What is the most conventionally attractive face shape?
Overall, the oval face shape is considered the most attractive. According to master cosmetologist Shun Pittman, “the ideal face shape is oval.” This is due to the balanced proportions of the oval face shape, which is characterized by a gently curved jawline, a slightly rounded forehead, a chin that’s narrower than the forehead, and an elongated look. Oval face shapes tend to fit the Golden Ratio (a face with a length that’s 1.618 times the width), which is a baseline ratio used by cosmetologists and surgeons that denotes “ideal" facial structure. Even though the oval face shape is widely considered the most attractive (per conventional beauty standards), that doesn’t mean other face shapes are any less attractive. Beauty is subjective, and attractiveness tends to depend on the individual person. Conventional beauty standards change constantly, so the “most attractive” face shape has changed throughout history, and is likely different depending on who you ask! Find out your face shape by taking wikiHow’s Face Shape Quiz! Meet the wikiHow Experts Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. She has over 25 years of international experience. Gina Almona is a Professional Hair Stylist with over 20 years of experience helping others find their ideal styles. She’s been featured in People Magazine and Time Out New York. Jamie Bushman is a Master Hair Stylist and owner of The Circle Salon in Chicago, IL. She has over 22 years of experience in the hair industry and has been featured in Allure and Elle. Alana Schober is a Professional Makeup Artist at Pout by Lipsticknick. She has over a decade of experience, specializes in hair and makeup, and has worked with celebrities like Iggy Azalea and Solange Knowles.
For women, the most attractive face shapes are diamond and heart. Diamond and heart face shapes are characterized by their high cheekbones, wide foreheads, and slim, narrow chins, which are traditionally associated with femininity and youthfulness. Many people find these face shapes to be especially attractive on women, as they give off youthful and feminine appearances with balanced proportions. Once again, this doesn’t mean other face shapes are unattractive on women, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
For men, square-shaped faces are often considered the most attractive. The symmetrical, square face shape is often associated with a sense of rugged masculinity, especially when the man has a strong jawline. Square face shapes are defined by a forehead, cheekbones, and jawline of the same width, with the jawline and forehead being wider and more pronounced than on other face shapes. This accentuates the face’s natural angles, further emphasizing that masculine look and contributing to the face shape’s perceived attractiveness.
All Face Shapes & Their Characteristics
Oval The oval face shape is characterized by a length that’s slightly larger than the width (ideally 1.618 times the size, according to the Golden Ratio), a forehead width that’s slightly smaller than the cheekbone width, and a rounded jawline and chin. The proportions of the oval face shape tend to be extremely symmetrical, contributing to its status as the conventionally most attractive face shape. Celebrity Examples: Beyoncé Charlize Theron Jessica Alba Jake Gyllenhaal Idris Elba Michael Jordan
Triangle There are two types of triangle faces. The first is characterized by high cheekbones, a narrow jaw, and a slim chin that comes to a point, just like an inverted triangle. The second is the reverse, and it’s characterized by a wide jawline, a narrow forehead, and a chin that comes to a point slightly below the base of the jawline, like a standard triangle. Celebrity Examples: Jennifer Lawrence Victoria Beckham Meghan Markle Timothee Chalamet Jonah Hill Jason Derulo Triangle face shapes are also known as pear face shapes.
