With sparkling gems,
colorful beads and dazzling metals, shopping for earrings can be addicting. But, if you’ve even gotten a pair of beautiful baubles home only to realize
they look better on the rack than they do on your lobes, you know how
disappointing it can be. You have probably spent a great deal of time
discovering which clothing styles flatter your body type, but have you ever
thought about which earring styles will best complement your face? Earrings
aren’t one-size-fits-all. Your face shape determines which will flatter and
which will fall flat.
Identify Your Face Shape
The hardest part of
finding earrings that work for your face is figuring out what shape your face
is. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify which face shape yours falls
into, especially when the lines are blurred by long hair. To decide which
category yours most closely resembles, try this fun method.
- Smooth your
hair back into a snug ponytail or bun and stand in front of a mirror.
- Grab a tube
of lipstick (go for that shade you thought you’d love but didn’t).
- On the
mirror, use the lipstick to trace the lines and angles of your face.
- Stand back
and look at the shape you created.
Every face is unique, but
most can be described using six basic types. Remember, your face probably won’t
have all the characteristics of any one category. You are just looking for the
best fit.
- Round: Circular
faces are the easiest to identify. In fact, if you have a round face, you
probably didn’t need to use the lipstick method to figure it out. A round
shape usually has full cheeks where the face is the widest. There will be
just a hint of narrowing at the chin and forehead. Round faces are usually
also short, with the ears hitting near the middle. Penelope Cruz and Drew
Barrymore both have this shape.
- Oval: If round faces are the
easiest to identify, ovals are the hardest. If you are looking at your lipstick
drawing at scratching your head, look no further as you have probably found
your match. Oval faces are longer and slightly less curved than rounds faces.
They are roughly the same width from the forehead to the high cheekbones and
then taper gently to the chin. Famous faces with this shape include Charlize
Theron and Beyonce.
- Heart: Sometimes
called an inverted triangle, heart-shaped faces are widest at the
forehead, taper slightly to the cheeks and then dramatically to a narrow
chin. Reese Witherspoon and Scarlet Johansson are both examples of this
look.
- Square: Similar to Selma Hayek and
Gwyneth Paltrow, square faces are almost the same width all the way down and
have a strong jaw line.
- Narrow:
Similar to a square, narrow
face shapes are roughly the same width from the top to the bottom. However,
extra length makes the overall shape appear more like a rectangle. Angelia
Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker both have narrow faces.
- Diamond:
The cheekbones are the most
noticeable feature, and also the widest part, of most diamond-shaped faces. The
forehead and chin are both narrower. Kourtney Kardashian and Jennifer Love
Hewitt both epitomize this shape.
Know Your Earrings
There are literally
thousands of pairs of earrings, by hundreds of designers on the market. Pawing
through them all in hopes of finding one that flatters your face can be
confusing. But, take away all the beads and sparkles and most earrings fall
within just a handful of shapes. Understanding these earring types is the next
big step in choosing a pair that complements your face shape.
- Stud:
The most demure of
earrings, studs feature a post back, sit against the earlobe and are made of a
single ball or design. Don’t think these classic designs are shrinking violets
though. Studs come in a wide variety of sizes, many of which can be striking.
- Drops:
Sometimes referred to as
dangles, drop earrings feature either a post or hook back and hang slightly
below the earlobe.
- Hoops:
The classic circular style
comes in a wide variety of sizes. Small hoops that stay close to the lobe are
often referred to as huggies.
- Long:
Similar to drop styles,
long earrings feature a post or hook back and hang below the earlobe. The
difference is the length, as long earrings often dangle as far down as the
shoulder.
- Chandelier:
The most dramatic of
earrings, chandeliers combine a stud top with a wider drop bottom.
Pair Them Up
Armed with an
understanding of face and earring shapes, it’s time to make a match. Like Romeo
and Juliet and Dirty Dancing, this is a love story in which
opposites attract. The key to choosing earrings that match your face shape is
creating contrast. Soft shapes complement angular faces, while crisp lines
flatter curvy faces.
- Round: Flatter
your face with earrings that elongate your look and minimize your curves.
Look for long, skinny and angular earrings that hang well below the
earlobe. Skip hoops and anything with round accents as they too closely
mimic your natural shape. Also, studs, especially round ones, may not be
your best bet, as they will make your face look shorter.
- Oval:
Congratulations on winning
the earring lottery! Because the proportions of your face are well balanced,
most earring shapes will be flattering. Chandelier and long earrings both look
lovely. Just make sure that don’t dangle too far as the extra length may make
the face look drawn out.
- Heart: Add balance
to by choosing earrings that are wider at the bottom than they are at the
top. Chandelier and teardrop shaped options both bring attention to the
cheeks and jawbone.
- Square:
The idea in selecting
earrings for a square face is to elongate and soften the natural lines. Look
for oversized hoops and drop earrings with round accents. Stick to the middle
ground and avoid anything that is either too skinny or overly wide.
- Narrow:
This angular face shape
calls for a bit of softness. Large, round studs are an excellent choice as they
lead the eye from right to left rather than up and down. In drop earrings, skip
hard edges and rigid lines and choose elongated, soft curves instead.
- Diamond:
Lend a hint of softness to
this angular face shape with hoops and softly curved drops. Just as with
heart-shaped faces, look for options that have weight at the bottom and are
lighter at the top. Stay away from long skinny styles.
|
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| Round |
Oval |
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| Heart |
Square |
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| Narrow |
Diamond |
As with everything else
in fashion, choosing earrings is all about showcasing your best features and
enhancing your natural beauty. Once you understand which basic earring styles
will best flatter your shape you’ll find unlimited pairs to add to your
wardrobe.