How to discover your face shape

Identifying your face shapes  has a lot of benefits; it will help you dictate your best haircut,  makeup and sunglasses options. 

If you do not already know what your face shape is,  don’t be discouraged because  you’re not alone. Many beauty magazines and articles promise the “best haircut for your face shape” which  sounds really encouraging –you just have to realise if your face shape is a oval, round,hexagon etc. Okay! enough of the talking now, lets get right to it.

What you need is your mirror, your critical eye, and a little knowledge of what face shapes are.  The next time you  look at your reflection in the mirror,

• Use  your finger to trace the shape of your face into the steam on the mirror.
• Secondly, you can do it immediately you get out of a hot bath, if you have a mirror in your bathroom, it will get steamy as a result of the hot shower, trace your face onto the steamy mirror using your finger, it will immediately have the shape of your face in the mirror.
• You can also ask someone to do the check for you.

These are the results you should get:

. Is my face as wide as it is long with the widest part occurring at the ears? (If yes, you have a ROUND face.)
2. Is my face longer than it is wide? Is it long and slender with a narrow chin or high forehead? (If yes, you have an OBLONG/RECTANGULAR face.) 
3. Are my forehead and cheekbones wide but my jaw narrow? (If yes, you have a HEART-shaped face.) 
4. Is my forehead the same width as my jaw line and is my jaw prominent? Is my hairline squared? (If yes, you have a SQUARE face.) 
5. Is my face approximately twice as long as it is wide? Is it only slightly narrower at the jaw than at the temples? Is my hairline rounded? (If yes, then you have an OVAL face.) 

Now that you have an idea as to what shape your face is, let’s look at some celebs who  share your shape — and discuss some of the most flattering hair and makeup things you can do for it. 

1)   Fergie:    Round faces    

Round face attributes: Full face, round chin, very few clearly defined angles, and prominent cheeks 

Minimise fullness with face-framing layers or a middle/slightly off-center part like Fergie’s. And, as a general rule, it’s a good idea to keep hair longer than your chin to help lengthen the appearance of your face and to help lengthen your face a bit. 

Beware of chin-grazing bobs, they can make your face look rounder and keep away from blunt bangs that will create a half-moon look. Opt, instead, for a bob that’s longer in the front than the back.

2) Rectangular (Oblong)  face shapes;
   

Hollywood celebrity (Jennifer Lopez) and Nollywood celeb (Genevieve Nnaji) have an oblong face shape. If you have straight hair you can create more width with a full fringe. Fringes will cover up a particularly large forehead which will help to shorten the face.

 Fine hair will defiantly appreciate some layers and look better in a short style. Layers will add volume to your hair which will also add width to your face.  Chin-length bobs and graduated cuts are also ideal for your face shape as they create the illusion of width and can be pulled off by almost any hair type.

3)  Heart Face  Shape: 
      
Characteristics of a heart shaped face are:

• Wider at the forehead
• Usually defined cheekbones
• Tapered narrow chin

 You need to  create volume around the bottom of your face and soft and sleek at the top to balance out you face shape and show off your features.

4)  Square Face shape

Characteristics of a square face shape are:

• Square shape
• Forehead, cheekbones and jawline are the same width
• A squared jawline

Hairstyles that have long, soft layers towards the top of the head are an instant disguise for a square jaw. Soften your square face with waves and curls which will also add some femininity to your style. Whether you opt for a long or short style remember not to go too short or too long a couple of inches below or above the chin is perfect. Add a sweeping side fringe to soften your wide fore head and you will look fabulous.

5) Oval face shape:
     Beyonce and Omotola J Ekeinde have oval faces.
Characteristics of an oval face shape are:

• Wider cheek bones
• Narrow smooth jaw line
• Narrow forehead

In most cases the main consideration will be getting a hairstyle to match your lifestyle. Look for a style that you can manage yourself rather than what is best to suits your face.
Okay! here are all the tips you need. If you still cannot determine what your face shape is, then you will need to book a style consultation session with me. During your sessions, we will determine your face shape, your body shape, your style personality, best makeup to wear, best cuts and patterns to wear, and lots more. To equip you and give you confidence to dress stylishly.