Eyewear Frames

Eyeglasses do more than just protect eyes and improve vision. They also tell the world about a person’s style and draw attention to the face. When choosing glasses, it is important to remember several tips.

Before choosing frames, one needs to determine his or her face shape. The main categories of shapes include diamond, heart, oblong, oval, round, square and triangle. Different frames flatter different shapes.

Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eye and jaw line with prominent cheeks. Eyewear frames that emphasize the cheekbones, like rimless, as well as oval frames, are the best choices.

Heart-shaped faces have a broad forehead, wide cheekbones and a narrow chin. Eyewear frames that are bottom-heavy or small, narrow frames flatter heart faces.

Oblong faces are more narrow than wide. Tall eyewear frames help create the illusion of a shorter face. Also, broad glasses with a prominent rim can add more width.

Oval-shaped faces are the most balanced of the shapes, though the chin is a little narrower than the forehead. Most glasses work, but square and rectangular-shaped eyewear frames help add angles.

Round faces have round features and few angles. Those with round faces should choose glasses that are angular and horizontal.

Square faces are very angular with a strong jaw and broad forehead. Round frames provide balance.

In addition to face shape, skin color should be considered. Those with cool skin tones, meaning blue or pink undertones, should choose from black, blue-gray, magenta, pink or blue frames. Warm complexions, which have a yellow undertone, should choose either tan, orange, peach, off-white and red-colored glasses. Eye and hair color are not as important to consider because eye colors tend to be very versatile.

By remembering these tips, one can choose the most flattering frames for his or her face and skin color.