Eyeglasses Face Shape
 

The shape of your face can be complemented by the shape of your eyeglasses. To understand how eyeglasses shapes can affect your face, begin by understanding the fundamentals of face shape and proportion - the first step in selecting eyeglasses that help you look your best. You can use our patented Virtual Try On application to see how an eyeglass frame looks on your own face. Just upload your photo and input your pupillary distance measurement. While most faces are a combination of shapes and angles, there are six basic face shapes. Below are descriptions of these face shapes and guidelines for which types of eyeglasses frames work for each.

Round Face

A round face shape has curvalinear lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles.Your goal is to make the face appear longer and thinner. Look for angular, narrow glasses frames that will lengthen the face; high or mid-height temples, which help create a longer profile; a clear bridge that widens the eyes; colored temples to add width; and glasses frames that are wider than they are deep, such as an octagonal shape.

Square Face

A square face shape is characterized by a strong jaw line and a broad forehead - the face width and length are in the same proportions. Your goal should be to make the face look longer and soften the angles. Look for curvilinear, narrow style glasses that soften facial angles; glasses frames that are wider than the widest part of the face;? eyeglasses that have more width than depth; narrow oval glasses are an excellent choice.

Oval Face

The oval face shape is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. The oval face is neither curvalinear nor angular. Your goal should be to keep the oval's natural balance. Look for glasses frames that are as wide as, or wider than, the broadest part of the face. Look for almond or walnut-shaped glasses frames that are neither too deep nor too narrow so that they do not upset facial balance.

Oblong Face

The oblong face shape is longer than it is wide and is characterized by a long, straight cheek line and sometimes a longer nose Your goal should be to make the face appear shorter and more balanced. Look for glasses frames that have top-to-bottom depth such as rounder panto or P-3 shapes; decorative or contrasting temples that can add width to the face; a low bridge to shorten the nose.

Diamond Face Shape

Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eyeline and the jawline - cheekbones are frequently high and dramatic. The diamond is the rarest face shape. Your goal should be to highlight the eyes and bring out the cheekbones. Look for glasses frames that have detailing or distinctive browlines. Rimless frames, ovals or cat-eyes are all excellent choices.

Base-Up Triangle Face Shape

The base-up triangle face shape has a very wide top third and small bottom third. Your goal should be to minimize the width of the top half of the face. Look for glasses frames that are wider at the bottom half of the frame. Very light colored and materials are effective, and rimless styles are an excellent choice.

Eyeglasses For Face Shape

The shape of your eyeglasses can complement the shape of your face. To understand how eyeglasses shapes can affect your face, begin by understanding the fundamentals of face shape. While most faces are a combination of shapes and angles, there are six basic face shapes. Below are descriptions of these face shapes and guidelines for which types of glasses frames work for each.

Round Face

A round face shape has curvalinear lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles. Your goal is to make the face appear longer and thinner. Look for angular, narrow glasses frames that will lengthen the face; high or mid-height temples, which help create a longer profile; a clear bridge that widens the eyes; colored temples to add width; and glasses frames that are wider than they are deep, such as an octagonal shape.

Square Face

A square face shape is characterized by a strong jaw line and a broad forehead - the face width and length are in the same proportions. Your goal should be to make the face look longer and soften the angles. Look for curvilinear, narrow style glasses that soften facial angles; glasses frames that are wider than the widest part of the face; eyeglasses that have more width than depth; narrow oval glasses are an excellent choice.

Oval Face

The oval face shape is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. The oval face is neither curvalinear nor angular. Your goal should be to keep the oval's natural balance. Look for glasses frames that are as wide as, or wider than, the broadest part of the face. Look for almond or walnut-shaped glasses frames that are neither too deep nor too narrow so that they do not upset facial balance.

Oblong Face

The oblong face shape is longer than it is wide and is characterized by a long, straight cheek line and sometimes a longer nose Your goal should be to make the face appear shorter and more balanced. Look for glasses frames that have top-to-bottom depth such as rounder panto or P-3 shapes; decorative or contrasting temples that can add width to the face; a low bridge to shorten the nose.

Diamond Face Shape

Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eyeline and the jawline - cheekbones are frequently high and dramatic. The diamond is the rarest face shape. Your goal should be to highlight the eyes and bring out the cheekbones. Look for glasses frames that have detailing or distinctive browlines. Rimless frames, ovals or cat-eyes are all excellent choices.

Base-Up Triangle Face Shape

The base-up triangle face shape has a very wide top third and small bottom third. Your goal should be to minimize the width of the top half of the face. Look for glasses frames that are wider at the bottom half of the frame. Very light colored and materials are effective, and rimless styles are an excellent choice.

Author of this article: 

Mark Agnew
CEO of Eyeglasses.com, which he founded in 1999.  For over twenty years, he has educated consumers, improved their vision choices, and reduced costs in eyewear.  Mark authored The Eyeglasses Buying Guide, the most comprehensive and best-selling glasses buying guide in the world.
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