We know that someone’s expression conveys their mood, but do their wrinkles really reflect their personality? Can facial lines indicate burn-out, disappointment, charm, courage, or secrecy? Personal development coach Marthie Maré, the first practicing face profiler in South Africa, tells us how to interpret frown lines and those around the eyes, mouth and nose. You’ll encounter terms such as dedication lines, support lines, anger flags, burn-out lines, and outreach lines.  

If you’ve had the chance to see an experienced physiognomist in action, you’ll know that this system of analysis can be astonishingly accurate. Each facial feature represents an aspect of the personality, including thinking patterns, workstyle, decision making, and listening skills.

“Every face tells a story,” says Marthie Maré, a personal development coach from Somerset West who uses face and brain profiling to help others discover their true self and reach their personal and professional goals. “We read others' life stories on their faces, even though it mostly happens unconsciously. We look at someone and immediately sense their determination, dissatisfaction or withdrawal, although we may not realise how we know.

The left and right sides of your face

“The left side of your face represents your personal life, while the right side points to those relationships which are less intimate and to your professional life - the face you show the world. If you have, for example, more courage lines on the right side of your face, it means that for the most part your challenges have stemmed from your work life or from your not-so-close relationships.

“Remember that when you look in the mirror, the left side of your mirror image reflects the left side of your face. However, when you look at someone standing in front of you, their left side will be on your right. 

“Let’s talk about specific facial lines:”

Outreach lines

Courage lines

Marthie explains what physiognomy is, how it works, and how this knowledge can benefit you and your relationships.

Frown lines

There is more than one kind of frown line.

• Anger flags

I advise people with anger flags to get rid of the cause of their frustration. If this proves impossible – after all, you cannot always get away from a situation or person - you need to find a way to process your frustration. You can go to the gym, hit a pillow, or find a place where you can scream as loudly as you can - as long as you do it regularly. Otherwise, the unprocessed emotion may lead to heart, liver or bile problems.

• Dedication line

• A single line between the eyebrows in the middle of the forehead is called a dedication line. This line means you’re in good company: Mother Teresa had a clear dedication line. This indicates your need to dedicate yourself to a certain cause or to others. Spiritually, you may be growing faster than most. You are purposeful; you tend to move from point A to point B without pausing.

• Perfectionism

Here Marthie tells us why face profiling, brain profiling and coaching are a match made in heaven.

Support lines

Burn-out line

Disappointment lines

Upper lip line

It's commonly found in actors, journalists and others who need to smile during their interaction with others. I like to tell people not to stop smiling; your smile may just brighten someone’s day. This line can also suggest tears that have not been shed.

Secrecy lines

Conversation line

The line that runs from one side of the face below the chin right round to the other side is called a conversation line. It resembles a second smile. People with this feature talk easily and are spontaneous, provided they feel comfortable.

Empathy lines

Emotional recognition lines

Deep grooves around the nasal wings indicate that you experience a lack of emotional or even financial recognition. On the left, it shows you feel that you have to try harder than others to get the same recognition from your spouse or family. A groove on the right can mean that it’s time to ask for a raise at work. Remember that facial lines refer to the owner’s perceptions - to how they experience reality.

Humour lines

Survival lines

Those so-called smoker’s lines or vertical lines around the mouth have nothing to do with the smoking habit; they are survival lines. They develop when you feel your opinion is not valued, or that you are constantly being belittled. Survival lines on the left mean you feel your nearest and dearest do not honour your opinion; on the right it means you feel colleagues, friends or society criticise your views. The talent involved in this instance is your ability to handle any situation that may come your way.

Recognition line

Find out how Marthie approaches clients and her craft.

Feel free to click on Home and browse this website for articles and podcasts on more fulfilling love relationships, easier parenting, and upping your emotional well-being.

Contact details

Marthie Maré is a personal development coach from Somerset West who uses face profiling, brain profiling and coaching to open up a client’s potential and maximise performance.

Marthie offers face to face (no pun intended!) as well as Zoom sessions.

Tel. 082 716 3626

Email info@profileworx.com

Website www.profileworx.com    

This article was originally written for rooi rose magazine.

Images: Unsplash, unless indicated otherwise. Models used.