Colors to Avoid by Face Shape: A Plain Guide

What face shape actually changes about color

Your color season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) tells you which colors flatter your skin. That's a separate question from face shape.

Face shape changes where bright or dark colors should sit on your outfit. A bright color near the chin emphasizes a narrow chin. A dark color across the jawline softens an angular jaw. The color palette stays the same; the placement shifts.

Below are the placements to avoid for each face shape.

Oval face shape

Oval shapes have balanced proportions, so almost any placement works.

• To avoid: very high contrast color blocks that artificially shorten or stretch the face (e.g., a bright color at the very top of your head combined with another bright color at the chin)
• Otherwise: any neckline, any color placement, no real restrictions

See the full oval face shape guide.

Round face shape

• To avoid: wide horizontal color blocks across the chest (think a wide stripe in a contrasting color); they emphasize width
• To avoid: scoop necks or crew necks in very bright colors near the face; they reinforce the round shape
• What works instead: vertical color blocks (a column dress, a long open jacket in a contrasting color), V-necks, deeper necklines that elongate

See the full round face shape guide.

Square face shape

• To avoid: hard color blocks ending right at the jawline (think a sharp turtleneck color change exactly at your chin); they emphasize the angular jaw
• To avoid: very high necklines in saturated colors; they frame the squareness
• What works instead: softer color transitions (gradients, lower necklines, scarves that drape below the jaw), open collars

See the full square face shape guide.

Heart face shape

• To avoid: very dark or saturated colors right at the chin; they make the narrow chin look even narrower
• To avoid: bright colors at the forehead (hats, headbands) without something to balance the chin
• What works instead: lighter, brighter colors near the chin to add visual weight to the narrower bottom of the face. Boat necks and scoop necks distribute color across the chest evenly.

See the full heart face shape guide.

Diamond face shape

• To avoid: tight V-necks in saturated colors; they pull attention to the widest point (the cheekbones)
• To avoid: very narrow strappy tops in attention-grabbing colors; they emphasize the angular cheek width
• What works instead: scoop or boat necks that widen across the chest and pull attention away from cheekbone width. Lighter colors above the chest, deeper below.

See the full diamond face shape guide.

Long face shape

• To avoid: vertical color stripes from collar to hem; they stretch an already-long face further
• To avoid: very deep V-necks in dark colors; they pull the face longer
• What works instead: horizontal color breaks (a colored scarf at the collarbone, a contrasting waistband), boat necks, crew necks, high collars that break vertical lines

See the full long face shape guide.

The 30-second placement test

Before buying or wearing something, hold it to your face in front of a mirror. Ask:

• Where does the color sit in relation to my jaw and chin?
• Does it emphasize the shape I want to soften, or balance it?
• Is there enough lightness near the part of my face I want to brighten?

This isn't about hiding your face shape. It's about choosing where bright color lands so the eye reads your features the way you want.

Colors to avoid by face shape FAQ

The most common questions about color placement for different face shapes.