Know your face shape - for makeup application

The magical thing about make up is that you can use contouring techniques to create the illusion of a perfect, balanced and symmetrical face. Generally the aim is to create what is called the ideal shape which is the oval shape.

Techniques for each shape come down to one simple guiding principle.  When you're looking at your face in the mirror, imagine an oval and anything that is outside the oval is where you want to apply bronzer or a darker shade of foundation. Highlighting various areas inside the oval can be done using concealer, foundation or light powder. Just remember, dark shades recede and makes things appear smaller. Lighter shades highlight and help bring things forward.

Oval - This is the ideal shape as it is well balanced. It is wider at the cheekbones and narrower down the jaw line and chin. It gets narrower at the forehead. Contouring is not needed so instead use makeup to bring out your personality and mood by emphasising your eyes or lips.

Celebrities who have this face shape are Elle MacPherson, Mariah Carey, Julia Roberts, Charlize Thereon and Tyra Banks.
Square - This face shape is broader at the forehead and jaw line. Focus on the four corners of the face. Apply your dark contour to these corners which are along the jaw line and sides of the forehead.

Celebrities who have this face shape are Mandy Moore, Sandra Bullock, Demi Moore, Calista Flockhart, Jessica Simpson, Janet Jackson and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

Round - This shape has wide and full looking cheeks. Both the forehead and jaw line appear round. To help create an illusion of length, ensure an upward application movement in your makeup. Apply contouring to the sides of the cheeks. Blush can start at the point that aligns with the centre of the pupil. Use only light colours and avoid brown. Opt for eyebrows on the thick side that taper outwards as much as possible. 

Celebrities who have this face shape are Drew Barrymore, Kate Winslett and Christina Ricci.


Pear - Also known as the triangle shape. The widest areas for this face shape are the cheeks and jaw. The forehead is narrower. Apply contouring to the jaw line and cheeks. Use a highlighter on your forehead to create more balance.

Celebrities who have this face shape are Nicole Appleton, Billie Piper and Minnie Driver.

Heart - This face shape is wider at the forehead then tapers down into a narrower jaw and chin area. Use highlighter on the chin and centre of forehead. Apply contour to the sides of forehead down through to temples and cheeks.

Celebrities who have this face shape are Reece Witherspoon, Lisa Kudrow, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Naomi Campbell.


Long - This face shape is also known as oblong or rectangular. The cheekbones and forehead appear higher and the face is longer than it is wide. Horizontal lines help to give more width. Keeping your eyebrows less-arched and shorter will also help. Apply bronzer or a darker shade of powder to your chin area. Blush should always go below your cheekbones and start slightly off the centre of the cheeks to avoid narrowing the face more.

Celebrities who have this face shape are Iman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kirstie Alley, Teri Hatcher, Alanis Morisette