Grooming:Know your face shape

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Ever noticed how some people’s hairstyles always suit them even when they have their sunglasses or spectacles on. It could be that they have figured out something worth figuring out: the shape of their face.

Ever noticed how some people’s hairstyles always suit them even when they have their sunglasses or spectacles on. It could be that they have figured out something worth figuring out: the shape of their face. Report by Heather R

Since they have discovered this key, they tend to make great choices concerning how they frame their faces and what goes onto it.

This is your face we are talking about, so you really want to put your best “face” forward. Hairstylist and salon owner, Gary Rom, has steps you can take to help you identify the shape of your face.

Pull your hair off your forehead. Measure from where your hairline starts, in the middle of your face to your chin.

If your face seems longer than it is wider, it is more oval. Examples of oval-faced celebrities are Kelly Rowland, Estelle and Kate Beckinsale.

If the face seems wider than it is long, chances are you have a round or square face. Examples are Angela Basset, Ginnifer Goodwin or Kate Bosworth.

If your face tends to be wider and narrower at the jawline, you’re heart-shaped, like Alicia Keys, Brandy or Taraji P Henson

Choosing hair Round – Go for hairstyles that elongate your face in order to balance it out. Wide hairstyles only make your face look like a full moon, therefore you should go for height and length. Though your forehead is wide, you can still go with centre partings because your jawline and forehead are the same width apart. Deep side partings or side-swept fringes suit you well. A regular fringe makes your faces appear even wider, therefore it would be best to steer clear of these.

Square – The strong jawline is your trademark, hence when you are deciding on a hairstyle; choose one that softens the jaw and makes you look more feminine. Avoid poker straight styles, blunt fringes and cuts. If the hair is long, choose loose curls, soft-layered fringe, wispy layers and side-swept fringes. Stay away from solid bobs that end at your jawline, rather go for hairstyles that fall below the jaw because it softens your features while hair that falls above the jaw accentuates your square shape.

Oval – This is considered to be the ideal shape as its features are balanced. Shelene, a hairstylist, says that anything goes. A fringe brings out the eyes while a short crop balances the nose. You can do no wrong with this face shape, so do not be afraid to experiment and try something new. Lucky fish!

Heart – In my opinion, this shape is tricky to work with but once you figure it out, you are well on your way, at least I am now well on my way. As the forehead is significantly wider than the jaw, go for hairstyles that fill out the jawline so that it is proportionate to your forehead. A centre parting is a swear word to me, so is a blunt, solid fringe because the forehead only becomes wider. Hairstyles that sit at the chin or below are best. Shorter ones elongate the shape. I usually go for hairstyles that are bulky around the jaw or just below.

Blusher application and Picking out spectacle frames

Round – Apply blusher at a 45-degree angle towards the hairline to add definition. Square – Apply blusher in small circles focusing on the apple of the cheeks in order to soften the jawline. Long – Apply horizontally to balance out length. Keep the strokes wide so they do not look like war paint. Heart – Sweep upwards towards temples. Think Nike tick.

This week I renewed my spectacles and part of that involved picking out the best frame to enhance my features.

Here are some pointers for those of you that need to choose a frame [the same principles can be applied to sunglasses]: Round – A wide forehead and rounded chin are best suited to rectangular frames. Oval – Once again, this shape has it easy and anything goes. Square – The wide jaw and forehead are best suited by oval or round shapes. Heart – Light oval or square shapes suit this face shape.

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