How to Determine Your Face Shape: The Complete Guide to Finding Your Perfect Look

Discovering your face shape is the first step to finding the most flattering hairstyles, glasses, and makeup looks for you. This comprehensive guide will help you identify your face shape using both professional methods and our free online tool, plus get expert styling tips that actually work.

What Is Face Shape and Why Does It Matter?

Your face shape refers to the overall outline and proportions of your facial structure. Understanding your face shape helps you:

• Choose the most flattering hairstyles that enhance your features
• Select glasses frames that complement your facial structure
• Apply makeup techniques that highlight your best features
• Make confident style choices that boost your appearance

The 6 Main Face Shapes Explained

1. Oval Face Shape

Characteristics:

• Face length is longer than width
• Forehead and jawline are similar widths
• Gently rounded hairline and chin
• Cheekbones are the widest part

Best Hairstyles: Almost any style works! Try bobs, layers, bangs, or long hair. Best Glasses: Most frame styles, especially oval, rectangular, or cat-eye. Makeup Tips: Focus on enhancing your natural balance.

2. Round Face Shape

Characteristics:

• Face length and width are nearly equal
• Soft, curved jawline
• Full cheeks
• Rounded hairline

Best Hairstyles: Long layers, side parts, asymmetrical cuts, volume at the crown. Best Glasses: Angular frames, rectangular shapes, cat-eye styles. Makeup Tips: Contour temples and jawline, add height with hair volume.

3. Square Face Shape

Characteristics:

• Strong, angular jawline
• Wide forehead
• Face width and length are similar
• Defined facial angles

Best Hairstyles: Soft layers, side-swept bangs, rounded cuts, long wavy hair. Best Glasses: Round, oval, or curved frames. Makeup Tips: Soften angles with contouring, highlight cheekbones.

4. Heart Face Shape

Characteristics:

• Wide forehead
• Narrow chin and jawline
• Pointed or narrow chin
• Cheekbones may be prominent

Best Hairstyles: Chin-length bobs, full bangs, styles that add width at the jaw. Best Glasses: Bottom-heavy frames, aviators, round styles. Makeup Tips: Balance proportions with bold lip colours, soften forehead.

5. Diamond Face Shape

Characteristics:

• Narrow forehead and chin
• Wide cheekbones (the widest part of the face)
• Angular facial structure
• Pointed chin

Best Hairstyles: Full bangs, chin-length cuts, side parts. Best Glasses: Cat-eye frames, oval shapes, decorative temples. Makeup Tips: Highlight forehead and chin, soften cheekbone angles.

6. Oblong (Rectangle) Face Shape

Characteristics:

• Face length is significantly longer than width
• Straight hairline
• Long chin
• High forehead

Best Hairstyles: Full bangs, wide bobs, horizontal layers, shoulder-length cuts. Best Glasses: Large frames, oversized styles, decorative temples. Makeup Tips: Add width with blush, avoid vertical lines.

How to Determine Your Face Shape: 4 Proven Methods

Method 1: Mirror Measurement Technique

1. Pull your hair back completely to see your full face shape
2. Use a flexible measuring tape or ruler
3. Measure these key areas:
   • Forehead width: Across your forehead at the widest point
   • Cheekbone width: Across your cheekbones at the widest point
   • Jawline width: Across your jaw at the widest point
   • Face length: From hairline to chin tip
4. Compare your measurements:
   • Oval: Length > Width, forehead ≈ jawline
   • Round: Length ≈ Width, curved features
   • Square: Length ≈ Width, angular jawline
   • Heart: Forehead > Cheekbones > Jawline
   • Diamond: Cheekbones > Forehead ≈ Jawline
   • Oblong: Length >> Width (1.5x or more)

Method 2: Photo Analysis Method

1. Take a straight-on selfie with good lighting
2. Pull hair back completely
3. Use our free face shape detector tool (above) for instant results
4. Upload your photo and follow the manual point selection
5. Get detailed analysis with measurements and styling tips

Method 3: Professional Consultation

• Visit a hairstylist or image consultant
• Get expert analysis and personalised recommendations
• Best for complex or mixed face shapes

Method 4: Jawline Touch Test

1. Place your fingers along your jawline
2. Feel the shape:
   • Curved/soft: Round face
   • Angular/sharp: Square face
   • Pointed: Heart or diamond face
   • Straight sides: Oblong face

