The first rule of beauty is that there are no rules, BUT it’s still nice to have a frame of reference. Whether you’re choosing makeup looks or choosing the best hairstyles, your face shape can be the most effective tool to use as a guide. If you’re not sure what shape your face is, don’t worry. We’re here to help!
MEASUREMENTS
Tie your hair back so you can see your entire face. Get a flexible measuring tape and measure the following four key parts of your face:
- Forehead Width: Measure across your forehead from hairline to hairline, making sure the measuring tape is placed at the widest point.
- Cheekbone Width: Starting at just past the outer corner of one eye, extend your tape measurer across the bridge of your nose to slightly past the outer corner of your other eye. The measuring tape should be even and sit just above the cheekbones in the same spot on each side of your head.
- Jawline: The base of your jaw is right underneath your ear. Run your tape measure along the edge of your jaw until you reach the middle of your chin. Continue to measure the other side or simply multiply that number by two.
- Face Length: Place the tip of your measuring tape at the middle of your hairline and stretch it downward until it reaches the tip of your chin. When done properly, the measuring tape should run directly over your nose.
WHAT’S YOUR SHAPE
Now that you’ve gathered your measurements, sort through the six common face shapes listed below, eliminating the types with descriptions that don’t align with your own characteristics. With your measurements in mind, ask yourself the below questions. If you answer “yes” to the first question, move to the next. If you answer “no,” skip to the next face shape.
ROUND
Forehead: Is your forehead rounded at the hairline?
Cheekbone: Is the width of your face essentially the same as the length?
Jawline: Does your jawline have rounded versus sharper edges?
Face: Is the length of your face essentially the same size as the width?
SQUARE
Forehead: Does your hairline follow a straight line? Is your forehead essentially the same width as your jaw?
Cheekbone: Are there minimal curves to your cheekbones? Do the sides of your face follow a straight line from your jaw to your forehead? Is the width of your cheekbones about the same as the width of your forehead and jaw?
Jawline: Do you have a strong, squared jawline? Do the sides of your face follow a straight line from your jaw to your forehead?
Face: Is your face about as long as it is wide?
DIAMOND
Forehead: Is the width of your forehead smaller than the width of your cheekbones?
Cheekbone: Are your cheekbones significantly wider than your forehead? Are your cheekbones wider than your jawline?
Jawline: Do you have a narrow chin area and does your chin have a strong point? Is your cheekbone measurement wider than your jawline?
Face: Is the length of your face shorter versus longer?
OVAL 
Forehead: Is the width of your forehead smaller than the width of your cheekbones? Do you have a tall forehead?
Cheekbone: Are your cheekbones the widest part of your face?
Jawline: Do you have no sharp angles on your jaw or chin?
Face: Is your face longer than it is wide?
HEART
Forehead: Is your forehead wider than your jawline? Is your hairline rounded? Bonus: Do you have a widow’s peak (a V-shaped point in the hairline at the center of the forehead)?
Cheekbone: Is your cheekbone width about the same as your forehead width? Are they both wider than your jawline?
Jawline: Do you have a narrow jawline? Does your chin have a strong point?
Face: Is the length of your face short versus longer?
RECTANGULAR
Forehead: Does your hairline follow a straight line? Is your forehead essentially the same width as your jaw? Do you have a tall forehead?
Cheekbone: Are there minimal curves to your cheekbones? Do the sides of your face follow a straight line from your jaw to your forehead? Is the width of your cheekbones about the same as the width of your forehead and jaw?
Jawline: Do you have a strong, squared jawline? Do the sides of your face follow a straight line from your jaw to your forehead?
Face: Is your face twice as long as it is wide? Does your face have a square resemblance but appear slightly longer?
A BLEND
Not everyone falls into a singular face shape! You might have a combination. If none of your measurements perfectly aligned with a specific category, you’re not alone. Although the most common fusion is rectangular and oval, other mixtures are indeed possible. Play around with looks from both spaces and figure out which ones you prefer.
Now that you know your face shape, it’s time to learn how to contour and highlight accordingly! Click here to learn how!