Round face attributes: Full face, round chin, very few clearly defined angles and prominent cheeks
Hairstyles that work: Minimize fullness with face-framing layers or a middle/slightly off-center part like Miranda Kerr'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.
Hairstyles to avoid: Beware of chin-grazing bobs — they can make your face look rounder. Keep away from blunt bangs, which will create a half-moon look. Opt, instead, for a bob that's longer in the front than the back.
Next: Makeup looks for round faces.
Image via Don Arnold/Getty
Photo 5/15
Face Shapes: Makeup for Round Faces
Makeup mission: To make your face look slimmer and more angular.
Makeup do: Celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose says that one key way to add definition is to go for "angular shaped brows to downplay the round shape of [your] face," as seen here on Ginnifer Goodwin.
Makeup don't: Refrain from applying blush to the apples of your cheeks. Two circular pops of color will only make your face look rounder. Try applying blush beneath your cheekbones instead, blending up towards your temples — this will help create the illusion of well-chiseled angles and a more slender visage.
Hairstyles that work: Long, side-swept bangs that hit the corner of the eyes (like Reese Witherspoon's) work wonders to balance out heart-shaped faces and take the focus off of pointy chins. Tapered bobs that are longer in the front than the back also add balance.
Hairstyles to avoid: Blunt cuts and heavy, choppy layers will add more angles to your already sharp-lined face.
Next: Makeup tips for heart-shaped faces.
Image via Jason Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty
Photo 7/15
Face Shapes: Makeup for Heart-Shaped Faces
Makeup mission: To draw focus away from your prominent chin and cheekbones.
Makeup dos: To soften your look as Kourtney Kardashian has done here, try "sheer, soft tones," suggests makeup artist Nick Barose who also likes a "pop of color on mouth and cheeks" to downplay strong cheekbones. And, to help even out your face, apply lip liner to only your bottom lip before applying gloss or lipstick.
Makeup don't: Steer clear of too much blush and, when you do apply it, do so in a circular motion to the apples of your cheeks. You don't want to further define your cheekbones by shadowing beneath them with your blush.
Hairstyles that work: Lucky oval women can wear pretty much any hairstyle and have it be flattering. As Tommy Buckett from the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City says, "everything we do to flatter heart, round or square faces is meant to make them look more oval-shaped." Just look at Alexa Chung as an example. She can wear her hair long, bobbed or pixied with or without bangs and it still looks fabulous.
Hairstyles to avoid: None, lucky girl.
Next: Makeup tips for oval faces.
Image via Anthony Harvey/Getty
Raise your hand if you know your face shape (and, subsequently, what kind of haircut or makeup you should wear). If your hand remains firmly planted by your side, you're not alone. Many beauty articles promise the "best haircut for your face shape," which all sounds really encouraging — until you realize that you haven't the foggiest idea of whether your face is a heart or a square or even a hexagon for that matter.
Let's say that we solve that little dilemma right now, shall we? Figuring out your face shape (and, best haircut) is really not that complicated (or scary) -- all you need is a mirror, a steady hand, a critical eye and your basic kindergarten knowledge of fundamental shapes. So, what do you say? Are you ready to unlock the mystery of your face shape once and for all and begin to reap the haircut and makeup benefits that finally knowing it will surely bring? Find out which of the face shapes you have here.
