What Is a Diamond Face Shape and How Can It Be Identified?

The diamond face shape is distinguished by a narrow forehead and jaw structure combined with prominent, wide cheekbones. The face reaches its widest point in the middle and exhibits a sharp V shape from top to bottom. This structure creates a striking and attention-grabbing facial profile.

In aesthetic planning, the goal for a diamond face shape is to soften the forehead and chin areas. Filler applications to the forehead provide balance, while subtle interventions to the jawline make the lower part of the face more proportionate.

Since the cheekbones are already prominent, increasing volume in this area is generally not recommended. Instead, supportive filler applications to the cheek area soften the overall facial contours and create a more balanced silhouette.

For hair and makeup choices, styles that balance the width in the middle of the face are prioritized. Hairstyles that fall to the sides reduce the dominance of the cheekbones, while aesthetic procedures aim to maintain proportional harmony between the upper and lower regions of the face.

Things to Know	Information
Definition	The diamond face shape is characterized by wide and prominent cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin. The widest point of the face is at the cheekbones, tapering towards the forehead and chin.
Characteristic Features	Wide cheekbones, narrow forehead, narrow and pointed chin; the overall face has a sharp and striking form.
Aesthetic Appearance	Offers emphasized and dramatic facial contours; due to the pronounced cheekbones, it conveys a strong expression. Excessive angularity may sometimes disrupt facial balance.
Aesthetic Applications	Filler applications can be performed to add volume to the forehead and chin areas. Cheekbones can be softened or their emphasis reduced.
Surgical Intervention	Usually not necessary; minimal invasive procedures are sufficient for contour balancing.
Makeup Suggestions	Contouring beneath the cheekbones helps balance the width; highlighting the chin and forehead softens the upper-lower face ratio.
Haircut Compatibility	To balance the middle width of the face, voluminous upper sections and layered cuts that fall to the chin are recommended. Very short hairstyles should be avoided.
Common Celebrities (e.g.)	Diamond face types are seen in celebrities like Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, and Vanessa Hudgens.
Aging Effects	Volume loss may occur in the cheek area, increasing angularity of the face. Fillers and tightening treatments can restore balance.

What Is a Diamond Face Shape and How Can It Be Identified?

To visualize the diamond face shape, think of a classic diamond slice or the “diamond” suit symbol on playing cards. The most distinctive feature of this anatomical structure is that the widest point of the face is neither the forehead nor the jawline. The width is entirely concentrated in the mid-face, particularly along the cheekbone (zygoma) line. The bone structure in this area is so prominently outward that the rest of the face seems overshadowed by this width.

In this face type, the forehead narrows as you move upward from the cheekbones, and the hairline appears more compact. As you move downward, the jawline quickly narrows and typically ends in a pointed chin. In other words, both the upper and lower parts of the face are narrow, while the middle is wide. This creates numerous light and shadow effects on the face. While these shadows may be advantageous in photography, in everyday life—especially during tired periods—they may cause the face to appear thinner and more “bony” than it actually is.

The biggest difference from the oval face shape is that the lines are angular rather than soft. In an oval face, transitions are subtle, whereas in a diamond face, the line from the cheekbone to the chin resembles a sharp curve. It is often confused with the heart face shape, but in heart-shaped faces, the forehead is wide; in diamond-shaped faces, the forehead is narrow. Making this distinction correctly is critical to the success of any procedure. This is because a treatment designed for a wide-forehead heart face is entirely opposite to what is suitable for a narrow-forehead diamond face.

How to Identify a Diamond Face Shape and Analyze It at Home?

Determining your own face shape is actually easier than you think. You don’t need a professional measuring device for this—just a mirror and good lighting will suffice. First, pull your hair completely back to fully expose your facial features, ears, and forehead. Look straight into the mirror and imagine tracing the outer borders of your face with an imaginary pen.

