When shopping at your favorite store or online, how many of you just go for the earring with a style you like rather than thinking about how it would look on your face?

Some of us prefer hoops, others studs, and others prefer a drop down earring. I recently started creating earrings for my online accessory business, Laura Grove Design and noticed how trivial details, such as the way different earring lengths and styles can flatter or distract from your face type, have helped in the success of my sales.

Just as every woman should know her specific body type in order to properly dress for it, she should all know her face type in order to properly flatter it. There are six categories for face type, which are: Round or Circular, Oval, Heart, Diamond, Square and Rectangle. 

Round or circular faces are about as wide as they are long. The perfect earrings for this shape are long and structured ones, such as simple, all metal drop-downs. Chandelier earrings also frame this shape nicely because of their structure. This shape should avoid earrings that loosely dangle, which provide no structure, as well as small studs and hoops. The shape of the hoops accentuates your round face, making it appear rounder, while small studs do not provide any variation. Also avoid styles with too much volume, which will compete with your round face.

Oval shapes are faces in which the forehead is the same width as the cheeks, but from the cheeks down the face tapers to a narrower chin. Almost any earring type flatters you, which makes it very easy to shop for, but oval shapes should avoid anything past the chin. This will make your face appear too long. To be bold, try larger studs as well as drop-down earrings of any size.

People with heart shapes have a forehead that is wider than your cheeks, and a narrow chin. To balance your face, wear earrings of opposite shape to your face—wider on the bottom and narrow at the top. This face shape should avoid earrings with a similar structure to their face shape, but need those that accentuate their face with more detailing towards the bottom to balance your facial features. Great styles for this shape are triangular and teardrop earrings.

Diamond face shapes have a narrower forehead and chin than cheekbones. Wide earrings and earrings with curves are best to compliment your defined jaws and cheeks. Studs and smaller drop-down earrings will also work. Earrings that are too long are best avoided because they provide no definition to your structured face shape and will make your chin look narrower.

Square shapes have a forehead, jawline and chin of the same width. This shape’s most prominent feature is their defined jawline. Therefore, earrings with round or curved edges are best, as well as multi-tiered earrings. Hoops, drop-downs and teardrops will soften your features and help elongate your face. Avoid square shaped earrings and defined angles, which will compete with your shape.

Finally, Rectangle shapes are very similar to square in that the forehead, jawline and chin are the same length. The only difference is that the shape is a bit more elongated. The best earring type for this shape is thick or wide earrings with rounder edges. Since this shape has a defined jawline, similar to the square shape, but don’t need long earrings like the square, which will make your face appear too long.

Overall, remember that studs and smaller earrings help bring out face shapes because there is no competition with the lines of a longer, more detailed earring. Longer earrings elongate your face, while shorter earrings make your face appear fuller. Be bold in your earrings and do not be afraid to try new trends, such as fun shapes, funky styles and bright colors. However, do be aware of your face shape so that you create a look that is flattering for your shape and presents the best possible you!