When it comes to choosing eye frames, does your face type really matter?
To some it may not be a huge deal but, for others, finding the perfect shape for their face type is an important consideration when it comes to buying glasses.
If you’re curious to know how to choose eye frames for your face type, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn more:
How to Determine Your Face Shape
By identifying your facial features, you can determine what your face shape is. Generally, there are five main categories of face shapes:
- Square: Wide hairline and strong jawline. Forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are about the same width. Face is as long as it is wide.
- Round: Short with a wide hairline. Cheekbones are the widest part of the face. Forehead and jawline are about the same width.
- Heart: Narrow chin with wide cheekbones and a pointed hairline.
- Triangular: Narrow chin with a wide forehead.
- Oval: Proportionally balanced and longer than they are wide. Round jawline and chin with a wide forehead.
There is no exact science to figuring out your face shape and there’s no rulebook saying you have to wear glasses that match your face shape – it’s important to wear what makes you feel comfortable!
However, to get you started here’s a quick guide on how to figure out your face shape:
- Find the widest part of your face. If you have a wide forehead, you have an oval face. If your cheekbones are wide, you have either a round or heart-shaped face. For faces that appear evenly proportioned, these are square faces.
- Look at the shape of your jaw. Shorter and rounder jawlines mean that your face is round. Pointy and narrow jawlines indicate heart-shaped. A strong jawline with sharp angles typically signifies a square-shaped face.
- Compare the length and width of your face. Measure the length of your face against the width. If your face is longer than it is wide, you may have an oval-shaped face. If your face is wider than it is long, you could have a round or heart-shaped face. Faces that are as long as they are wide are usually square-shaped.
Once you get an idea of your face shape, it’s time to pick out the perfect glasses!
The Best Glasses For Each Face Shape
Square Face
Square-shaped faces look best in glasses of the opposite shape such as round glasses or oval-shaped frames.
Look for frames that are proportional to the length and width of your face – in this case, round and oval-shaped faces will soften any hard angles and add balance.
By drawing attention away from your face’s angles, you can best flatter your facial features.
Round Face
Because round faces typically have full cheeks and rounded chins, look for frames that add angles to your features with bold, clean lines.
Rectangular frames break up your facial structure by making your face look longer and thinner while geometric glasses will add some sharper, distinct lines to your face to make it look more balanced.
Consider cat-eye frames as well! With curvy cheeks, you can draw attention to them with cat-eye glasses while highlighting your eyes.
Heart Face
Heart-shaped faces are very versatile and look great with winged-out frames and rounded bases to balance facial features.
If you have a heart-shaped face, look for frames with heavy bottoms – especially if your chin is narrow. Frames with low-set temples will draw attention away from your forehead and oval-shaped frames work amazingly with pointy chins.
Consider buying light-colored or rimless frames to minimize the look of the glasses and highlight the shape of your face.
Triangle Face
Because triangle-shaped faces have a mix of round and angular shapes, look for D-frames, aviator styles, and cat-eye glasses.
To make a bold statement, choose a rounded style that will beautifully counter your angular features.
Oval Face
Oval faces are considered to be the universal face shape, which means you can have a lot of fun with a variety of frames!
However, consider sticking to a-frame glasses that emphasize the strong points of your face and draw attention away from the weaker points. These will balance your face by adding angles as well as soft curves.
Frames should be as wide as the widest part of your face – the area around the eyes. The best eye frames for your face type include square, rectangular, or geometric shapes.
Consider Your Skin Tone
Apart from choosing frames for your face type, you should also consider the tone of your skin when deciding on a color.
For those with cool-colored skin, go for black, gray, and blue shades. If your skin tone is warm, opt for tan, pink, and red.
Otherwise, think about the colors you tend to wear on a regular basis. We tend to naturally gravitate toward colors that complement our skin types so use this as a guide when choosing the color of your frames.
Choose Glasses That Complement Your Lifestyle
While you definitely want your eye frames to complement your face shape and skin tone, it’s important to consider your lifestyle as well. You want to choose glasses that are comfortable to wear.
For instance, if you work in construction, you’ll want durable frames that stay in place during the day. If you work in front of a computer, you’ll want glasses that don’t slide down your nose.
Your optometrist will help you choose frames that fit properly and stay put.
Show Off Your Personality!
If you wear glasses all day or on a regular basis, your frames are the perfect way to show off your personality! Don’t let your face shape and skin tone prevent you from choosing eyewear that is unique to your personal sense of style.
Overall, make sure your glasses are also comfortable. Looking great is wonderful but not at the expense of wearing glasses that cause you trouble throughout the day.
Our optometrists at The Eye Clinic are dedicated to finding eyewear that suits your unique style and needs!
With a wide variety of brands to choose from, including locally handmade frames, we guarantee that you will find the perfect frames for your face and lifestyle.