How to Choose Glasses For Your Face Shape
Understanding your face shape is a great place to start when choosing glasses or sunglasses. This guide can help you find the right glasses for various face shapes, like square faces, round faces or heart shaped faces. Regardless of your face shape, we can help you find the perfect pair and ensure you feel confident and comfortable while wearing your new glasses!
Frame Shapes
Frame Shapes
Does face shape matter for glasses?
Yes, although face shape is only one (optional) factor in finding the right frame shape. Frames should complement and enhance your facial features. It should also feel comfortable and suit your personal style!
Should glasses cover your eyebrows?
No, glasses should not cover your eyebrows. For those with a smaller face shape, it can sometimes be difficult to find frames that fit. Eyebrows are just as important as your face shape in determining the right glasses for your face shape.
How to find your face shape
With so many different face shapes roaming around the internet, it can be hard to identify yours. To find your face shape, you will need a mirror and a ruler or measuring tape. When it comes to choosing glasses for your face shape, start by looking at yourself in the mirror and pulling your hair back (if necessary) so you can see your entire face uninterrupted.
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Take a close look at your overall facial structure
What are the most prominent features? Is your jawline square or rounded? Are your cheekbones high or low? Once you have an idea of the overall shape of your face, you can begin to narrow down the options.
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Start measuring your forehead, cheekbones and jawline
Take a measuring tape and measure the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jawline. Compare these measurements to see which is the largest.
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Forehead — If your forehead is wider than your cheekbones and jawline, you have a wide forehead.
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Cheekbones — If your cheekbones are wider than your forehead and jawline, you have high cheekbones.
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Jawline — If your jawline is wider than your forehead and cheekbones, you have a square jaw.
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Measure the length of your face
Start from the centre of your hairline and measure down to the tip of your chin. If this measurement is equal to or greater than the width of your cheekbones, you have a long face. You have a short face if it's lower than the width of your cheekbones.
What are the face shapes?
There are a number of face shapes, and if you’ve ever gone shopping for glasses, you know that there are seemingly endless styles to choose from. With so many options, it can be tough to figure out which pair will suit you best. Finding frames that complement your face shape is a good place to start.
The 9 different face shapes for glasses are:
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Round face shape
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Square face shape
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Triangle face shape
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Oval face shape
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Heart face shape
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Diamond face shape
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Long face shape
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Pear face shape
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Inverted triangle face shape
Round face shape
A round face is as wide as it is long, with soft, curved lines. Round face shapes tend to look fuller than other face shapes. This face shape is considered youthful and fresh and can be very flattering.
Some popular celebrities with round faces include Selena Gomez, Adele, Mila Kunis, Jack Black, Leonardo Dicaprio and Emma Stone.
What shape glasses suit a round face?
Those with a round face shape should look for glasses that add definition to their features. When it comes to glasses that suit a round face, angular and rectangular frames will help give the illusion of a more pronounced jawline, while metal detailing can help accentuate cheekbones. If you have a round face, look for frames that are wider than they are tall. These will help to create the illusion of a more elongated face.
What glasses are suitable for round female faces?
Round female faces suit rectangle, square, geometric, cat eye and full rimmed glasses. These shapes help enhance the features of a female with a round face, provide structure and lengthens the face.
Do clear glasses look good on round faces?
Clear glasses look good on round faces. The glasses can help outline your facial features, while remaining minimalist and sleek in appearance. Clear glasses can complement round faces, and allow your natural eye colour to shine through.
Square face shape
A square face is as wide as it is long, with a strong jawline. This face shape is often considered strong and angular and people with square faces often have very well-defined features. Square faces are defined by a strong jawline. As a result, glasses that sit higher on the nose bridge can add length which is flattering for square face shapes.
A square face is often associated with strong, masculine features and it's easy to see why many leading male actors and models have this look. Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Henry Cavill all have square faces. Female celebrities with square faces also include A-listers like Paris Hilton, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore.
What shape glasses suit a square face?
For those with a square face shape, it's about finding a balance. Glasses shapes for square faces should be rounded or curved as this softens the sharp angles and balances the cheekbones.
How to choose glasses for square face shapes?
