How To Read Your Face

We already know that the state of our health can be reflected in our skin. But delve a little deeper and everything from the arch of an eyebrow to a double chin might be reflecting details about our character, our emotions and our personality traits. “When I look at a face, I can read what’s going on inside the body, as your face is an external manifestation of what is happening internally,” explains Chinese-medicine practitioner Katie Brindle, an expert in Mien Shiang – the ancient Chinese art of face reading. “There’s the Western answer to issues like thinning brows, puffiness and lines, and then there’s this approach, which goes deeper into the body’s energy frequencies.” Used in Chinese medicine as a diagnostic tool, it can also provide helpful insights into yourself and those around you. So, to discover why you should always look at the left side of someone’s face and be wary of a ‘cat’s eye’, read on…

The left side of the face shows our true selves, while the right side is the face we like to present to the world. If you have a symmetrical face, then this reveals a balanced personality. “Our left-hand side is often more lifted and alert than the right side,” explains Brindle. “This indicates that our ‘real’ self is more open and expansive than our guarded, restrained and possibly cynical ‘outer’ self. However, I’ve often noticed that when you study some famous faces, you’ll see that their right side looks lovely, but the left side reveals a very different side to them.”

The face can be divided horizontally into three sections, each of which offers an insight into natural talents and traits. Simply look at your face to see which of the three is most prominent.

A dominant forehead: “If this area is strongest, then you are likely to be motivated and driven by intellect, learning, analysis and research,” says Brindle, with Albert Einstein a good example of someone who displays this dominant ‘intellect’ area.”

Stronger features from the eyebrows to the nose: “This shows practicality and a skill in being able to adapt to the opportunities and challenges of your environment. However, the more creative chefs and artists can also have this dominant zone.”

A strong mouth and jaw: “This is about instinct, showing you are guided by your feelings and are more likely to react intuitively, impulsively or spontaneously. You may also pick up on other people’s energy and moods – it’s a trait that is seen in a lot of healers.”

“The nose is known as the money box of the face, and if slightly turned-down, it shows a good business focus and awareness of others and their motives,” says Brindle. A more refined, classic nose shows good values, independence and a grounded personality, compared to a more playful turned-up nose.

There could be a reason why we spend so much of our time creating the perfectly groomed brow because, according to Chinese face reading, a nicely arched brow shows an ability to handle a tricky partner. “A good brow can [subliminally] show someone who is strong, and often successful, that you may be their perfect partner, as you will know how to deal with them.”

“A dimpled chin can show creativity and good luck,” says Brindle. “But the chin can also show that you are running on empty. So many women ask me about their double chin, which can show that you are burning through your energy reserves and wearing out your constitution. It’s the same with that little horizontal crease you can sometimes see between the bottom lip and the chin – the deeper that is, the more it’s a warning that you need to slow down, do less and rest more.”

“When you meet someone for the first time, you might want to examine the inner corner of their eyes,” advises Brindle. “If that part, the inner canthus, goes to a clear point, which gives them more of a feline cat’s eye, it may mean that they can be inclined to let their claws out from time to time.”

“People are attracted to a larger mouth, as it shows generosity, which everyone likes,” says Brindle. “However, I have a lot of women asking me why they have lines around their lips, even though they’ve never smoked. This can be a sure sign that you are doing too much for others and need to recharge your batteries – and maybe think a bit more about yourself, rather than just helping other people.”

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