Using Our Free Face Shape Detection Tool

Our advanced face shape detector uses precise measurements to determine your face shape accurately. Here’s how to use it:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Upload Your Photo
   • Use a clear, front-facing photo
   • Good lighting is essential
   • Hair pulled back from the face
   • Neutral expression works best
2. Manual Point Selection
   • Click the “Manual Selection” button
   • Mark 8 facial points in order:
     • Left temple
     • Right temple
     • Left cheekbone
     • Right cheekbone
     • Left jawline
     • Right jawline
     • Chin point
     • Forehead center
3. Get Your Results
   • Click “Detect Face Shape”
   • View your face shape classification
   • See detailed measurements
   • Get personalised styling tips
4. Download Your Report
   • Save your analysis for reference
   • Share with your stylist
   • Keep for future shopping trips

Face Shape and Hairstyle Matching Guide

For Oval Faces (Most Versatile)

✅ Great Choices:

• Bob cuts (any length)
• Long layers
• Straight across bangs
• Side-swept styles
• Pixie cuts
• Beach waves

❌ Avoid: Very long, straight hair without layers

For Round Faces (Add Length)

✅ Great Choices:

• Long, straight hair
• Side parts
• Asymmetrical cuts
• High ponytails
• Vertical layers
• Angular bobs

❌ Avoid: Blunt bangs, chin-length bobs, centre parts

For Square Faces (Soften Angles)

✅ Great Choices:

• Long, wavy hair
• Side-swept bangs
• Layered cuts
• Soft curls
• Off-center parts
• Textured styles

❌ Avoid: Blunt cuts, straight-across bangs, geometric styles

For Heart Faces (Balance Proportions)

✅ Great Choices:

• Chin-length bobs
• Full bangs
• Side parts
• Styles with volume at jawline
• Long layers past the chin
• Soft waves

❌ Avoid: Short, cropped styles, severe center parts

For Diamond Faces (Widen Forehead/Chin)

✅ Great Choices:

• Full, straight bangs
• Deep side parts
• Chin-length cuts
• Styles that cover temples
• Textured bobs
• Soft layers around face

❌ Avoid: Slicked-back styles, centre parts, and width at cheekbones

For Oblong Faces (Add Width)

✅ Great Choices:

• Full bangs
• Wide, layered bobs
• Shoulder-length cuts
• Horizontal layers
• Side-swept styles
• Voluminous curls

❌ Avoid: Very long straight hair, high ponytails, centre parts

Face Shape and Glasses Guide

Choosing Glasses by Face Shape

Oval Faces: Lucky you! Most frame styles work, especially:

• Rectangular frames
• Cat-eye styles
• Round frames
• Aviators

Round Faces: Choose angular frames to add definition:

• Rectangular frames
• Square frames
• Cat-eye styles
• Geometric shapes

Square Faces: Soften angles with curved frames:

• Round glasses
• Oval frames
• Cat-eye styles
• Curved rectangles

Heart Faces: Balance with bottom-heavy frames:

• Aviator styles
• Round frames
• Bottom-heavy designs
• Wide frames

Diamond Faces: Highlight eyes with decorative frames:

• Cat-eye styles
• Oval frames
• Frames with decorative temples
• Rimless bottom styles

Oblong Faces: Add width with large frames:

• Oversized styles
• Wide frames
• Large round glasses
• Decorative temples

Face Shape and Makeup Techniques

Contouring by Face Shape

Oval Face Contouring:

• Light contouring along temples
• Highlight cheekbones and nose bridge
• Subtle jawline definition

Round Face Contouring:

• Contour temples and jawline
• Highlight center of face vertically
• Add definition to cheekbones

Square Face Contouring:

• Soften jawline angles
• Highlight cheekbones
• Blend harsh lines

Heart Face Contouring:

• Minimise a wide forehead
• Add definition to a narrow chin
• Balance with strategic highlighting

Diamond Face Contouring:

• Soften prominent cheekbones
• Highlight forehead and chin
• Create width at temples

Oblong Face Contouring:

• Add width with horizontal highlighting
• Minimise face length
• Focus on cheekbone enhancement

Benefits of Knowing Your Face Shape

Style Benefits:

• Better hairstyle choices that enhance your features
• More flattering glasses that complement your face
• Improved makeup application with targeted techniques
• Increased confidence in your appearance choices

Shopping Benefits:

• Faster decision-making when choosing styles
• Better investment in quality pieces that work
• Reduced style mistakes and regrettable purchases
• Professional guidance when consulting stylists

Personal Benefits:

• Enhanced self-awareness of your best features
• Improved self-esteem through better styling
• Time-saving in daily beauty routines
• Professional appearance for work and events

Common Face Shape Mistakes to Avoid

Measurement Errors:

• Not pulling hair back completely during analysis
• Poor lighting is affecting photo analysis
• Inconsistent measuring techniques
• Ignoring facial asymmetry (normal and common)

Styling Mistakes:

• Following trends that don’t suit your face shape
• Choosing extreme styles without considering proportions
• Ignoring professional advice from experienced stylists
• Not considering lifestyle and maintenance needs