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.