How to Choose Flattering Eyeglass Frames

Glasses these days have a dual purpose: They improve your vision, and they serve as a fashion accessory that can enhance, rather than detract from your looks. Some people like glasses so much they get ones with plain glass in them because they don't even have bad eye sight and wear them only for the looks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Eyeglasses
• Eyeglasses Cases
• Ponytail Holders
• Sunglasses
• Mirrors

1. Pull your hair back in a ponytail (if necessary) and inspect your face shape in front of the mirror.

2. Keep in mind that oval faces are egg-shaped and balanced on top and bottom, and can support any type of frame.

3. Make a long, thin face seem wider and shorter with larger frames in round or triangular shapes. Or try a wide, rectangular shape. Frames that have color, width or embellishment near the sides will also broaden your face.

4. Try round frames made of thin metal to soften the angular look of a square face, which has a wide forehead and cheeks, and an angular chin.

5. Remember that round faces are fuller, with a gentle chin, wide cheeks and small cheekbones. Avoid round frames, which make the face look larger; wear boxy or rectangular ones instead. Dark frames can weigh down your face, making it appear heavier.

6. Balance a heart-shaped face, which has a wide forehead that angles down to a small chin, with frames that are wider at the bottom than at the top.

7. Flatter a diamond-shaped face, which has a narrow forehead, wide temples and an angular chin, by wearing small frames in geometric or oval shapes to minimize the horizontal distance between your temples.

8. Choose smaller frames if you have facial hair such as a beard. Large frames will further mask your features.

9. Stick with small frames if you have a small head. Make sure your glasses aren't any wider than the widest part of your face.

10. Select large frames that fit comfortably if you have a large head. Avoid glasses that appear to squeeze your face or temples.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that your eyes are positioned in the middle of the lens. If your eyes are close-set, avoid large frames.
• Your eyebrows should align with the top bar of your glasses.
• Avoid wearing frames that have shapes similar to your face, as a general rule. In other words, don't wear round frames if you have a round face. Rather, choose frames in a different cut from your face shape.

[Libraria]

on 11/13/2007 This is a very helpful site. I was checking for a library patron to find this type of information, which I could not locate easily from our books. The internet provided fast, specific information - yours was the best.

on 12/15/2005 Your best bet is to choose an experienced optician. The way a frame looks on the shelf is sometimes drastically different from the way it looks once your prescription is put in it. Ask the person helping you what their qualifications and experience levels are. Look for American Board of Optician certification. Also, a lot of places use digital photography to show you what the glasses look like to make it easier on those of us who are blind as a bat!

on 11/22/2005 As Greg Proops says, glasses should be bold enough to be noticed, but you have to have the personality to back up your frames. Don't be afraid to try something a bit daring--if you're gonna wear 'em, you may as well be proud of 'em! Just remember you'll be stuck with them for a couple of years.

on 11/22/2005 If you have a round face wear boxy/rectangular frames and if you have a square-ish/angular face wear rounded frames. Most oval-shaped faces go good with any type of frame

on 11/22/2005 dark frames accent the glasses not you,wearing light colored frames is much more flattering.