Cheekbones first
Diamond face shape
The width sits in the middle of the face.
A diamond face is widest at the cheekbones. The forehead is narrower than the cheeks, the jaw tapers to a defined chin, and the cheekbones sit high and often look prominent. The result is a face with a clear center of gravity.
Styling usually works by softening the cheekbone width and adding a little width at the forehead or jaw. The cheekbones are the feature to show, not to flatten, so the aim is balance rather than coverage.
At a glance
The width sits in the middle of the face.
- Length to cheekbone width
- About 1.3 to 1.5
- Forehead to cheekbone
- About 0.8 to 0.9
- Jaw to cheekbone
- About 0.76 to 0.9
- Jawline at the chin
- A narrow to medium angle
Recognize it
What makes a diamond face
- The cheekbones are the widest point, clearly wider than the forehead.
- The forehead is narrow, sometimes with a tapered hairline.
- The jaw tapers toward a defined chin.
- Cheekbones look high and are often the first feature people notice.
How the measurement works
The diamond rule needs two conditions: a forehead no more than about 90 percent of the cheekbone width, and a jaw no wider than about 90 percent, on a face longer than it is round. That combination of narrow top and narrow bottom with wide cheeks is what makes a diamond different from a heart.
Hair at the jaw and forehead
A chin-length bob, a lob with layers at the jaw, or side-swept bangs add width at the top and bottom of the face. Styles that are tight at the temples and wide at the cheekbone repeat the diamond exactly. If you wear your hair up, leave a few soft pieces at the temples and the jaw rather than pulling everything back.
Frames that follow the brow
Cat-eye and browline frames add width at the top of the face, where a diamond is narrow. Oval and rimless frames soften the cheekbone line. Very narrow frames can make the cheekbones look wider by comparison, so choose something with a little height and a strong upper line.
Styling
Pages for a diamond face
- Haircuts for womenLengths, layers and bangs chosen for the proportions of each shape.
- Haircuts for menFades, crops and longer cuts, with the volume placed where it balances the face.
- GlassesFrame shapes that contrast with the face, plus the widths that fit.
- EyebrowsArch height, thickness and tail length for each set of proportions.
- BeardsWhere to add or remove weight along the jaw, cheek line and chin.
Questions
Diamond face questions
How do I tell a diamond face from a heart face?
Find the widest point. If it is the forehead, the face is a heart. If it is the cheekbones, it is a diamond. Both can have a narrow jaw and a defined chin.
Do diamond faces suit bangs?
Yes. Side-swept or curtain bangs add width at the forehead, which balances prominent cheekbones. Heavy blunt bangs can work too, but keep them from sitting exactly on the widest part of the cheek.
Which glasses suit a diamond face?
Cat-eye, browline, oval and rimless frames. Look for a frame that is a little wider than the cheekbones, with a strong top line to add width at the forehead.
Should a diamond face wear hair up or down?
Both work. If you wear it up, leave soft pieces at the temples and jaw. A tight pull-back with no width at the top makes the cheekbones look even wider.
Which beard shape suits a diamond face?
A full beard that adds width at the jaw, kept neat at the cheek line. A long, narrow goatee lengthens the chin and makes the cheekbones look wider.