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
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Face Shapes: Makeup for Oval Faces
Makeup mission: To make the middle of your face appear a bit wider or make cheeks appear more prominent
Makeup dos: Oval-faced women like Eva Mendes should define their eyes and lips and, according to makeup artist Nick Barose, try a "rosy or bronzy blush that goes horizontal across the cheeks," to help reduce the length of your face slightly.
Makeup don't: Refrain from wearing too much blush on your cheekbones, you don't want them to dominate your entire face.
Next: Tips for diamond-shaped faces.
Image via Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty
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Face Shapes: Hairstyles for Diamond Faces
Diamond shape attributes: Small chin and forehead, prominent cheekbones and narrow appearance (Editor's note: Concerned that you never see "diamond" shape listed in other articles? Don't freak. You can follow "oval" advice since your face is most closely related to that shape.)
Hairstyles that work: Like oval faces, most any style works with a diamond-shaped face, but long, sweeping bangs like Ashley Greene's work well to offset any harsh angles.
Hairstyles to avoid: Stay away from any style that has volume on the sides or on the top -- this will only serve to make your face seem longer.
Next: Makeup tips for diamond-shaped faces.
Image via Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty
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Face Shapes: Makeup for Diamond Faces
Makeup mission: To make your face seem more evenly proportioned.
Makeup dos: To make your face seem less long, apply blush or bronzer above your brow bones and under the tip of your chin. Also, pale lips, as seen on Nicole Kidman, will help to add some width to your face.
Makeup don't: Avoid contouring your cheekbones with blush applied in straight lines underneath them. Swirl color onto the apples of your cheeks instead to help round out your face.
Next: Tips for rectangle/oblong-shaped faces.
Image via Scott Barbour/Getty
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Face Shapes: Hairstyles for Rectangle/Oblong Faces
Rectangle attributes: Long and thin, pointy chin, angular features and high forehead. (Editor's note: Concerned that you never see "rectangle" or "oblong" shape listed in other articles? Don't freak. You can follow "oval" advice since your face is most closely related to that shape.)
Hairstyles that work: Long, brow-skimming bangs like and chin-length bobs or layers, as shown on Liv Tyler, work well on rectangular faces because they give the illusion of width.
Hairstyles to avoid: Styles that rely on a middle part or that add height, are not suited to rectangular faces.
Next: Makeup tips for rectangle/oblong faces.
Image via Dave J Hogan/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.
