Beauty blogs and Instagram influencers love to share tips on contouring a round face or highlighting square faces. But what if you’ve never learned how to determine your face shape? Understanding your face shape is essential for finding the best makeup, hairstyles, and even sunglasses that complement your face structure.
If you’re wondering, "How do I know my face shape?", you’re not alone! Studies show that many people struggle with identifying their face types, yet it plays a crucial role in enhancing your natural features. Interestingly, experts have even expanded the traditional list, now recognizing more than the standard shapes.
At Beautyblender, we believe in keeping things simple—especially when it comes to sometimes confusing beauty topics like how to find your face shape. That’s why we’ve created this step-by-step guide to help you easily determine whether your face shape is round, oval, square, rectangle, heart, or diamond. Let’s get started!
How to find your face shape: the scientific method
If you’ve ever wondered, "What face shape do I have?" or "How to determine face shape?", the best way to find out is by using precise measurements. While many people try to guess their face shape just by looking in the mirror, there’s actually a scientific method that makes it easier to determine your face type with accuracy.
To properly find your face shape, all you need is a soft measuring tape (not a rigid metal one!) and a few simple steps. Follow this step-by-step guide to measure your face structure and match it to one of the six primary face shapes: round, oval, square, rectangle, heart, or diamond.
Step 1: Measure Your Forehead Width
Using a measuring tape, record the width of your forehead at its widest point, typically from one hairline to the other. This helps identify whether you have a round face shape, oval face, or rectangular face shape based on forehead proportion.
Step 2: Measure Your Cheekbone Width
Next, measure across your cheekbones, starting from the hairline above one cheekbone to the same spot on the other side. Face types with prominent cheekbones often fall under oval face shapes or diamond face shapes.
Step 3: Measure Your Jawline Width
Place the tape measure just below your ears and measure along the edge of your jawline down to the middle of your chin. Since the jaw is key in defining a square face shape or rectangular face shape, this measurement is crucial in determining your face type. Multiply this measurement by two for your full jaw width.
Step 4: Measure Your Face Length
Start from the center of your hairline and measure down to the tip of your chin. A longer face structure is often an indication of an oval face, rectangular face shape, or heart-shaped face.
Find Your Face Shape with a Selfie!
Don’t have a measuring tape handy? No worries! You can still find your face shape by checking your selfie stream. Simply look for a clear, front-facing photo where your face is well-lit and facing straight at the camera. By comparing your face structure to the descriptions of all face shapes, you’ll be able to figure out your face shape quickly.
By following these steps, you can determine your face shape with precision and finally answer the question: "What face shape do I have?" Now, let’s explore each face type in more detail and learn the best beauty tips for enhancing your natural features.
Round face shape
A round face shape is characterized by soft, curved edges with nearly equal width and length. This face type often has a broad cheekbone area, a rounded jawline, and a smooth forehead. People with round facial shapes tend to have a youthful and balanced appearance. If you’re wondering, "How to determine my face shape?", check if your face structure lacks sharp angles and appears circular.
Key features of a round face shape
Symmetrical with soft, rounded edges
As wide as it is long, giving it a circular appearance
Widest at the cheekbones, with a smooth contour
Rounded jawline and forehead with no sharp angles
This face shape is sometimes confused with an oval face shape, but the key difference is that oval face shapes are longer than they are wide, while round face shapes have more equal proportions.
List of celebrities with a round face shape
Chrissy Teigen
Seal
Ginnifer Goodwin
Leonardo DiCaprio
Selena Gomez
These well-known personalities highlight how a round face shape can be enhanced with the right makeup and styling techniques.
Pro tip for round faces
To add dimension to a round face, focus on brows and contouring. A well-defined arched or angular brow shape creates balance and helps break up the natural curves of the face. Avoid overly rounded brows, as they can emphasize the circular shape.
Using THE PLAYER: 3-Way Brow Brush, you can create structured, natural-looking brows that complement your face shape. Contouring under the cheekbones and along the jawline can also add definition, helping create a more sculpted face type.
