Whether we like to admit it or not, many of us in spite of our ages, education and different levels of exposure are still ignorant about what face shape we have. There is nothing wrong in admitting this. Rather, what could be wrong is sporting hairstyles, makeup and accessories that don’t fit because we are ignorant of our face shape.
When you know your face shape, it helps you choose the most flattering hairstyles, hats, eyeglasses, sunglasses and earrings. It even helps you in getting your blush right. The main face shapes we have are: oval, round, oblong, square and heart shaped.
There are also the not so common rectangle, triangle, diamond shaped.
Follow the steps below and your face shape will no longer be a mystery to you.
With your hair tucked away, sit in front of the mirror and use a marker to draw around your face in the mirror. Move away from the mirror and look at the shape.
You have an oval face shape if: the length of your face equals one and a half times the width and your jaw-line is slightly rounded. The outline of your face is an inverted egg-shape and your face is widest at the cheekbones.
You have a round face shape if: your face is as wide as it is long.
You have an oblong face shape if: your face is longer than it is wide, your jaw-line is rounded and the sides of your face are straight and your forehead, cheekbones and jaw-line are the same width.
Your face is heart-shaped face if: you have a narrow jaw with wide cheekbones and/or forehead.
Your face is square if: your face is as wide as it is long but with a more angular shape than a round face.
If your face length is longer than wide and you have a broad, square jaw-line then you fall within the rectangle group. Your jaw is broad and your jaw-line is square. The sides of your face are straight and your forehead, cheekbones and jaw-line are the same width.
However, if, when looking at your front-on outline (the sides of your face), your jaw is the widest part of your face, then your face shape is triangle. Your face is slightly longer than wide, your jaw is broad and the side of your face tapers from your jaw to your forehead. Your jaw is the widest part of your face and your forehead is narrow.
For the diamond shaped, your face is slightly longer than wide, your jaw-line is long and pointed and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face. They are often high and pointed. Your forehead and jaw-line are tapered.
-Bola Oyedele
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
