August 10, 2023

How to Choose the Right Eyeglass Frames for Your Face

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

Shopping for new eyeglasses? Going in to pick out a new pair can be both exciting and overwhelming. For starters, when glasses shopping, there seems to be endless frames to choose from. So how do you decide which ones look best on you? Should you go for more modern glasses? Bigger frames? Smaller ones? What color should you pick? Do certain glasses look better on certain people? We talked to some glasses and stylist experts to bring you this guide to how to pick the best frames for your face.

Consider your face type

“When it comes to selecting frames, many people often make the mistake of choosing based solely on the brand or because they think it looks cool,” says image consultant Charles Gregory. “However, as an image consultant, I can assure you that the key to finding the perfect frame lies in understanding the individual's face shape.”

There are various face shapes, with the oval shape being the most common. And certain glasses compliment people’s faces differently. “For instance, if someone has an oval face, it's best to contrast it with a square or angular frame style,” says Gregory. On the other hand, if the person has a more blocky or square face, he says that a frame with smoother lines or a circular style would be more flattering. “Of course, there are exceptions to these guidelines, but for an optimal look, contrasting the face shape tends to work well,” says Gregory.

“There are basically 5 different face shapes, square, heart, round, triangle, and oval,” explains Saya Nagori, MD, an ophthalmologist and CEO of EyeFacts. She provides the following tips for finding out which one you have:

Round faces tend to be asymmetrical and have wide cheekbones.
Square faces will most often have both a strong jawline and cheekbones.
Oval faces are a little longer than they are wide.
Triangles are less common, and they usually have a narrow forehead and wider jaw.
Heart face shapes are generally inverted triangles.

“The best way to figure out your face shape is to look in the mirror or take a selfie and examine the length of your face, the width of your forehead and cheekbones, and your jawline,” adds Nagori. Determine which part of your face is the widest and longest. Once you’ve got the basics down, it’ll be easier to choose your frames.

Now, consider these rules of thumb from Nagori:

Thin, round frames compliment a square face shape.
Round faces are suited to a chunkier, bolder style.
Oval faces are more versatile, pretty much any shape suits them.
Wide frames will make a triangle-shaped face look broader.
Heart-shaped faces may want to choose a simple rimless glasses frame to draw attention away from stronger features.

Consider the style

For individuals with a soft personality, Gregory says it’s best to choose a frame that complements their gentle nature. “If someone has a dynamic personality, a frame with more vibrant and bold characteristics can enhance their overall appearance,” he says. “A great example of this is style icon Iris Apfel, who demonstrates that age is not the determining factor, but rather one's personality.” You’ll likely see this famous 101-year-old spunky fashion icon who is known for her signature oversized frames.

Find a color that works with your skin tone

The color of the frame is another important consideration. “As image consultants, we understand the significance of color palettes and undertones,” says Gregory. In his world, the consultants know that the wrong color frame can either clash with or wash out a person's skin tone. “Therefore, it's crucial to pay attention to the perfect color that complements their features, adding the finishing touch to their overall look,” he says. “Tortoise, gold, green and brown look gorgeous on warm skin tones, while black, red, pink, and blue fit a cool skin tone best,” adds stylist and luxury fashion consultant Yenia Hernández Fonseca.

Find a feature you want to highlight

Once you know your face shape, determine the features you'd want to enhance. “Do you love your Brooke Shields eyebrows, or do you want your blue eyes to pop?” asks Fonseca. “Maybe you have nice cheekbones or love to wear your lipstick collection on rotation.” Play around and see if these features pop with the frames that you pick and choose colors and contrasts that help to accomplish this.

Get the fit right

“Your brows and frames should be in sync,” says Sunica Du, a fashion designer with SunicaDesign. She recommends that you never let your frames hide your brows; they should either follow the brow line or sit just below. “They're the dynamic duo that keeps the party going,” she explains. You also want to make sure not to let the bridge of the glasses steal the show. “A low bridge can make a long nose appear shorter, and a high one can elongate,” Du adds. “It's like an optical illusion for your sniffer.”

Bring out your personality

The above are just general rules for choosing frames but at the end of the day, wear what you like! “Above all, a good pair of glasses will always showcase your personality and sense of style,” says Fonseca. For instance, a person who wears pilot or aviator glass frames exudes a cool, retro vibe; they're always up to date with the latest fashion trends and have a preference for classic things. On the other hand, she explains, thick acetate frames go well with bolder personalities; those personalities often love accessories that speak for themselves.