Round Unlike other face shapes, round face shapes are characterized by their soft, round features, which lack angularity. The hairline and jawline are the roundest features, the cheeks are full, and the face length and width are equal, further contributing to the round look. Celebrity Examples: Selena Gomez Quinta Brunson Emma Stone Leonardo DiCaprio Usher Kodak Black
Square Similar to actual squares, square face shapes are defined by their equal width, specifically the width of the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. The jawline and forehead are wide and pronounced, and the structure is angular with minimal curvature, particularly around the sides. Celebrity Examples: Angelina Jolie Taraji P. Henson Lucy Liu Brad Pitt Michael B. Jordan Channing Tatum
Diamond Diamond face shapes take the oval face shape and add some angularity to it. Diamond face shapes are characterized by their high and well-defined cheekbones, which have a slightly wider width than the forehead, and narrow, pointed chins. Even the hairline has some angularity to it, coming to a point in the center that’s similar to the sharp point of the diamond. Celebrity Examples: Vanessa Hudgens Halle Berry Megan Fox Robert Pattinson Jimmy Butler Cillian Murphy
Heart The heart face shape lives up to its name, as it’s characterized by a narrow chin with a strong point, a wide jawline and high cheekbones, and an even wider forehead. People with heart-shaped faces tend to have a widow’s peak, as well, with the size varying from person to person. Celebrity Examples: Reese Witherspoon Scarlett Johansson Sydney Sweeney Chris Pine Donald Glover Chris Hemsworth
Oblong An oblong face shape is a face that’s longer than it is wide, similar to an oval face shape. Key characteristics include a forehead, jawline, and cheekbones that all share the same length, again, similar to oval faces. The key difference is that oblong face shapes are much longer (about three times longer than their width). Celebrity Examples: Keke Palmer Liv Tyler Kelly Rowland Ben Affleck Jay Z Keanu Reeves
How to Alter Your Face Shape
Get a haircut that complements your face shape. According to master hair stylist Jamie Bushman, the shape of your haircut really matters if you’re trying to minimize or maximize your existing face shape. So, if you’re looking to alter your face shape without any major, time-consuming procedures, choose a haircut that goes well with your face shape. Not only will this alter your face shape, but it can also help improve your confidence, which is the first step to accepting your face shape. Professional hair stylist Gina Almona says that people with oval faces can wear any type of bangs, while those with round faces should avoid bangs. Facial hair specialist Marlon Rivas says that “a person with a more rounded [face] shape should wear their beard a little bit tighter in the area where it grows behind the ears.” Slightly trim it into a blend around the cheekbones, too. Here are some guides to finding the right haircut for your face shape: Determining Your Face Shape & The Right Hairstyle (Women) Determining Your Face Shape & The Right Hairstyle (Men) Choosing a Haircut That Flatters Your Face Shape Stylish Haircuts for Men with Oval-Shaped Faces
Use contouring or other makeup techniques to temporarily alter your face. Makeup techniques are extremely useful for giving the illusion of a different face shape without fully committing to those changes. Contouring can make the cheekbones seem a different size, and focusing on how light and shadows reflect off your face can temporarily alter the look of your face, making them useful options for temporarily changing your face shape. According to makeup artist Alana Schober, contouring makes the cheekbones pop out and adds a little bit more structure to the face. Makeup artist Shara Strand says, “On a round face shape, an angular and more shaped brow will give definition to [the] face and eye shape.”
Look into cosmetic surgeries and enhancements with caution. Cosmetic surgeries and enhancements, like forehead contouring, forehead reduction surgery, cheek augmentation, lip filler, and jawline and chin reshaping, can help change the shape and composition of your face to what you prefer. However, some of these surgeries have long recovery times, may cost a lot, and can pose serious risks if not approached with care. If you really you want a more permanent change, consider these procedures: Rhytidectomy (facelift): Cosmetic surgery intended to give a more youthful appearance by lifting and tightening sagging skin and tissues in your face and neck. Jaw reduction: Surgery that removes bone from the back of the jaw for a slimmer face and smoother jawline. Jaw enhancement: Surgery that enhances the volume near the back of the jaw using a surgical implant or the patient’s own bone to add definition and elongation. Forehead augmentation: Minimally invasive injection that changes the shape of the forehead using methyl methacrylate (MMA), hyaluronic acid fillers, fat grafts, or custom or pre-made silicone implants. Always get facial surgeries and enhancements done by a licensed surgeon with good reviews and a history of safe, successful surgeries and enhancements.
How to Accept Your Face Shape
Embrace the uniqueness of your face—every shape is beautiful! According to love and relationship coach Nicole Moore, “Confidence comes from owning your unique attributes and understanding what you have to offer.” To own those unique attributes, Bushman says to consider what you like about your face. All face shapes are beautiful, and you don’t have to put yourself into a box where you strive for an oval face shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What traits are common in less popular face shapes? Generally, asymmetrical shapes or excessive angles in the face are common in less popular face shapes, but this doesn’t mean you’re unattractive if you have those traits. It simply means that these features don’t appeal to some (but they do appeal to others). Depending on your gender and the beauty standards of your community, these traits may differ.
How do cultural differences shape opinions on face shapes? Different cultures have different beauty standards, so different face shapes are considered attractive by different cultures. For example, one culture may find round and heart-shaped faces extremely attractive, while another may prefer square or oval-shaped faces. The influence, representation, and prominence of those cultures (and their differences) can determine what’s considered attractive in the larger society that those cultures influence.
Which face shape is the rarest? The diamond face shape is the rarest, being defined by wide, prominent cheekbones, a narrow forehead, and a narrow chin. Genetics are responsible for face shape, as they combine the facial characteristics of your parents to determine what yours will be.
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