As an image consultant, optometrist, and founder of Style Optique, I want to share with you my 7 expert tips to find your perfect glasses, and why face shape doesn't matter
Face Shape Doesn't Matter and here's why ...
Firstly, most people don’t know their face shape, and even many professionals struggle to analyse face shapes. Secondly, many of us don’t fit into an exact face- shape; we are often a mix of angles and curves. And finally, the face shape rules for glasses vary depending on who you speak to. For example, some image professionals advocate selecting frames which contrast with your face shape, i.e. “ a square face should wear a round frame,”. Others suggest you should harmonise with your facial features, “i.e. a square face should wear square frames”. So who is right?
Well, in my opinion, the shape of your glasses depends on many factors: your personality, your overall style, your hair cut, and the fit of the frame. Your glasses are part of you, and when you get too hung up trying to find one specific style for your perceived face shape, you deny yourself the opportunity to see and experiment with many other shapes and styles that can look fabulous.
So please don’t worry about fitting into a face shape and instead follow my 7 tips to find your perfect glasses
Tip #1: Find Your Perfect Glasses Scale
Scale is the relative size of one object compared to another, and it’s essential when it comes to finding your perfect glasses. The size of your glasses in relation to your face and features can make parts of your face appear larger or smaller. The scale of your glasses should be in balance with your natural scale. If you have a large bone structure and fuller features, larger, thicker metals or acetates will create balance and have a slimming effect. In contrast, if you have a small bone structure with delicate features, finer metals and acetate glasses will look more balanced.
Style Tip: Thicker frames for fuller features, and smaller, finer frames for delicate features.
Tip #2: Find Your Perfect Glasses Depth
The depth of your glasses frame is the vertical length from the top to bottom of the frame. For balance and harmony, the depth of your frames should work in harmony with the length of your face. If you have a long face, deeper frames with thicker, and lower set sides can help to reduce the length of face and your side profile.
In contrast, very narrow frames can appear to cut off your eyes and make your face appear even longer. If you have a short face, narrower frames with high-set thinner sides can help increase the length of your face and side profile.
The key is to find the perfect depth that complements your face without touching your cheeks and moving when you smile!
Style hack: Deeper frames are better for longer faces; narrower frames are better for shorter faces.
Tip #3: Find Your Perfect Glasses Width
The width of your frames is just as important as the depth. If your frames are too wide or oversized, they can make your eyes appear close together and lead to a cross-eyed look. They can also dominate your face and slip down your nose.
If your frames are too narrow, they can splay outwards, causing headaches and leaving unattractive and uncomfortable dents in the side of your head. Find your perfect frame width by determining the widest point below your brow line.
Style tip: Ensure the frame width aligns with your face's widest point.
Tip #4: Find Your Perfect Glasses Shape & Style
The shape of your glasses really is a reflection of your personal tastes and style.
Before we dive into which shapes are best for you, I want you to determine whether your overall look is predominantly angular or curved.
If you have a more angular face, sharp, angular, and horizontal shapes will highlight your cheekbones and jaw, enhancing your red carpet angles. Softer shapes, like rounds, ovals, and softer cat-eyes, will minimize the appearance of angles and soften your look.
If your face is more curved and soft, angular and horizontal shapes can can add definition to your face. Softer frame shapes, like soft cat-eye or oval frames, can enhance your natural softer features creating an approachable look.
There is no right or wrong answer here—it really depends on your unique tastes and the look you want to achieve.
Tip #5: Find Your Perfect Glasses - Follow the brow!
Following the natural shape of your brow line is flattering as it avoids two separate lines on your face. It can also magically appear to open up the eye area and lift the face.
For balance and harmony, the upper rim of the frame should be similar in shape to your natural brow line. So, if you have a straight brow, opt for a straighter upper rim; if you have a curved brow, choose a curved upper rim.
Style Tip: Follow the shape of your brow line for a natural, lifting effect.
Tip #6: Find Your Perfect Glasses - Centre Your Eyes!
Your eyes are one of the most important features of your face, so it’s crucial to choose glasses that showcase them
To do this, ensure the frame’s upper rim doesn’t cover any part of your eyes. Your eyes should be centred horizontally within the frame and placed between one-third to halfway down the frame vertically. This will help your glasses look balanced on your face, and also give you the best vision optically.
Style Tip: Centre your eyes horizontally in the frame and position them between one-third to halfway down vertically.
Tip #7: Find Your Perfect Glasses Colours
And finally Colour.
The right colours on our face can make a dramatic difference to how we look. If the colour harmonises with our hair skin and eyes, the effect can be magical, and is one of the biggest keys to helping you look fabulous in your glasses
Below is an overview of the best colours for you depending on your colour type
- Light Colouring:(light skin, hair and eyes) For those with light colouring, light to medium depth frame colours are best. transparent trends, pastel acetates, and fine metals work well. Avoid dark heavy frames which will overwhelm your delicate colouring.
- Deep and Dark Hair/Eyes: (dark hair and eyes), For those with deep colouring, deep, rich intense glasses colours will look great. Avoid light colours, pastel tones or rimless frames, which will make you appear pale.
- Warm Colouring(red hair/golden skin): For those with Warm colouring, choose warm, yellow-based frame colours. Opt for warm browns instead of blacks, and golds instead of silvers. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider oranges, yellows, and greens. Avoid blue based colours which may make your skin appear dull.
- Cool Colouring(grey or white hair, blue or cool brown eyes, rosy-toned skin): For those with cool colouring, choose blue-based glasses colours. Black is suitable, and charcoal can be a good choice. Pinks, teal, and all shades of blue will be perfect for you too. Avoid yellow based / warm glasses colours which can make you appear sallow.
- Clear Colouring(dark hair with light eyes): If you have Clear colouring, choose contrasting or bold glasses colours alone, such as black and white or scarlet red. Avoid pale pastel colours which may make you look pale
- Soft Colouring(mousy brown hair, mid-toned eyes and skin): For those with soft colouring, opt for muted glasses colours like light navy instead of black, and mid-toned colours that are neither too dark nor too light. Avoid bright bold colours and high contrast colour combinations like black and white, which can be too harsh against your soft complexion.
