Q&A for How to Determine Your Face Shape

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Why is oval the ideal face shape?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Oval is sometimes considered ideal because it is the most classically proportional, but this can also make oval face shapes sometimes look plain. Oval faces can wear the widest variety of hair and makeup styles.

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Question

Which face shape is the best?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

No one face shape is necessarily better than another, but the oval face is considered the most classically proportioned.

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Question

How do you measure your face shape?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can use a flexible non-retractable tape measure or you can trace and measure your reflection in a mirror. Just be aware that your reflection is smaller, so don't try to combine these methods.

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Question

Do I find my face shape by looking at my face alone, or should I look at my whole head?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Although head shape and face shape are related, our perception of the shape of the face is determined by the hairline. Because of this, it's best to just look at your face and use your hairline as a guide to determine your face shape.

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Question

What are the face shapes?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The main face shapes are oval, square, round, oblong, diamond, heart, and triangle. Many people are a mix of two or more of these.

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Question

When measuring the width of my face, should I measure all the way to the hairline?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, if you're measuring, say, the width of your forehead, start at the hairline on one side and stop at the hairline on the other side. This should help you get the most accurate measurement.

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Question

I am confused between the heart shape and the oval shape. What will I do?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The heart and oval shapes are similar, but the oval is longer and the jawline is a bit more soft and rounded than on a heart shaped face.

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Question

If I have a sharp jawline and a slim face, what shape face do I have?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If your jawline is tapered and your chin is pointed, you may have a diamond-shaped face, especially if it is wider at the cheekbones than across the forehead.

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Question

If I had an oval or angular face shape what hairstyle suit me the best?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Oval faces look good with a wide variety of styles and lengths. Consider an off-center part to add volume and draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones. Avoid blunt bangs, and opt for styles that "open up" the face instead of hugging your jaw and the sides of your face.

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Question

What type of hairstyle looks best for a person with a diamond face shape?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Hairstyles with a deep side part can help soften the look of a diamond-shaped face, while long sideswept bangs or bangs that frame the center of the forehead help balance the difference between the forehead and cheek bones. If you'd rather show off your face's shape, go for a tightly pulled back ponytail or bun.

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Question

Why do you need to know the shape of your face?

Community Answer

Knowing the shape of your face helps you decide what hairstyle would look good on you, and what hairstyle won't.

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Question

If I don't like my face shape, how can I change it?

Community Answer

It depends on how old you are, if you're going through puberty, then your face might change a bit. Otherwise, surgery is the only option, and this might not even be an effective means. I recommend you just try to embrace your face shape. Everyone is different and beautiful in their own way.

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Question

Is there a way to change your face shape from round to anything else?

Community Answer

No. Get yourself a flattering haircut and learn to love yourself.

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Question

What if my face looks different from all of these shapes?

Community Answer

All faces are different, so just find the one that is closest to matching your face shape. If you're not sure, ask a friend or family member for an objective opinion.

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Question

What kind of weave hairstyle best suits an oval face?

Community Answer

Bakomin with a ponytail, or braids such as a fishtail or French braid will suit you.

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Question

My face seems to be oval, but my chubby cheeks make it unsure at times.

Community Answer

Your face shape may be round. Checking with a friend or family member is always helpful.

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Question

If I have a circle face, which hairstyle would suit me best?

Community Answer

Longer hairstyles would be best because they help make your face look longer as opposed to round.

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Question

What hairstyles go with each shape of face?

Community Answer

There are some articles about this. See How to Choose a Haircut That Flatters Your Facial Shape .

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Question

How can I tell my face shape by judging my measurements?

Community Answer

Step number 6 has the description for each face shape. Using your measurements, compare them against these descriptions you find the shape (s) that is/are the closest to yours.

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Question

What is my face shape if my measurements are cheek 6", jawline 10", forehead 8", and length 9.5"?

Community Answer

Step number six has descriptions of the face shapes. Just read through those and write down the ones that match the description and measurements.

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Question

How can I tell my hairstyle for my face shape?

Community Answer

See How to Choose a Haircut That Flatters Your Facial Shape .

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Question

What is the best hairstyle for a rectangular face?

Community Answer

The shorter the better. Go for a super short pixie cut or short feathered hair.

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Question

Why is plastic surgery the only way to change your face shape?

Community Answer

Mainly because the inside of your face is bone and tissue, and there's nothing you can do to alter your bone structure or the distribution of your tissue (short of surgery).

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Question

My face length and jaw length are equal, and forehead and chin length are equal as well. So what is my face shape?

Community Answer

If your face and jaw length are longer than your forehead and chin length, then your face shape might be oblong (rectangle). If it's is the other way around, then your face shape could be round. Ask a friend or family member if you are having trouble identifying your face shape alone.

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Question

I have a defined jaw and long chin -- my face looks like a hexagon, basically. Which face shape am I?

Community Answer

If your face looks like a hexagon, then it probably is. Remember that the article said most faces fit somewhere under these categories; not all of them do.

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Question

Should I paint my face with paint and smooth it into a piece of paper to find out its shape?

Community Answer

That might work, but when you take the piece of paper off your face, it might smudge.

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Question

What if my cheekbones are wider than my chin and forehead, but my forehead is still broad, not narrow? Is that still a diamond shape?

Community Answer

If your cheekbones are still wider than the rest of your face, it's a diamond. It might just be sort of oddly shaped.

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Question

How do I pick the right hairstyle for my face shape?

Community Answer

Reference wikiHow articles Choose a Haircut That Flatters Your Facial Shape and Choose a Short Hairstyle That Suits Your Face Shape for some great tips.

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Question

How can I change my face shape?

Community Answer

You can't really change your face shape permanently, but you can use makeup techniques to make your face appear different. You might try contouring your jaw line and cheekbones. You could also change your hairstyle to make it frame your face differently.

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Question

Is it true that side swept bangs only suits people with heart shaped faces?

Community Answer

No, side swept bangs is a good haircut if you want to draw attention to your eyes.

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