Earrings are a popular piece of jewelry and it is essential to choose the right styles for your face shape. Wearing the right earrings will help to flatter and define your features.
To determine your face shape, start by pulling your hair away from your forehead with a hair band, stand in front of a mirror and trace the outline of your face with a soap bar or lipstick onto the mirror. Check your face shape against those listed below. Each one is outlined with their defining features and some celebrity examples to help you work out which shape you belong to. If you’re having difficulty working out which face shape you have, just ask a friend for some help.
Oval Face
Features: Forehead is wider than the chin, with a gently rounded hair line. Length is approximately equal to one and a half times width. Celebrities: Kate Hudson, Charlize Theron, Beyonce Knowles, Jessica Alba Best Suit: Soft shapes such as pearls, teardrops, ovals and studs work the best. Oval faces are very versatile and can wear pretty much anything. Just experiment with all styles to see which ones you prefer.
Round Face Features: Circular shape which is as is as wide as it is long. Characterised by a round chin. Celebrities: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Drew Barrymore Best Suit: Long, lean and angular curvy lines to elongate the round face. Drop earrings in oblongs, ovals and dangles work best. Bold angular stud earrings can also look great. Avoid: Large, chunky earrings. And steer clear of hoops and small studs.
Heart Shaped Face
Features: Narrow at jawline, wide at cheekbones and/or forehead. Similar to the oval face shape, but is narrower below the cheekbones to give a more pointed chin. Celebrities: Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Sohie Dahl Best Suit: Earrings that are wider at the bottom than at the top. Go for earrings with soft curves such as tear drops or ovals. Pyramid style earrings can also work well as they are wider at the bottom. Avoid: Heart shaped earrings and those that come to a point at the bottom.
Square Face
Features: Strong and broad forehead with angular jaw and a square hair line. Celebrities: Katie Holmes, Demi Moore, Gyneth Paltrow, Geena Davis, Salma Hayek Best Suit: Angular, rounded edges which will soften a square face. Medium to long styles are best and hoops look amazing. Avoid: Large, angular styles as these can make your face appear wider.
Oblong Face
Features: Similar to the square face, but an oblong face is longer than it is wide Celebrities: Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Terri Hatcher, Angelina Jolie Best Suit: Statement chandelier styles with lots of volume. Simple studs also work well as they draw the eyes horizontally. Avoid: Long and angular earrings that mirror your face shape.
Diamond Face
Features: Strong and broad forehead with angular jaw and a square hair line. Widest at the cheeks and narrow at the chin and the forehead. Celebrities: Katherine Hepburn, Linda Evangelista, Sophia Loren Best Suit: Earrings with more width than length, a combination of straight lines and curves are great. Studs also look good on diamond shape faces as do small drops. Avoid: Diamond shape earrings and angular squares.
Remember to match the style and color of your earrings to your outfit and to the occasion. Be comfortable in what you wear and your elegance will shine through. By Anna Lee