Face shape is an important factor in determining what types of makeup will look best on you. Different face shapes have unique features that should be accentuated or downplayed with makeup. Understanding your face shape can help you create a balanced, flattering look that enhances your natural beauty.
Identifying Your Face Shape: Tips and Tricks
Discover your face shape with these easy tips:
- Start by pulling your hair back to have a clear view of your face.
- Measure your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and face length to determine your proportions.
- Compare your measurements with the common face shapes (round, oval, square, heart, diamond) to identify which shape is closest to yours.
- Observe your prominent features and decide on the most likely face shape.
- Finally, ask a trusted friend or professional for a second opinion to confirm your findings.
Makeup tips for Round Faces
- Contour: Use a matte bronzer or contouring powder to define cheekbones and jawline. Apply the bronzer or powder along the hairline, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to create a slimmer, more defined look.
- Highlight: Apply a light-reflecting highlighter to the cheekbones, brow bone, and center of the forehead to create definition and add brightness to the face.
- Blush: Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks to add color and definition. Choose a peachy or coral shade for a natural look.
- Lips: Choose a bold lip color to draw attention to the center of the face. Opt for a dark or bold shade to balance out the roundness of the face.
- Eyes: Apply eyeshadow and liner to elongate the eyes and balance out the face. Use dark shades on the outer corners of the eyes and lighter shades on the inner corners to create the illusion of length.
- Brows: Fill in and shape brows to balance the face. Opt for a sharp, angular brow shape to create definition and contrast with the roundness of the face.
- Foundation: Use a lightweight foundation to avoid adding bulk to the face. Choose a formula that provides buildable coverage and is easy to blend.
- Powder: Use a setting powder to keep makeup in place and prevent shine. Avoid using too much powder, as this can make the face appear cakey and accentuate the roundness.
- Lashes: Apply mascara and false lashes to elongate the eyes and make them appear larger. Choose a lengthening mascara and a set of natural-looking false lashes for a subtle, yet dramatic effect.
- Avoid round shapes: Avoid using round shapes in makeup, such as round blush brushes or round lipstick, as they can accentuate the roundness of the face. Instead, opt for angular or tapered brushes and choose lip shapes that are more oval or angular.
Makeup tips for Square Faces
- Bold Lips: Use a bold lip color to draw attention away from the jawline and balance out the face.
- Contouring: Experiment with different contouring techniques to soften the angles of the face and create a more rounded look.
- Glowing Skin: Focus on achieving a glowing, radiant complexion to detract from the angular features of the face.
- Bold Eyeliner: Try a bold eyeliner look, such as a cat-eye or graphic liner, to enhance the eyes and balance out the face.
- Textured Hair: Opt for a textured hairstyle, such as loose curls or messy braids, to add interest and dimension to the look.
- Smoky Eyes: Experiment with different smoky eye techniques to create a dramatic look that enhances the eyes.
- Bright Blush: Use a bright blush shade to add color to the cheeks and detract from the angular features of the face.
- Highlighter: Experiment with different highlighter shades and textures to create a custom glow and highlight the cheekbones.
- Statement Brows: Use a statement brow shape, such as bold and thick, to balance out the face and draw attention to the eyes.
- Mix & Match: Try mixing and matching different makeup products and techniques to create a unique and personalized look.
Makeup for Heart-Shaped Faces
- Bold Lips: Experiment with different bold lip colors to balance out the upper portion of the face.
- Contouring: Use contouring techniques to enhance the cheekbones and create more definition in the lower portion of the face.
- Soft Smoky Eye: Create a soft smoky eye look to enhance the eyes and detract from the forehead.
- Winged Eyeliner: Experiment with winged eyeliner looks to create balance and symmetry in the face.
- Textured Hair: Opt for a textured hairstyle, such as loose waves or messy braids, to add interest and dimension to the look.
- Bright Blush: Use a bright blush shade to add color to the cheeks and detract from the angular features of the face.
- Highlighter: Experiment with different highlighter shades and textures to create a custom glow and highlight the cheekbones.
