Every bride wants to look her absolute best on her wedding day, and one of the key factors in achieving a stunning bridal look is choosing the right hair and makeup style for your face shape. Just like your wedding dress should complement your body type, your hair and makeup should enhance your natural features and bring out the best in your unique face shape.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the different face shapes and the bridal hair and makeup styles that work best for each, so you can shine with confidence as you walk down the aisle.
Understanding Your Face Shape
Before diving into the styles, it’s important to determine your face shape. Here are the most common face shapes and their defining features:
- Oval Face: Balanced proportions, slightly wider cheekbones, and a gently rounded chin.
- Round Face: Full cheeks, a rounded jawline, and similar width and length.
- Square Face: Strong jawline, wide forehead, and square chin.
- Heart Face: Wider forehead, high cheekbones, and a narrow, pointed chin.
- Rectangle (or Long) Face: Long and narrow with a strong jawline and high forehead.
- Diamond Face: Narrow forehead and jawline with wide, high cheekbones.
Bridal Hair and Makeup for Oval Faces
Oval faces are considered the most versatile because of their balanced proportions, allowing for a wide range of styles.
- Hair: Loose waves, elegant updos, or half-up styles work beautifully. Consider styles with volume on the sides to enhance your natural symmetry.
- Makeup: You can play with different looks, from bold lips to dramatic eyes. Highlight your cheekbones and add a soft contour to define your face.
- Veil and Accessories: Almost any veil style will complement an oval face, from long cathedral veils to chic birdcage styles.
Bridal Hair and Makeup for Round Faces
Round faces benefit from styles that add height and structure, creating the illusion of length.
- Hair: Try high buns, sleek ponytails, or side-swept waves to elongate your face. Loose, face-framing layers also work well.
- Makeup: Use contouring to add definition to your cheekbones and jawline. Focus on lengthening the eyes with winged liner or smokey eyes.
- Veil and Accessories: Opt for veils with volume on top to add height, like a bouffant or birdcage style.
Bridal Hair and Makeup for Square Faces
Square faces have strong jawlines, so soft, romantic styles help balance this shape.
- Hair: Choose styles with soft curls, loose waves, or romantic updos that add volume around the crown. Side parts can also soften your features.
- Makeup: Soften your jawline with gentle contouring and choose blush to add a natural flush. A bold lip can draw attention upward.
- Veil and Accessories: Veils with rounded edges or flowing fabric help soften the jawline.
Bridal Hair and Makeup for Heart Faces
Heart-shaped faces are widest at the forehead and narrow at the chin, so the goal is to balance these proportions.
- Hair: Soft curls, side-swept styles, and chin-length bobs work well. Avoid adding too much volume at the crown.
- Makeup: Highlight your cheekbones and add warmth to the lower half of your face with bronzer. Focus on soft, blended eye makeup.
- Veil and Accessories: Elbow-length or fingertip veils add balance, while side combs and floral headpieces can complement this shape beautifully.
Bridal Hair and Makeup for Rectangle (or Long) Faces
Long faces benefit from styles that add width and reduce the appearance of length.
- Hair: Choose styles with volume on the sides, like bouncy curls, soft waves, or layered cuts. Side parts also work well.
- Makeup: Focus on adding width with horizontal contouring and blush placement. Opt for full, defined brows to draw attention upward.
- Veil and Accessories: Wide, layered veils or veils with lace and embellishments help add width.
Bridal Hair and Makeup for Diamond Faces
Diamond faces have high, wide cheekbones with a narrow forehead and jawline, so the goal is to soften these angles.
- Hair: Styles that add volume at the crown and soften the cheekbones are ideal. Try side-swept styles or loose, cascading curls.
- Makeup: Use highlighter to enhance your cheekbones and keep the lips soft to balance the strong bone structure.
- Veil and Accessories: Veils with volume near the jawline and soft, flowing designs work beautifully.
General Tips for All Face Shapes
- Consult a Professional: Schedule a bridal trial to experiment with different looks and find what suits you best.
- Consider Your Dress Neckline: Your hairstyle should complement the neckline of your dress. For example, updos work well with high necks, while loose styles suit off-the-shoulder gowns.
- Think About Your Theme: Beach waves for a beach wedding, sleek buns for a modern affair, and vintage curls for a classic look.
- Stay True to Yourself: Choose a look that makes you feel beautiful and confident, not just what’s trending.
Final Thoughts
Your bridal hair and makeup should enhance your natural beauty and make you feel like the best version of yourself on your wedding day. Understanding your face shape is the first step in creating a look that’s perfectly suited to you.
If you’re looking for a professional makeup artist who can bring out your best features, I’d love to work with you. Contact me today to book your consultation and let’s create a look that’s uniquely you!
