What Is The Rarest Face Shape? An Expert Breaks Down Its Features

Appearance varies from person to person, and everyone you come across will possess their own unique set of features and traits. However, there are a limited number of face shapes, which is largely due to variations in facial structures such as the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. You might be familiar with general face shapes such as square, heart, or oval. However, an exclusive conversation between Glam and Dr. Patrick Davis, a Beverly Hills-based facial plastic surgeon, revealed that there's one type of visage we consider the rarest of them all (spoiler alert: It's neither the square nor the heart!). "Research shows that the diamond shape, which is defined by a narrow forehead, wide cheekbones, and a narrow chin, is the rarest," Dr. Davis reveals to Glam.

Researchers have attempted to extend the list of shapes — though, these newer shapes don't actually stand on their own as separate categories, per Dr. Davis. "There really are no 'new' face shapes, only that the observer is expanding upon the already established seven basic shapes: round, square, heart, pear, oval, diamond, and rectangle," he explains. "An Australian study conducted about a decade ago suggests that there are additional shapes to consider including kite, teardrop, heptagon, and oblong. These are just variations of the established seven shapes most commonly referenced." Before you go off and try to determine your own face shape, know that the shape of your kisser really isn't as important as you might think.

"Fundamentally speaking, the shape of your face is determined by your genetics," facial plastic surgeon Dr. Patrick Davis explains during an exclusive interview with Glam. In other words, if you paid attention in science class, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to learn that your facial structure and features arise from a mishmash of your parents' genes. However, Dr. David adds that trauma and certain medical conditions can also play a role in changing your face shape over time.

"Shape is determined by bone structure including the maxilla (the bones that form the upper part of the jaw, the roof of the mouth, and parts of the eye socket and nose), the mandible (lower part of the jaw and part of the mouth), nasal bone, and zygomatic (forms the cheek and part of the eye socket) bone," Dr. Davis goes on. "Damage to any or all of these sets of bones can alter the shape but advances in reconstructive surgery can reverse that." As such, anything from physical trauma to developmental conditions can influence the shape of your mug, but there are ways to achieve a more desirable look if you aren't happy with the changes.

According to facial plastic surgeon Dr. Patrick Davis, face shape reveals little about your physical health, but it can end up influencing your psychological well-being due to the way that people commonly and inherently respond to particular face shapes. "Studies show that greater numbers of people consider oval-shaped faces as more attractive than the others primarily because of its balance of harmony and symmetry," Dr. Davis exclusively shares with Glam.

Indeed, physical appearance can affect how others treat you, but this doesn't mean that individuals with rectangular or heart-shaped faces are any less beautiful than their diamond- and oval-shaped counterparts. Additionally, the diamond face shape may be uncommon, but rarity is not always synonymous with beauty. We mustn't forget that facial features also play a factor here, which we can manipulate with makeup products to draw attention to or distract from certain features and even your overall face structure. For instance, changing your face shape with nothing more than blush couldn't be easier, as the way you apply blush can dramatically alter your whole look. Similarly, if you're trying to enhance or balance out uneven facial structures, there are tips for finding the perfect bang style for your face shape. Ultimately, the diamond face shape is undeniably the rarest of the lot, but don't expect to receive special treatment because of it.