Face shape analysis is a crucial step in makeup design as it allows you to tailor your application techniques to enhance your client's unique features. By identifying the specific shape of their face (e.g., oval, round, square, heart, oblong), you can determine which makeup looks and products will best complement their facial structure. This analysis involves carefully examining the proportions, angles, and contours of the face to create a makeup design that balances and harmonizes with the underlying bone structure.
Oval faces are considered the ideal face shape due to their balanced proportions. They are characterized by a wider forehead that tapers down to a narrower chin, creating a soft, harmonious look. The length of the face is slightly greater than the width, with cheekbones that are slightly wider than the hairline and a rounded jawline. Oval faces suit a wide range of makeup looks, from natural and subtle to bold and dramatic.
For a round face, the goal is to create a slimmer and more elongated look. Start by applying a darker foundation shade along the outer edges of the face, blending it into the hairline and jawline. Next, highlight the center of the forehead, nose, chin, and under the eyes with a lighter foundation shade. Finally, use a blush to contour the cheekbones, starting from the middle of the cheeks and blending up towards the temples.
A square face outline is characterized by a strong jawline and a forehead that is approximately the same width as the jawline. The cheekbones are usually high and pronounced, and the chin is often square or slightly pointed. To balance out the angular features of a square face, makeup artists typically recommend using contouring techniques to soften the jawline and create the illusion of a more oval shape. Highlighting the cheekbones and forehead can also help to draw attention away from the jawline and create a more harmonious look.
The rectangular face outline is characterized by a strong jawline, a wide forehead, and a straight cheekline. This face shape is often mistaken for a square face, but the rectangular face is slightly longer than it is wide. To balance out the rectangular face, opt for makeup looks that add width to the forehead and soften the jawline. A rounded brow shape and light contouring on the sides of the face can help create a more oval appearance.
The diamond face outline is characterized by a narrow forehead, high cheekbones, a sharp chin, and a wider jawline. The goal for makeup design is to add width to the forehead and soften the jawline. Use lighter shades on the temples and forehead, while contouring the jawline and chin. Highlight the cheekbones with a shimmery blush or highlighter. Focus on creating a balanced and harmonious look that accentuates the face's natural angles.
Triangle face outlines are characterized by a broad forehead and a narrow chin, creating a triangular shape. The goal of makeup for this face shape is to balance the proportions by contouring the forehead and adding width to the chin. To contour the forehead, apply a darker shade of foundation along the hairline and blend it outwards. To add width to the chin, apply a lighter shade of foundation or highlighter in the center of the chin and blend it upwards. This will create the illusion of a wider chin and a more balanced face shape.
For an inverted triangle face outline, the forehead is the widest part of the face, with the jawline being the narrowest. The cheekbones are typically high and prominent. To balance out the proportions of the face, use contouring to create the illusion of a wider jawline and a narrower forehead. Apply a darker shade of foundation or contour powder along the sides of the forehead and blend it down towards the temples. Highlight the center of the forehead, cheekbones, and chin to draw attention to these areas and create a more balanced look.
Heart-shaped faces are characterized by a wide forehead, high cheekbones, and a narrow, pointed chin. To complement this face shape, makeup artists recommend using light colors on the forehead and cheekbones to widen them, and darker shades on the temples and jawline to create a more balanced look. Additionally, using blush on the apples of the cheeks can help soften the sharp angles of the heart shape.