A Guide To Choosing The Right Shape Of Eyewear Frames For Your Face

Is it time to buy sunglasses or glasses? Do you know what frame shape fits and flatters your face best? Pick the right shape of sunglasses or eyeglasses for your face with this guide from the Key-Whitman Optical Center.

Step one:

Determine the shape of your face. Your face is likely shaped differently from the next person. Knowing the shape of your face will help you determine the most flattering frame shape. What shape are you?

• Oval — An oval-shaped face is mostly balanced with a chin that is slightly narrower than the forehead and high cheekbones.
• Oblong –– An oblong face has a narrow shape and is longer than it is wide. An oblong face will have high cheekbones, a long nose and tall forehead.
• Round — The length and width of a round face are almost equal, with full cheeks, a rounded chin and few angles.
• Diamond — A diamond face is narrow at the eye line and the jaw line, has a small forehead and a small chin. It has angular features and dramatic cheekbones.
• Heart — A heart-shaped face has a broad forehead and cheekbone that narrows to a smaller jaw line and chin.
• Square — A square face is angular with strong, well-defined angles in the forehead, cheeks, jaw line and chin. It has proportional length and width.
• Triangle — A triangular face has a narrow forehead and eye line that widen at the cheeks and the chin.

Step two:

Select the desired frame shape. For every face shape, there are certain frames that will flatter the face, and certain frames that should be avoided.

• Frames for an oval face — Square, rectangular and geometric shapes that add angles to the soft curves of an oval face are best. Avoid frames that are too big for your features.
• Frames for an oblong face — Select tall frames to help make the face look smaller. Additionally, broad frames with a decorative top rim or temple piece will add width to the face. Avoid frames that are too small or short.
• Frames for a round face — Sharpen your features with angular and geometric frames. Rectangular and horizontal frames can also add length and make the face appear thinner. Frames with temples connecting at the top of the frame can also add length.
  Avoid small or short frames.
• Frames for a diamond face — Upswept styles, such as the cat eye will emphasize the cheekbones. Rimless eyeglasses will accentuate the cheekbones and oval frames will help maintain balance. Avoid narrow frames that draw attention to the narrow eye line.
• Frames for a heart face — Select bottom-heavy frames to add width the lower face. Narrow, round frames will soften the forehead and frames with low-set temples will draw attention downward and away from a broad forehead. Avoid top-heavy styles or frames with decorative temples that draw attention to the broadest part of the face.
• Frames for a square face — Oval and round frames will soften the sharp, strong lines of the face. Butterfly-shaped frames or those with temples that connect at the top of the frame are also flattering on a square face. Avoid frames with strong angular lines such as geometric or square-shaped frames. Also avoid frames with low-set temples or bottom color accents that draw attention downward.
• Frames for a triangle face — Rimless frames that accentuate the upper face or top-heavy frames balancing the width of the jaw are best. Look for frames that angle inward. Avoid frames with low temples that widen the jaw or narrow frames.

With this as a guide, you’ll be able to select the glasses or sunglasses that are most flattering to the shape of your face. The Key-Whitman Optical Center offers a variety of eyewear choices and hundreds of designer frames. Our expert associates will help you select the eyewear that best fits your bone structure, skin tone and personality.

Image Source: Oprah.com