Earrings are incredibly versatile pieces of jewellery, allowing us to take any outfit to another level. But did you know your face shape and structure can have a big impact on how certain kinds of earrings will look on you? Ideally, you want a pair of earrings that highlight your best features while also looking stylish, which is why considering your face shape is incredibly important.
The right earrings complement your best features, but the wrong earrings can draw attention to the wrong areas. Before you choose your next pair of earrings, it's worth taking the time to look in the mirror and determine what kind of face shape you have.
Generally speaking, there are five main face shapes: round, oval, heart, diamond, and square. Below, we will outline what defines each of these face shapes, share some great tips for choosing the best style of earrings for you, and tell you about some celebrities that share your face shape.
Earrings for a round face shape
A round face shape is what you would expect: faces that are closer to a circle than anything else. If you have a round face shape, then the widest part of your face will be your cheekbones, with a rounded forehead and jaw line. Your nose will be almost perfectly in the centre of your face, with the same distance from the tip of your nose to all sides of your face.
The key thing to bear in mind if you have a round face is to stay away from any jewellery that will make your face seem wider, like circular earrings. Instead, your best bet is to choose long earrings that elongate your face, such as drop earrings or long dangles. Another good bet is to go with square or angular pieces that can balance the roundness and softness of your face.
Celebrity inspiration: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, and Drew Barrymore.
Earrings for an oval face shape
Oval faces are characterised by high foreheads and elongated features, narrowing slightly to a rounded chin. An oval face is longer than it is wide and can be thought of as similar in shape to an egg. But don't take that as a bad thing — the oval shape is actually considered to be the 'best' face shape, especially when it comes to styling your jewellery.
The oval is the most common face shape and allows you to wear just about anything you like. The only things to avoid when it comes to earrings are long tassels or threader earrings that can stretch your face and make it look longer. Shorter earrings offer a more balanced look, and don’t put an emphasis on the length of your face, while oval shapes are always a good choice to match your face.
Celebrity inspiration: Beyoncé, Kate Hudson, Charlize Theron, and Jessica Alba.
Earrings for a heart face shape
The key to a heart-shaped face is a defined, angular chin and wide forehead, often with a defined widow's peak. The forehead will be the widest part of the face, tapering down to the jaw to a defined, almost pointy chin. This is a top-heavy shape, which means any hair, makeup, and accessories should look to highlight the cheek bones and chin to create balance.
In terms of earrings, elongated designs will look very flattering for a heart-shaped face, highlighting and defining your cheekbones while accentuating the jaw line. Another great option to bring some balance to your look is to choose earrings wider at the bottom — almost like teardrops — to create the illusion of a well-proportioned face shape.
Celebrity inspiration: Reese Witherspoon, Cheryl Tweedy, Scarlett Johansson, and Eva Longoria.
Earrings for a square face shape
Square faces are incredibly defined, with a strong, sharp jawline. From the forehand, down to the cheekbones and chin, square-shaped faces won't narrow much. You face will have very few curves, with most of your features sharing a similar width. Squares faces can be as wide as they are long, but they can also be more of a rectangular shape.
The best way to style this face shape is to choose hairstyles, makeup, and accessories that soften the jawline. That means anything with harsh edges should be avoided where possible in favour of hoops and long drop earrings with rounded designs. This help to balance your look and soften the natural lines and angles of your cheeks and jawbone.
Celebrity inspiration: Katie Holmes, Keira Knightley, Angelina Jolie, and Salma Hayek.
Earrings for a diamond face shape
If you've got a diamond-shaped face then your cheekbones will be the widest part of your face, tapering off to a narrower jaw and forehead. The chin will come to a point, similar to a heart-shaped face, however the hairline isn't nearly as wide.
The best way to balance this face shape is to choose hairstyles and jewellery that broaden the forehead and jawline. It's about balancing the angles of your face. Small studs or pearls are a great simple choice. But, for more length, look into teardrops or small hoops that stay close to the ear. Avoid styles that are overly heavy or dangling where possible.
Celebrity inspiration: Serena Williams, Rihanna, Katherine Hepburn, and Jennifer Aniston.
Now that you know your face shape, why not treat yourself to a new pair of earrings? HandT - Shop Online offers a great range to choose from, so we're bound to have something for your style and face shape.
