What jewelry should I wear for my face shape?

In the same way that a great haircut can really highlight your features, selecting the right jewelry can have the same effect and be complimentary to your face shape.

This blog is based on a segment I did for Breakfast Television on City TV. To see the quick 4 minute segment, click on the BT Calgary logo.

The first step is to know your face shape.

There are many different methods of finding this out : You can be very specific and get into measuring your face or tracing your face while looking in a mirror (click here for a link to Wiki on the steps), or you can print our a picture of yourself and outline your face with a thick marker. However, many of us aren't a "true" shape, rather we could be a combination of two, and it could be difficult to find one category that we fit exactly. In this case, knowing your features is all you really need.

For example, look in the mirror with your hair pulled back and see where is the widest part of your face, where is the most narrow spot, or if your face is symmetrical then you likely have a round or square face. Below, I will go through the different face shapes and point out some characteristics of each shape. From this you will be able to tell which category you fall under.

Remember that these are not rules, they're simply guidelines. These tips are simply tools that you can use while you are getting ready in the day or as you shop for new jewelry. To me, rules are very restrictive and personally, rules and I don't mesh well together. The most important thing is that you feel beautiful and confident, and that your personal style shines.

Oval and Diamond Face Shape

These face shapes are slightly longer than they are wide. Oval face shapes have a rounded hairline and jaw. Diamond face shapes have a narrow chin and forehead, and the cheekbones are widest part of the face.

Being that Oval and Diamond face shapes are already long, wearing long necklaces and earrings will only accentuate the length. Instead, opt for shorter necklaces that can add width- wide curves, rectangle pendants and collars are great options. For earrings, short to mid length dangles are great, but anything that falls at your jaw or below with make your face appear longer than it is. Oval face shapes look great with ear climbers, jackets or studs because they add some detail and width and the middle of your face, creating an illusion of a wider face.

Triangle and Square Face Shapes

Both of these face shapes have a nice strong jawline. A square face shape has an equal distance from the forehead, cheekbones and jawline, whereas a triangle shape gets quite narrow at the hairline.

To balance a strong jaw, adding length with long necklaces and earrings is perfect! With linear jewelry, you are drawing the eye up and down and creating a longer look. Long necklaces with eye-catching pendants are a great choice, and long, linear earrings are also a good option. You may also want to try earrings that are rounded at the bottom and hit at, or below, the jawline to add some curves and balance a square jaw.

Oblong and Rectangle Face Shapes

Similar to Oval, a rectangle and oblong face shape is has more length than width. However, a rectangle and oblong face shapes have even more length. Rectangle shapes have a square hairline or forehead and jaw, whereas oblong shape have a rounded hairline and narrow chin. (This image from Byrdie is titled "Rectangular" but I feel like that was a typo because it looks quite oblong to me...but I could be wrong.)

Thanks to the great lengths to these face shapes, the jewelry that is more complimentary are styles that add width (just like oval shapes!). Short necklaces that have a wide curve, circular pendants are also great, and short earring such as studs, climbers or jackets. Another earring option are chandelier styles or teardrop shapes.

Round Face Shapes

 Round is fairly straight forward, and it seems like people with a round face, know it. If you have nice round cheeks, rounded jaw and hairline, you have a round face shape!

To balance the curves of a round face, looking for jewelry with geometric shapes or necklaces that create a "V" or "Y" shape are very complimentary. Lariats (either short or long), long necklaces that create a "V" shape, or layering long necklaces. Linear style earrings, or earrings that are nice and long can create the appearance of a longer face shape.

Inverted Triangle or Heart Face Shapes

If you have a nice narrow chin and your face widens towards the hairline, you have a Heart or Inverted Triangle face shape. The difference between these two shapes is that a heart shape has a rounded hairline and perhaps a widows peak, while an inverted triangle shape has a more squared off hairline.

With this shape we want to balance the narrow chin by adding width at the jawline with wide earrings, as well as at the base of the neck with shorter necklaces. Earrings that are a teardrop shape are perfect, or chandelier styles, or anything with nice round edges. Collar necklaces, short statement pieces or bold curves are really nice options for this face shape.

Play around with different styles of jewelry and see what you like the best. Again- it's not about rules, it's about feeling your best.

If you want to learn more about accessorizing, click here to read about what jewelry works best for your body type.

If you have any questions, or would like help selecting jewelry that works well with your face shape, or body type, don't hesitate to send me an email. I love working with my clients to find jewelry that they love, and doing consults or personal styling is what I love! It's win-win!

All face shape images are from Byrdie- an amazing resource for all things beauty related.

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If you have ever wondered what jewelry would compliment your body type the best, this post is for you!

What type of jewelry should I wear
for my body type?

Just like the clothes we wear and the haircut we have, there are certain styles of jewelry that can either highlight our favorite features, or distract from our least favorite.

But let me start out by saying this, I am a firm believer that if you love it, wear it! Even if it goes against some of these guidelines, you should choose what to wear because you love it, not because some blog said that it isn't "best" for your frame. Anything I write is simply a suggestion or proposal, not a set in stone rule. Keep these tips in mind as you select the jewelry you wear, or as you shop for new items. The goal is to give you guidance towards feeling beautiful and confident when you look in the mirror after getting dresses.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if a style you love isn't mentioned here as complimentary for you, it doesn't mean that it won't work. Try it out and see how you feel.

Complimenting Your Body Shape

Jewelry can bring attention to or take attention away from certain parts of your body. For features you want to highlight, you can wear bold pieces, layer up, or wear jewelry that falls in or around that area. On the other end of the spectrum, for features you would like to distract from, keep the jewelry around those areas light and sparse.

Art Deco(lletage)

If you want to bring attention to your décolletage, a chunky, bold, or short layered necklaces will do the trick. Also wear these items if you want to distract from your hips.

Long and Lean

If you feel that you have a rounder shape, choosing long pieces of jewelry (earrings and necklaces) will create a slimming effect. Also layering up on long necklaces is a great trick! Think: Long & Lean.

If you want to lengthen your torso and appear taller, "V" or "Y" shape necklaces will do the trick (this includes lariats and bolo styles).

Did you say pimple?!

If you wake up with a pimple, distract from your face by wearing simple stud earrings and a long eye-catching necklace and/or a large pendant, or you could layer up with bracelets and rings.

Feeling Handsy

If you aren't fond of your hands, believe it or not, a chunky bracelet will draw the eye away from your hands and to the wrist. Wearing heavy, bold bracelets are a good pairing for smaller hands, whereas if you feel that your hands are on the larger side, opt for lots of small bracelets and a watch.

Busting Out

If you have a larger bust and want to guide attention elsewhere, steer away from necklaces that fall right on your chest and pendants that get lost in your cleavage. Eye-catching earrings are a great option, as are chokers and very short necklaces.

Swallowed Up

If you are petite, try avoiding very chunky, short necklaces as can swallow you up. Instead, opt for necklace lengths that fall between the chest and the waist to make you look taller. 

To learn more about how to accessorize, read my post on What Jewelry To Wear For Your Face Shape.

If you have further questions or comments, feel free to comment below or send me an email!

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