If, like me, you have a heart-shaped face, your forehead is relatively wide and you have high prominent cheekbones that taper down to a much narrower chin. Admittedly, when described, it sounds very asymmetrical and kind of peculiar, but let’s remember some of the most beautiful women in the world have heart shaped faces!
Yes, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlet Johansson, Naomi Campbell and Kim Kardashian are just a small handful of beautiful women who have charming heart-shaped faces!
Now, while high cheekbones and a slim jaw are generally considered to be desirable characteristics, all it takes is a makeup faux pas and these features can look overly chiselled. What’s more, since the chin is so much narrower than the forehead, the heart-shape’s obvious lack of symmetry can look especially noticeable if makeup is applied in an uncomplimentary fashion. In fact, the heart-shaped face is one of the most difficult face shapes when it comes to applying flattering makeup altogether!
Luckily, we’re here to show you how to enhance your best features! Makeup for heart shaped faces is easier than you think. Here are 6 tips for a perfect look just for you ladies with a heart shaped face.
#1 Contour
The heart-shaped face is already angular so creating the illusion of high cheekbones or a more chiselled jaw isn’t a priority like it may be for a long or round face. However, since the heart-shape is fullest at the forehead and narrowest at the chin, there’s nothing like a bit of contouring to create the illusion of symmetry! (I love my heart-shaped face, but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t want my forehead a little slimmer and in proportion with my chin.)
Simply apply powder or foundation that is 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone to the top of the forehead and temples. This will create the illusion of a slimmer forehead that is more in proportion to your chin. Be sure to blend well to create natural looking shadows! And make sure to check out our article on contouring like Kim Kardashian, a fellow heart-shaped face.
#2 Highlight
While contouring is used to create shade, highlighting is literally used to ‘highlight’ the areas you want to accentuate. In the case of the heart-shaped face, these areas are the cheekbones and the eyes.
Adding a little concealer or a lighter shade of foundation to the cheekbones will bring them forward and further detract attention from the forehead. Be sure to apply it under the eyes as well to really bring the focus to the center of your face.
Try applying a touch of concealer to the chin and sides of the jawline, too; this will give the illusion that it is broader than it actually is and work to balance the face out a little more.
#3 Groom Your Brows
Shaped and groomed correctly, the eyebrows can also dramatically improve the face’s symmetry – as well as pretty much make or break your entire look!
Since the heart-shape is top heavy, it’s important to keep the brows well-groomed to ensure all eyes aren’t unnecessarily drawn to the forehead. In terms of brow shape, a rounded arch will subtly emphasize the heart-shape yet soften the pointed chin – a winner all round.
#4 Embrace Eye Makeup
To make your eyes the focal point of your face, you can play with dark eyeliner – just remember to blend well for a soft look. Harsh angular lines will not compliment your chiselled chin and cheekbones!
It’s also important to remember that too much eye makeup will just make your eyes look smaller so don’t go overboard with heavy eye makeup; just opt for subtle eyeshadow shades like soft pinks and beiges to make your eyes pop. Why not read my article on makeup to make your eyes look larger for some more tips.
Note that fluttery lashes will also soften the lines of the angular heart-shape, so apply some feathery falsies or add an extra coat of mascara.
#5 Simple Blush
Your cheekbones are already enviably high, so simply sweep a little blush directly under the apples of the cheeks along the bottom of the cheekbones and blend out to the hairline. Use muted delicate pinks to soften the angles of the cheeks, but be careful not to slope the blush downwards as this will only create the illusion of more length in the chin!
#6 Go for Bold Lips
Lucky for us, our heart-shaped faces mean we can get away with beautifully bold lip colors as they actually make the chin appear wider! So have fun with fuchsia pink and fire engine red, just be aware that pairing bright lip colours with bold eye makeup can easily look too much!
Also, try adding a little lip liner on the bottom lip to add extra width to the narrowest part of the chin, but again blend, blend, blend to soften any sharp lines. Also, check out our tips on how to make your lips bigger in a natural way.
You see, who needs Reece Witherspoon’s makeup artist when you yourself can give these simple tips a try at home! A little shading here, highlighting there and a few pops of colour is all you need to enhance the beauty of your gorgeous heart-shaped face!