When it's time to get new glasses, you want to make sure you get the perfect pair for your face shape! Some eyeglasses look attractive on display but are not so great when you try them on. Your face shape plays a significant role in whether a specific style of glasses will look good on you.
So, how to choose the perfect glasses for your face shape?
What is your face shape?
To help you choose the right glasses, you first need to identify your face shape. There are seven main categories of facial contours:
- Square
- Round
- Oval
- Heart
- Diamond
- Triangular
- Oblong
If you want to determine your face shape, please follow the four simple steps explained.
Here are the definitions of each face shape and the eyeglasses frames made for each one.
Square Face Shape
People with a square face shape have a strong jaw and a broad forehead. The width and length of the face have roughly the same proportions.
If it's your case, you would like to make your square face look longer and soften its angles. We recommend you try narrow frame styles, frames with more width than depth, and narrow ovals.
Rounded Face Shape
If you have full cheeks, a soft chin line and forehead, you have a rounded face shape! This means your face has curved lines with the same proportions between the cheekbones and the face; and between the forehead and the jawline.
To make this kind of face shape thinner and longer, it is best to opt for glasses that can add a slight edge. You may consider cat eye, rectangle-shaped and square retro frames. Avoid rounded shapes at all costs!
Oval Face Shape
If your forehead, jaw and chin are all very close to the same width, and your face is longer than wide, you have an oval face shape. This kind of face shape has naturally balanced proportions.
To maintain the natural balance, you may choose eyeglasses as wide or wider than the broadest part of your face. That's why walnut-shaped frames or a pair of cat-eye frames are an excellent choice. Rimless and half-frames work best for a small oval face, whereas full-rimmed frames are best for those with a longer face.
Heart Face Shape
Do you have soft, delicate features, a broad forehead and cheekbones with a narrow chin line? You have a heart face shape.
Heart-shaped faces are the most difficult to balance. With this kind of face shape, you would want to balance out a pointed chin. Pick up frame shapes wider at the bottom to reduce the width of the top of the head. Thin, pale, rimless, light metal or clear plastic frames are good choices for heart face shapes. You may also choose frames that curve upwards.
Diamond Face Shape
If you have a narrow forehead and jawline and broad cheekbones that may be high and dramatic, you have a diamond face shape. This kind of face shape is rare.
To bring out the eyes and soften the cheekbones, try frames with detailing or distinctive brow lines. Cat-eye shapes, oval frames and rimless eyeglasses can also be good choices.
Base-Down Triangle
A base-down triangle face shape has a narrow forehead and widens at the cheeks and chin areas.
With this type of face, you'll want to add width and highlight the narrow upper third of the face. You may try frames heavily accented with colour and detailing on the top half of the frame. Cat-eye shape frames can be good choices too.
Oblong Face Shape
How to determine if you have an oblong face shape? You may recognize the following characteristics:
- Your face is longer than it is wider
- Your face width is narrow
- Your forehead and jawline appear to have a similar width
- Your chin is pointy
- Your cheeks and the sides of your face are straight
- Your forehead is tall and wide
- Your face is widest at your forehead
To make an oblong face appear shorter and more balanced, try frames with more depth than width. Frames with decorative or contrasting temples also add width to the face.
With so many glasses to choose from, knowing what suits you best can help in bringing out your unique facial contours.
Still not sure what pair of eyeglasses suits you the best? Book an appointment in one of our IRIS stores and our Opticians will gladly assist you in choosing the perfect glasses for your face shape!