To choose glasses for square face shapes, opt for frames that provide a contrast to the sharp and angular features of a square face. Frames that are circular or have smooth curves can help soften your defined features. The goal is to balance your facial shape with a flattering frame shape.
What glasses are not suitable for square face shapes?
For square face shapes, glasses that are too boxy are not suitable. These will only emphasise the angularity of your features.
Triangle face shape
If you have a triangle face shape, the length and width of your face are roughly in proportion and your face is slightly longer than it is wide. The sides of your face angle upwards from your cheekbones to your hairline, much like the diamond face shape, but your jaw angles outward, making it the widest part of your face.
Triangle faces typically have solid jawlines and well-defined chins. You may also have some fullness in the apples of your cheeks, but you won't usually have prominent cheekbones. While the triangle face shape is squarer and sharper than the pear face shape, it still has a gentle, feminine quality.
Meghan Markle, Raven-Symoné, Sophie Ellis and Billie Piper are all female celebrities with triangular face shapes. Male celebrities with a triangle face shape include Tom Holland, Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet and Shawn Mendes.
What shape glasses for triangle faces?
As triangle faces are widest at the jawline and narrowest at the forehead, it is ideal to choose frames that are wider at the top to balance your features. Cat eye, oval or aviator shapes are suitable glasses for triangle face shapes.
What glasses suit a male triangular face shape?
For male triangular face shapes, browline glasses are most suitable. This frame shape can balance the foreheads making it appear less narrow, while de-emphasising the jawline.
What are the best frames for a female triangle face?
For female triangle face shapes, square or rectangular frames with rounded edges are most ideal. This frame shape can balance the face’s proportions, while maintaining a modern and clean appearance.
Oval face shape
An oval face is slightly longer than wide, with a gently rounded chin. This face shape is considered very versatile because it can pull off a variety of hairstyles, glasses and makeup looks.
Some popular celebrities with oval faces include Beyonce, Chris Hemsworth, Enrique Iglesias, Zayn Malik, Bella Hadid and Jessica Alba.
What shape glasses suit an oval face?
Those with an oval face shape can go with almost any style of glasses. However, to make your eyes pop, go for a frame shape slightly wider than your forehead. Cat-eye, round and square are suitable glasses shapes for oval faces.
Are oval glasses good for oval faces?
Oval glasses can be a good choice for oval faces. Oval glasses can help harmonise the contours of an oval face shape and maintain balanced proportions.
What frames should an oval face avoid?
An oval face should avoid narrow frames and frames that have heavy design elements. These frames may add the appearance of extra length to an oval face. As the oval face is quite versatile, you can experiment with different trends or shapes and wear what makes you feel comfortable!
What shape glasses suit an oval face?
Those with an oval face shape can go with almost any style of glasses. However, to make your eyes pop, go for a frame shape slightly wider than your forehead. Cat-eye, round and square are suitable glasses shapes for oval faces.
Are oval glasses good for oval faces?
Oval glasses can be a good choice for oval faces. Oval glasses can help harmonise the contours of an oval face shape and maintain balanced proportions.
What frames should an oval face avoid?
An oval face should avoid narrow frames and frames that have heavy design elements. These frames may add the appearance of extra length to an oval face. As the oval face is quite versatile, you can experiment with different trends or shapes and wear what makes you feel comfortable!
Heart face shape
A heart-shaped face is wider at the temples and narrower at the chin. People with heart-shaped faces tend to have high cheekbones and narrow chins. The width of a heart-shaped face is about the same as the height.
Hollywood's most famous heart-shaped faces include Reese Witherspoon, Vanessa Hudgens, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Halle Berry. Many models and pop stars, including Nick Jonas and Ariana Grande, also boast heart-shaped faces.
What glasses shape is best for heart-shaped faces?
Heart-shaped faces are defined by a widow's peak and full cheeks, so look for glasses that accentuate your best features. Opt for cat-eye, rimless or oval frames to draw attention to your eyes or go for a pair with decorative detailing to highlight your cheekbones.
What frames should people with heart-shaped faces avoid?
As heart-shaped faces have a broad forehead and narrow jawline, they should avoid oversized frames, top heavy frames and square frames. These frames emphasise the broader features of a heart-shaped face.
How to choose glasses for heart face shapes?
