How to Choose Spectacles by the Shape of Your Face

Eyeglasses come in all shapes and sizes.

Spectacles are also known as eyeglasses, and the shape of the frame you choose for your spectacles is a big decision; after all, you might be wearing your new frames for several years. You might feel overwhelmed with the amount of choices in eyewear nowadays, especially if you haven't had to pick out frames in awhile. One way to make this decision less daunting is to choose your spectacles by the shape of your face.

Instructions

1. Look in the mirror to determine the shape of your face. A round face looks like a circle. An oval looks more like an upside down egg. An oblong face resembles a rectangle, and typically features a large nose and chin. Base-down triangle faces feature a chin wider than the forehead and eyes, while base-up triangles feature a wide forehead and eyes and narrow chin. Diamond-shaped faces have narrow eyes, forehead and chin, and are broadest at the cheekbones, while square faces have strong, angular jaw lines and a broad forehead.

2. Try on angular, narrow spectacles if you have a round or square face to help make the shape appear longer. Since you have a round face, it can appear squat and short. Lengthening the face creates more of an oval shape that fashion editors describe as the ideal shaped face.

3. Check out walnut-shaped spectacles for an oval face. Walnuts are shaped like ovals on their sides. This shape keeps the natural balance of an oval face.

4. Wear spectacles that are long with a low bridge for an oblong face. Spectacles that are longer from top to bottom than they are wide from side to side gives the illusion that the face is a bit shorter than it really is, which helps to balance out an oblong face shape. The bridge of the frames should sit lower between the two lenses, rather than across the top.

5. Add width to a base-down triangle with eyewear shaped like cat eyes, or that feature decorative details on the top. These shapes distract from the width of your jawline. Eyeglasses that are wider near the bottom or rimless work well for a base- up triangle shape because it narrows the top of your face to match the narrowness of your chin.

6. Look for spectacles that soften cheekbones for a diamond face shape. These can be rimless, cat-eye shaped or with a heavier brow line. The cheekbones of a diamond face are generally very high and defined, which can take away from your eyes. Rimless spectacles make your cheekbones less defined while highlighting your eyes.

References

• All About Vision: Eyeglass Frames That Match Your Face Shape and Coloring