Shape Up: Find The Best Frames for Your Face

Choosing the perfect eyeglass frames can be much harder than you think, as there are several factors to consider. Style, shape, color, and material all play important roles, but determining your face shape is the key to making the right decision.

Most people fall into four face shape categories: heart, round, square, and oval. Let’s break down each face shape to learn which frames will suit you best.

Heart-Shaped Faces
Heart-shaped faces resemble the shape of heart in that the widest part of the face is at the top and the narrowest part is at the bottom. Characteristics to look for include a wide forehead, high cheekbones, and a narrow/pointed chin.

The best frame shapes for heart-shaped faces include rectangle, round, oval, wayfarer, aviator, and square. Styles you’ll want to stay away from include embellished, top heavy, and wide top frames.

Round-Shaped Faces
Just like the name sounds, round-shaped faces are circular, full, and without strong lines and angles. Round-shaped faces will have a wide forehead, full cheeks, and a rounded chin.

Round-shaped faces can pull off several styles including rectangle, square, cat-eye, wayfarer, aviator, and wrap/shield frames. It’s best to stay away from round or oversized frames.

Square-Shaped Faces
Square-shaped faces typically have strong jawlines and facial features defined by strong angles. Square-shape face features include a wide forehead, broad cheeks, and a boxy jawline.

Rectangle, square, cat-eye, wayfarer, aviator, and wrap/shield frames are the most flattering frames for square-shaped faces; while boxy, oval, and heavy brow frames should be avoided.

Oval-Shaped Faces
Oval-shaped faces are very balanced and create the ideal shape for most frames. Oval-shaped faces have a narrow forehead, high cheekbones, and a narrow chin.

Recommended frame styles for oval-shaped faces include rectangle, round, square, cat-eye, wayfarer, and aviator. Oversized frames are the only style oval faces should shy away from.

Once you’ve identified your face shape, play around with the recommended styles in different colors and materials. When you plan to choose your frames at our office, we recommend bringing a family member or friend to provide feedback when you try frames on. And trust your gut. Although Angela, our rock star optician, will help, only you can exude the confidence to rock the frames you love!