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Here’s everything you need to know about facial harmony
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Facial harmony is all about the balance and proportions of your facial features. This includes the balance between your eyes, nose, lips, chin, and other features. However, instead of focusing on perfect symmetry, the concept looks at how these parts of your face work together and can be balanced out to enhance your appearance. In this guide, we spoke with plastic surgeons and aesthetics experts to bring you insight on what facial harmony is, how it's determined, and ways to improve facial harmony.

Explaining Facial Harmony

Facial harmony is about how well your facial features work with each other. It’s less about symmetry and more about how they are proportioned. Compare the distance between your features, like your eyes, nose, and lips. The more equal the distance between them, the more facial harmony you have.

Section 1 of 6:

What is facial harmony?

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  1. It looks at how the individual parts of your face fit together. Perfect symmetry isn’t the goal of facial harmony; instead, it’s about how well your features are balanced. While facial symmetry can enhance your features, facial harmony is focused on proportions and ratios, like the distance between your eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Facial symmetry is when the left and right sides of your face mirror each other nearly identically.
    • According to board-certified plastic surgeon Asif Pirani, MD, no one's face is symmetrical, and “perfect symmetry is seen as abnormal to the brain.”[1]
    • Facial harmony is about bringing balance to parts of your face. For example, you may be able to improve facial proportions by restoring volume to or lifting certain areas.[2]

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who takes an approach that is patient-centered and holistic.

    Asif Pirani, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon who’s committed to enhancing his clients’ beauty while upholding the highest standards in his work.

    Rorz is an aesthetics and self-improvement coach who runs a YouTube channel where he helps men transform their appearance and boost their self-confidence.

    Dr. Mike Mew is an orthodontist and mewing expert who helps his patients improve their facial growth and oral posture.

    Austin Wayne is an aesthetics and looksmaxxing authority who helps his clients improve their self-image.

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Section 2 of 6:

How Facial Harmony is Determined

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  1. It divides your face into three parts: hairline to brow, brow to the base of the nose, and base of the nose to the chin. This can give you a clearer idea of the spacing between these sections of your face and where it may be bigger or smaller.[3]
    • Alternatively, vertical fifths divide the face into five sections. It measures the distance of the lateral helix of each ear to the corner of each eye, the distance between the eyes, the length of each eye, and the width of the nose.
  2. The Golden Ratio in facial aesthetics is based on an equation. Also called Divine Proportion, the Golden Ratio is 1.618, meaning that a perfectly symmetrical face is 1.618 times longer than its width. Board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS, explains that the Golden Ratio “gives the subliminal impression of beauty when applied to facial and body proportions.” It looks at proportions, such as the size of the nose, eyes, and ears, in relation to overall facial dimensions.[4]
    • The Golden Ratio is used as more of a guide in regard to facial harmony and isn’t used to determine ideal proportions for individual faces.[5]
  3. The nasofrontal angle includes the angle from the forehead to the part of the nose bridge that dips in, to the tip of your nose. The ideal range is between 115 and 130 degrees. The nasolabial angle refers to the angle formed by the base of your nose and upper lip. The ideal angle is considered to be around 90 to 120 degrees.[6] Keep in mind these numbers are just estimates and not something you should feel you have to attain.
  4. Face shapes include heart, square, round, diamond, oval, rectangle, triangle, and inverted triangle. Knowing your face shape can give you a better overview of the proportions of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, as well as the length of your face. Aesthetics and looksmaxxing authority Austin Wayne likes to use a person’s face shape to help them choose a flattering haircut, which can also improve the appearance of one’s facial harmony.[7]
    • Keep in mind, however, that no face shape is better than the other. Each comes with its own unique features and benefits.
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Calculate Facial Harmony

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  1. There are various online tools and AI “face calculators” available that analyze your facial proportions. With these tools, you typically upload a photo of yourself, and then your results are generated. However, consulting with a professional may be the best way to get more accurate feedback about your facial harmony.[8]
  2. Hold your phone at eye level and arm’s length, and take a picture of your face. Pick your preferred editing app, and place the photo of yourself on the grid. Study the proportions of your features in relation to the grid. Consider things like the Golden Ratio, facial thirds, and vertical fifths when determining your facial harmony.
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Section 4 of 6:

