Written by : Faith Joan Chua

We come in different shapes and sizes, and the same goes for our faces! We often try to pull off a hot makeup trend or copy celebrity makeup looks only to realize that it looks a little odd, especially when we’re not blessed with Angelina Jolie’s angelic cheekbones or Reese Witherspoon’s adorable chin.

With that said, it is very important to know what face shape you have in order to identify the makeup tactics and hairstyles that are best suited for you. With a little corrective makeup, you are able to draw attention to your best features while covering up those that are less desirable. So here are some makeup tips for different face shapes to help you put out your best!

1. Oval Face

Description: The oval face is the most common and enviable face shape of all. Oval face shapes have a height, width, chin and jaw measurement that are all within average ranges of each other, allowing women to experiment with all sorts of beauty trends.

Aim: Elongate the face and accentuate the bone structures.

Techniques:

1. Apply highlights above the cheekbones

2. Blend the blusher upwards and along the cheekbones

3. Apply bronzer on the sides of the nose from top to bottom for a heightened look

4. Arch the ends of your brows to further flaunt the oval face shape

2. Oblong Face

Description: Often confused for the oval face, the oblong (or rectangular) face is longer than it is wide, with a narrower chin.

Aim: Bring out the middle third of the face while reducing length.

Techniques:

1. Highlight the temples and lower jar while shading the point of the chin

2. Apply blusher along the cheekbones towards the ears

3. Use a light pinkish shade on the cheeks

4. Avoid shading the sides of the nose. Instead, sweep the bridge of the nose with a bronzer.

3. Heart-Shaped Face

Description: A heart-shaped face has no squared off corners along the jawline, but has a cheek area slightly wider than the hairline. The chin is often tapered.

Aim: Widen the lower half of the face while reducing the wideness of the forehead.

Techniques:

1. Highlight the jawline while shading the temples and sides of the forehead

2. Apply blusher upwards towards the temples

3. Contour the sides of the nose with a bronzer and highlight the top of the nose

4. Add a subtle shade of blush to the cheeks

4. Diamond-Shaped Face

Description: The diamond-shaped face is wider at the cheekbones and narrower at the forehead and jawline.

Aim: Create an illusion of fullness by widening the forehead and the lower half of the face.

Techniques:

1. Highlight the lower jaw as well as the side of the temples

2. Shade the tip of the chin and the narrowest area of the cheeks

3. Apply blusher to the fuller area of the cheeks

4. Apply bronzer to the peak of the forehead, the tip of the chin and underside of the cheekbones

5. Round Face

Description: Round faces have a curvier forehead, fewer angles and a round chin.

Aim: Create an illusion of length towards the center while reducing width from the sides of the face.

Techniques:

1. Blend the highlighter subtly down the center of the face

2. Shade lightly over the temples and lower jaw

3. Apply blusher up towards the temples

4. Avoid bright colors that accentuate the roundness of the face

Have you identified your face shape? Do you know of any other corrective makeup tips?