What Is My Face Shape? The Ultimate Guide to the 8 Different Face Shapes, and How to Figure Out Yours in 4 Quick Steps

Find your match with these celebrity examples.

Author:
Michelle Villett
Updated:
Jul 25, 2024

If you’ve been wondering “What is my face shape?” then this tutorial is for you. Maybe you’re just curious about whether your face is oval, square or any other of the eight different face shapes. Or maybe you want to determine your face shape because it can impact so many aspects of your personal style.

Take your hair, for example. Knowing your face shape can help you choose the right length, style and even colour. Details like whether or not to get bangs, how much your hair is layered, and the placement of your highlights are all informed by the shape of your face.

Then, there’s makeup. Your face shape can dictate the most flattering way to apply your blush, contour or highlighter, as well as which features to play up and which to play down. And let’s not forget your eyebrows—perhaps the most important feature of all. Grooming them in harmony with your face shape (whether that means arched, straight across or something in between) can have a dramatic effect on your overall look.

Even just finding a new hat or a new pair of glasses or sunglasses all comes back to your face shape.

So let’s get started. Follow the four steps below to measure your face, and then take a look at the celebrities who share your shape for more inspiration.

How to Determine Your Face Shape

The best way to measure your face shape is in front of a mirror, using a flexible measuring tape. (Make sure to hold the tape straight instead of curving it against your skin.) Don’t forget to pull your hair back and off your face so that you can clearly see your hairline.

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Alternatively, you can analyze a photo of yourself—but keep in mind that camera lenses can drastically alter your face shape, especially in “selfies.” If you do use a photo, have someone else take it for you from several feet away.

1. What Is the Widest Part of Your Face?

Forehead: If your forehead is the widest part of your face, tapering down to a narrower jaw, then you probably have an inverted triangle or heart-shaped face. Continue on to Step 2 to get more insight.
Cheekbones: If your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, with a narrower forehead and chin, then you probably have a diamond-shaped face. Proceed to the Diamond Face Shape section to learn more. If your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, but you don’t have a narrower forehead, then you probably have an oval, round or heart-shaped face. Continue on to Step 2 to get more insight.
Jaw: If your jaw is the widest part of your face, with a narrower forehead, then you probably have a pear-shaped face. Proceed to the Pear Face Shape section to learn more.
They’re all equal: If your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are about equal in width, then you probably have a long or square face. Continue on to Step 2 to get more insight.

2. What Is Your Jaw Shape?

Round: If you have a rounded jaw shape, then you probably have a round, long or oval-shaped face. Continue on to Step 3 to get more insight.
Pointy: If you have a pointy chin and your forehead or cheekbones are the widest part of your face, then you probably have an inverted triangle or heart-shaped face. Skip to Step 4 to get more insight.
Square: If you have a square jaw shape, then you probably have a square-shaped face. Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw should also be about equal in width; your face may be as long as it is wide, or slightly rectangular. (Note: Pear-shaped faces can also appear to have a square jaw, but the forehead is narrower.) Proceed to the Square Face Shape section to learn more.

3. How Long Is Your Face?

Short: If your face length and width are about equal, and your jaw is rounded, then you probably have a round face shape. Proceed to the Round Face Shape section to learn more.
Average: If your face is slightly longer than it is wide, and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, with a rounded chin, then you probably have an oval-shaped face. Proceed to the Oval Face Shape section to learn more. If your face is slightly longer than it is wide, with a pointy chin, then you probably have an inverted triangle or heart-shaped face. Continue on to Step 4 to get more insight.
Long: If your face is noticeably longer than it is wide, then you probably have a long face shape. Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw should also be equal in width, with a rounded jaw. Proceed to the Long Face Shape section to learn more.

4. Do You Have a Widow’s Peak?

Yes: If you have a widow’s peak and a pointy chin, and your forehead or cheekbones are the widest part of your face, then you probably have a heart-shaped face. Proceed to the Heart Face Shape section to learn more.
No: If you don’t have a widow’s peak, but you do have a pointy chin, and your forehead is the widest part of your face, then you probably have an inverted triangle-shaped face. Proceed to the Inverted Triangle Face Shape section to learn more.

Some people are a combination of face types, such as a long square (rectangle), rounded heart, etc. If this is the case, go with the shape that is most dominant.

Now, here’s a closer look at each shape—thanks to our favourite celebrities—to help you find your match.

