Mature Fashion: Face Shapes

Face shapes (blurred, sorry)

Hello Fashionistas and Stylinistas;

In the fashion world, effectively styling for a runway or fashion shoot includes choosing he right costume, the right hairstyle to compliment the look, and the right make-up application Like body types, the shape of the face determines to a great extent the style of hair  and make-up that is chosen.  Depending upon the source,  face shapes as identified by most cosmetician  forums, classes, etc. recognize 8 different face shapes.  As in our discussions on body type, each woman is individual, and the usual recommendations may or may not apply to her. Sometimes it is more stylish just to follow your own instincts  if you feel you look great. (case in point: a mature very heavy but short woman with a round face who looks absolutely adorable and chic with her very pixie haircut; a haircut not recommended for a round face)

Oval: (1) The length of the face is about 1 1/2 times the width of the face and is narrower than the width at peak if forehead and at chin.  The width of both the top of the forehead and the chin area should be about equal. An oval face is equivilent to an hour glass body type; a woman who has this shape of face can usually wear almost any style she chooses.  The sleek pulled back hair styles that are the current rage are ideal to showcase the lovely oval shape. 

Diamond: (2) A diamond shape is an oval with sharper more well defined cheek bones; she, too, can wear almost anything providing she takes into account the defined angles, which can obviously be very different from woman to woman depending upon the placement of the angles.  For example, a woman with very high, sharply defined cheekbones needs to consider the advisability of wearing bangs which may not flatter the placement of the features on her face.

Heart: (5) wider at forhead and cheeks and gently narrow at jaw line.  Chin length hair styles are usually the most flattering; think Reese Witherspoon, etc.

Rectangles and Oblongs (3 & 4)  are both face types where the length of the face is greater than 1 1/2 times the width; the difference is the jawline on a rectange is square and an oblong is gently rounded to a point at the chin.  Women with either of these face shapes usually look their best in bob type hairshapes and long, sleek hairstyles are the least flattering to the face. Because both of these shapes have a longer face, most recommended haircuts suggest adding width and body to the sides of the face.  Bangs are usually a good bet, side parts are recommended and center parts are discouraged as they give an even longer illusion to the face

Triangle: (6) also called a spade by those who classify face shape using playing card images and is called a pear by those who use botanical terms) This shape is the opposite of a heart shaped face; the face is wider at the chin than at the forehead and the cheeks are about the same width as the jaw. Usually, the most flattering styles are those that are short and full above the cheek bones. This face shape is often called a "lantern" jaw.

Round:  (7) This shape of face is self explanatory; the dimensions the width, and length of the face are about equal.  Cheek bones, chin, and forehead are all gently rounded, as opposed to a square where the bones are often sharply angled.  Women with a round face usually have the most flattering styles when the hair is somewhat sleek to the sides and the top of the hair has a bit of height.

Square: (8)  As expected, that shape refers to a face where the width of the forehead, jawline, and cheekbones are approximately equal. If the bones of the face are angular, "A" line shapes that have a shorter back and longer sides are the usual recommendations; the angles of the face usually predict the most successful styles and shapes and will vary greatly from woman to woman depending upon the thickness and angles of the cheekbones and chin. 

Absolutely nothing can change the image of a woman quicker than a dramatic change of haircut that compliments her face shape, especially if carefully paired with a flattering color to her skin tone. In the upper left hand corner, I have made an attempt to roughly draw different face shapes.  (I would love to have actual faces of people, but I only have one face shape!)  The proportions are not accurate on the pictures because of my lack of skill in drawing and photography, but the shape is accurate. I started to draw styles around the images, but left only a smudge, because I thought some of you readers might want to try an experiment.  If you want to test out the difference the shape of a hairstyle can make, copy the pictures and draw diffferent styles around the face.  You might be surprised...

Have a great day.........Geneva............Ropckmyages@aol.com