Three Tips on How to Find the Best Glasses for Your Face Shape
(Plus Two Myths to Ignore)
When you find the best glasses for your face shape, you’re ready to face the day feeling confident and stylish. But how do you find the right fit for you? We’re going to dive into how to determine your face shape, the different types of glasses available, and how to choose glasses that you feel great in. So let’s get started!
What does face shape have to do with glasses styles?
Before we hit the tips, let’s back up a step. Why are we talking about face shape when it comes to glasses, anyway?
Eyeglasses are a unique accessory in that they not only help correct your vision, but they also become part of the way your face looks. Just like a hairstyle, they can help frame your face and highlight certain facial features.
But first: Two myths to ignore
What we’re not going to do is tell you that certain styles of glasses can only be worn by people with certain face shapes. That’s not the point here! But understanding the shape of your face and how to describe certain styles of glasses may help you choose a new style you may not have considered before. It can also help you understand why you love a certain style of glasses on other people, but not on yourself — and alternatives that might give the same impression, but in a way you feel suits you better.
Another old idea to toss out? There is no one “best” face shape, or a face shape that is more preferable than others, or a “bad” face shape. You might feel undecided between a couple of these face shapes, too, and that’s totally fine. The purpose isn’t to label your face; it’s to give you a starting point for the types of frames that you might like. If you’re stuck between two (or three, or four) shapes, you might just want to give all the suggested styles of glasses a try!
Top Ten Tips to Find the Best Glasses for Your Face Shape
One: Figure Out Your Face Shape (or Face Shapes)
What’s the shape of your face? Real Simple (the magazine) has a great guide to figuring that out, with instructions for taking measurements if you’d like to do that.
Of course, people do not have literally diamond- or heart- or round- or square-shaped heads. So don’t think of the shape too specifically. Instead, you’re thinking about the lengths and widths of your forehead, cheekbones/cheeks, and chin.
If you already have an idea of what your face shape is, these descriptions might help, too:
- Diamond face shape: Narrow forehead and narrow chin with broader, more well-defined cheeks or cheekbones. This face shape tends to have strong, defined angles.
- Heart face shape: Broader forehead with a pointed chin or narrow chin, often with rounded apples of the cheeks. Sometimes accentuated by arched brows.
- Oval face shape: Rounded hairline and chin with similar widths, but taller in proportion than a round-shaped face.
- Round face shape: Not exactly circular, but a generally rounded face, with approximate symmetry between all sides.
- Square face shape: A broader chin and forehead, rather than rounded, with the widths about the same.
- Triangle face shape: A broader chin with a narrower forehead. Sometimes called pear-shaped.
Two: Get familiar with the attributes of glasses that interact with face shapes.
Glasses come in so many different styles, colors, and shapes. Not all oval or rectangular or cat-eye glasses are the same! Just because one pair in a certain style doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean no glasses in that style will suit you.
Factors to consider:
- Frame color: We think this element isn’t discussed often enough. Changing up the color can take a style from one that just doesn’t look quite right to one that you feel great in.
- Frame opacity: Clear and transparent options have a lighter impact on the face that solid frames.
- Frame thickness: Frames can range from having thick, chunky lines to barely-there metal rims, and everywhere in between. Also pay attention to the thickness at different parts of the frame. Some styles, like horn or cat-eye glasses, vary the thickness throughout.
- Frame width: Some glasses come with options for wide faces or narrow faces. Sometimes if a style isn’t working, it’s just that the width isn’t correct for your face.
- Nose bridge: Some glasses-wearers will find that styles with a low nose bridge tend to fit better. This isn’t just for style, but also for comfort!
- Lens size and shape: Swapping up the size and shape of the lenses is one of the most impactful parts of a pair of glasses’ style. Oval, round, and rectangular with rounded edges are most traditional, but you can mix things up with all sorts of shapes.
- Type of rims: Not all rims go around the lenses completely, and some feature clear or ‘disappearing’ colors on the bottom to accentuate the top of the glasses.
As you try on glasses and find pairs that you like, think about what you like about them. Is it the way the color looks against your hair? The width of the frame? Where they sit on your face? This can lead you to other styles to try.
Three: Try these recommendations for your face shape.
Glasses for diamond faces
Circles and ovals are your friends. Play with all manner of softer styles, including horn and cat-eye glasses. Or, try more angular styles, but go for colors and materials that offer less contrast.
Glasses for heart faces
Highlight your curving cheekbones with oval-based shapes, but don’t be afraid to get daring with styles. Aviators can look great on heart-shaped faces, as can glasses that draw more attention to the top half, letting your cheekbones shine.
Glasses for oval faces
Rectangular frames are the go-to recommendation. They offer a counterbalance to your facial shape and add a bit of angle. But if you’re itching to try a new shape, you don’t need to stop with rectangles! Experiment with different styles, looking especially for those that are wider than they are tall.
Glasses for round faces
Try on frames with squarer edges, such as rectangular frames, which can add more structure. You can also look for frames that hit around your cheekbones to help accentuate that area. Play around with different thicknesses and colors of frames, too.
Glasses for square faces
Try on round frames and other curvy shapes, which can create softness. You may also want to try on colors that are closer to your natural skin tone. Pay careful attention to the width of the frames; you want to be sure that your choice is wide enough.
Glasses for triangle faces and pear faces
Pay attention to the width at the top of the frame and look for styles slightly wider than the edge of your face. Styles such as cat eye frames or styles with a brow bar can help open up your eyes. You may also want to play with two-tone styles that are more pronounced on top than on bottom.
Ready to fall in love with a new pair of frames? Give our office a call! We’ll get you all set with the prescription you need for crisp, clear vision to go with your new style.
Eyecare Professionals in Fort Collins
Looking for an optometrist, optician or eye doctor in Fort Collins? We know it can be daunting to find the right fit, and we’re here for you!
Book an appointment now with our friendly staff. We’re happy to talk though any questions or concerns you may have and help you find the right eyecare professional for your needs.
Dr. Eric Torgerson
Owner at Poudre Valley Eyecare
Dr. Eric Torgerson is the owner of Poudre Valley Eyecare, and has been recognized for his contributions to optometry and his commitment to community health through various roles and accolades within the Northern Colorado Optometric Society and the Colorado Optometric Association.
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