What Is a “Fairy Face”? All About This Enchanting Look

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Professional makeup artist Bethany Brenneman explains how to create a fairy face

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes Reviewed by Bethany Brenneman

Last Updated: November 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Fairy Face Meaning
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• Fairy Face Characteristics
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• Fairy Face Makeup
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• Similar Terms

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You might have heard people say that a celebrity has a “fairy face,” or someone may even have said you have one. But what exactly is a fairy face, and is this a compliment? (Spoiler alert: it is!) If you’re looking for the answers to these questions and more, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a complete guide to “fairy faces,” including what this term means and the facial features associated with it, plus tips from professional makeup artist Bethany Brenneman on how to achieve the look with makeup. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

How do you achieve “fairy face” with makeup?

Professional makeup artist Bethany Brenneman says to start with a dewy, glowy base by applying illuminating primer and a light foundation to give your skin luminosity. Use soft, shimmery pastels on your eyes and highlighter on your cheekbones, nose, and cupid's bow. Finish the look with blush and a soft, pink lipgloss.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

What is a “fairy face”?

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1. 
   A “fairy face” is a face with ethereal, pixie-like features. The specific characteristics of fairy faces can vary slightly, but they usually include delicate bone structure, enchanting almond-shaped eyes, slightly pointy noses and chins, and an overall youthful and spritely vibe. Long story short, if someone says you have a “fairy face,” they’re basically saying you look like a magical fairy out of a storybook, which is a pretty high compliment!

   • Examples of celebrities with “fairy faces” include: Anya Taylor-Joy, Elle Fanning, Zendaya, Björk, Liv Tyler, Emma Stone, Lupita Nyong'o, Ashley Greene, Jenna Ortega, Cara Delevigne, Lucy Hale, Phoebe Dynevor, Dove Cameron, Lily-Rose Depp, Taylor Swift, David Bowie, Timothee Chalamet

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Bethany Brenneman is a professional makeup artist with over a decade of experience. She also shares makeup and style tips and tutorials on YouTube and Instagram.
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Section 2 of 4:

Characteristics of a Fairy Face

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   Large, almond-shaped eyes People with fairy faces tend to have big, enchanting almond-shaped eyes with a special twinkle to them. These eyes often have a playful and slightly mischievous look—think Tinker Bell from Peter Pan, for example. If your eyes are large, sparkling, and more almond than round, this would be one major sign that you’ve got a fairy face!
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   High cheekbones Fairies are known for having super high, prominent cheekbones, which gives them an otherworldly, ethereal look. If your cheekbones really stand out on your face and create an uplifted, almost elven appearance, this is another indication that you have a fairy face.
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   Smaller, slightly pointy nose One of the most recognizable traits of a fairy face is a smaller, slightly pointy nose that may also be upturned. This look is undeniably pixie-like, to the point that someone might say you have a fairy face even if this is the only facial feature you have out of this list!

   • Ashley Greene, who played Alice Cullen in the Twilight series, and singer/actress Dove Cameron are great examples of this facial feature.
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   Slightly pointy chin The delicate bone structure of a fairy face often tapers down to a small, slightly pointy chin. This feature can be seen on fairy-faced stars like Anya Taylor-Joy, Zendaya, and Jenna Ortega, for example.
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   Full lips Plump, full lips are another hallmark of a fairy face, lending even more grace and femininity to this enchanting look. Many fairy-faced people also have a prominent cupid's bow (think of Taylor Swift, Lupita Nyong’o, and Emma Stone).
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   An overall ethereal vibe This characteristic is a little bit harder to quantify, but it’s basically a whimsical and mythical vibe. Fairies are known for having otherworldly beauty, so people with “fairy faces” tend to have seriously ethereal energy. They seem like they just stepped out of a fairy tale, and they can enchant and captivate you with just one look!
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Get the “Fairy Face” Look with Makeup

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   Start with a shimmery, glowy complexion. Brenneman says you need a “dewy, glowy base” for fairy face makeup. She adds, “You can use an illuminating primer and a light foundation or tinted moisturizer that makes your skin look luminous.” You can also skip foundation and just apply moisturizer if you prefer.

   • Brenneman suggests using a shimmery highlighter “on your cheekbones, nose, and cupid’s bow.”
   • Applying your highlighter in these areas draws attention to your cheekbones and makes your nose and chin look pointier, and all of these are key features of a fairy face!
   • Brenneman also says to use a “shimmery rosy or peachy blush [on] the apples of your cheeks for that natural flush.”
   • If you want to go the extra mile, you can also apply a bit of highlighter along your collarbones to create an even more shimmery look.
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   Contour your cheekbones, nose, and chin. Fairy faces tend to have high cheekbones and pointier noses and chins, but if you don’t naturally have these features, contouring can help create the appearance of them. Just apply a cream or powder contour along the hollows of your cheeks right under your cheekbones, along your jawline tapering down to your chin, and along the sides of your nose.
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   Try out a shimmery eyeshadow look with winged liner. Enchanting eyes are a major part of the fairy face look, so feel free to get creative here! In general, shimmery and colorful eyeshadows are perfect to draw attention to your beautiful eyes. “Go with soft, shimmery pastels like lavender, pink, silver, or gold and blend them out for that ethereal vibe,” advises Brenneman. “Then, add some delicate winged liner or little dots around your eyes for extra sparkle.”

   • Brenneman says that you can add tiny rhinestones or glitter “for that magical finishing touch.”
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   Line your lips and finish with a shiny or glittery lip gloss. “Keep your lips glossy in a soft pink shade,” advises Brenneman. Accentuate your cupid’s bow with your lipliner if you have one naturally, or draw a slight cupid’s bow shape if you don’t. Finally, apply your favorite shimmery or glittery lip gloss, and voila! You’ve created the fairy face look.

   • Consider finishing your look off with a soft, whimsical hairstyle. Loose waves, braids, and wispy bangs are all fun options that suit the fairy aesthetic. Floral clips or shimmery barrettes are great accessories to finish the look off.
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Section 4 of 4:

Terms Related to “Fairy Face”

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1. 
   Here are a few other terms that have similar meanings or vibes to “fairy face”:

   • Delicate features: When someone has “delicate features,” this usually means that they have small, fine, feminine, and graceful facial characteristics. There’s a lot of overlap between the “fairy face” look and the more general description of someone with delicate features.
   • Pixie-like: Oftentimes, someone is described as “pixie-like” when they have an ethereal or otherworldly vibe, complete with a pointy, upturned nose, pointy chin, and overall youthful look. This aesthetic is super similar to the “fairy face” look.
   • Elven appearance: Those with “elven” appearances look like elves, just like people with “fairy faces” look like fairies. The elven look typically includes sharp, delicate bone structure, pointier features, and a youthful energy.
   • Fairycore: Fairycore is a fashion and makeup aesthetic inspired by fairies. If you naturally have a fairy-like appearance, this style of clothing and makeup may suit you especially well! Check out our guide to the Fairycore aesthetic for more info.

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