Some say there are two types of brides: "hair brides" and "veil brides." Hair brides prefer the focus to be on their hairstyle, and are quite content to just tack a veil on behind an updo, then remove it after the ceremony. The hair bride can't wait to whip off that veil and get down to a good time! On the other hand, a veil bride wants to keep her veil throughout the reception. Veil brides favor full veils, some with edging or ornamentation, and they usually go for long veils, with multiple layers and a blusher. For them, the hairstyle is secondary; it's necessary only as support to help pouf up their veil. No matter which category you fall into, you'll want to choose a veil or hairstyle that best highlights your face.
Face Facts
Not every bride has a noticeable face shape that needs balancing by her wedding hairstyle and veil. Those with markedly rounded or angular faces should pay attention to these pointers. The eight basic face shapes are: Oval, Round, Oblong, Heart, Diamond, Square, Rectangle, and Triangle. The first four shapes are soft and curved, while the last four have more angles and corners. To determine your face shape, pull your hair away from your face and study the outer edge. Here's how to tell which category you fall into:
- If your face is OVAL, it is slightly longer than is it wide, with soft, curved edges.
- If your face is ROUND, there is equal distance all around, using the nose as a centerpoint. It will be as wide as it is long, with rounded edges.
- If your face is OBLONG, it will look like an elongated oval. Many oblongs are mistaken for ovals, but when placed next to a true oval you can see that an oblong has added length.
- If your face is HEART-SHAPED, it's wider at the eye, temple, and cheek area, with a narrow chin. The edges are soft and curved.
- If your face is a DIAMOND, it's widest at the cheeks, narrow at the chin and
forehead, with sharper features.
- If your face is SQUARE, it's basically level at the forehead and down the sides. Your jaw is strong and square, and your chin may stick out a bit. If the distance from the top of your face to your chin matches the width, you have a square face.
- If your face is REGTANGULAR, it's similar to a square, but longer than it is
wide.
- If your face is TRIANGULAR, it's similar to a heart shape, but the lines and edges are sharper and more angular.
Suiting Your Shape
When searching for hair and veil styles, a good rule to keep in mind is "opposites attract." For example, a round, full face will benefit from a veil that falls along the sides of the face, thus working to help narrow it. A round-faced bride should also stay away from round hairstyles. Wearing your hair down or in a face-framing bob is the best option. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a square jawline needs softness. Face-framing tendrils of hair help to relax a strong jaw, and a longer veil will work better than a short wide one. Many people consider a strong jawline a striking feature, and the confidant bride will want to show it off. If you have an oblong face, complement it with a bit of width. Look for veils of the waterfall variety, paired with a wide tiara, wreath, or bun wrap. Stay away from piled-high hair, which will only make you look more elongated. If your face is heart-shaped or triangular, you'll want to add width at the jawline. Since most veils will be too full for you, the best choice is a back piece, where the width shows up behind the neckline. As for hair, a chignon or flipped-up bob is a great look. And, finally, if you're lucky enough to have a diamond- or oval-shaped face, congratulations -- you're perfectly symmetrical, so your choices are unlimited, as long as they complement your gown, neckline, and proportions.
-- Hollee Actman Becker
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