This article was created for eBay via Fractl in fall 2014.
Take the guesswork out of choosing glasses. Unless you enjoy trying on every style you can find—and often being disappointed—there’s an easier way!
Whether you’re looking for prescription glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, or just-for-fun fashion glasses, you can find a frame that will enhance your appearance.
It all boils down to choosing a frame that contrasts with your face shape (such as an angular frame for a round face, or a curvy frame for an angular face) and that helps balance your face (such as a frame that’s broader across the top if your face is broadest at the bottom.)
To get started, figure out your face shape. Here’s a guide on how. But keep in mind—choosing glasses is not an exact science, and your personal style factors in too. Don’t be afraid to break the rules if it feels right.
What’s Your Face Shape?
Face shapes can to fall into one of many categories: heart, round, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, oblong, or diamond. You may not be able to see it at first, but if you’re up for a bit of fun, trace your face. Seriously. You can do it in the bathroom mirror using a dry erase marker or anything else removable, like eyeliner. Alternatively, you can trace your face on a piece of paper placed on top of a photo.
If it’s still not obvious to you (or you prefer to skip the activity) you can get a good sense of your face shape by looking for where it is widest and narrowest, and at whether your jaw line is soft or angular.
Heart
Heart shaped faces have a wide forehead with high cheekbones, tapering down to a narrow or pointed chin.
You want frames that will balance your face by minimizing the width of your forehead and broadening the appearance of your chin.
Frame suggestions: You want frames that are wider on the bottom than the top. You can also try frames with a dip between the eyes to break up the width of the forehead. Aviator, butterfly, and rimless styles are likely to work well.
Avoid: highly embellished or top-heavy frames that draw attention upward.
Round
Round faces have a wide forehead, full cheeks, and a rounded chin. They are all curves, with no major angles.
Frame suggestions: you want to select angular frames to create contrast and to provide a narrowing effect. You’ll be well suited to frames that are as wide or even a little wider than the widest part of your face, and oversized-styles. Check out rectangle and square frame shapes. You also might like frames with slightly upswept corners to highlight your cheekbones and brings focus to your eyes.
Avoid: very round frame shapes that will accentuate the roundness of your face. Also beware of frames that are too short or undersized.
Oval
Oval faces have balanced proportions, and generally feature high cheekbones and a curved chin that is slightly narrower than the forehead. This face shape is considered the most versatile when it comes to choosing frames.
Frame suggestions: You should be able to pull off nearly any shape, though square and rectangular frames will add the most contrast. Check out frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of your face.
Avoid: Your biggest concern is scale. Oversized frames can easily overwhelm an oval face, while frames that are too small can also throw off the balance of your face.
Base-Down Triangle
These faces have a narrow forehead with wide cheek and chin areas.
Frame suggestions: Aim to add a sense of width and balance to the narrow upper portion of your face by choosing frames that have color and detailing on the top. Cat-eye frames can be a great choice because they curve upward, and they can often be found with embellishments.
Avoid: frames that are broader on the bottom or otherwise draw attention downward.
Base-Up Triangle
This is your shape if you have a broad forehead narrowing down to a small chin—similar to heart shapes, but likely more angular.
Frame suggestions: Your goal is to minimize the width of the upper portion of your face by balancing it with frames that are wider at the bottom. Rimless frames are also recommended.
Avoid: frames with strong elements at the top, which will draw attention to the width of your forehead.
Square
Square faces are characterized by a broad forehead and a strong jawline with a wide chin.
Frame suggestions: round, oval, or other curved frames that will soften the strong angles of your face. You can also aim to balance your frames with your strong jawline by trying styles that emphasize the browline. Styles to try include Jackie O and cat-eyes. If you’d like to make your square face look longer, try frames that are narrow, such as narrow ovals.
Avoid: anything with angles or sharp corners.
Rectangle
These faces are long and angular, and typically include features such as a tall forehead, high cheekbones, and a long nose.
Frame suggestions: You want to try curvy frames to contrast with the strong lines of your face, and to add a sense of width by choosing frames with wide horizontal elements, or decorative embellishments at the temples. You can also try frames with a low bridge, if you want to make your nose appear shorter.
Avoid: any frames with very small or narrow shapes, as they will highlight the length of your face rather than provide balance.
Oblong
Oblong faces tend to be long and narrow. They typically appear widest at the forehead, with a long, straight cheek line, a pointed chin, and a long nose.
Frame suggestions: You’re looking for a design that breaks up the length of your face. You’ll be well served by styles that are wide and/or oversized, as well as wraparounds. You should also check out frames with detailing at the temples, which can add a sense of width. If you’d like to draw attention away from a long nose, try frames with a low bridge.
Avoid: frames that are short or narrow. These will accentuate the length of your face.
Diamond
These faces are said to be among the rarest, and the trickiest to fit. They are characterized by wide—sometimes dramatic—cheekbones, a high forehead, and a narrow, angular jawline.Your goal is to balance and complement your cheekbones.
Frame suggestions: try styles with a distinctive browline, and soft lines to help soften the angles of your cheeks. Go-to styles include oval, rimless, cat-eye, wraparound, and shield glasses, which utilize a single, curving lens.
Avoid: anything very narrow, thin, or sharp-edged.
Glasses Styles
Whether or not you feel like you’ve pinpointed one particular face shape, you can utilize the general knowledge above to find a style that complements you. Just remember that the key is balance, which means drawing attention in the opposite direction of your most prominent features. With that in mind, you’re sure to set your sights on the right frames for you.