Diamond Face Shape: How to Tell and What Suits It

How to tell if you have a diamond face shape

1. Your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, by a clear margin.
2. Your forehead is noticeably narrower than your cheekbones.
3. Your jaw is also narrower than your cheekbones.
4. Your chin is defined, often slightly pointed.
5. Your face is longer than it is wide.

A quick mirror test: place your fingertips on your temples, then on your cheekbones. On a diamond face, your fingers move clearly outward. Then check the jaw: your fingers move back in.

Diamond vs heart vs oval

If your forehead is about as wide as your cheekbones, see heart. If your widths step down only gently, see oval. If your face is very long with similar widths, compare with oblong.

To see all seven outlines side by side, with the measurements that separate them, open the face shapes guide.

Hairstyles for a diamond face

The idea is to add width at the forehead and jaw, the two narrower areas, or to show off the cheekbones on purpose.

Short

• A chin-length bob with soft volume at the ends fills out the jaw area.
• A long pixie with a side-swept fringe adds width at the forehead.
• Textured, piecey crops rather than sleek, flat ones.

Medium and long

• Layers that start at the jaw, so volume sits below the cheekbones.
• A lob with waves or a slight flip at the ends.
• Long hair tucked behind the ears highlights cheekbones for an intentionally sculpted look.

Bangs

Bangs are especially useful for diamond faces:

• Side-swept bangs widen a narrow forehead.
• Full, wispy bangs soften the top of the face.
• Curtain bangs that fall at cheekbone length frame without adding width there.

What to think about

Volume exactly at cheekbone level adds more width to the widest part. Very high volume on top with flat sides narrows the forehead further. Neither is wrong; they just emphasize the diamond shape.

Men

Fuller sides and a textured fringe add width at the forehead. Very short, shaved sides make the cheekbones more prominent, which is a strong look if that’s what you want. Medium-length, swept-back styles also suit diamond faces.

By hair type

• Straight hair: chin-length cuts with a slight bend at the ends, and a full or side-swept fringe, add width at the two narrow points.
• Wavy hair: let waves start around the jaw; a middle part with face-framing layers works well.
• Curly and coily hair: natural volume at jaw level is ideal. Shape the cut so curls are fullest from the cheekbones down rather than at the temples.
• Fine hair: a blunt lob with a fringe gives the illusion of thickness and adds width at the forehead.

Glasses for a diamond face

• Oval, rimless and cat-eye frames follow the line of the cheekbones and soften them.
• Frames with detail on the top rim, like browline frames, add width at the brow line.
• Frames about as wide as the cheekbones, or slightly narrower, keep things in proportion.
• Very narrow frames make the cheekbones look even wider, which suits you if you want to play them up.

Eyebrows for a diamond face

Curved brows with a gentle arch soften the angles at the temples. Letting the brows extend slightly longer at the tail adds a little width to the upper face. Very sharp, high peaks accentuate the diamond outline.

Contour and makeup for a diamond face

• Contour lightly just under the cheekbones, keeping it close to the ear so it doesn’t narrow the face further.
• Highlight the center of the forehead and the chin to add presence to the narrower areas.
• Blush on the apples, blended toward the center of the face rather than up the cheekbones, balances width.
• Skip heavy cheekbone highlighter if you’d like balance; use it generously if you want to show off your cheekbones.

Earrings, necklines and hats for a diamond face

• Earrings: studs, small hoops and teardrops that are wider at the bottom fill out the jaw area without adding width at the cheekbones. Very wide statement earrings at cheekbone level add more width there.
• Necklines: sweetheart and scoop necklines soften the defined chin; a crew neck or collared shirt adds structure below it.
• Hats: berets worn slightly to one side and fedoras with a medium brim add width at the forehead. Headbands and wide hair accessories do the same for everyday wear.

Diamond face shape for men

A fuller beard at the chin and jaw adds width to the narrower lower face, balancing prominent cheekbones. A chin strap or a short, full beard both work. Keep the hair a little fuller at the sides. More in the face shapes for men guide.

Myths about diamond faces

• “Diamond faces are rare.” There’s no reliable data. Many people have diamond features without realizing.
• “Diamond and heart are the same.” The forehead is the difference: narrow on a diamond, wide on a heart.
• “You should hide high cheekbones.” You can balance them or play them up; both look great.
• “Only long hair works.” Short cuts with fringes and texture suit diamond faces well.

See how your forehead and jaw compare with your cheekbones in the face shape detector.