Oval face shape
An oval face shape is one of the most balanced and versatile face types. It is slightly longer than it is wide, with a gently rounded jawline and forehead. People with an oval face structure often find that most hairstyles, makeup techniques, and accessories complement their features naturally. If you're asking, "How to determine face shape?", an oval face shape will have soft proportions without sharp angles.
Key features of an oval face shape
- More elongated than wide
- Round at the chin and jawline, creating a soft look
- Widest at the forehead, tapering slightly toward the chin
- Longer in the lower half than at the top
This face shape is often mistaken for a round face shape, but the key difference is that oval face shapes are longer and more evenly proportioned, whereas round face shapes are nearly equal in width and length.
Celebrities with oval face shapes
Idris Elba
Jessica Alba
Justin Bieber
Bella Hadid
Kanye West
These celebrities showcase how an oval face structure can be enhanced with the right beauty techniques, whether through contouring, highlighting, or styling.
Pro tip for oval faces
A great way to enhance an oval face shape is by adding subtle color and definition to bring balance to its length. Applying cream blush to the apples of your cheeks and just below your chin helps create the illusion of a more rounded look, making the face appear slightly shorter.
For a natural, radiant finish, try BOUNCE™ Liquid Whip Cream Blush. Its cream-to-powder formula delivers a buildable wash of color, perfect for enhancing the natural symmetry of an oval face.
Heart face shape
A heart face shape is known for its wider forehead and cheekbones, tapering down to a narrower, more pointed jawline. It shares some similarities with a round face shape, but the key difference is that a heart-shaped face has a broader forehead and a more angular structure. If you're asking, "How to determine face shape?", check if your face type has a distinctive V-shape, with more width at the top than at the bottom.
Key features of a heart face shape
Widest at the forehead and cheekbones
More angled and pointed toward the jawline
Similar to a round face, but with more width at the forehead
Often associated with a widow’s peak hairline
Celebrities with heart face shapes
Reese Witherspoon
Ryan Gosling
Kerry Washington
Justin Timberlake
Kourtney Kardashian
These celebrities highlight how a heart face shape can be enhanced with strategic makeup application and styling.
Pro tip for heart faces
Highlighting and contouring are the best techniques for bringing balance to a heart face shape. Use Magic Fit Creamy Bronzer & Highlighter Duo to the bridge of your nose, the tops of your cheeks, and your upper jawline to create a glowing effect. To soften a wide forehead, contour the sides of your forehead to create a more proportioned look.
Square face shape
A square face shape is defined by strong angles and minimal curves. The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are typically of equal width, creating a bold and structured face type. If you're wondering, "How to tell what face shape I have?", a square face structure is easy to recognize due to its angular jawline and equal proportions.
Key features of a square face shape
Minimal curves, with sharp angles
Forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are nearly the same width
As long as it is wide, similar to a round face, but more defined
A strong, well-defined jawline
Celebrities with square face shapes
Lucy Liu
Brad Pitt
Demi Lovato
David Beckham
Katie Holmes
These celebrities show how a square face shape can be enhanced with makeup, hairstyles, and accessories that complement its sharp structure.
Pro tip for square faces
Since a square face shape naturally has defined angles, bold eye makeup is the perfect way to enhance your features. Grab the Wing Man Curved Eyeliner Brush and experiment with a smoky eye or winged liner. The curved head of the brush will help you create a steady, precise flick every time.
Rectangle face shape
A rectangle face shape is a combination of an oval face shape and a square face shape. It is longer than it is wide, with a high forehead and a square jawline. If you’re trying to find your face shape, a rectangular face will have a more elongated structure with strong, defined angles.
Key features of a rectangle face shape
A square jawline, creating a structured look
Longer than it is wide, making it distinct from a square face
A high forehead, adding to its length
A blend of the oval and square face types
Celebrities with rectangle face shapes
Liv Tyler
Kim Kardashian
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Henry Cavill
Meryl Streep
These celebrities highlight how a rectangular face shape can be styled to appear softer or more defined depending on the desired look.
Pro tip for rectangle faces
To break up the length of a rectangle face shape, focus on bold eyeliner techniques. An exaggerated cat-eye works wonders for this face type. Use the LINER DESIGNER: Cat-Eye Makeup Tool to perfect your winged eyeliner, drawing attention to the eyes rather than the length of the face.
