Face proportions

Whole-face proportional dimensions: face shape, facial-thirds balance, cheekbone prominence, malar projection, midface morphology, forehead. Captures the macro-level face morphology that's not localized to any single feature. Dimensions draw from craniofacial anthropometry (Farkas), facial-aesthetics literature (Powell-Humphreys, Ricketts), and contemporary aesthetic-medicine references on the diverse-patient-population face.

Dimensions

• Overall face shape

  photo-observable

  categorical · face_shape_qualitative

  Macro-level shape of the face derived from facial outline (forehead width, cheekbone width, jaw width, face length).

  Aligned with cosmetology-and-anthropometry shape descriptors used in styling and forensic-anthropology literature.

  Valid values (8)

  • ovalOval— Length approximately 1.5x width; balanced forehead and jaw with widest point at cheekbones.
  • roundRound— Length and width approximately equal; soft jaw and forehead curves.
  • squareSquare— Length and width approximately equal; angular jaw and forehead.
  • heartHeart— Wide forehead, narrow jaw, often with a pointed chin.
  • diamondDiamond— Narrow forehead and jaw with widest point at cheekbones; pronounced cheek prominence.
  • oblong_longOblong / long— Length substantially greater than width; balanced forehead and jaw.
  • triangular_invertedTriangular (inverted)— Wide jaw, narrow forehead — opposite of heart-shape.
  • asymmetricAsymmetric— Notable left-right facial asymmetry as the dominant feature.

• Facial thirds balance

  partly photo-observable

  categorical · facial_thirds_qualitative

  Relative proportions of the three classical facial thirds.

  Farkas LG (1994). Anthropometry of the Head and Face, 2nd Edition. Aesthetic reference: upper third (trichion-glabella), middle third (glabella-subnasale), lower third (subnasale-menton) approximately equal in the European-population norm.

  Valid values (6)

  • balanced_thirdsBalanced thirds— All three vertical thirds approximately equal.
  • long_upperLong upper third— Forehead substantially longer than the other thirds.
  • long_middleLong middle third— Midface (glabella to subnasale) substantially longer.
  • long_lowerLong lower third— Lower face (subnasale to menton) substantially longer; common with prognathism or chin elongation.
  • short_upperShort upper third— Low hairline; reduced forehead height.
  • short_lowerShort lower third— Reduced lower-face vertical dimension; common with retrognathia.

• Cheekbone (zygomatic) prominence

  photo-observable

  ordinal · zygomatic_prominence_qualitative

  Anterior projection of the zygomatic prominence.

  Aligned with the malar-augmentation literature; Ricketts esthetic plane references the malar region.

  Valid values (3)

  • flat_minimalFlat / minimal— Cheekbones not visible as a discrete landmark.
  • moderateModerate— Cheekbones visible but not prominent.
  • high_prominentHigh / prominent— Pronounced anterior projection; defined cheekbone landmarks. Common in some East Asian, indigenous American, and Slavic populations.

• Cheekbone width (bizygomatic breadth)

  photo-observable

  ordinal · bizygomatic_breadth_qualitative

  Width of the face at the cheekbones, proportional to face height.

  Farkas LG (1994). Reference: bizygomatic breadth (zy-zy) is typically the widest face dimension in the European-population norm.

  Valid values (3)

  • narrowNarrow— Bizygomatic breadth narrow relative to face height.
  • balancedBalanced— Bizygomatic breadth in proportional reference range.
  • wideWide— Bizygomatic breadth substantially wide; common in East Asian and indigenous populations.

• Midface morphology

  photo-observable

  categorical · midface_qualitative

  Soft-tissue contour of the midface (the region between the lower eyelid and the upper lip).

  Aligned with facial-aging and aesthetic-medicine descriptors of the midface region.

  Valid values (4)

  • full_youthfulFull / youthful— Anterior midface fullness; smooth nasolabial fold; defined cheek apple.
  • balancedBalanced— Average midface fullness.
  • flattened_agedFlattened / aged— Reduced midface fullness; deepened nasolabial fold; visible tear-trough; mid-cheek descent.
  • very_fullVery full— Pronounced anterior midface fullness — constitutional or augmented.

• Forehead height

  partly photo-observable

  ordinal · forehead_height_proportional

  Vertical dimension of the forehead from hairline (trichion) to glabella, proportional to lower facial thirds.

  Farkas LG (1994). Anthropometry of the Head and Face. Reference: forehead height (trichion to glabella) approximately equal to the other facial thirds in the aesthetic norm.

  Valid values (3)

  • lowLow— Forehead height substantially below proportional reference; low hairline.
  • balancedBalanced— Forehead height approximately matches other facial thirds.
  • tallTall— Forehead height substantially above proportional reference; high hairline or recession.

• Forehead shape (sagittal)

  partly photo-observable

  categorical · forehead_shape_qualitative

  Profile shape of the forehead in lateral view.

  Aligned with aesthetic-medicine descriptors of forehead morphology used in fillers / forehead-augmentation context.

  Valid values (4)

  • rounded_convexRounded / convex— Smoothly rounded forehead profile; soft slope.
  • flat_verticalFlat / vertical— Forehead nearly vertical in profile; minimal anterior curvature.
  • slopingSloping (posterior)— Forehead slopes posteriorly from glabella; common in male morphology with prominent supraorbital ridges.
  • bossingFrontal bossing— Pronounced anterior projection of the frontal bone; less common variant.