The Round Face Shape

If you have a round face shape, your face length and width are about equal. You have no angles to your jaw, which is also rounded. Your cheekbones are the widest part of your face.

To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that elongate the face:

Layered cuts: Opt for hairstyles with layers that start below the chin. Layers help to create the illusion of length.
Volume at the crown: Styles with volume at the crown—think teased updos or a voluminous ponytail—can help to elongate the face.
Side parting: A deep side part can break up the symmetry of a round face and add more definition. It creates an angle that makes the face appear longer and more oval.
Contouring and highlighting: Applying contour or bronzer to the temples, under the cheekbones and along the jawline will create more defined angles. Highlighter can draw attention to the roundness of your face, so use it sparingly on the bridge of the nose and the tops of the cheekbones.
Arched eyebrows: Shape your eyebrows with a higher arch to add length to your face. Avoid rounded brows, as they can make your face appear rounder.
Draped blush: Apply blush slightly higher on your cheeks, just above the apples, and blend it towards the temples. This “draped” technique lifts the face and gives it a more elongated look.

Celebrities With a Round Face Shape

Selena Gomez

Selena balances her round face with bold feathered brows, eyeshadow applied in an angular shape, and contour around the outer edges of her face.

Kate Upton

Kate balances her round face with a deep side part and volume at the crown.

Ginnifer Goodwin

Ginnifer balances her round face with her side-parted pixie and arched, angular brows.

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy balances her round face by contouring her forehead, cheeks and jawline. To draw attention to the middle of her face, she’s using a lighter foundation tone as well as highlighter. Plus, her hairstyle has lots of volume on top.

Joey King

Joey balances her round face with a voluminous curly hairstyle.

The Long Face Shape

If you have a long face shape, your face is noticeably longer than it is wide. Your forehead, cheekbones and chin are all equal in width, and your chin has a rounded shape.

To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that create the illusion of width:

Chin-length and shoulder-length cuts: Shorter hairstyles, such as bobs and long bobs, add width to the face. Avoid very long styles that can elongate the face further.
Soft waves and curls: Adding soft waves or curls can create horizontal volume, making the face appear wider.
Bangs: Straight-across or side-swept bangs can shorten the appearance of the face by covering part of the forehead.
Contouring and highlighting: Apply contour or bronzer along the hairline and the bottom of the chin to visually shorten the face. Focus highlighter in the middle of the face, such as on the tip of the nose and tops of the cheekbones. Avoid using highlighter all the way down the bridge of your nose, as this can emphasize length.
Horizontal blush: Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend it horizontally towards the ears. You can even take it across the nose for a sun-kissed look. This technique widens the face and reduces the appearance of length.
Straight eyebrows: Opt for a flatter, straighter eyebrow shape. High arches can make a long face appear even longer.

Celebrities With a Long Face Shape

Riley Keough

Riley balances her long face with her flat eyebrow shape and horizontal blush application.

Liv Tyler

Liv balances her long face with a voluminous wavy hairstyle and flat, slightly rounded brows.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah balances her long face with straight eyebrows and subtle contouring. Her eyeliner and eyeshadow also have a strong horizontal shape.

Alexa Chung

Alexa balances her long face with her wavy long bob hairstyle and side part.

Maggie Q

Maggie balances her long face with bold, straight brows and contour to subtly shorten her forehead.

The Heart Face Shape

If you have a heart-shaped face, you have a widow’s peak and a pointy chin. Your forehead or cheekbones are the widest part of your face, tapering down to a narrower jaw.

To balance this face shape, choose hairstyles and makeup that de-emphasize the wide forehead, and soften the pointy chin:

Bob hairstyles: Chin-length cuts that graze the jawline can add fullness to the lower part of the face, balancing a wider forehead.
Side parting and side-swept bangs: These styles help to soften the forehead and draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones, creating a more balanced look.
Wavy and curly hairstyles: Adding waves or curls can create volume around the chin area, balancing the face shape and softening the overall look.
Contouring and highlighting: Apply contour or bronzer along the sides of the forehead and the bottom of the chin to balance a wider forehead and pointy chin. Highlighter should draw attention to the center of the face, such as the middle of the forehead, bridge of the nose and the tops of the cheekbones.
Blush from apples to temples: Start on the apples of the cheeks and blend it up towards the temples. This will help create an oval shape and balance a narrow chin.
Rounded eyebrows: A softer, more rounded eyebrow shape will counteract the angularity of a heart-shaped face. Avoid overly high arches that can emphasize the forehead.