Diamond face shape
A diamond face shape is one of the most unique face types, featuring prominent cheekbones, a narrow forehead, and a small chin. It is often mistaken for a heart-shaped face, but the main difference is that a diamond face has a narrower forehead and a more defined jawline.
Key features of a diamond face shape
A small chin, creates a delicate lower face
A narrow forehead, unlike a heart face shape
Cheekbones are the widest part of the face
Often has sharp angles, creating a sculpted look
Celebrities with diamond face shapes
Jennifer Lopez
Johnny Depp
Scarlett Johansson
Ricky Martin
Tyra Banks
These celebrities highlight how a diamond face structure can be balanced with the right contouring and hairstyling techniques.
Pro tip for diamond faces
The key trick for a diamond face shape is adding fullness to the jawline and forehead to create a more even look. Using a lighter shade of Bounce™ Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation, apply it to your forehead and jawline to bring more dimension. Additionally, groom your brows with a slightly wider gap between them to create the illusion of a wider forehead, balancing your face structure.
More fun with face shapes
Now that you’ve learned how to find your face shape, explore more ways to enhance your features with contouring and highlighting:
How to contour your face
How to contour for your face shape
How to contour your nose
Where to apply highlighter on your face: 5 tricks revealed
By identifying your face shape, you can choose the best makeup techniques, hairstyles, and beauty products to highlight your natural features and create the most flattering look.
FAQ
What face shape do I have?
To determine what face shape you have, start by measuring your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and face length. Compare your proportions to common face shapes like round, oval, square, rectangle, heart, or diamond. If your face is nearly equal in width and length, you may have a round face shape. If it is longer than it is wide, it could be oval or rectangular.
How to determine face shape?
You can determine your face shape by analyzing key facial proportions. Measure the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, and compare them with your face length. If your jawline, forehead, and cheekbones are nearly equal in width, you likely have a square face shape. If your cheekbones are the widest part, you may have a diamond face shape.
How to tell what face shape you have?
To tell what face shape you have, stand in front of a mirror and outline your face with a washable marker or use a selfie. Compare the outline to standard face types like round, oval, square, rectangle, heart, or diamond. The structure of your jawline and cheekbones will be key in identifying your face shape.
How to figure out your face shape?
You can figure out your face shape by taking a front-facing selfie and analyzing the angles of your jawline, cheekbones, and forehead. If your face appears longer than it is wide with a rounded jaw, you likely have an oval face shape. If all proportions are nearly equal, it’s probably square or round.
How do you measure your face shape?
To measure your face shape, use a soft measuring tape and follow these steps:
Forehead width – Measure across the widest part
Cheekbone width – Measure from one cheekbone to the other
Jawline width – Measure from ear to chin, then multiply by two
Face length – Measure from hairline to chin
Compare the numbers to common face types to find your match.
How to identify face shape?
To identify your face shape, analyze the proportions of your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and overall face length. A rectangular face shape will be long and angular, while a round face shape will have soft curves with equal width and length.
How to determine your face type?
Your face type is determined by the proportions of your facial features. If your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you likely have a diamond face shape. If your jawline, forehead, and cheekbones are similar in width, you might have a square face shape.
How to find out your face shape?
To find out your face shape, take a straight-on selfie, measure key areas of your face structure, and compare them with common face shapes. If your face is widest at the forehead and tapers down, you may have a heart-shaped face.
How to know the shape of your face?
To know your face shape, analyze whether your face has sharp angles, soft curves, or a balanced structure. Face shapes like oval and round are more curved, while square and rectangle have defined angles.
How to turn an oval face into a round face?
If you have an oval face shape but prefer a rounder appearance, try these beauty tricks:
- Use cream blush on the apples of your cheeks to create fullness
- Add soft waves or curls to your hair for a rounded look
- Contour the forehead and chin to reduce the elongated appearance
- Using BOUNCE Liquid Whip Cream Blush in a circular motion can help enhance a round facial structure.
What is an oval-shaped face?
An oval-shaped face is longer than it is wide, with a softly curved jawline and forehead. It is considered the most balanced face type because it can complement almost any hairstyle or makeup look. Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Idris Elba have oval face shapes.
