What is your face shape? There are numerous face shapes, but many people get confused at the slight differences between diamond and oval shapes, given how similar they are.
But, as we prove in this article, the slight differences between diamond vs oval face shapes are important, as they can influence your styling decisions, including how to wear your hair.
So, join us as we explain how to tell the difference between oval and diamond face shapes and check out some of the best ways to style your hair when you’ve settled on your face type.
Why do you need to know your face shape?
Understanding your face shape can be super helpful when it comes to deciding on the ideal hairstyle. It can also help when choosing sunglasses and making a range of other fashion choices. Knowing your face type can also help you to play with your dimensions and focus on which elements of your face you want to draw attention to.
There are numerous face types, including triangle, square, round, oval, diamond, rectangle, and heart. In this article, we focus on the differences between diamond and oval face shapes, as these are the shapes that tend to be most often confused.
Oval vs. diamond face shape: The key differences
An oval face shape is somewhere between a square and a round face. The cheeks are wide and the forehead is slightly narrow, while the face is longer than it is wide. Most people with oval faces also have a rounded chin, which contrasts with more angular features found in square face types.
A diamond face shape is essentially a more angular version of the oval face, which is why the two shapes are often confused. People with diamond-shaped faces have high cheeks with a slightly narrow and pointed chin. Another distinguishing point is that the hairline tends to be more angular.
Check out the handy comparison table below so you can tell whether you have an oval or diamond-shaped face:
Characteristic | Oval face | Diamond face |
Length | Longer than it is wide | Narrow forehead and a small chin |
Forehead | The forehead’s width is smaller than the width of your cheekbones | The width of the forehead is smaller than the width of your cheekbones |
Cheekbones | The widest part of your face | Significantly wider than your forehead and jawline |
| Jawline | No sharp angles and more of a rounded jawline | A narrow chin that tapers to a strong point |
How to determine the shape of your face?
Still unsure whether you have an oval or diamond-shaped face? Here are some simple steps that will help you determine your face shape before styling your hair:
- Measure your forehead width: Use a ruler or tape measure to discern the width of your forehead at its widest point, measuring from hairline to hairline.
- Measure your cheekbone width: Then, using the same instrument, measure from the hairline above your cheekbone across your face to the same spot on the other side.
- Measure your jawline width: Step three is to measure the width of your jawline. You should start at the base of your jaw beneath your ears and measure to the middle of your chin. You can then multiply this measurement by two to get your full jawline width.
- Measure your face length: Finally, measure from the center of your hairline all the way to the tip of your chin.
Take note of all the measurements and use our handy table above to determine whether you have an oval or diamond face. For instance, if your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you probably have an oval face.
If you don’t fit into either category above, there’s a chance you could have a heart-shaped or even a square face.
Oval vs. diamond face shape men: Is the same process valid?
You can follow the same steps above to discern your face type, whether you’re a man or a woman. However, note that women normally have smaller faces than men, with larger cheeks and chins. This can influence how you measure and determine the shape of your face, but the general characteristics introduced above are still valid.
Best hairdos for oval and diamond-shaped faces
Now you’ve determined which type of face you have – oval vs diamond – use our handy guide below to find some brilliant hairstyles that complement the shape of your face perfectly:
Hairstyle ideas for oval faces
- Short style for oval face type: Ruffled pixie
- Medium style for oval face type: Choppy long bob
- Long style for oval face type: Extra long curly locks
Hairstyle ideas for diamond faces
- Short style for diamond face type: Piecey pixie
- Medium style for diamond face type: Chic bob with side-swept bangs (Read the best bangs for women with diamond-shaped face.)
- Long style for diamond face type: Retro beachy waves
Final words
As you now know, there are subtle differences between diamond vs oval face shapes and understanding this should help you determine which type of face you have. This knowledge can then help you style your hair in a way that flatters your facial features, and you can also make styling and makeup decisions that bring out your best facial features. To help you style your hair, you can pick up hair dryers from our Laifen US official store with big discounts and no shipping fee.