Natural Ways to Improve Facial Harmony

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  1. Mewing is a facial exercise that’s believed to improve jaw structure. Orthodontist and mewing expert Dr. Mike Mew says to mew correctly, “get the tongue on the roof of the mouth, get your teeth together, get the lips together, and then you vacuum” so that your tongue has a suction-like hold against the roof of your mouth.[9]
  2. Facial exercises may be able to strengthen and tone your face muscles, which could improve facial harmony. Facial yoga workouts like cheek lifts and jaw exercises are believed to help restore the skin’s elasticity and reduce stiffness. Having more control over your facial muscles can keep them more balanced.[12]
    • Cheek Lifts: This exercise may improve uneven cheeks. Smile widely without opening your mouth. Use your fingers to lift your cheeks upwards. Hold for ten seconds, then release. Repeat this about ten times.
    • Jawline Resistance Press: This exercise may correct an uneven jawline. Place each thumb under each side of your chin. Press upward, gently. At the same time, push your jaw downward to create resistance. Hold for five to ten seconds. Relax, then repeat ten times.[13]
  3. Skincare treatments can give you a healthier-looking complexion, boosting your overall facial harmony. Treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, and laser therapy tackle uneven skin pigmentation, boost collagen production, and smooth skin texture, which can all rejuvenate the balance of your facial proportions.[14]
  4. Makeup can temporarily improve facial symmetry. Sculpting your face with contour makeup and highlighting your face can help create more balance in certain areas. Makeup artist Alana Schober explains that contouring can change the shape of your face and do things like make your cheekbones pop and give your face a bit more structure.[15]
    • Eye makeup can boost facial harmony, too. You can even out your eyebrows by shaping them with an eyebrow pencil or powder.
    • Eyeshadow placement can help, as well. For example, applying darker shades on the outer corners of your eyes and lighter shades to the inner corners can make your eyes look bigger.[16]
  5. Getting a haircut that complements your face shape is an excellent way to balance out your facial features. For example, longer hair with layers that frame the face looks great if you have a round face. If you have a heart-shaped face, go for a hairstyle that adds volume around your jawline to balance out the width of your forehead and your narrow chin.[17]
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Section 5 of 6:

Medical Ways to Improve Facial Harmony

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  1. 1
    Dermal Fillers Dermal fillers are needle injections that restore volume to your face, like the cheeks, lips, and temples. They give your complexion a revitalized appearance by plumping fine lines, smoothing wrinkles, and making your skin more supple.[18] Dr. Pirani says filler can be used to balance facial features. He says, for instance, you can use filler if one side of your cheek is higher than the other. Small amounts may improve symmetry.[19]
  2. 2
    Botox Botox is another type of needle injection that can improve your facial appearance. It’s known to smooth wrinkles and relax facial muscles.[20] It’s one option to consider to improve the symmetry between your eyebrows, says Dr. Pirani. Since one side of your forehead might raise a little bit higher when you raise your eyebrows, using things like Botox can improve symmetry in this area.[21]
  3. 3
    Brow Lift A brow lift raises the brows to smooth your forehead, correct frown lines, and tighten your complexion.[22] According to Dr. Gorodisky, a brow lift may improve size and proportions to bring the facial features closer to the Golden Ratio. He adds that these types of facelifts are primarily done to reverse the signs of aging, not to change your features. These procedures should be approached carefully, he explains, if that’s your intent.[23]
  4. 4
    Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic surgeries are more invasive methods. They can include procedures such as rhinoplasty, facelifts, chin augmentation, and eyelid surgery to address facial asymmetry. Dr. Pirani mentions that rhinoplasty can help improve an uneven or crooked nose, and oral maxillofacial surgery can help with an asymmetrical jawbone.[24] Consulting with a trusted professional for procedures like these is important.
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Section 6 of 6:

Do you have to improve facial harmony?

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References

  1. Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
  2. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-facial-harmony_l_67c0b1fee4b01834869ee18c
  3. https://cosmoderma.org/canons-of-ideal-facial-dimensions-and-facial-beauty/
  4. Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS. Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Expert Interview
  5. https://aedit.com/aedition/facial-harmony-in-aesthetic-medicine
  6. https://www.mizuaesthetic.com/blogs/face-concerns/the-perfect-facial-angles/
  7. Austin Wayne. Aesthetics and Looksmaxxing Authority. Expert Interview
  8. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-facial-balancing-procedures
  9. Dr. Mike Mew. Orthodontist and Mewing Expert. Expert Interview
  1. Rorz. Aesthetics & Self-Improvement Coach. Expert Interview
  2. Rorz. Aesthetics & Self-Improvement Coach. Expert Interview
  3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12112979/
  4. https://drgowdsdental.com/asymmetrical-face-exercises-natural-correction/
  5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2682446/
  6. Alana Schober. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview
  7. https://flanellemag.com/how-to-enhance-facial-symmetry-through-makeup-techniques/
  8. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65134191/best-hairstyle-for-face-shape/
  9. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22667-dermal-fillers
  10. Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
  11. https://medlineplus.gov/botox.html
  12. Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
  13. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10784-brow-lift
  14. Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS. Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Expert Interview
  15. Asif Pirani, MD. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Expert Interview
  16. Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS. Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Expert Interview

About This Article

Asif Pirani, MD
Co-authored by:
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
This article was co-authored by Asif Pirani, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Vasquez, BA, MA. Dr. Asif Pirani is a cosmetic plastic surgeon and founder of the Toronto Plastic Surgery Center based in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Pirani is board certified by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and is dedicated to enhancing the beauty and confidence of his patients while upholding the highest standards of safety, comfort, and discretion. Dr. Pirani has served as an expert reviewer for The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal. He has also taught plastic surgery trainees in multiple universities, most recently the University of Toronto and New York University. Dr. Pirani completed undergraduate and medical training at the University of Toronto. He went on to complete plastic and cosmetic surgery training at the University of British Columbia and served as the Chief Plastic Surgery Resident there. Dr. Pirani completed a fellowship at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU and the University of Toronto Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship. This article has been viewed 1,710 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: May 13, 2026
Views: 1,710
Categories: Attractive Appearance
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