Finding the Right Frame for Your Face Shape

There are a few things to consider when selecting your next pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. It's important to make sure that the glasses you pick out compliment your particular face shape and do not exaggerate your features. There are roughly seven different face shapes with varying degrees of each shape: round, oval, oblong, base-down triangle, base-up triangle, diamond, and square. I'll explain what frame shapes will compliment each of the face shapes.

- Round: A round face has soft angles that are proportionate from top to bottom and side to side. The best eyeglass shape for this face is a rectangular frame that is more wide than deep to make the face appear thinner and longer.

- Oval: An oval face shape is the most ideal shape for eyeglasses because of it's balanced proportions. The best frame shape to keep the balanced proportions of the face is a frame that is as wide as the widest part of the face. Another style that works well are walnut-shaped frames that aren't too deep or too narrow.

- Oblong: Since an oblong face tends to be a bit longer than it is wide, the best frames would shorten the face and nose if necessary. A wide frame with a short depth will accomplish this and more obvious contrasting temples will appear to put the dynamics of the face into closer proportion.

- Base-Down Triangle: This shape has a narrow forehead that widens at the cheek and chin areas. To widen the upper third of the face, try a cat-eye shape or something with bright colors.

- Base-Up Triangle: The opposite of a base-down triangle, the base-up triangle face shape has a wider forehead with a narrow or pointed chin. Frames that are wider at the bottom or rimless styles will work well with this shape by not calling attention to the upper third of the face.

- Diamond: This face shape has a narrow forehead and jaw line, but with wide cheekbones may be higher up near the bottom of the eyes. To accentuate the eyes and soften the cheekbones, try frames that have distinctive brow lines, or rimless frames or cat-eye shapes.

- Square: A square face has a broad forehead and a strong jaw line with sharper angles at the corners of the face. The demensions of this face shape are roughly equal from top to bottom and side to side. To de-emphasize the short angles of the face you can try frame styles that are wider than deep or narrow oval shapes.

Our trained frame stylists will be happy to help you find the best look for your face shape!