When it comes to choosing new glasses, there’s more to consider than the material, color, and design of a frame. Your face shape really matters.  

Taking your face shape into account can help you identify the frames that would look best on you. And, when staring down the hundreds of frame styles in the store or online, knowing what will work best with your face can really help narrow down your options.  

“We want to always look our best when wearing glasses, and finding the correct frames will help you do that,” says Natalie Martin, a Tampa, Florida–based optician and regional learning specialist for National Vision.   

We asked Martin to share her top tips for finding frames that play up your facial features.  

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Tip #1: Know Your Prescription 

Martin says no discussion about frames should begin without considering your vision prescription. It’s even more important than your face shape. Why? “Because your prescription can influence the size of frames that are appropriate for you,” she explains. 

For example, if you have single-vision lenses — in which the entire lens corrects your vision if you’re nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism — any size frame is open to you. 

On the other hand, if your vision prescription calls for progressive (aka multifocals) or lined bifocal lenses, super small frames won’t work for you. That’s because your lenses need to be big enough to provide a varied field of vision.  

“Choosing very small frames in this instance may cut off the reading portion of the lenses,” Martin points out.  

Understanding your prescription and how that affects the size of your lenses is the important first step before getting into what works for your face shape. 

Recommended reading: Ask an Optician: I was told the frames I love won’t work with my prescription. What does that mean?   

Tip #2: Identify Your Face Shape 

Certain facial features, such as the length vs width of your face, your cheekbone placement, and your jawline, help define your face shape.  

There are six main shapes to consider: 

• Oval: Your face is longer than the width of your face. 
• Round: Your face is about the same length as the width, and your jawline might be more rounded. 
• Square: Your jawline is key here, a horizontal jawline is indicative of this facial shape. 
• Heart: Your forehead is wider than your jawline and chin (which taper), and you have high cheekbones. 
• Diamond: With more angular features, people might comment on your more prominent cheekbones. 
• Triangle: You may have a narrow hairline with a wider jawline. 

Keep in mind that these are general shapes, and your face may fit into more than one category. However, “typically we tend to lean more towards one facial shape,” says Martin.  

When looking at what frames are best for you, pinpoint your dominant facial shape and use that as a starting point. Need help? Follow our easy 4-step guide here.

Tip #3: Contrast Is Your Friend 

Knowing your facial shape should then steer you toward the frames that can do two things: 

• Balance your facial features. 
• Highlight other facial features. 

In general, says Martin, you’ll want to look for frames that add contrast to your face. So, for example, if you have a more angular face, you might choose rounder frames to soften and add balance to your features. If you have a rounder face, consider trying on eyeglasses with more defined angles. 

 

Tip #4: Follow Trends With Caution 

Trends are always fun to follow, but it doesn’t mean that the of-the-moment styles in frames will fit your face shape, says Martin.  

When big frames started having their moment, for example, Martin says she noticed some people wanting to try on frames that were far too big for their face shape, just to be on-trend. “But sometimes this can distort your prescription or be too heavy for your face,” she explains. 

Translucent and lighter colored frames are another example of eyeglass trends that aren’t going to work for everyone. Lean on the advice and expertise of your America’s Best optician. They can help you find frames that reflect the style look you’re going for, but that fit your face shape and prescription. 

“You want to make the trends work for your face, not the other way around,” says Martin. 

Recommended reading: 6 Things Your Optician Can Do Besides Help You Find New Frames 

Tip #5: Try on a (Reasonable) Variety 

Pick out a few frames in various shapes and styles that speak to you, says Martin. This depends on your face shape, of course, and your America’s Best optician can steer you toward the styles that best suit you.  

“As opticians, we’re kind of fashion stylists for eyeglasses,” she says. They’re there to help you, so don’t be shy. They’ve seen hundreds of clientele with your face shape, after all, so ask questions and be open to frame suggestions they may recommend for you. 

Another perk to using your face shape as a guide to finding frames is that it helps you narrow down your choices. If you’ve shopped for eyeglasses before, you know it can be overwhelming with the many options.  

“I recommend limiting yourself to five or six frames with the features and benefits that you’re looking for. It’s less overwhelming to keep it simple,” Martin says. 

Once you have your frame shape in mind, you can also look for frames in colors or patterns that really show off your personal style, whether that’s a classic black or a more daring purple.  

And of course, it’s up to you to decide what to buy, whether it adheres to the guidelines of your facial shape or not. If in the end, you have a pair that are suited for your prescription, comfortable, and look great on you, that’s what matters most. 

Ready to find your best frames? Here’s how to buy glasses online at America’s Best. Or find your nearest America’s Best location here.  

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