Knowing your face shape is the secret to applying your makeup well, and knowing which features of your face to highlight and how. It also helps you know what haircuts and even which shape eye glasses would look best on you. If you want a quick and simple way to know your face shape, follow along because I will break it down in 3 easy steps.
Have you tried applying makeup using online makeup tutorials in the past only to have them come out looking completely different on you? That’s why knowing your face shape is so important so you know how to adapt makeup techniques to YOUR face. And toward the end of this post, I'll also share with you a tip on how to contour and highlight YOUR specific face shape, so make sure you read through till the end.
The 3 steps for determining your face shape:
Here’s what you’ll need:
1. A pliable tape measure, but if you don't have that, you can print a paper tape measure from the link here
2. A Pen and Paper to write with:
So here's the 3 steps to knowing your face shape:
Step 1: First measure the length of your face: Measure the full length of your face from your hairline in the forehead down to the end of your chin - this is the length of your face. Make sure to write that down.
Step 2: Measure the width of your face, and the widest part of your face will be across your forehead, or your jaw. So you're gonna take two measurements, one for your forehead, and one for your jaw. To measure your forehead, go from hairline to hairline, close to the temples. And write down the width of your forehead. Then, measure the widest part of your jaw, usually located about one inch below the ears. Write down the dimensions, and now look at the two dimensions for the forehead and the jaw, and see which of the two numbers is greater. Ok, so now you know the length and the width of your face. Now for the fun part!
Step 3: Compare the length with the width, and if your face is at least one inch longer than it's wide, then look at your jawline - if it's curved, you have an Oval Face Shape. If it's more pointed, then you have a Heart Shaped Face!
Now if your face width is greater than your face length, then see if you have soft, round features. If yes, then you have a round face shape.
If you don't have soft, round features, then look at your jawline. If its boxy and angular, you have a square shaped face. But if your chin is more pointed, then you have a heart shaped face!
And here’s some more guidelines in case you need to drill down further:
For a square face, the width of your forehead and your jaw will be approximately the same
If you have an inverted triangle shape, then you have a heart shaped face. And remember, heart shapes have sharp chins.
Now for the tip to highlight and contour your face as per your face shape. And for that, here's an image that shows you which areas of your face to highlight and which to shade to show off your best features.
