How to Treat an Asymmetrical Face

Co-authored by Nini Efia Yang

Last Updated: July 29, 2022 References

Having some asymmetry in your face is a big part of what makes your face uniquely yours. After all, if everyone’s face looked perfectly symmetrical, then they’d all look the same! But while small imperfections can help define you, if they make you feel self-conscious, there are things you can do to alter or reduce the appearance of asymmetries in your face. There are a variety of cosmetic products, styles, procedures, and strategies you can use to bring balance to your facial features. Before you try any drastic procedures or injections, talk to your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Makeup and Hairstyles

1
Contour the lines of your face with makeup to reduce asymmetry. Contouring will accentuate your cheekbones and make them look higher, as well as slim down your nose and chin, if that’s something you feel self-conscious about. It will also allow you to balance your features by giving more definition to any unevenness. Apply a foundation that matches your skin tone, and then apply lighter and darker foundations to accentuate your facial features and balance them.^{[1]
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- Look online for makeup artists who have facial asymmetry similar to you, so you can see how they contour their faces. For instance, if 1 side of your face is uneven, look for a tutorial that shows you how to apply your contour to correct it.
- Choose high-quality foundations made from natural ingredients that correspond to your skin tone for the best results.
2
Highlight your eyes and cheekbones. Highlighting your eyes and cheekbones will make them pop and draw attention away from any asymmetrical features on your face. Apply a primer and foundation, then add some concealer that’s a few shades lighter than your skin tone to the areas beneath your eyes and between your eyebrows. Then, use a makeup brush to blend the concealer and accentuate your eyes and cheekbones.^{[2]
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- Rather than trying to hide features you aren’t so happy with, highlight the ones you love!
- Use high-quality foundation and concealer that won’t clump or run.
Tip: For the best results, contour and highlight your face at the same time to accentuate and balance your features so your face looks more symmetrical.

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3
Shade under your jaw and chin to balance the shape of your face. If you have bloated or loose skin in the area beneath your jawline and chin, shading the area will help reduce imbalances in the shape of your face. Use an angled powder brush to apply shading powder a few shades darker than your skin tone to the area under your jaw and chin to create the appearance of a shadow that will draw attention away from the area.^{[3]
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4
Fill in thinner eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil. Uneven eyebrows can make your face appear imbalanced, so filling in your eyebrows so they match each other is a simple way to correct the asymmetry. Take an eyebrow pencil and run it over your fainter eyebrow so it closely matches your fuller eyebrow.^{[4]
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- It may help to add some eyebrow pencil to both eyebrows, and then add a little bit more to the eyebrow that’s naturally thinner so they’re balanced.
5
Style your hair into an uneven updo to minimize facial imbalances. Perfectly straight hairstyles, such as a bob or a round bun, will make any imbalances that you have more noticeable, so go with uneven shapes. Choose a teased, messy bun to add some unevenness to your appearance, which will distract from facial asymmetry. Try a side ponytail or a side-swept chignon on the opposite side of prominent or asymmetrical features to balance the appearance of your face.^{[5]
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- Use a pixie cut with long bangs that are swept over any facial asymmetries to highlight your more balanced features.
- Choosing uneven haircuts will work the same way. Angular, messy hairstyles like a choppy bob or a short cut with layers will help offset imbalances in your facial features.
6
Balance your forehead with bangs that hang to your eyebrows. If you’re worried about an uneven hairline or an overly prominent forehead, try simply covering them up! Choose a full set of long, feathery bangs that hit at or near your eyebrows to conceal any features that make your face look asymmetrical.^{[6]
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- Avoid straight or blunt bangs, which may actually accentuate your asymmetrical features!
7
Minimize facial imbalances with a side part. If you have asymmetry in your nose, eyes, or lips, a simple side part will help bring balance to your face. Part your hair to the opposite side of the imbalanced feature to help make your face appear more symmetrical.^{[7]
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- Never use a center part, which will bring attention to any imbalances on your face.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Correcting the Asymmetry

1
Inject fillers into your face to correct eyebrows that are uneven. Injecting a soft filler material into your face may help balance your features and correct the appearance of facial asymmetry. There are a variety of filler materials that can be injected, but they all need to be administered by a doctor to make sure they’re safe for you and to minimize the risk of infection or complications. Talk to your doctor about facial injections that can treat your asymmetrical face.^{[8]
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- Your doctor may also refer you to a plastic surgeon or a licensed specialist who can perform the injections.
- Injectible fillers will eventually fade as your body breaks them down so you may need to have multiple treatments to correct any asymmetries.
2
Fix wrinkles on 1 side of your face with Botox injections. Botulin toxin, commonly known as Botox, blocks the signals your nerves send to your muscles to relax the tissues. If you have wrinkles on 1 side of your face, such as on 1 side of your forehead, injecting Botox into the region can relax the tissues and reduce the wrinkles, which will make your face appear more symmetrical. Botox needs to be injected by a professional to reduce the risk of infection and to make sure you’re getting a safe dose, so talk to your doctor about getting injections.^{[9]
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- Botox can also be administered by some licensed cosmetologists.
Note: Botox injections are temporary and will need to be readministered once the effects wear off in 3-6 months.
3
Balance the appearance of your face with facial implants. If you have dramatic facial asymmetry from a birth defect, traumatic accident, facial or oral surgery, or any other reason, a facial implant can correct any imbalances and make your facial features appear more balanced. An implant must be specially designed for you and inserted beneath your skin by a surgeon. Talk to your doctor to see if you’re a good candidate for an implant.^{[10]
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- Facial implants can be made out of a variety of materials such as silicone, titanium, plastic, gel, and other metals.
- Your doctor will be able to assess you and refer you to a plastic surgeon who can insert a facial implant tailored for you.
4
Get corrective rhinoplasty to make your nose more symmetrical. If you have a broken or deformed nose, it can make your face look really imbalanced. Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that reshapes your nose so it’s straight and will make your face appear symmetrical. See a plastic surgeon or ask your doctor for a referral to get a nose job.^{[11]
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- Rhinoplasty is a pretty serious surgical operation, and there are always risks of complications. Talk to your doctor about any possible risks so you’re fully informed before you make your decision.
- A nose job, or rhinoplasty, is also pretty expensive, averaging about $5,350 USD for the procedure.
- If you have a deviated septum, or you have trouble breathing after breaking your nose, rhinoplasty can improve your ability to breathe through your nose.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Changing Lifestyle Habits

1
Avoid sleeping on your stomach and face. Sleeping on your belly with your face pressed into your pillow can make your face more asymmetrical over time. To improve the symmetry in your face and keep your features looking more balanced, sleep on your back or side.^{[12]
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- Sleeping on your back is also the best position to reduce pressure on your spine, which can help improve posture.
Tip: If you’re normally a stomach sleeper and have trouble adapting, try putting some ankle weights inside of a pillow and place it on your belly while you sleep on your back to keep yourself from rolling over.^{[13]
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2
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated. If you’re dehydrated, the skin around your eyes can sink and droop, which can make your face appear asymmetrical. To keep your body and skin healthy and hydrated, drink at least 8 or more 8 fl oz (240 mL) glasses of water every day.^{[14]
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3
Quit using tobacco to prevent and reduce facial asymmetry. Smoking cigarettes can cause your mouth and eyes to droop, making your face appear imbalanced. Chewing tobacco or using smokeless tobacco, commonly known as dip, affects your oral health, which can lead to problems that may make your face look asymmetrical. For your overall health and to reduce the appearance of asymmetry, stop using tobacco products.^{[15]
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- Quit smoking as soon as you can to improve your cardiovascular and respiratory health as well as reduce facial asymmetry.