What frames will suit my face shape?

The shape of your face plays a large part in whether a certain style of glasses will look good on you

If you choose eyewear to suit your face, you will see well and look good.

First, you need to identify your face shape. Pull your hair away from your face and look straight on into a mirror. Trace the outline of your face on the mirror using a whiteboard marker, or something that can be removed easily. Take a close look at the overall shape that has been drawn and identify which shape your face is closest to. Nobody is a perfect, heart, circle, square or any other category, you are just trying to pick the shape that is closest to what your face is.

The main face shapes are oval, diamond, circle, triangular, square, heart-shaped and rectangle.

Choose frames that create a natural balance and select a frame that is as wide or wider than the broadest part of your face. Make sure your glasses are in proportion with the rest of your face. Something too large or too narrow, will only create asymmetry and make your facial features appear imbalanced.

Oval

Most frames and styles will suit you as oval faces have symmetry and balance and rarely is there a style of frame that won’t suit you. However, if your oval face is on the long side, you can make it appear shorter by selecting a deeper frame (the length of the lens from top to bottom). Angular and geometric styles will also suit you.

Choose frames that are as wide or wider than the broadest part of the face.
Keep frames in proportion to the face.
Choose frames that keep the oval’s natural balance.

Diamond

A diamond-shaped face has a narrow forehead, chin and jawline, and full cheeks. Look for frames that accentuate your cheekbones and sweep upwards, de-emphasising your forehead.

Select frames that are heavy on top and rounded.
Square frames or frames with a straight top and curved bottom will work.
Try cat-eye shapes, rimless or frames with detailing and distinctive brow lines.

Round

For a circular face, choose frames which will make your face appear longer and thinner. Wide or angular frames can achieve this by making the face appear less round. A shallow frame will also work best. Avoid round frames, small frames and frames without a solid rim, as these styles will just make your face appear rounder.

Choose frames that make the face appear longer and thinner.
Slightly angular frames.
High or mid-height temples.
A clear bridge will widen the eyes.
Try coloured temples and frames that are wider than they are deep.

Rectangle

Rectangular face shapes are angular, particularly around the jawline. It’s best to choose a frame that will place less emphasis on the angles of the face, and shorten it, as rectangular faces are typically long. A deeper frame will assist in doing this. Choose frames with curves to offset your geometric features.

Square

Square faces are short and angular, to reduce the angularity and visually lengthen the face, choose a round pair of glasses, or a style which is narrow and curved. A shallow frame will work best for a square face, as will a frame with high sides. Avoid geometric or angular styles as these will just make your face look more angular.

Heart

The heart-shaped face has a wide forehead and a narrow jaw and chin. Try a frame that is wider at the bottom than the top. A frame with low-set sides can also assist. Avoid any styles which emphasise the forehead. It’s best to stick with one colour, rather than contrasting colours for the frame and temples.