Makeup is a powerful tool that can enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. However, with so many products and techniques available, it can be overwhelming to figure out what works best for you. One of the most crucial factors in choosing makeup is understanding your face shape. Just like a tailor creates a custom suit for each individual, makeup should be personalized to complement your unique features.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore different face shapes, provide tips for applying makeup to accentuate your best features and offer expert advice on finding the perfect look.
Decoding Your Face Shape
Before diving into the makeup tips, it’s important to determine your face shape. There are several common face shapes, each with its own distinct characteristics:
- Oval: This is considered the most balanced and versatile face shape. It’s slightly longer than wide with gently rounded features.
- Round: A round face is characterized by a circular shape with full cheeks and a rounded chin.
- Square: A square face has a strong, angular jawline and a broad forehead.
- Heart: A heart-shaped face has a wider forehead and tapers down to a narrower chin.
- Diamond: A diamond face is characterized by high cheekbones and a narrower forehead and chin.
- Long/Oblong: An oblong face is longer than it is wide with a straight jawline and long forehead.
To identify your face shape, tie your hair back and look at your reflection in a well-lit mirror. Focus on the outline of your face from the hairline to the chin, and compare it to the descriptions above. If you’re unsure, consider taking a picture of your face head-on and tracing the outline.
Makeup Tips for Each Face Shape
Once you have a good understanding of your face shape, you can start tailoring your makeup to highlight your best features and create balance.
1. Oval Face
- Goal: Maintain the natural balance and enhance your features.
- Tips:
- Contouring: Lightly contour under your cheekbones and along your jawline to create a subtle definition.
- Blush: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards towards the temples.
- Highlight: Add highlighter to the high points of your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose to enhance your features.
- Eyes: Experiment with different eyeshadow styles and eyeliner techniques. You can go for smoky eyes, cat eye liner, or natural looks depending on the occasion.
- Lips: You can rock almost any lip color or style, but remember to balance it with your eye makeup.
2. Round Face
- Goal: Create the illusion of length and definition.
- Tips:
- Contouring: Contour under your cheekbones, along your jawline, and the sides of your forehead to create a more angular appearance.
- Blush: Apply blush slightly below the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards the temples.
- Highlight: Focus highlighter on the high points of your cheekbones, brow bone, and the center of your forehead to create a lifted look.
- Eyes: Define your eyes with winged eyeliner or elongated eyeshadow shapes.
- Lips: Opt for a bold lip color to draw attention away from the roundness of your face.
3. Square Face
- Goal: Soften the angles and create a more oval appearance.
- Tips:
- Contouring: Contour the corners of your forehead and jawline to soften their appearance.
- Blush: Apply blush in a circular motion on the apples of your cheeks.
- Highlight: Focus highlighter on the high points of your cheekbones, brow bone, and Cupid’s bow to create a soft glow.
- Eyes: Use soft, blended eyeshadows and avoid sharp lines.
- Lips: You can experiment with bold lip colors and glossy finishes to create a focal point.
Related: 10 Things you need to know about eyelash extensions before an application
4. Heart Face
- Goal: Balance the wider forehead with the narrower chin.
- Tips:
- Contouring: Contour the sides of your forehead and under your cheekbones to create a more balanced look.
- Blush: Apply blush slightly below the apples of your cheeks and blend outwards towards the temples.
- Highlight: Focus a highlighter on the top of your cheekbones, brow bone, and Cupid’s bow to draw attention to the center of your face.
- Eyes: Use eyeshadow to create width in the outer corners of your eyes.
- Lips: Opt for a bold lip color or a glossy finish to enhance your lips.
5. Diamond Face
- Goal: Soften the sharp angles and create the illusion of width at the forehead and chin.
- Tips:
- Contouring: Contour under your cheekbones to accentuate them, and lightly contour the temples to soften their appearance.
- Blush: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards towards the temples.
- Highlight: Focus a highlighter on the top of your cheekbones, brow bone, and the center of your chin to create a wider appearance.
- Eyes: Use eyeshadow to create width in the inner corners of your eyes.
- Lips: Experiment with different lip colors and styles to find what you like best.
6. Long/Oblong Face
- Goal: Create the illusion of width and shorten the appearance of the face.
- Tips:
- Contouring: Contour under your cheekbones and along your hairline to create a more oval appearance.
- Blush: Apply blush horizontally across the apples of your cheeks.
- Highlight: Focus a highlighter on the top of your cheekbones and the center of your forehead to create a wider appearance.
- Eyes: Use eyeshadow to create width in the outer corners of your eyes.
- Lips: Opt for a bold lip color or a glossy finish to enhance your lips.
Additional Tips for Makeup Application
- Foundation: Always choose a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly. Test it on your jawline in natural light to ensure a seamless blend.
- Eyebrows: Shape your eyebrows to complement your face shape. For example, arched brows can help elongate a round face, while straight brows can soften a square face.
- Tools: Invest in good-quality makeup brushes and sponges for flawless application.
- Practice: Makeup is an art, and practice makes perfect. Experiment with different techniques and products to find what works best for you.
- Confidence: The most beautiful makeup is confidence. Embrace your unique features and rock your look with a smile!
Related: How to Choose Eye Shadow Colors Based on Your Skin Tone and Eye Color
Remember, these are just guidelines, and makeup is a personal expression. Feel free to break the rules and experiment with different looks to find what makes you feel confident and beautiful. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process of enhancing your natural beauty. For those interested in long-lasting options, you might want to explore Anxietyfightersguide review on art of permanent makeup to see how it can complement your style.
