Ever tried on a pair of earrings that looked lovely in the box but not quite right on you? Often it comes down to face shape. The right earrings can soften angles, add width or length, and draw attention to your best features, such as your cheekbones, your eyes or your smile.
There are no strict rules, and the best earrings are always the ones you love wearing. But if you'd like a few pointers, this guide explains how to find your face shape and which styles tend to flatter it most.
How to find your face shape
Pull your hair back, stand in front of a mirror and look at three things:
- Length versus width: Is your face noticeably longer than it is wide, or about the same?
- The widest point: Is it your forehead, your cheekbones or your jaw?
- Your jawline: Is it rounded and soft, or angular and defined?
Then match what you see to the closest shape below. Many people are a mix of two shapes, so read both and take the tips that feel right.
Round face
About as wide as it is long, with full cheeks and a soft, rounded jaw.
The goal: add length and a little definition.
- Choose: drop and dangle earrings that fall below the jaw, teardrops, and shapes with clean lines or angles.
- Go easy on: large round hoops and big round studs, which can echo the roundness of the face.
Try: Joni Silver Drop Earrings, with a tear-shaped CZ that lengthens beautifully; Inge Silver Tanzanite Earrings, a slim chain of stones ending in a pearl; or the square-cut Idola Silver Earrings, which add a crisp angle.
Oval face
Longer than it is wide, with gently rounded features and a jaw slightly narrower than the cheekbones.
The goal: enjoy it! Oval faces are balanced, so almost any style works.
- Choose: anything from classic studs to statement hoops. Let the outfit and occasion decide.
- Go easy on: very long, very narrow drops, which can make the face look longer.
Try: everyday Lana 25mm Hoops, classic Mac Pearl Studs, or party-ready Saga Large Hoops.
Square face
Broad forehead and a strong, angular jawline, with width and length fairly similar.
The goal: soften the angles with curves.
- Choose: hoops, huggies, round or oval shapes, and softly curved drops.
- Go easy on: square and geometric shapes that sit at jaw level, which can echo the jawline.
Try: Katell Hoop Earrings, North Star Huggie Hoops, or the softly rounded pearl drop of the Indy Silver Earrings.
Heart-shaped face
Wider forehead and cheekbones, narrowing to a delicate, often pointed chin.
The goal: add a little width at the jaw to balance a wider forehead.
- Choose: earrings that are wider at the bottom than the top, such as teardrops, pearl drops and chandelier styles.
- Go easy on: earrings that are wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, such as inverted triangles.
Try: Joni Silver Drop Earrings, Indy Silver Earrings, or the North Star French Wire Earrings.
Long (oblong) face
Noticeably longer than it is wide, with a long, straight cheek line.
The goal: add width rather than length.
- Choose: studs, huggies, small to medium hoops, and round button earrings that sit on the lobe.
- Go easy on: long, narrow drops that pull the eye downwards.
Try: Mac 10 Pearl Studs, neat Keely 12mm Hoops, or the Bibi 12mm Pearl Clip-Ons if you don't have pierced ears.
Diamond face
Narrow forehead and narrow jaw, with wide, high cheekbones as the widest point.
The goal: show off the cheekbones while softening the narrow chin.
- Choose: studs that highlight the cheekbones, teardrops, and styles that are fuller at the bottom.
- Go easy on: very sharp, narrow shapes that emphasise a pointed chin.
Try: Maxine Silver Drop Earrings, Mac 12 Pearl Studs, or Lana 25mm Silver Hoops.
Quick guide
| Face shape | Most flattering | Go easy on |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Drops, teardrops, angular shapes | Large round hoops and studs |
| Oval | Almost anything | Very long, narrow drops |
| Square | Hoops, huggies, curved drops | Square and geometric shapes |
| Heart | Teardrops, pearl drops, chandeliers | Styles wide at the top |
| Long | Studs, huggies, small hoops, buttons | Long, narrow drops |
| Diamond | Studs, teardrops, fuller-bottomed styles | Sharp, narrow shapes |
Beyond face shape
Face shape is a helpful starting point, but a few other things matter too:
- Hairstyle: Hair up shows off drops and statement styles. With hair down, larger hoops and drops stay visible, while small studs can disappear.
- Neckline: Polo necks and high necklines suit studs and huggies. Open necklines leave room for longer drops.
- Gold or silver: Gold tones tend to flatter warm skin tones, and silver tones flatter cool ones. Our silver-tone pieces have a bright rhodium finish. Find out more about rhodium plating.
- No piercings? Every shape above comes in clip-on form. Browse our gold clip-on and silver clip-on earrings.
Most of all, wear what makes you feel good. Explore our full ranges of silver earrings, gold earrings and hoops, all with free UK delivery and returns.