When you’re sitting in the optometrist’s office, there are rows and rows of glasses, each a different size, shape, and color. How do you know which frames are best for you? One of the best ways to determine the frame shape, is by knowing your face shape. There are five main face shapes:
• Square
• Round
• Heart
• Triangular
• Oval
Square faces:
Square faces often have bold angular features and a clean straight line from the forehead to the jaw. Rounded or oval shaped frames that are wider on the side have a nice, natural look on this type of face.
Round faces:
Round faces have soft curves and smooth lines and the face is roughly the same width from the jaw up to the brow. The cheeks are usually full and the chin is rounded. When searching for frames for this type of face, look at rectangular frames to break up the face structure, making your face appear longer and thinner. If you want to go bold, pick angular and geometric frames to add sharper and more distinct lines to your face.
Heart-shaped faces:
These types of faces are widest at the brow and narrow down to the chin. They normally have high cheekbones and, this face shape can also be long or round.
Heart-shaped faces are typically the most versatile of all face shapes. You can wear winged-out frames sightly wider than your forehead and rounded bases to balance and compliment your features.
Triangular faces:
Triangular faces are widest at the jaw, and narrow at the forehead. You want to find an opposite frame, so pick one that is bold on top and light on the bottom. A mix of round and angular shapes like D-frames, aviator and cat eye glasses fit best for this face shape.
Oval faces:
Oval faces fit with most frame shapes. Having a narrower forehead and narrow chin, this is the most universal shape. This type of face can handle the latest trends because most of them will work for you. Just make sure the frame emphasizes the strong points of your face and while de-emphasizing e the weaker points of your face so you look balanced in your glasses.
Just remember, almost nobody is a perfect heart, circle, square, or any other narrowly defined category. Most faces are a combination of a few different shapes: rounded chins and tall foreheads, angular features and tapered jaws, and so on. For a bare bone, just-the-facts assessment, look at your jawline in the mirror. Is your jawline more curved or is it leaning towards the more angular side of things? For the simplest assessment of your face, decide if your jawline is more “round” or “square”.
Visit Island Eyecare for a great selection of frames and excellent customer service.