FACE IT: PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES

OVAL Kate Winslet

Oval faces have a narrow forehead and jaw and are widest at the cheekbones. A study from Carnegie Mellon and Princeton universities found that people assume those with oval-shaped faces are extroverted and outgoing. In the same study, facial characteristics usually found on oval face shapes – prominent cheekbones and high eyebrows – were associated with friendliness and honesty.

SQUARE Tom Cruise

Square faces are angular with a wide forehead and jaw. Researchers from the University of New South Wales analysed over 17,000 faces and found that squarer faces are perceived to be more aggressive, possibly because they’re seen as an indicator of physical strength. “Young men have a more square face shape than women, so it could be that we associate square faces with more aggressive characteristics, even though that’s inaccurate,” says Debruine.

ROUND Ed Sheeran

We assume those with round faces are more approachable and warmer than those with narrow or angular faces. “There’s been a lot of research into “baby faces”; we perceive younger-looking faces to be less dominant,” says Debruine. A 2002 study in the journal Political Psycholog y found that politicians with more baby-like features were regarded as more honest – but were also assumed to be less competent.

HEART Naomi Campbell

Heart shaped faces have a wider forehead, prominent cheekbones and a narrow chin. And if you have one, you’re in luck – they are the most “mathematically beautiful” faces, according to one study. Scientists at the Temple University in Philadelphia analysed the most desirable facial proportions in 2017 and found that having cheekbones as wide as your eyebrows is the most “harmonious, balanced and attractive” of all face shapes.