Here are the main physical features that will help you identify whether you have a diamond face shape:

• Protruding cheekbones
• Narrow forehead structure
• Pointed chin
• Sunken temples
• Defined jaw angles
• Sharp facial contours

If the widest part of your face is the bone line just in front of your ears and you feel a hollow or flat area when placing your fingers on your temples, then you likely have a diamond face shape. Also, if your cheekbones become much more prominent when you smile and push your eyes upward, that’s another sign. This analysis is the first step of your aesthetic journey, because without knowing what you have, you cannot plan where you want to go.

What Is the Relationship Between the Golden Ratio and the Diamond Face Shape?

Behind everything we perceive as “beautiful” in aesthetics lies a mathematical formula. This is what we call the “Golden Ratio” or “Phi Number” (1.618). Our brains are wired to find faces with symmetry and specific proportions more attractive, healthy, and trustworthy. In an ideal face, we look for this ratio in the length-to-width proportion, in the distance from the nose to the lips, and in the placement of the eyes.

By nature, the diamond face shape deviates from this golden ratio balance. The issue is often the lack of harmony between the vertical and horizontal axes. Ideally, the length of the face should be approximately 1.6 times its width. However, in diamond face types, the cheekbones are so wide on the horizontal plane that the vertical length of the face cannot sufficiently balance this width. This may cause the face to appear shorter or more compressed than it actually is.

Our clinical goal is not to turn everyone into a single type of mask. Our aim is to balance this deviation from the golden ratio in the diamond face without compromising the uniqueness of the face. You can think of it like the trays of a scale. If the mid-face (cheekbones) is weighing down too heavily, to balance the system, we either need to reduce that weight (surgical reduction) or add weight to the other trays (forehead and chin) using filler applications.

What Aesthetic Concerns Does the Diamond Face Shape Cause?

Patients with a diamond face shape often express similar complaints when they visit our clinic. These concerns stem from the impact of the bone structure on soft tissue. The most common phrase we hear is, “Doctor, my face looks too harsh; people think I’m angry.” Sharp bone contours subconsciously create an impression of authority and distance.

Another issue is a “skeletal” appearance. Especially when someone loses a bit of weight, the fat pads in the face diminish, and the skin clings directly to the bone. Since the cheekbones are already prominent, this results in a hollow look as if the person is “starving.” The inner cheeks collapse, the temples deepen, and the person may appear much older than they actually are.

Perceptual problems caused by this face type include:

• Tired expression
• Perception of a harsh demeanor
• Aged appearance
• Masculine features
• Disproportionate facial width
• Aggressive profile

Additionally, a narrow jaw structure may sometimes lead to teeth grinding problems or, conversely, the masseter muscle may enlarge and make the face appear even wider. All these issues can affect a person’s self-confidence and lead to misunderstandings in social interactions.

How Can a Diamond Face Shape Be Balanced Without Surgery?

With the advancement of technology, reshaping the face no longer always requires going under the knife. “Non-surgical contouring” procedures are a perfect option for patients who want quick results without a recovery period. The core philosophy in this approach is “camouflage.” Instead of cutting the wide bone, we fill the surrounding hollows to make that width less noticeable.

Our main tools in these procedures are hyaluronic acid-based fillers and neurotoxin (botox) applications. These materials are highly compatible with the body, safe, and reversible. The procedure usually takes 15–20 minutes, involves minimal pain, and the patient can return to their social life immediately. The key here is knowing where and how much filler to inject. Random fillers will puff up the face, but strategically placed fillers shape and slim the face (yes, it is possible to make a face look slimmer with fillers!).

Why Is Temple Filler Necessary for a Diamond Face Shape?

The hidden hero of diamond face harmonization is temple filler. Most people don’t realize how much the hollowness in the temple area affects the face. In diamond face types, since the cheekbone protrudes so much, the area just above it—the temple region (between the outer eye and the hairline)—remains like a hollow. This gives the face a “peanut” shape—bulged at the top, wide in the middle.

