How To Pick Earrings

Choosing by Qualities that Appeal

Earrings, like many other jewellery pieces, are chosen by qualities that appeal. If you are having a bit of trouble choosing something you like, alternatively you may want to consider your facial features to make a thoughtful decision or if you are purchasing a gift, this guide may be of help.

Seven most common facial variations

Inverted Triangle

If your forehead is the widest part of your face, tapering down to a narrower, pointy chin, then you have an inverted triangle face shape. This shape is similar to a heart-shaped face, but the difference is that the heart shape is shorter and there is usually a widow’s peak. To balance the inverted triangle shaped face shape, choose earrings that de-emphasize the wide forehead, and create the illusion of width at the jawline. Chandelier or teardrop earrings work well.

Oval

Is your face oval like an egg? You can wear almost any shape, but triangular earrings or simple studs will show off your lovely cheekbones best!

Round

If your face is circular, meaning widest at the cheekbones with no taper to the chin, then you have a round face. Drop or dangle earrings will elongate your face and make it look slimmer. Avoid large circular earrings, hoops and button studs which only emphasize the roundness. Also, stay away from drop earrings with a dangling round disc. The roundness will only make your face look rounder

Heart

If your forehead is wider than your cheeks and the lower half of your face narrows like a heart then you have a heart-shaped face. In this case, you need to counterbalance your sharp chin with chandelier or teardrop earrings. Earrings that are wider at the bottom than the top help fill in the lower portion of your face, so your face is more balanced.

Long and Narrow

If you have a long, thin face choose earrings that emphasize the width of your face. Studs, clustered earrings, short dangles, hoops in a medium to large size. Any type of round earrings will widen your face, and make it look fuller.

Oblong

If you have an oblong face, choose earrings that emphasize the width of your face. Studs, clustered earrings, short dangles, triangular earrings, hoops in a medium to large size. Any type of round earrings will widen your face, and make it look fuller.

Square

Gals with wide square jaws (forehead and jawline are similar widths) need to soften the hard edges of their face. To do this, go for earrings that are medium to long with rounded edges. Oval shapes soften things up, and circular earrings and hoop earrings work well too. Stay away from square studs or any kind of earring with a square as it only reinforces the squareness. Focusing on the type that closely fits your appearance is the key to finding the perfect set of earrings.

Complimenting Your Bone Structure

Small, Fine

Choose earrings that are thin, fine, flat and delicate. Imagine someone with fine bone structure like Sharon Stone in chunky wooden hoops. They would overpower her gentle beauty.

Medium

Pfeffers suggests medium weight and size earrings.

Large

Medium to large, heavy, chunky earrings. Other things to consider when buying earrings.

Undertones

Yellow or Peachy:

Pfeffers recommends wearing golds and copper style metals.

Pink or Blue:

Pfeffers recommends Silver and pewter style metals.

Lifestyle

If you’re working with your hands or being physical, ideally you would want smaller earrings with less moving parts and a more centralised design.  The more conservative the office, the more conservative the earring. Choose classic styles in gold for the most authority. Executive dressing means no dangle or hoop earrings. Avoid large earrings if you are in very traditional, conservative fields like finance and law.

Personality

Romantic:

Choose earrings with rounded and curvy details.

Dramatic:

Straight edges, and square, rectangular, and triangular shapes.

Creative:

Dangles with the option of colourful earrings.

Classical:

Simple, timeless styles such as small hoops, button earrings in gold and silver, diamond studs work.

Natural:

Minimalist, nothing too shiny or detailed.