To choose glasses for heart face shapes, tall glasses are ideal. As heart-shaped faces are widest at the top with full cheeks, round, oval and aviator shaped are ideal for heart face shapes.
Diamond face shape
A narrow chin and forehead characterise the diamond face shape with wide cheekbones. This face shape is often described as angular and the defining feature is the wide cheekbones. Diamond-shaped faces can be either long or short, but they typically have a slightly longer than average length. Diamond face shapes are very versatile for different glasses frames.
Some celebrities with diamond-shaped faces include Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson.
What glasses suit a diamond face shape?
Those with a diamond face shape should choose frames that help soften their face angles. Oval, cat eye and round glasses are most suitable for diamond face shapes. Gentle curves or rounded edges are flattering for this face type as they help to add definition to the eyebrow line.
Can a diamond face shape wear cat-eye glasses?
Cat eye glasses are a great choice for diamond face shapes. As diamond face shapes tend to have wider cheekbones and a narrower forehead and jawline, cat eye frames complement diamond face shapes by emphasising the upper part of the face.
What frames should people with diamond face shapes avoid?
Some frames that might not work well for diamond face shapes include square frames, oversized frames, angular frames and rectangular shapes. These frames can make the diamond facial features appear harsher.
How to choose the right size glasses
To find the right size glasses, it’s ideal to identify whether you have a small face or a large (also known as wide) face. If you have a small face, sometimes you’ll find that your glasses are too wide and may sit too low on your face. Alternatively, if you have a wide or large face, your frames may look too narrow.
What glasses are good for small faces?
Small faces are better suited for frames that are smaller and sit comfortably on the face. It is recommended to find frames that are under 50mm in width.
The best glasses for small faces include:
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Oval glasses
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Cat eye glasses
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Rectangle glasses
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Round glasses
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Square glasses
What glasses are good for wide faces?
Wide faces should aim to balance their facial features with a larger pair of glasses. It is recommended to opt for frames that are at least 56mm.
The best glasses for wide faces include:
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Rectangular glasses
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Wayfarer glasses
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Oversized glasses
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Browline glasses
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Geometric glasses
Size and shape considerations for prescription glasses
Like frames, prescription lenses also come in various shapes and sizes. This means that depending on the type of lenses you need, there are some extra things you may want to consider.
Some situations that may limit your frame choices include:
Multifocal or progressive glasses
Multifocals and progressives refer to glasses that have varying degrees of prescription in the same lens. Although progressive glasses can come in various forms, they typically have a distance prescription at the top of a lens and a reading prescription towards the bottom of the lens.
This means that some smaller frames may make the change in prescription too abrupt, or may not allow enough room for the reading prescription to fit.
Our team of in-store optometrists and frame experts can help you to determine whether the glasses are a right fit for your prescription, but if you’re shopping for multifocal frames online, it’s best to choose frames that aren’t too small.
Oversized glasses
Oversized glasses and sunglasses have been in the spotlight of fashion trends for a while now and although they may look chic and trendy, there are times when the frame can be too large.
Pupillary distance (PD), is a measure of the distance between your two pupils and prescription lenses are cut with your PD in mind.If your PD is on the smaller side and the frame you’ve chosen is too large, it can cause distortions in the lens.
That’s why it’s important to select the right frames for your face and if you prefer the oversized look, it’s usually best not to go too big.
High prescription glasses
The higher your prescription is, the thicker your lenses will be.
Of course, at 1001 Optometry, we offer high index lenses that can reduce the thickness for higher prescriptions. However, if your prescription is particularly high (more than +7.00 or -7.00) the lenses will end up being on the thicker end regardless.
In these cases, it’s a good idea to choose slightly smaller frames, since it will reduce the overall thickness of your lenses and your glasses will end up lighter as a result.
Shop glasses for your face shape at 1001 Optometry
With so many different glasses to choose from, finding the perfect pair for your face shape is easy with 1001 Optometry. We have a selection of glasses and frames for men, women and kids from some of the best brands in the world.
We offer free domestic shipping, so you can find a great pair of glasses no matter where you live. If you need help deciding which glasses are right for you, contact us — our team is happy to assist if our FAQ section doesn’t have the answer you need. So don't wait any longer — browse our selection of glasses today and find the perfect glasses for your face shape!