Benefits of filler application in this area include:

• Increasing forehead width
• Reviving the gaze
• Lifting the tail of the eyebrow
• Softening the facial contour
• Smoothing the cheekbone transition

When temple filler is applied, the sharp step from the cheekbone to the forehead disappears and is replaced by a smooth, soft ramp. This makes the upper part of the face look wider and healthier. Even if the cheekbones don’t physically shrink, through optical illusion they no longer appear as protruding as before.

How Can a Diamond Face Shape Be Lengthened with Chin Filler?

After balancing the upper part of the face with temple filler, the next step is the lower region—the chin. In a diamond face, the chin is usually narrow, pointed, and sometimes recessed. This weak chin structure contrasts with the width of the mid-face and makes the face appear shorter than it is. According to the golden ratio principle, we need to lengthen the face vertically (increase projection).

The advantages of chin tip (mentum) and jawline fillers include:

• Lengthening the face
• Emphasizing the V-shape
• Reducing the appearance of a double chin
• Balancing the facial profile
• Creating a slimmer-looking face

A small touch to the chin tip to extend it slightly forward and downward can change the entire geometry of the face. The face starts to resemble a more oval, elegant form. Additionally, fillers applied along the jawline tighten the skin in that area, providing a younger and more dynamic expression.

Is Masseter Botox Effective for a Diamond Face Shape?

Sometimes the diamond face shape is not solely due to bone structure; muscle structure can also play a role. The chewing muscle known as the “Masseter” can hypertrophy (overgrow) due to stress, teeth grinding, or excessive gum chewing. This further enlarges the already wide lower face and shifts the shape toward a square form.

Goals of masseter botox application include:

• Relaxing the muscle
• Slimming the lower half of the face
• Softening the jawline
• Alleviating teeth grinding pain
• Achieving a more feminine appearance

In this procedure, botox injected into the muscle temporarily reduces its activity. Just like the muscles of a bodybuilder shrink after quitting exercise, the masseter muscle also gradually thins over time. This thinning narrows the area beneath the cheekbones. As a result, while the cheekbones remain prominent, the face tapers gracefully downward, making the “V” shape more pronounced. This is one of the most effective non-surgical facial slimming methods.

Is Cheekbone Reduction Surgery a Solution for a Diamond Face Shape?

If the issue is purely skeletal—not caused by soft tissue or muscles—and the width cannot be camouflaged with fillers, then we begin discussing surgical options. Cheekbone reduction surgery, known as “Malarplasty” or “Zygoma Reduction,” is the most permanent and radical solution for the diamond face shape.

Characteristics of suitable candidates for this surgery include:

• Excessively wide facial structure
• Those seeking permanent results
• Patients who do not want fillers
• Individuals with facial asymmetry

The surgery is performed entirely through the inside of the mouth, meaning there are no visible scars on the outside of your face. As surgeons, we access the body of the cheekbone and use special instruments to shave down the bone or, in some cases, cut it (osteotomy) and reposition it to a more inward location, then fix it in place. This procedure can physically reduce the width of the face by 5 to 10 millimeters. While this may seem minor on paper, it creates a dramatic difference in the face. The face becomes more delicate, more proportional, and less aggressive in appearance. However, the risk that this surgery may make the face appear longer vertically must always be considered, and if the patient’s face is already long, the procedure must be planned with great caution.

Is Orthognathic Surgery Used in Diamond Face Shape Harmonization?

The diamond-shaped face is sometimes not just an aesthetic concern on its own but appears as part of jaw malocclusions. A significantly recessed lower jaw compared to the upper jaw, or a jaw that has shifted to one side, further worsens the imbalanced appearance of the diamond face. In such cases, simply shaving the bone or using fillers is not sufficient; the skeleton needs to be “moved.” Orthognathic surgery is a comprehensive procedure in which the lower and upper jaws are cut and repositioned correctly.

The aesthetic contributions of this surgery to the face include:

• Bringing the chin forward
• Correcting the facial profile
• Achieving proper lip closure
• Eliminating facial asymmetry

For example, in a patient with a severely recessed lower jaw, the cheekbones appear much larger than they actually are. When we surgically bring the lower jaw forward, the prominence of the cheekbones automatically decreases and the face becomes more balanced. This is a life-changing procedure that provides both functional (chewing, speaking) and aesthetic improvements.

