How to choose the perfect style of eyeglasses
Selecting a new pair of eyeglasses can be a refreshing change—especially when you find the ones that perfectly complement both your face and your personality. With your glasses prescription needing an update every one to two years, you often have the chance to refresh not just your vision, but your entire look.
Feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of options available both online and in-store? To ensure your new eyeglasses enhance your features and suit your lifestyle, it’s important to consider factors such as your face shape, skin tone, lifestyle, and personal style. Fortunately, our guide will help you navigate the selection process and find the ideal pair.
How to identify your face shape
Your face shape is key to finding eyeglasses frames that enhance your features. Identify your face shape by noting the proportions of your cheekbones, forehead, and jawline.
Here’s a quick guide:
Round face
Symmetrical with equal length and width, rounded jawline.
Celebrities: Selena Gomez, Drew Barrymore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Bosworth
Avoid: Small or round frames that accentuate the roundness.
Oval face
Longer than wide, rounded chin, slightly wider forehead.
Celebrities: Jessica Alba, Gigi Hadid, Adam Levine, Mila Kunis
Avoid: Large frames that disrupt facial balance.
Heart-shaped face
Broad forehead, prominent cheekbones, pointed chin.
Celebrities: Reese Witherspoon, Nick Jonas, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Campbell
Avoid: Frames with top embellishments that highlight the forehead.
Square face
Strong jawline, sharp angles, equal width of forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.
Celebrities: Angelina Jolie, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sandra Bullock, Demi Moore
Avoid: Angular or boxy frames that emphasize squareness.
Diamond face
Prominent cheekbones, narrower forehead and jawline.
Celebrities: Viola Davis, Tyra Banks, Liz Hurley
Avoid: Narrow frames that accentuate slender features. Choose frames that enhance cheekbone width.
Consider the sharpness or softness of your facial angles
When updating your look, the angles of your face play a significant role in shaping your choice of eyeglasses frames.
Sharp angles
Faces with sharp angles, such as square and heart-shaped faces, benefit from frames that provide contrast. For square faces, opt for curved frames to soften the angular features and create a slimmer appearance. Heart-shaped faces look great with round glasses, which help balance the wider forehead and create a more symmetrical look.
Soft angles
Round and oval faces have softer angles. For round faces, square or cat-eye frames can introduce contrast and make the face appear more defined. For oval faces, wider frames can help enhance facial balance and add structure.
How to choose frame colors that match your skin tone
Your skin tone significantly influences the frames you choose. To create a harmonious look, select eyeglasses frames that complement your skin tone. Here’s how to find the best color match:
Warm skin tone
Skin tones with bronze, yellow, or golden hues exude warmth.
Colors to Avoid: Frames in blue, bright pink, black, and white can create a stark contrast with warmer skin tones.
Best Colors: Opt for frames in olive green, honey, beige, and light tortoise, which harmonize with your warm complexion.
Cool skin tone
Skin tones with blue or pink undertones indicate a cool complexion.
Colors to Avoid: Frames in yellow, bright orange, and dark brown may clash with your cool skin tone and not enhance your features.
Best Colors: Black, silver, pink, purple, or gray frames will complement your cool complexion beautifully.
Best eyeglasses frames for your face shape
After identifying your face shape, choose eyeglasses frames that enhance its features. Here are the best options for each type:
Round face. Opt for rectangular frames with bold, angular lines to add definition and make your features appear sharper.
Oval face. Versatile oval faces can benefit from wide frames with a strong bridge to highlight your facial features.
Heart-shaped face. Choose frames that balance a narrower chin with a broader forehead. Bottom-heavy frames that are slightly wider than your forehead can achieve a more symmetrical look.
Square face. Rounder frames help soften the sharp angles of a square face. Select lenses that are slightly wider than your cheekbones to create better facial symmetry.
Diamond face. Cat-eye and oval frames accentuate your cheekbones and complement the distinct shape of your face.
Consider your lifestyle
Your eyeglasses should be tailored to fit your daily activities. Whether you need a pair for gaming, long hours in front of a computer screen, or reading to alleviate eye strain, it’s essential to choose eyeglasses frames that meet your needs. For those who are active, opt for flexible frames that can withstand bending and are less likely to break.
Let your personality shine through the perfect eyeglasses
Ultimately, your eyeglasses should reflect your personality and sublime fashion style. You might choose a playful, vibrant pair for weekends with friends and a more polished yet charming pair for the office—balancing fun with professionalism. While it’s helpful to consider the guidelines in this guide, remember that there are no strict rules. If a frame and color make you feel happy and confident, that’s what truly matters.