- Statement Brows: Use a statement brow shape, such as bold and thick, to balance out the face and draw attention to the eyes.
- Bold Lashes: Experiment with bold lashes, such as voluminous or dramatic, to enhance the eyes and detract from the forehead.
- Mix & Match: Try mixing and matching different makeup products and techniques to create a unique and personalized look.
Makeup for Oval Faces
- Bold Lips: Use a bold, bright lip color to add contrast and draw attention to the center of the face.
- Colorful Eyeshadow: Experiment with colorful eyeshadows to enhance your eye shape and add a pop of color to your look.
- Graphic Liner: Create a graphic liner look to add definition to your eyes and bring focus to the face.
- False Lashes: Try applying false lashes to enhance the eyes and create a more dramatic look.
- Textured Hair: Opt for a textured hairstyle, such as beachy waves or messy braids, to add interest and dimension to your look.
- Smoky Eyes: Try doing a smoky eye look for a more dramatic evening look.
- Statement Brows: Experiment with statement brows, such as bold and thick, to add contrast and draw attention to the face.
- Bright Blush: Try a bright blush shade to add color to your cheeks and brighten up your complexion.
- Highlighter: Experiment with different highlighter shades and textures to create a custom glow.
- Mix & Match: Try mixing and matching different makeup products and techniques to create a unique and personalized look.
Makeup for Long Faces
- Bold Lip Color: Choose bold lip colors, such as red or fuchsia, to shorten the appearance of the face and add balance.
- Highlighting: Highlight the cheekbones, nose, and brow bones to bring focus to the center of the face and create the illusion of width.
- Soft Blush: Use a soft blush color to create a rounded appearance on the cheeks and add dimension to the face.
- Bold Brow: Experiment with bold brow shapes, such as thick and angular, to add interest and balance to the face.
- Highlighted Inner Corners: Highlight the inner corners of the eyes to brighten the face and draw focus to the center of the face.
- Bold Lower Lash Line: Use bold eyeliner on the lower lash line to shorten the appearance of the face and bring balance.
- Short Lashes: Experiment with short lashes, such as natural-looking or subtle, to shorten the appearance of the face and balance out the features.
- Colored Contacts: Try wearing colored contacts to change up your eye color and add interest to your look.
- Bold Earrings: Experiment with bold earrings to draw attention to the ears and add balance to the face.
- Mix & Match: Try mixing and matching different makeup products and techniques to create a unique and personalized look that complements your long face.
Makeup for Diamond-Shaped Faces
- Define cheekbones: Highlight the cheekbones to bring attention to the face’s unique feature and enhance its natural beauty.
- Balance with brows: Experiment with bold brow shapes, such as angled or rounded, to balance out the jawline and forehead.
- Enhance the jawline: Use contouring techniques to define the jawline and enhance its natural shape.
- Soften with blush: Apply a soft blush to the apples of the cheeks to create a rounded appearance and soften the angles of the face.
- Brighten the eyes: Use highlighting techniques, such as applying highlighter to the inner corners of the eyes, to brighten the eyes and draw attention to the center of the face.
- Experiment with eyeliner: Try experimenting with different eyeliner shapes and styles, such as a cat-eye or bold lower lash line, to bring balance and interest to the face.
- Bold lip color: Try bold lip colors, such as red or berry, to bring attention to the lips and balance out the face.
- Natural lashes: Opt for natural-looking lashes to enhance the eyes and bring balance to the face.
- Colorful contacts: Try wearing colored contacts to change up your eye color and add interest to your look.
- Mix and match: Experiment with different makeup products and techniques to create a unique and personalized look that complements your diamond-shaped face.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and customizing makeup to suit your face shape can greatly enhance your natural features and create a balanced, flattering look. Each face shape has its unique features and challenges, and by using the right contouring, highlighting, and application techniques, you can accentuate the best parts of your face and create a look that is both beautiful and personalized. Whether you have a round, square, heart-shaped, oval, long, or diamond-shaped face, by considering the shape of your face when choosing makeup, you can achieve a look that is truly tailored to you.