How to Choose Glasses for Your Face Shape

Your face shape makes you uniquely you, and it’s the canvas that shows the world who you are. Picking glasses that complement your natural features helps you look and feel your best every day.

You’ve probably heard people talk about matching eyeglass frames to face shapes, but do you actually know how to put this advice into practice? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding that perfect pair of glasses that not only helps you see clearly but also enhances your natural beauty.

Identifying Your Face Shape

The first step to finding your ideal frames is knowing your face shape. Most faces fall into one of six main categories, each with distinct features and angles.

Look in the mirror and trace the outline of your face. Pay attention to your forehead width, cheekbone prominence, jaw angle, and chin shape. Your hair can sometimes mask your true face shape, so pull it back for a clearer view.

Oval Face: If your face is longer than it is wide with a gently rounded jaw and slightly wider cheekbone area, you likely have an oval face. The forehead is typically slightly wider than the chin.
Round Face: Round faces have similar length and width with soft curves, full cheeks, and a rounded chin. The widest part of a round face is at the cheeks and ears.
Square Face: If you notice a strong, angular jaw, broad forehead, and nearly equal face width and length, you probably have a square face. The sides of your face appear straight rather than curved.
Heart Face: Heart-shaped faces feature a wider forehead that narrows down to a small, sometimes pointed chin. The cheekbones are often high and well-defined.
Diamond Face: This less common shape has a narrow forehead and jaw with the widest point at the cheekbones. Your chin might be pointed, and your cheekbones are the most prominent features.
Triangle Face: With this shape, you’ll notice a narrow forehead with a face that widens toward the jawline. The jaw is the widest part of your face, creating an upside-down triangle effect.

Types of Eyeglass Frames

Now that you know your face shape, let’s explore the various frame styles available. Each has its own character and can create different effects on your face.

Rectangle Frames: These classic frames are wider than they are tall, offering a timeless, sophisticated look. They work well for many face shapes and come in countless variations.
Round Frames: Perfectly circular or softly rounded frames make a bold fashion statement. These frames can add a vintage or artistic vibe to your look.
Cat-Eye Frames: With their upswept outer edges, cat-eye glasses add a touch of retro glamour. They range from subtle lifts to dramatic sweeps at the temples.
Browline Glasses: These frames emphasize the top portion (similar to your eyebrows) while having a lighter or rimless bottom half. They’re great for adding definition to your face.
Aviator Frames: Originally designed for pilots, these frames feature a distinctive teardrop shape and metal construction. They’re both functional and fashionable.
Geometric Frames: From hexagons to octagons, these unique shapes break away from traditional designs and make a modern statement.
Rimless and Semi-Rimless: These minimalist options attach lenses directly to the bridge and temples without a complete frame, offering a nearly invisible look.

Matching Frames to Your Face Shape

Getting the perfect match between your face shape and glasses is all about balance. You want to highlight your best features while creating visual harmony.

For Oval Faces: You’re lucky! Almost any frame style works with oval faces. To maintain your natural balance, try frames that are as wide as or slightly wider than the broadest part of your face. Avoid oversized frames that might overwhelm your features.
For Round Faces: Angular frames add definition to soft features. Rectangle frames and geometric shapes can make your face appear longer and thinner. The contrast between your curved face and angular frames creates a complementary look.
For Square Faces: Soften strong angles with round or oval frames. The curved edges of these glasses balance your face’s straight lines and strong jaw. Thin frames also work nicely to lighten the overall impression.
For Heart Faces: Balance a wider forehead with frames that widen at the bottom. Round or oval frames work well, as do frames with decorative details on the lower portion. Light-colored or rimless frames can also complement your face shape.
For Diamond Faces: Showcase your striking cheekbones with cat-eye glasses or frames with distinctive browlines. These styles draw attention upward and complement your narrow forehead and jaw.
For Triangle Faces: Add width to your forehead area with bold upper frames or decorative temples. Cat-eye glasses and frames with strong top details balance your wider jawline.

Frame Size and Proportion

Beyond shape, the size of your frames plays a huge role in how well they suit your face. Frames that are too large or too small can throw off your entire look.

Your glasses should align with your eyebrows, and the width should roughly match your face width. The center of your eyes should align with the center of the lenses for optimal vision and appearance.

Frame thickness also matters. Thicker frames make a bold statement and can add definition, while thinner frames offer a more subtle look. If you have delicate features, bulky frames might overwhelm your face. Conversely, if you have stronger features, very thin frames might get lost.

Frames should sit comfortably without pressing into your nose or sliding down. Different bridge styles work better for different nose shapes, which is something to consider when trying on frames.

Special Considerations for Sunglasses

Sunglasses follow many of the same principles as regular eyeglasses, but with a few additional factors to keep in mind.

Larger frames offer more sun protection for your eyes and delicate skin around them. However, they should still complement your face shape rather than overwhelming it.

Consider lens color and tint based on your typical activities. Brown lenses enhance contrast and depth perception, making them great for driving. Gray lenses provide true color recognition and are ideal for everyday wear. Green lenses offer good contrast in dim and bright conditions.

Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and metal, which is great if you spend time outdoors or driving. Mirrored lenses look cool, but more importantly, they can reduce the amount of light entering your eyes, making them good for very bright conditions.

Finding Your Perfect Frames at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore

The right glasses for your face shape are waiting for you at our location! With offices in Melbourne, Winter Park, and Orange City, FL, we have everything you need to find the best frames for your face. Our collection includes options from world-renowned brands like Tom Ford, Versace, and Swarovski, and our optical experts can help you navigate all the factors we’ve discussed to find the perfect frames for your face shape.

Schedule your appointment today!