How to Pick the Best Frames for Your Face

Know your face shape? Skip ahead.

Oval | Heart-Shaped | Oblong | Square Diamond | Round | Base-Down Triangle

Anyone who has had to pick out new frames understands the struggle of finding the right fit. What looks downright perfect on the stand somehow looks awkward on your face. The problem isn’t you, it’s the frames.

By picking out the right frame type based on your face shape you can accentuate your best features and downplay the ones you’d rather hide. Use the guidelines below to determine your face shape, pinpoint the styles you should avoid, and introduce you to the styles you’re guaranteed to love.

Square

Those with square faces will want to find glasses that soften the angular qualities of their facial structure. If you have a square face shape, go for rounded frames that are thinner in design. You’ll also want to ensure you aren’t going with frame sizes that are too small for your face.

Facial Features:

• Angular lines
• Wide jaw and forehead
• Width and length of face are roughly the same
• Square chin

Fitting Tips:

• Look for rounded frames that are on the thinner side
• Pick frames that are a tad wider than your cheekbones

Most Flattering Frames for Square Faces

If you have a square face then you should go with oval, round, or cat-eye frames.

Frames to Avoid for Square Faces

If you have a square face then you should avoid rectangular frames.

Heart-Shaped

Those with heart-shaped faces have a wider forehead and narrow chin. To find frames that complement this face type, you should look for frames that minimize your forehead but accentuate the lower half of your face. You can do this by picking frames with a lot of design elements.

Facial Features:

• The forehead is the widest point
• High cheekbones
• Pointed or narrow chin

Fitting Tips:

• Pick frames that have details and design elements on the lower half of the frames
• Pick frames that are wider than your forehead

Most Flattering Frames for Heart-Shaped Faces

If you have a heart-shaped face then you should go with oval, rectangular, round, aviator, or geometric frames.

Frames to Avoid for Heart-Shaped Faces

If you have a heart-shaped face then you should avoid square and browline frames.

Oblong

Those with oblong face shapes have a long and slender face. Finding the right glasses pair will help to create balanced proportions to the face.

Facial Features:

• Long nose
• Tall forehead
• High cheekbones

Fitting Tips:

• You’ll want to make sure you get the right frame size as overly small or large glasses will through off the proportions of your face

Most Flattering Frames for Oblong Faces

If you have a oblong face then you should go with cat-eye, square, rectangle frames.

Frames to Avoid for Oblong Faces

If you have a oblong face then you should avoid round frames.

Oval

If you have an oval face shape, you’re in luck. Oval faces are versatile when it comes to glasses pairings. There aren’t any frames you should necessarily avoid because of your face’s existing balance. At the most, you’ll want to stray away from any frames that have loud patterns or designs which can then throw off the balance of your face.

Facial Features:

• Wide cheekbones
• Narrow chin and forehead

Fitting Tips:

• Go for oversized and wide frames which will complement the shape of your face the best
• Avoid frames with extreme patterns and designs, which can add the illusion of extra length to your face

Most Flattering Frames for Oval Faces

If you have a oval face then you should go with round, oval, rectangle, and square frames.

Diamond

Diamond face shapes are the cousin of heart-shaped faces, only much rarer. If you happen to have a diamond face shape, you’ll want to take full advantage of your angular features by accentuating them with soft, rounded frames. This brings attention to your eyes, not your cheekbones.

Facial Features:

• Broad cheekbones
• Narrow jawline

Fitting Tips:

• Pick frames with angular features to complement your angular face structure
• Many people with diamond face shapes find semi-rimless styles work well with their facial structure—give it a try!

Most Flattering Frames for Diamond Faces

If you have a diamond face then you should go with oval and cat-eye frames.

Frames to Avoid for Diamond Faces

If you have a diamond face then you should avoid rectangle frames.

Round

If you have a round face you’ll have soft curves to your features. You won’t have any strong angles to your face. To complement this and bring our your best features, you’ll want to pick frames that make your face appear longer.

Facial Features:

• Rounded chin
• Full cheeks

Fitting Tips:

• Pick lenses that have similar heights and widths
• Go with frames that have bold designs and patterns

Most Flattering Frames for Round Faces

If you have a round face then you should go with rectangle, square, and round frames.

Frames to Avoid for Round Faces

If you have a round face then you should avoid oval and browline frames.

Base-Down Triangle

If you have a base-down triangle face shape, you’ll have a small forehead and wider cheeks and chin. Your goal with glasses to create the illusion of even proportions is to pick glasses with decoration and design along the top half of the frame.

Facial Features:

• Narrow forehead
• Broad cheeks and jawline

Fitting Tips:

• Pick glasses with accents and design on the top half of the frame
• Choose a frame that is slightly wider than your face to give the illusion of a wider forehead

Most Flattering Frames for Base-Down Triangle Faces

If you have a base-down triangle face then you should go with cat-eye, round, geometric frames.

Frames to Avoid for Base-Down Triangle Faces

If you have a base-down triangle face then you should avoid rectangular frames.

Bonus: Additional Factors to Consider

Face shape is a major player when it comes to selecting the right glasses for your face. However, there are a few other things to consider when searching for the perfect pair.

Consider the following before deciding on your new frames:

• Eye color
• Face size
• Hair color
• Skin tone
• Lifestyle
• Personality

Eye Color

The majority of eyeglass wearers know their face shape plays into what looks good on their face. Fewer know that their eye color could be clashing with their current frames. Consider your eye color, especially if you have vivid eye colors like blue or green, to ensure you’re picking frames that complement your features.

Eye Color and Frame Color Pairings

Green Eyes Caramel, tortoise, green, purple, or pink glasses Blue Eyes Blue, gray, or tortoise glasses Brown Eyes Black, brandy, olive, green, tortoise, or purple glasses Hazel Eyes Tan, brown, green, gold, caramel, or olive glasses Gray Eyes True black, dark blue, burgundy, or purple glasses

Hair Color

If you’re one to change your hair color frequently, you may not want to spend much time considering whether your current shade clashes with the glasses you intend on purchasing. However, if you love your hair color, and never want to change it, use the chart below to help you pick the right color match.

Hair Color and Frame Color Pairings

Cool Blonde Hair Grey, black, dark tortoiseshell, purple, blue, or pink frames Warm Blonde Hair Tortoiseshell, brown, green, red, amber, or coral frames Cool Brown Hair Cool green, purple, blue, cherry, or dark tortoiseshell frames Warm Brown Hair Light brown, light tortoiseshell, amber, white, red, or deep green frames Red Hair Rich greens, tortoiseshell, black, or reddish-brown frames Black Hair Black, green, blue, or brown frames Grey & White Hair Cherry, blue, or black frames

Face Size

A pair of glasses that doesn’t fit your face size is either going to slide off your nose or squeeze your head, neither of which are comfortable. People fall into three categories of face sizes: narrow, medium, and wide.

If you have a narrow face pick glasses with a frame width of 42mm to 50mm.

If you have a medium-sized face, pick glasses with a frame width of 48mm to 53mm.

If you have a wide face, pick glasses with a frame width of 52mm or wider.

You can find the frame width of glasses on the inside part of a glasses arm. There will be three numbers. This depicts lens width, bridge width, and temple length in order from left to right.

Skin Tone

You want your skin tone and glasses to be the perfect fit. Here’s what to consider:

Those with warm skin tones have a peach, yellow, and golden undertones. If you have a warm skin tone you should pick light tortoise, gold, beige, or olive green colored frames.

Those with cool skin tones have pink and bluish tones to their skin. If you have a cool skin tone you should go with black, mauve, gray, pink, or dark tortoise frames.

If you have a neutral skin tone your undertones are about the same color as your skin tone. If you have a neutral skin tone you can pull of almost any color.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle may dictate the need for a variety of glasses. Consider the following glasses types for various lifestyle needs when picking out frames both functional and trendy:

• Computer glasses – prevent digital eye strain with specialized lenses
• Sports – a stronger material, selected for impact resistance and durability, is used to make sports glasses
• Reading – allow for ease while riding or completing close up work without having progressives or bifocals
• Sunglasses – prescription sunglasses can be used by those who do not wear contact lenses to protect their eyes while in the sun
• Working out – a ‘throwaway’ pair of glasses or a pair designed specifically for the needs of working out can keep your everyday pair safe from damage

Personality

Just like clothes, shoes, and jewelry, glasses are a great way to express your personality. If you have a large, creative personality, funky and unique frames are a new avenue for you to express your style. But, you’ll also need to consider where you’ll be wearing your new frames. You’ll want to consider the company you keep and the work environment you’re in each day.

Business professionals who need to maintain a conservative, professional appearance in their work environment may not want to go with cat-eye frames in vibrant purples, pinks, or blues—even if it looks amazing on you. Opt for standard shapes and colors to complement the rest of your work wardrobe.

There’s nothing wrong with having a pair of muted frames for when you need to appear more professional at work and fun frames for when you’re off the clock. At the very least, full-time glasses wearers may want to have two pairs, one for everyday use and one more elegant pair. But as mentioned previously, some lifestyles may dictate you keeping multiple pairs on deck for different uses.

Where to Try on Glasses in the Orlando Area

Even with virtual try-on options becoming more widely available, there’s something different about putting on a physical pair of glasses. Determining how they feel on your face and if the frames are the right size for you can only be determined by putting on a physical pair of glasses.

For those looking to buy a new pair of glasses, Primera Eye Care has a selection of glasses from top brands offered at affordable prices. Visit us at our location in Lake Mary to pick a new pair today.

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