipstick.
• Turtle necks, round necklines and even scoop necklines.
• Earrings that are bulky at the sides and/or end at chin level.

The pear shape is counter balanced by:

• Hair that is full at the temple area. Big hair ornaments such as flowers.
• A moderate eyebrow shape that is gently arched. A touch of extra length to the outer sides of the eyebrows will add width to the face at the temple area.
• Eyes that are heavily made up, especially eye make up at the outer edges of the eyes and elongated outwards over the temples (take eye shape into consideration). For fun, false eyelashes can be worn at the outer corners of the eyes. Use an unasuming lipstick so as not to attract attention to the lower part of the face.
• V necks and plunge necklines.
• Earrings that sweep upwards.

Home >> Back to Make up page >> you are now on the face shapes page

                       

Colour | Choreography | Etiquette | Home
Video | Make-up | Costume | Links



Design by Madam Helen Last updated:01.12.11

                                                            and God bless to all