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What are the Different Face Shapes?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Human face shapes do not always fit neatly into geometric categories, but five main facial shapes are considered to represent the outline of many faces. These five shapes are: square, triangular, oblong, round and oval. Knowing the approximate shape of your face can help you find a flattering hairstyle, pair of eyeglasses and clothing neckline.

OVAL
An oval face shape is considered the most versatile of the five main shapes. Any hair length usually looks good on this face type, but hair styled away from the face is often especially flattering to the oval face. Ovals can usually carry off a slicked-back hairstyle well, but may also look great with layers. Those with oval faces may want to avoid thick bangs or hairstyles with a lot of height on top.

An oval shaped face.
An oval shaped face.

People with oval faces have many options in the shape of eyeglass frames, but gently rounded square-shaped lenses may look especially attractive on this face type. Sharper-edged square frames may look too harsh on the oval. Any type of neckline usually flatters the oval face. Celebrities with an oval face include Will Smith, Jennifer Aniston and Tyra Banks.

An oblong shaped face.
An oblong shaped face.

ROUND
Round face shapes are characterized by wide cheeks and a rounded chin. Soft waves of hair that flows downward can minimize the roundness of the cheeks. Those with round faces should avoid really curly or really straight hair. Layers can make a rounder face look less round and cuts below the chin can also create a less circular effect to a round face. Men with this shape should avoid strong side burns, but a beard or moustache may flatter a round face.

A square shaped face.
A square shaped face.

Rectangular eye glass frames can balance out a round face. The lenses should not be too small though, or the face may appear too large. Frameless lenses may be very attractive on round faces. The V-neckline is definitely the most flattering for a round face. Celebrities with a round face include Fergie, Alec Baldwin and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

OBLONG
The oblong is a long face that may look like a long oval or more rectangular if the jaw line is more angular. Oblong faces often look great in side-swept waves and chin-length hair cuts as these looks may visually shorten the face. Extremely long hair can make a long shape look even longer.

A triangular shaped face.
A triangular shaped face.

Men with an oblong face may be able to wear a moustache well as it can add a shortening horizontal line to a long face. The oblong face is often the most difficult shape to find flattering eyeglasses for as unconventionally-shaped lenses may work best, but can be hard to find. Turtlenecks and high neck lines often look wonderful on those with this face shape. Celebrities with oblong faces include Eminem, Ashlee Simpson and Sarah Jessica Parker.

A round shaped face.
A round shaped face.

TRIANGULAR
The triangular, or heart-shaped, face is characterized by a small or "pointy" chin and a broad forehead. Soft is the keyword for hairstyles for triangular face shapes as layers and sparse bangs can soften angular features. Those with triangular faces usually look great with either extremely long hair or extremely short hair if the overall appearance is soft and/or layered.

Oval-shaped lenses are usually the most flattering to a triangular face. Higher necklines may suit those with a triangular face best. Celebrities with a triangular face include Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes and Justin Timberlake.

SQUARE
Square faces have strong jaw lines and squared-off chins. Strong bangs and chin-length hair styles will only accentuate the square face. Chopped or spiky ends or light layers can soften the square face shape.

Angular eye glass frames are appropriate for round face shapes.
Angular eye glass frames are appropriate for round face shapes.

Oval eyeglass frames tend to look best on the square face as long as the lenses aren't too small in size. The scoop neckline can soften the look of a square chin and jaw line. Celebrities with a square face shape include Nick Lachey, Demi Moore and Matt Damon.

Discussion Comments

lighth0se33

@OeKc05 – Every time I go to a hair salon, I look at those books containing photos of celebrities and their hairstyles. They group the haircuts by face shapes in some books, so it's easy to find a good one for your face.

I had really long hair and an oblong face, and this is a big no-no. I did feel like my hair was dragging my face down, so I flipped through the book and saw a super cute shorter cut for oblong faces, and I'm glad that I chose this one. I look and feel more upbeat and less like I'm hiding behind my hair.

healthy4life

I saw one of my friend's faces change shape during pregnancy. Oh, she still had the same bone structure underneath, but she gained so much weight that her previously oval face became an obviously round one!

Her cheeks really widened out, as did her nose. She looked like a different person.

It took years for her to lose the weight, but she finally did, and now, her face looks oval again. It was strange watching her morph into a different person, but it was a relief to see her regain her old face shape.

feasting

I didn't know there was a way to determine the best eyeglasses for my face shape! I've always just gone through the extensive process of trying every pair in the store on, but now, I will know what shapes will look best, and I can concentrate on those.

OeKc05

I use a list of celebrity face shapes to determine which one I have and which haircuts would look best on me. I have the same face shape as Lisa Kudrow, and we both have obvious heart-shaped faces.

I have seen her sporting long, straight hair with bangs, and since it looked good on her, I figured I would give it a shot. It works for me, too.

anon105361

this article is good but i need more information on the effect of face shapes on body shapes. or more clearly which body shape has which face shape.

anon95274

i love it. It helps in my assignment.

mom0103

Thanks michmill68! I've recently been shopping for new glasses and now that I'm armed with wisegeek's article and your tips on face shape determination, I know I will find a pair that is exactly right!

michmill68

Not sure of how to determine your face shape? Here are some tips. Using a measuring tape, measure your face across the cheekbones, your jaw line from widest point to widest point, forehead from the widest points, and tip of your hairline to the bottom of chin. Now to determine shape...your face is oval if your length is equal to one and a half your width. You have a round face if it's as wide as it is long. A rectangular (or square) face if it's longer than it is wide (not to be confused with the oval face). A heart shaped face measurement would be fairly narrow at the jaw and broadens as you move upward.

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    • An oval shaped face.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      An oval shaped face.
    • An oblong shaped face.
      By: Lvnel
      An oblong shaped face.
    • A square shaped face.
      By: Tiler84
      A square shaped face.
    • A triangular shaped face.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      A triangular shaped face.
    • A round shaped face.
      By: Tom Wang
      A round shaped face.
    • Angular eye glass frames are appropriate for round face shapes.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Angular eye glass frames are appropriate for round face shapes.