Beauty Makeup Face Here's Exactly How to Determine Your Face Shape Is your face diamond-, square-, or heart-shaped? Experts explain the differences between the most common face shapes. By Marianne Mychaskiw Marianne Mychaskiw Instagram Marianne Mychaskiw is a New York-based freelance writer, editor, and lover of Britney Spears who covers everything from beauty and style, to wellness and entertainment. A graduate of St. John's University, Mychaskiw was a previous staffer at InStyle, working her way up from intern to associate beauty editor — so you already know she will never leave the house without slathering on mineral sunscreen. InStyle's editorial guidelines and Tessa Petak Tessa Petak Instagram Tessa Petak is a Brooklyn-based writer who helps to cultivate InStyle's illustrious news coverage across a wide range of topics including celebrity, fashion, and entertainment. She also produces and composes celebrity profiles and features for the site and InStyle's digital issues. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on August 8, 2021 @ 09:00AM Pin Share Tweet Email Photo: Getty Images Knowing your face shape, whether it is heart-shaped like Rihanna's or more square-shaped like Natalie Portman's, can be a useful piece of information. Not only can it help you find your most flattering haircut, but it can also influence how you shape your eyebrows, style your bangs, and contour your makeup (more on that below). But the question still remains: How exactly can you determine which face shape you happen to be? Figuring out your face shape can prove to be a little harder than you'd think since it's not a one-size-fits-all type of situation. You have to pay close attention to the sides of your face and jawline, especially how pronounced or rounded your angles are. But even still, face shapes may not fall into just one category and can vary depending on who you ask. So to clear up the confusion once and for all, we consulted the expertise of NYC makeup artists Mayerling Cintron of Bellamayven (and founder of Tuhlz), Sharon Becker, and Dr. Jennifer MacGregor of Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, on how to figure out your face shape. Keep scrolling to learn the differences between some of the most common face shapes and find out which one best describes you. 01 of 06 Diamond-Shaped Face Getty Images A diamond face shape is often characterized by having pronounced features, such as an angular chin and cheekbones. Still, you can have a diamond-shaped face with softer, more subtle attributes, too — as long as they highlight the cheekbones, chin, and jawline, notes Cintron. In general, for those with a diamond face shape, cheekbones are the widest part of the face, followed by the forehead, with the bottom part of the face sloping into a narrow chin, Becker tells us. 02 of 06 Heart-Shaped Face Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic For those with heart-shaped faces, the upper half of the face is wider than the bottom half. "Heart has a wider forehead and cheekbone and then tapers down to a relatively more narrow and smaller jawline and lower face," says MacGregor. Once you determine your face shape, it may help you in deciding how to apply your makeup — but only if you want it to. For instance, "Someone with a stronger forehead or a heart-shaped face may want to contour more around the perimeter of the forehead," says Cintron. This will work to make the forehead appear more narrow and create facial balance. 03 of 06 Oval-Shaped Face Gregg DeGuire/WireImage Simply put, an oval-shaped face is longer than it is wide with a soft perimeter — think: "balanced egg," says MacGregor. Cheekbones will be the widest part of oval faces, then the forehead, and finally, the jawline, adds Becker. The best part about this face shape? It can adapt to any hairstyle, parting, mood, or occasion, and always look good. The 15 Best Haircuts for Oval Face Shapes 04 of 06 Round-Shaped Face Frazer Harrison/AMA2016/Getty Round face shapes are widest in the center and more narrow at the top and bottom. "The cheekbones and face length have a similar measurement," says Becker. Also, the top of the forehead is typically rounded and the jawline usually has a soft angle, she adds. When it comes to applying makeup, Cintron offers up some tips for those with round faces: "A round face has fuller cheeks and a less defined jawline and bone structure. Someone with a rounder face may want to add definition by contouring more around their cheeks," she says. 05 of 06 Square-Shaped Face Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Square face shapes are defined by their wider forehead and jawline, comments Dr. MacGregor. "The forehead, cheekbones, and jaw are essentially the same width," adds Becker. A flattering contour trick? Cintron says contouring along the jaw can soften the jawline while still accentuating a square-shaped face. The Best Short Haircuts for Every Face Shape 06 of 06 Oblong-Shaped Face Steve Granitz/WireImage An oblong-shaped face is kind of an elongated combination of an oval and square shape. Like the square shape — albeit, a bit longer — the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are all around the same width, notes Becker. A straight hairline and/or taller forehead may also indicate that you have an oblong face shape, she adds. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit