Knowing the right tips on how to choose glass frames for your face shape is the first step to looking glamorous and memorable when wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses, even if when you do this because of having vision problems. You can, of course, opt for contact lenses instead, but we find that one looks super smart and super attractive with the right frame in his or her face.
Many of us have problems with our eyesight. We can be near-sighted or far-sighted. We can require really thick lenses or get by with the lowest prescriptions. Sometimes we’re born with it; sometimes our practices affect our 20/20 vision.
All in all, most people will need some sort of corrective procedures to be able to see the clearest possible. That’s where those glasses come on. Of course, we’re talking about glasses with frames and lenses here, though drinking away your problems is a possibility that we do not endorse.
Eyeglasses are such a staple accessory that even those without prescriptions may decide to pick up a pair, just to look more hipster, more intelligent, or in general more professional. Studies over the years have shown that when two candidates with the same qualifications and a similar personality are interviewed for a job, employees tend to hire those with glasses more often than those without.
But not all glass frames look appealing on every face and not all styles match every personality. It’s important that when picking out the pair you want or need, you pay attention to how it will match the shape of your face.
These are not handbags or scarves that are one size fits all. These need careful thought and a picky process. They need you to understand which styles will suit you as you are.
If you are having trouble picking out the right pair of glass frames according to your face shape, your optician should be able to help. If you have a good rapport and the optician knows your personality as well as your face, chances are he or she can pick out the best frames to suit the whole you better than anyone; after all, they work there and know their collections well.
There are seven types of face shapes and you will need to identify your own. It can be round, square, oval, oblong, heart-shaped, triangle-shaped or diamond-shaped. To figure out your personal face shape, trace an outline of it and compare.
When picking the glass frames make sure that it looks like the frames are wearing you and not the other way around. You might want to go for a subtler pair if it’s standing out too much and not something that looks really good on someone you know or the model in the ads.
Glass Frames for Round Faces
Round faces have a circular form, equal in length and width, full cheeks, and a rounded chin, while the forehead is wide. Those with a round face shape will want to reduce that chubby look and create a longer illusion, visually adding lines and angles to create a balanced look.
As such, angular frames that do not have any roundness to them, such as rectangles and wayfarer glasses are probably your best bet. Glasses with wider frames will also make your round face look visually slimmer. This way you are adding definition to the otherwise soft look, accenting the features without allowing the frame to overpower the face.
Go for bolder, thicker glass frames and something that sticks out more than your regular frame. You might want to also pick up lenses that are polycarbonate, anti-scratch and with anti-reflective coating. This way you look fab and still have it do what it’s supposed to do.
Recommended Frames for Round Faces: Go for square, rectangle, wayfarer, classic cat-eye, aviator or edgy wrap/shield frames to visually slim down and elongate your round face shape.
Not Recommended Frames for Round Faces: You definitely want to avoid round and oversized frames, which will only make your face look even rounder and chubbier.
Glass Frames for Square Faces
As the name already implies, square faces have an angular bone structure, a wide forehead and a prominent jawline. Those with a square face will not want to highlight the angles but soften them, which is why a rounder shape would be a better match, though some still keep to the angular designs. Ovals and more cat-eye frames are your best bet here.
You want to give the eyes a lift and the face a lever severe contouring. However, if you still want the angular, you can try a cat-eye design with a boxy aesthetic that looks rounder, with pentagonal features. This way, even though you have edges, you also manage to flatter the face shape.
Lightweight metal frames also work really well as they do not take away from your look but add an aura of intelligence to you. Of course, you can always go for the fabulously oversized round styles in the ones that double up as sunglasses as well, which just adds fab, chic and flirty to your do.
Recommended Frames for Square Faces: Consider retro cat-eye, oval or round glass frames to soften the sharp angles of your square face.
Not Recommended Frames for Square Faces: In order to avoid emphasizing the sharpness of your square face and the strong jawline, you should stay away from glass frames with sharp angles, such as square or rectangle frames.
Glass Frames for Oval Faces
Women with oval face shapes have a balanced look with high cheekbones, a narrow chin and a narrow forehead. Oval faces are the easiest to work with it appears. Most anything looks good on them. Just make sure the frames you seek out are the width of your face so that you do not run into any problems.
Squares and rectangles do the best job in complementing an oval face’s features though, so keep that in mind. A longer, rounder frame will also look amazing, so long as it is on the wider side.
Cat-eyes look amazing no matter what, and an oversized frame in this design is sure to turn some heads. Boxy shapes do well in a larger size, but you should be careful with those. Not all will look great.
Recommended Frames for Oval Faces: Cat-eye, round, square, rectangle, aviator and wayfarer frame styles all complement an oval face.
Not Recommended Frames for Oval Faces: You still should be careful when picking oversized frames, preferably avoiding them.
Glass Frames for Heart-Shaped Faces
You have a broad forehead, high cheekbones and a strong narrow chin, so you should be dressing up your face accordingly with glasses where the frames angle outward at the bottom. This means classic aviators are actually the right fit for you.
You can also go for the rimless features, which flatter your features even more. Go for the metal frames with the nose pads that sit on your face in a classic manner while also give you the ease and comfort you require. It will enhance the frame itself and have it sit in a way that befits your features.
Pilot frames are great as well, with the plastic allowing for more flexibility in jazzing up the features. It’s versatile and can be very sexy. Just make sure the bottom of the lens is wider.
Recommended Frames for Heart-Shaped Faces: Aviator, round, oval, wayfarer and cat-eye frames are the go-to styles for women with heart-shaped faces.
Not Recommended Frames for Heart-Shaped Faces: Avoid rectangle and square frames, as well as frames that are wider at the bottom, in general.
Glass Frames for Triangle Faces
Also known as a pear-shaped face, a triangle face features a wide jawline and a narrow forehead. Still, there’s something about the triangular face that can be very attractive, but you need to pick the right pair of glasses and the best you can go with is the cat-eyed look. The super strong chin needs some help in softening it.
Curved edges are a good thing and certainly make the face a lot more attractive. Making the sunglasses you wear oversized cat-eyed styles will certainly be winning you dozens of compliments a day.
Recommended Frames for Triangle Faces: Oversized cat-eye, aviator and generally wider frames will visually add width to the top part of the face, making it look perfectly balanced.
Not Recommended Frames for Triangle Faces: Steer clear of frames that will accentuate the strong jawline even more.
Glass Frames for Oblong Faces
Oblongs are elongated ovals that go amazingly well with horizontal cat-eyes frames, sitting across the face but also curving where needed. You can go with rounder frames as well, while also experimenting with geometric shapes that have decorative designs on the temples to jazz it up.
It’s important here to shorten the length of the face so we go more horizontal to do so. If you like the rimless look, you might have a bit of a problem so go for something angular and only semi-rimless for now until you ease into the look. A hybrid of rectangle and cat-eye works amazingly well, especially with bolder rims.
Recommended Frames for Oblong Faces: Round and horizontal cat-eye frames will ultimately flatter oblong faces.
Not Recommended Frames for Oblong Faces: Small, narrow frames should be avoided, if you have an oblong face.
Glass Frames for Diamond Faces
Here you have very angular features, sharp but gorgeous, with the cheekbones being the widest part of the face, while the forehead and the jawline – the narrowest. You will want a frame that’s heavier at the top and bringing more of its emphasis to the corners, while those with flat tops should be avoided at all times. You don’t want to be accentuating your cheekbones too much.
Your best bet is actually the ‘60s style wayfarer frames that somehow have been a classic staple for the diamond-shaped faces. Sunglasses with clearer frames are a good idea as well, particularly if the angling of the lens becomes narrower as you reach the lowest end. The curves add softness to the features, while the general look is chic and splendidly professional.
Recommended Frames for Diamond Faces: Wayfarer and oversized aviator frames will look gorgeous on your diamond face.
Not Recommended Frames for Diamond Faces: Rounded glass frames are an absolute no-no for women with diamond faces.
Flattering Glass Frame Shades for Face Shapes
The details of the glass frames are just as important, including the color. If you have dark hark, then glasses with a darker hue will enhance your coloring, while those with light hair should opt for the creamier looks that will brighten their skin and hair.
Those with pale skin should go for the darker frames to create a nice contrast, while using a mid-toned frame will bring warmth to your features. Of course, don’t forget to pick the type of lens that suits your needs, from plastic to polycarbonate, trivex to high-index plastic or ultra-thin polyurethane.
Best Glass Frame Colors for Round Faces
When your face is round and you’ve picked the angular glasses, opt for a color that’s not black but not light either. A versatile olive color will go well with most anything you’re wearing while also looking chic and professional when you walk out that door. It’s not conventional, but it’s certainly worth the try. It may become your new staple eyewear!
Of course, you can go with multiple hues, particularly bright colors, prints and embellishments on the brow line that will add a bit of contour to the round face.
Wooden frames are also becoming increasingly popular and it might be a fun move to mix and match your casuals with this alternative to the classic wayfarer, particularly when you add polarized lenses to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun. It is an affordable option that’s both unique and lightweight in style.
Best Glass Frame Colors for Square Faces
When you have picked your cat-eye or oval frame, opt for the brighter colorings to lighten up your mood and have you looking fashionably chic. Go for more greyish and neutral frames if you’re a blonde, particularly with the oversized round glasses.
You can go for most any hue with the square face and look good. Just make sure it matches your skin tone and hair color.
Best Glass Frame Colors for Oval Faces
Dark blue hues look rather amazing on the more oval faces it appears. While greys with soft stripes in a diagonal setting work wonders with a wide brim oversized cat-eye set.
Translucent thick frames also look great, particularly with the blonde hair and warmer tanned skin tone when you wear them as sunglasses with prescriptions. These are more wayfarers but suit the oval face charmingly.
Best Glass Frame Colors for Heart-Shaped Faces
A wider forehead is flattered by lighter colors or delicate frames that are not too dark but are just the right hue to match the rest of the face. Metal frames give the essential silhouette and the spring hinges ensure comfort.
Going for the metal and plastic combination is a great idea, with the lighter top and darker bottom of the frames so that the aviator looks give you the best of both world. Since the plastic also gives you more opportunity to be more expressive, opt for the black and white stripes that really add fun to the outfit.
Ray-Bans are a classic you cannot go wrong with and one style of sunglasses that you should stick to very closely. If they are with a green, mirrored lens then you should certainly choose this for your heart-shaped face. It’s not a good look on everybody so enjoy how awesome they make you appear, since you obviously can.
Best Glass Frame Colors for Triangle Faces
Bolder frames in darker colors are going to be flattering the triangle-shaped face the most, adding weight to the upper part of the face and downplaying the broadness of the chin. Retro frames are a great way to spruce up the cat-eyed look, with the half rim wayfarer illusion and the way that highlights the top of the face, bringing the focus to the eyes.
Striped detailing is a great addition, especially when you are going for a seafaring blue hue. That cheeky contrast really makes them stand out on your face.
Best Glass Frame Colors for Oblong Faces
Those with oblong faces can really have fun with their glasses. Go for brighter colors, like reds and pinks and yellows or greens for a more satisfying effect. Bolder rims are also a great choice, especially on the rectangular cat-eye.
The rims can then be played around with, and include horizontal stripes, bright and dark color combinations, spots, or anything else that meets your fancy.
Best Glass Frame Colors for Diamond Faces
We’re looking at half-rims here more often than not and a walk on the wild side in terms of its coloring is not a bad idea at all. Stripes and spots at the top while the rims only reach half way and accentuate the angularity of the side of the face is a good look.
Glasses in brighter hues can also bring a splash of color to any wardrobe so go for the reds and the purples. These are universally flattering.
Photo courtesy of The Blonde Salad
This story was originally published on January 17, 2015, and we have updated it, adding more useful tips.
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