Choose Your Frame
Round Face
People with round chins are often described as having soft jawlines, without any angles. A round chin usually means you have a round face, depending on the size of your chin compared to the proportions of the rest of your face.
When choosing glasses for round faces, the goal should be to add contrast to the face’s natural curves and to avoid frames that could exaggerate the roundness of the face. By adding contrast, you can make a round face appear thinner and longer.
A good rule of thumb for people with round faces is to choose glasses that are wider than they are tall, as wider frames give the illusion of a slimmer face. Finally, glasses with a clear bridge can make your eyes appear wider while adjustable nosepads can prevent frames from resting on fuller cheeks.
Heart-shaped Face
If your forehead or cheeks are wide and your chin narrow or pointed, then you most likely have a heart-shaped face. Heart-shaped faces typically resemble the heart shape in that the widest part of the face is at the top and the narrowest part at the bottom. People with heart-shaped faces have jawlines that taper to a defined chin.
When choosing glasses for heart-shaped faces, the goal should be to minimize the width of the top of the face and to broaden the chin. Heart faces should avoid frames that could exaggerate the width of the forehead or the narrowness of the chin.
Square Face
If your chin is wide, then you probably have a square-shaped face. Often referred to as a “strong jawline,” people with square, defined chins usually have square faces as well.
When choosing glasses for square-shaped faces, the goal should be to lengthen and soften the face’s natural angularity and to avoid frames that could exaggerate the sharpness of facial features. By adding curving lines, you can make a square face appear thinner and softer.
Rounded and upswept frames will add curves to the face while drawing attention away from the squareness of the jaw. A good rule of thumb for people with square faces is to choose glasses that are wider than they are deep (i.e. tall), as wider frames give the illusion of a slimmer face. Finally, oversized frames, exaggerated rounds, help to distract from the harshness of a square jawline.
Oval Face
If your face is fairly symmetrical with no part being noticeably wider than another, you could have either an oval-shaped face. People with oval faces should consider themselves lucky, as they will look good in almost any pair of glasses.
When choosing glasses for oval faces, the goal should be to maintain the face’s natural balance. Oval faces should avoid frames that could throw off their ideal facial proportions.
Frames that are as wide as or slightly wider than the broadest part of the face will help maintain oval’s natural balance. Glasses with detailed embellishments also look great with the high cheek bones typically found on oval faces.