A part of great styling is knowing your face, body shape and what flatters them. Many individuals do not know their face shape, hence they choose the incorrect hairstyles, jewellery and clothing. Face shape changes as time goes by with age and weight. Knowing your basic face shape will be the key to knowing what accessories to wear.

What might work for someone with a square face doesn't necessarily work for a heart-shaped face. The basic shapes are oblong, heart, oval, diamond, rectangle, and round. Please note you can have a combination of face shapes.

Here are some basic tips in accessorising for your face shape.

OBLONG/LONG (Iman)

Longer than it is wide. Avoid long dangling accessories which highlight the length of your face. Go for accessories that give volume to your face such as hoops, squares, clusters.

OVAL (Britney Spears)

The length equals one and a half times the width. An oval face may change according to weight gain or loss and age. This shape is known to be the most flexible and the easiest to style. Almost any accessory works with this face shape.

ROUND (Drew Barrymore)

If you have a round face, it will be as wide as it is long. This may vary a little where your face is not quite as wide as it is long, but within a quarter to half an inch. Avoid hoops, oval jewellery, go for dangling and contrasting shapes.

HEART (Jennifer Love Hewitt)

Narrow at jawline, wide at forehead and cheekbones. Avoid earrings hitting your widest point on the face which is your jaw. Wear them above or below the jaw ( if your neck allows).

SQUARE (Jessica Simpson)

If you have a square-shaped face, your forehead, jawline and cheekbones are almost equal in width. Avoid square or bulky earrings. Go for contrasting shapes to balance out the face.

DIAMOND (Madonna)

Wide cheeks, narrow forehead and jawline. May have a pointed chin. Similar to square shape. Avoid square or bulky earrings. Go for contrasting shapes to balance out the face.

Patrice daCosta is the president of Stoosh Images: Stylish, Successful & Sophisticated. Email: patrice@stooshimages.com or www.stooshimages.com