The sheer power of the perfect pair of earrings cannot be denied. What is sometimes overlooked as a ubiquitous accessory can actually be THE essential component to an outfit’s success. It’s true.
So, what needs to be considered when choosing earrings? They need to match your wardrobe, right? You probably have a particular outfit in mind when you purchase a pair of earrings. Or you’re thinking ahead, planning to buy a new outfit to match them with. Overall, the earrings should complement your personal style, but that one is probably a given since you can usually tell right away whether they fit your aesthetic.
Maybe one of the things not often considered when purchasing earrings is face shape. Did you know that certain earring designs blend better with different kinds of faces. It may seem strange but it’s kind of like the fact that wearing clothes with vertical lines create a slimming effect. That said, if you want to truly maximize your earring power, you should shop with the shape of your face in mind.
If you’ve never considered this before, we’ve put together a handy guide to help with your shopping. But first, let’s start by identifying the shape of your face. If you don’t already know, there’s an easy way to find out using your bathroom mirror and an old lipstick, a wax pencil, or a bar of soap. Simply pull all your hair back and look into the mirror, standing about a foot away. Now, trace around the outline of your face using the lipstick, wax pencil, or soap. That should identify the basic shape of your face so you can connect it to the examples below.
Here are some of the most typical face shapes:
Table of Contents
Oval Face
People with an oval-shaped face have the advantage of versatility. Most any style earrings will look good with an oval face, from simple studs to more abstract designs.
Round Face
People with a round-shaped face can draw out their countenance with straight, dangling earrings. This gives the perception of drawing the face down to create a stunning look.
Square Face
People with square-shaped faces can balance their features by choosing earrings with rounded edges. Medium to large size earrings work best, especially hoop style.
Long or Narrow Face
People with long or narrow faces can expand the width of their face by wearing earrings with a fuller design. Clustered earrings or ones with a lot of volume work nicely, as do more attention-grabbing earrings that draw eyes across your face horizontally.
Heart Face
People whose faces are shaped like a heart are ideal candidates for teardrop-shaped and chandelier earrings. This type of design perfectly fills out the narrower parts of the face and balances proportions.
Diamond Face
People with diamond-shaped faces usually have prominent cheek bones and chins that narrow. Hoop earrings or long, curved drop earrings go a long way in adding an overall softness to their features, including soften the sharpness of the jawline.
Oblong Face
Just like people with narrow faces, people with oblong faces should wear earrings that lend more roundness to their visage. Stud earrings work well, especially pearl and diamond studs. Medium-sized hoops also have the same effect.
Triangle Face
People with triangle-shaped faces have a narrower forehead but broader jaw. Choosing long, narrow earrings will de-emphasize the width of the jaw. Chandelier earrings are ideal for this face shape.
Inverted Triangle Face
People with inverted triangle-shaped faces have a broader forehead and a pointed chin. Wearing earrings with the opposite shape, such as teardrop earrings, will open up the jawline more and create a balance along the horizontal line of the brow.
If there is one general rule for matching earrings with your face, it’s to with picking pairs that are shaped opposite of your countenance, then work from there. This helps balance out the composition of your face in a way that is subtle but very effective. We hope today’s fashion guide has been helpful for you. Please comment to share your favorite tips.
How to Choose the Best Earrings to Complement the Shape of Your Face by The Bradford Exchange