When it comes to making a fashion statement, the aim should always be to dress in a way that makes you feel fantastic. It's also lovely to get compliments on how wonderful YOU look and not just whether your dress, earrings, shoes etc. are fantastic.
When it comes to statement earrings, the best way to create an impact is to ensure that you choose earring styles that suit your face shape and features.
We are not going to pretend this is overly scientific – a bit of common sense goes a long way. Apparently, there are up to nine different face types – but we are going to stick to the six common ones. Also it’s important to note, that some styles of statement earrings suit a number of face shapes, so with these few tips it will be easy to find those earrings that flatter you most.
The six common face shapes are Diamond, Oval, Round, Long, Heart and Square. These shapes are determined by the measurements and shape of your face from your hairline to your chin. A simple way to have a good look at your face shape is to pull your hair back in a ponytail (or slick it back) so that your hairstyle doesn’t distort your perspective. Ask yourself what is the rough ratio of your face length to width? Are your features, including your hairline, sharp or rounded? Where is your face widest and where is it thinnest?
By answering these questions and using the guide below, you can figure out your face shape by its defining features. Once you understand this, it’s easy to see how different earring styles and shapes can balance and complement your face.
One of the rarest and most captivating face shapes is the Diamond face shape. Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood’s ultimate beauties is a classic example. If you have a diamond face shape, your forehead and chin are narrow and elongated and your face is characterised by well-defined cheekbones.
To balance your refined jawline and forehead, choose statement earrings that highlight your cheekbones and follow the shape of your face. Drop earrings including diamond shaped drop earrings will look wonderful on you.
Earrings that are overly wide at the top or around the ear can over-emphasise the width of your face.
Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Deitrich, Kate Hudson, Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez.
This is considered one of the most versatile and beautiful face shapes. Based on the mathematical ratio that frequently occurs in nature of 1.618:1, this is when the length of your face is just over one and a half times the width. Typically, if you have an oval face shape, you have smaller features, a rounded hairline, high cheekbones and a soft, slightly wide chin.
If you are lucky enough to have this face shape, you can wear almost any type of earrings. Just choose your style depending on your outfit and mood.
Lucky you, No! Your biggest challenge will be choosing what to wear.
Joan Crawford, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Rose Byrne, Anne Hathaway and Beyonce.
As the name suggests, this is when the length and width of your face are almost equal, your features are balanced, and your hairline and chin are soft and rounded. The wonderful thing about this face shape, is that due to its proportions and seeming “plumpness”, it tends to age well.
To maximise your youthful appearance, choose long styles which not only create a sense of vibrancy, but which also elongate your face.
It is best to avoid chunky circular earrings. If you do choose more rounded earrings, make sure they have sufficient sparkle and texture to lighten your look (like these ones that Jean Simmons is wearing).
Ingrid Bergman and her equally elegant daughter Isabella Rosselini, Jean Simmons, Miranda Kerr and Emma Stone.
Those with a long or “oblong” shape face often have a regal presence and some of our most well-known fashion icons such as Amal Clooney and Giselle Bündchen have this face shape. If this is your face shape, your face will have a long, slender appearance with similar measurements across the forehead, cheekbones and chin. In many ways, you share similarities with the oval face shape but with flatter sides.
By adding more weight and body around your eyes, cheeks and ears, your face will appear more oval and balanced. For drop earrings, choose rounded or wide earrings. Unusually, studs can also work well to make a statement as they create an area of focus where you need the most width.
Long thin earrings will elongate your face further, so it is best to avoid styles that are narrow and sharp.
Joan Crawford, Amal Clooney, Giselle Bündchen, Kate Beckinsdale, Sarah Jessica Parker.
A heart shape face is a face to fall in love with (yes, we are talking Marilyn Monroe and Scarlett Johansson). If you have this type of face shape, your face will be wider at the forehead and then narrow to the chin. The heart shape is then defined by a V shaped jaw and a rounded hairline which is likely to have a widow’s peak.
With such distinctive features, choose earrings that highlight the lower part of your face and provide balance to your forehead. Teardrop earrings, or earrings that have more width at the bottom flatter this romantic face shape beautifully.
Inverted triangle shaped earrings will over emphasise the shape of your chin, so think love and avoid daggers!
Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Kylie Minogue.
Those with square faces tend to have a strong, dignified presence, even if they are petite. Similar to a round face, if you have a square face, the width of your face and the length are almost equal. Additionally, your features tend to be angular, with the width of your forehead almost equal to your chin and a straight hairline.
With striking features (think Audrey Hepburn) you can carry off equally striking earrings. Choose earrings that are medium or long in length and which ideally create some softness through movement.
It is best to avoid overly "blocky", square shapes. Note how Audrey Hepburn’s earrings although square, have soft round corners, so they nicely complement her features rather than emphasise any sharpness.
Audrey Hepburn, Helena Bonham Carter, Lucy Liu, Sandra Bullock and Margot Robbie.
We hope this guide has helped give you a little more confidence when choosing statement earrings.
And remember, the key thing when considering earrings and statement jewellery in general, is to choose styles that bring out the best in you, not pieces that overshadow you. After all, we all love compliments, but the number one aim is to feel fabulous in yourself.