You might have noticed that some glasses look great on display in the optical shop, but not so great when you try them on. This may be due to the frames being too large for your face.
It is important to consider your face shape when choosing a particular style of glasses.
Which face shape do I have?
Take a close look at the overall shape and contours of your face and head in a mirror to determine your face shape and the type of spectacles that will look best on you.
These are the seven primary face shapes and the types of spectacle frames that look best on each:
Oval face shape
Oval faces are regarded as ideal due to their balanced proportions.
Look for spectacle frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face in order to maintain the natural balance of an oval face shape.
It is advisable to use walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or narrow.
Heart-shaped face
In a heart-shaped face, the top third is wide and the bottom third is narrow. (This shape is sometimes referred to as a triangle face shape from the base up.)
The bottom of the frame should be wider than the top of the frame in order to reduce the apparent width of the top of the face.
It is also recommended that you choose thin, light-colored frames and rimless frames with a light, airy appearance.
Oblong face shape
The oblong face shape is longer than it is wide, and it has a long, straight cheekline.
Try using frames with more depth than width to make an oblong face appear shorter and more balanced.
It is also possible to add width to the face by using frames with decorative or contrasting temples.
Square face shape
The square face shape is characterized by a strong jawline and a broad forehead, as well as similar proportions between width and length.
Try narrow frame styles, frames with more width than depth, and thin oval glasses to make a square face appear longer and softer.
Diamond face shape
The face shape of a diamond is narrow at the forehead and jawline, and the cheekbones may be high and prominent.
It is the rarest of all face shapes. Frames with detailing or distinctive brow lines can be effective in emphasizing the eyes and softening the cheekbones.
You may also consider rimless spectacles, retro oval glasses or slim cat-eye glasses.
Round face shape
Round faces have curved lines and have the same proportions of width and length.
If you wish to lengthen a round face, try wearing angular narrow spectacle frames.
There are also frames with a clear bridge and wide rectangular frames that are wider than they are deep that can be considered as good choices.
Base-down triangle
Base-down triangular faces have a narrow forehead and wide cheeks and chin areas.
Try frames with color and detailing that are heavily accented on the top half (brow) of the frame to add width and emphasize the narrow upper third of the face.
Blue cat-eye glasses or green cat-eye glasses are also a good choice.
Skin tones, eye colour and hair colour
It is not only your face shape that determines which glasses will look best on you – your skin tone, eye color, and hair color are also important factors.
You should choose spectacles that complement your face, eyes, and hair tone.
Skin tones
There are two types of skin tones, either cool or warm, regardless of the colour of your skin.
Warm complexions have yellow undertones, whereas cool complexions have blue or pink undertones. Olive skin is considered cool due to its combination of blue and yellow undertones.
Eye colour
Since eye colors vary greatly, they are generally considered a secondary factor in determining your colouring.
Brown eyes can range from a light cider shade (warm) through a medium brown to a cool almost black. Blue eyes can range from a cool almost-violet to a pale blue-grey.
Hair colour
There are also a number of different hair colors that are considered warm or cool. Strawberry blonde, platinum, blue-black, white, auburn, salt-and-pepper, and ash brown are considered warm hair colors.
There are a variety of warm hair colors, such as golden blonde, brownish black, brown-gold, and “dirty grey.”
Frame colours
It is important to determine whether you are “warm” or “cool” in order to choose the appropriate spectacle frame color.
A few examples of frame colors that are appropriate for warm complexions are camel, khaki, gold, copper, peach, orange, coral, off-white, fire-engine red, warm blue, and blonde tortoiseshell.
The best shades of spectacle frames for people with cool coloring include black, silver, rose-brown, blue-grey, plum, magenta, pink, jade, blue, and demi-amber (darker) tortoiseshell.
