Face shape guide
Triangle Face Shape
A triangle face shape — also called a pear face shape — is widest at the jaw, with a forehead narrower than the jawline. It is the opposite of a heart-shaped face.
To balance a triangle face, add width and detail to the upper half of the face and keep the jaw area simple.
- Wide jaw
- Narrow forehead
How to tell
How to tell if you have a triangle face shape
A triangle face is widest at the jaw — in our example the lower jaw is wider than the forehead — with a forehead that is noticeably narrower. Length is usually moderate. Styling adds width and detail at the top of the face and keeps the jaw area simple.
- Your jawline is the widest part of your face.
- Your forehead is noticeably narrower than your jaw.
- Your face is about as wide as it is long, or only a little longer.
- Your jaw is broad, often with full cheeks near it.
| Face length ÷ cheekbone width | 1.36× |
|---|---|
| Forehead width (vs cheekbones) | 87% |
| Lower jaw width (vs cheekbones) | 90% |
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Triangle vs similar face shapes
Triangle vs square
Both have a strong, wide jaw. On a square face the forehead is about as wide as the jaw; on a triangle face it is clearly narrower.
Triangle vs round
Both can have full lower cheeks. A round face is widest at the cheekbones with a soft jaw; a triangle face is widest at the jaw.
Common mix-ups
Full cheeks near the jaw can make a round face read as triangle, and a narrow hairline at the temples can make a square face look triangular. Pull your hair back fully and use a neutral expression.
Glasses
Best glasses for a triangle face
Frames that balance a triangle face shape, and what each one does.
Browline frames on a triangle face — made with our try-on.
Browline glasses
A bold top rim adds width at the brow line to balance a wider jaw.
Cat-eye glasses
Upswept outer corners widen the upper face and lift attention away from the jaw.
Aviator glasses
A wide top bar and lenses broadest near the brow add width where a triangle face is narrow.
Choosing frames for a triangle face
For a triangle face, choose frames that are wider at the top than the bottom: browline, cat-eye and aviator styles. Bold colour or detail on the upper rim draws attention upward.
Frames to avoid
Avoid bottom-heavy frames and narrow frames — they draw the eye down to the jaw. Small round frames can also make the jaw look wider by contrast.
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Try on
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Hairstyles
Best hairstyles for a triangle face
Haircuts for women
- Volume at the crown. Height and width on top balance a wider jaw.
- Side-swept bangs. Widen the upper face and draw the eye up.
- Layers from the cheekbones. Add movement high on the face rather than at the jaw.
- Shoulder-length waves. Fall past the jaw so they don’t end at its widest point.
Haircuts for men
- Fuller top and temples. Adds width where a triangle face is narrow.
- Textured side part. Volume at the side of the head widens the forehead.
- Longer sides. Avoid tight fades that leave the jaw as the widest point.
- Short, neat beard. Defines the jaw without adding width.
Hairstyles to avoid
- Blunt cuts that end right at the jawline
- Flat hair at the crown with volume at the bottom
- Very short, tight sides
Bangs for a triangle face
Side-swept and wispy bangs widen the upper face. A light, textured fringe with volume at the temples works well.
Brows & makeup
Eyebrows, makeup and beards for a triangle face
Eyebrow shape
Fuller, slightly longer brows with a soft arch add width to the upper face. Keep the tail extended rather than short.
Beard styles
A short, neat beard or stubble works best. Avoid wide, full beards that add more width at the jaw.
- Contour
- Contour the outer corners of the jaw and keep the forehead light.
- Blush
- Apply blush high on the cheekbones and blend toward the temples to lift attention upward.
- Highlight
- Highlight the forehead and temples to widen the upper face.
Accessories
Earrings, hats and necklines for a triangle face
Earrings
Studs and short, top-heavy earrings draw attention up. Avoid wide earrings that sit at jaw level.
Hats
Hats with volume at the crown — newsboy caps, slouchy beanies — balance a wide jaw.
Necklines
Boat necks and wide scoop necks add width at the shoulders and balance the jaw.
FAQ
Triangle Face Shape FAQ
Yes. Both names describe a face that is widest at the jaw and narrower at the forehead.
Top-heavy styles such as browline, cat-eye and aviator frames balance a wide jaw by adding width at the brow line.
On a square face, forehead and jaw are about the same width. On a triangle face, the forehead is clearly narrower than the jaw.
Styles with volume at the crown and temples, side-swept bangs and layers that start at the cheekbones. For men: fuller hair on top and at the temples with slightly longer sides.
Triangle (pear) faces are among the less common face shapes. Many people with a strong jaw are square rather than triangle.
Top-heavy styles — browline, cat-eye and aviator sunglasses — that add width at the brow line.
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