Learn how to apply makeup that emphasizes your facial features and flatters your face shape.
Did you know the oval face shape is considered the perfect face shape because it is balanced and proportional?
An oval-shaped face is neither too long nor too short, and the width and length of the face are almost equal. The chin is slightly rounded, and the forehead is slightly wider than the jawline, giving the face an attractive and symmetrical appearance.
It is normal to not have an oval-shaped face, since there are nine different face shapes. However, figuring out which shape yours is and what makeup techniques will best flatter it can help you to bring out your features and CREATE A BEAUTIFUL AND NATURAL LOOK.
Makeup Tips for The 9 Different Face Shapes
You can create a stylish and flattering look by contouring, highlighting, and using the right eye makeup and lip colors to complement your face shape.
1. Oblong
An oblong face is longer than it is wide. It features a round chin and jawline, and the forehead, jaw, and cheeks are all equal in width.
- Goal: Reduce the vertical length and emphasize the width of the face.
- Makeup Tip: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, and then sweep bronzer along your forehead and jawline to create a softly-sculpted, rounded shape.
2. Rectangle
A rectangle-shaped face is longer than wide. It has a straight or horizontal hairline, tall forehead, square jaw, and straight sides from jaw to forehead.
- Goal: Create the illusion of a softer, rounder face shape.
- Makeup tip: Use highlighting and shading techniques to emphasize your cheekbones, soften the angles of the jawline, and draw attention to the eyes.
3. Round
A round face is symmetrical with no sharp angles. The forehead is curved at the hairline, the widest part of the face is the cheekbones, and the jawline is curved with very subtle angles.
- Goal: Achieve a more prominent face shape instead of appearing entirely round.
- Makeup Tip: Use a bronzer just below the cheekbones and a highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones and across the forehead to create a more sculpted look.
“To me, beauty, and makeup, and color is like the finishing touch on everything.” – Mark Jacobs
4. Square
A square face has equal width and length, few curves, a straight or horizontal hairline, and sides that follow a straight line from jaw to forehead.
- Aim: Soften the angles to create a rounder face shape.
- Makeup Tip: Apply light, shimmery eyeshadows to draw attention to the eyes and away from the corners of the face. Use bronzer to contour the cheekbones and jawline.
5. Inverted Triangle
An inverted triangle shape has a broad forehead, a pointed jawline, and a chin, narrowing towards the bottom.
- Aim: Enhance balance and symmetry.
- Makeup tip: Add definition and shape to the forehead, cheeks, and jawline with highlighters. Use blush to draw attention to the cheekbones and lips.
6. Heart
A heart-shaped face has a broad forehead, prominent cheekbones, a widow’s peak and a pointy chin. It is longer than it is wide.
- Aim: Minimize the forehead, boost the jawline, and emphasize the cheekbones.
- Makeup tip: Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and use a bronzer to define the jawline and chin. A lighter eyeshadow on the inner corners and a darker shade on the outer corners of your eyes help create a balanced look.
“Makeup is about balance. When the eye makes a statement, the lips should be quiet.” – Francois Nars
7. Diamond
A Diamond-shaped face features a narrow forehead, wide cheekbones, and a pointed chin. The length and width are of roughly equal proportions, creating an angular version of an oval face shape
- Aim: Achieve balance between the forehead and chin by adding volume to the cheeks.
- Makeup Tip: Use a bronzer to contour the sides of the face and blush to add color and volume to the cheeks.
8. Triangle
The forehead is slim, the cheekbones are less defined, and the jawline is angular and broader at the bottom than the top, creating a triangle-shaped face.
- Aim: Balance the lower portion of the face.
- Makeup Tip: Use light, shimmery eyeshadow to draw attention to the eyes.
9. Oval
An oval face is 1.5x longer than wide, with a tall forehead, prominent cheekbones, and a round jaw/chin.
- Aim: To highlight the face’s natural features – almost anything looks great because an oval face is balanced.
- Makeup Tip: Play up your eyes! Dramatic smokey eyes with bold colors to make them pop. You can also round out your eyebrows to add some curves to your face.
Mastering the Art of Makeup with The 4X4 Color System (16 Seasons)®
Now that you know how to accentuate your face shape, you might be interested in learning which makeup tones suit your natural skin color.
Our 4X4 Color System (16 Seasons)® is a comprehensive color analysis system that evaluates a person’s overall image and character to discover which colors and hues best enhance and match their one-of-a-kind features.
Having an innate understanding and “eye” for what looks good and which COLORS BRING OUT YOUR INNER BEAUTY and self-confidence is essential. Click here to find out how to look your best.