Does Rhinoplasty Change the Appearance of a Diamond Face Shape?

You might be surprised, but one of the most common methods we use to balance a diamond-shaped face is actually nose surgery, or rhinoplasty. The nose stands right at the center of the face like a vertical column. Since the problem with a diamond face lies in its horizontal width, a strong vertical line (the nose) is a perfect tool to counteract that width.

Ideal nose characteristics for a diamond-shaped face include:

• A defined nasal bridge
• A long nasal structure
• A balanced nasal tip
• Narrow nasal wings

Designing a very small, overly curved, “button-like” nose for a wide face is a major mistake. A small nose makes the cheeks and cheekbones appear even wider, almost like a plateau. Instead, designing a slightly longer nose with a straight and characterful bridge draws attention to the center of the face and breaks the perception of horizontal width. Slightly lifting the nasal tip also increases the distance between the nose and the lips, helping the lower half of the face appear longer.

What Is the Recovery Process Like After Diamond Face Shape Treatments?

Whichever path you choose, the recovery process is the most crucial part of this journey. For non-surgical filler and Botox procedures, the process is quite comfortable. There may be slight redness or tiny bruises at the injection sites immediately after the procedure, but these do not affect daily life.

Post-filler and Botox care recommendations include:

• Avoiding water contact for the first 4 hours
• Not applying makeup
• Not sleeping face down
• Avoiding hot environments
• Refraining from alcohol consumption
• Not massaging the treated area

For surgical procedures (malarplasty, rhinoplasty), a bit more patience is required. Noticeable facial swelling (edema) during the first 3 days is completely normal; your body sends fluid to the area for healing. This phase is managed through cold applications, keeping the head elevated, and special diets. Since cheekbone surgeries involve incisions inside the mouth, maintaining oral hygiene and using mouthwash postoperatively is critical to prevent infection. Although bone healing takes about 6 weeks, it can take up to 6 months for the face to fully take shape and for the swelling to completely subside.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a diamond face shape defined?

It is characterized by prominent cheekbones contrasted with a narrow forehead and chin.

Which aesthetic procedures are suitable for a diamond face?

Forehead and chin fillers, temple filler, masseter botox, and if necessary, cheekbone reduction surgery.

How does a diamond face change with age?

Cheek volume decreases, making the face appear sharper.

How should hairstyles be chosen for a diamond face?

Styles with volume on the sides and soft layers are preferred to narrow the center of the face.

Why Is Forehead Aesthetics Important for a Diamond Face Shape?

A narrow forehead structure can make the upper part of the face appear recessed. With mild forehead filler or hairline adjustments, the upper face can be balanced to achieve a more proportional appearance.

How Does Eyebrow Design Affect Facial Proportions in a Diamond Face Shape?

Softly arched and horizontally oriented eyebrows help balance the width in the center of the face. Extremely high-arched eyebrows can make the face appear sharper.

How Is the Cheekbone Area Evaluated in Aesthetic Interventions for a Diamond Face Shape?

Since the cheekbones are already prominent, excessive filler is not recommended. If there is volume loss, minimal support can be provided; otherwise, the existing structure is preserved to maintain facial balance.

How Does a Diamond Face Shape Benefit from Jawline Aesthetics?

A narrow lower face can be corrected with chin fillers. This strengthens the lower part of the face and results in a more proportionate and balanced profile.

Which Areas Do Filler Applications Help Balance in a Diamond Face Shape?

Fillers applied to the forehead, chin, and sometimes the temporal (temple) areas support the upper and lower parts of the face, reducing the dominance of the mid-face and enhancing symmetry.

How Should Makeup Techniques Be Applied for a Diamond Face Shape?

Highlighting should focus on the forehead and chin tip, while contouring should be applied beneath the cheekbones. This gives the face a more balanced and softer appearance.