How To Pick The Best Glasses Frame For Your Face Shape

Eyeglass fashion has blessedly evolved with time as technology and style have caught up to this all-important accessory. These days, people have a huge variety of frames to choose from, particularly when it comes to color and shape. Coke bottle glasses are now a style choice, not a requirement, which is liberating. That said, eyeglasses are something of an investment, so it can be intimidating to figure out the best frame shape to suit your own face, style, and vision needs.

Every single decade has enjoyed its own specific eyeglass trends, from the cat-eye glasses of the 1940s and '50s to the rectangular frames of the 2010s. However, not all frames are suited for all types of faces. Much like eyeshadow colors, necklines, and hairstyles, it's easy to make a good match if you figure out the sweet spot between what's available and what will work best with your features. The frames that suit your bestie may not work well on you. Rest assured, there are plenty of glasses that can achieve just the right balance of style and functionality for your own specs. 

The first step to eyeglass frame success is figuring out what shape of face you have. To begin, MasterClass says to pull back any potentially intrusive hair, then use a tape measure to get some specs. We recommend a flexible tape measurer for ease of use. Look in the mirror and start by figuring out which area of the face is the widest by using the measuring tape (or just your eyes, if it's obvious).

Then, determine your jaw shape. Does it have sharp angles, or is it narrow and pointy? Perhaps your jaw is round and short. Next, measure the length of your face (from your chin to the center of the forehead hairline). Then, check the width of your face from side to side. Jot down those measurements and notes and proceed to determine your most likely face shape, of which you'll have six to choose from: square, heart, oval, round, rectangle, and diamond. Some people can even be a combination of a few shapes. Although it may seem like a lot of options, it's not difficult to determine your face shape now that you've taken down all of this helpful data.

After taking down your measurements, it's time to move on to figuring out your face shape and finding the perfect frames. A person with an oval face will have a length that measures more than their width, typically also with a wide forehead. Heart-shaped faces are pretty obvious, as they quite literally resemble the romantic shape. Such a face has a width that is more than the length and a narrow, pointy jawline. On a heart-shaped face, the cheekbones are the area where the face is the widest. A round face is similar to a heart-shaped face because the width is greater than the length, although the jawline is rounder and shorter, rather than pointy.

Then, we come to basic geometry. Much like the actual shape, a square face is very even in dimensions all around. A square jawline is also the norm with these folks. A rectangle-shaped face has a length that is on the longer side, with the width of the rest of the face about the same (jawline, forehead, and cheeks).

Lastly, a diamond face shape has a width equivalent to its length (similar to a square face), but it's paired with a forehead that trends toward narrow. A small chin is also a characteristic of diamond-shaped faces, plus cheekbones are higher than they are on other face shapes.

Once you've figured out your face shape, what types of glasses frames are ideal? EyeBuyDirect says that a rounded frame is better than anything with harsh angles on a square face. In particular, a thin, round frame can help soften up any naturally intense angles. Since square facial features are strong, it's even a good idea to select frames that are either semi-rimless or completely rimless. Frames that are a little bit wider than the cheekbones are also advised, as they'll provide some helpful balance. 

People with rectangular faces can often pull off the same frames as those with square or oval faces, as it's a combination of the two, says Yesglasses.com. The website recommends aviators to counteract a long face or round glasses to offset angles. Cat-eye glasses can also bring more attention to the eye area, the site explains, as can any frame with a thicker brow bar.   

Totally opposite of square faces, round versions need frames with angular details to counteract their natural softness. Because of this, rectangular or geometric frames are ideal for people with round faces, EyeBuyDirect says. Cat-eye frames are a less angular, ultra-retro option that is well-suited to round-faced individuals. VisionCenter says that the frame's inherent upward flare helps to faux lift the face. Wayfarer glasses are another great option for round faces, the site notes. 

Wayfarers suit heart-shaped people as well, per EyeBuyDirect. It also suggests that heart-shaped faces select frames that offer a bit of balance by being wider in the forehead area. Also, try on some pairs with a rounded bottom half, as this will add some width to the narrow and sometimes pointed chin area. The good news is that heart-shaped faces can pull off a lot of looks, so don't be afraid to experiment. 

Again, the name of the glasses game is adding or maintaining balance, and oval faces have a lot of options in frame shape and style because they don't need to counteract too much softness or too many angles. In particular, EyeBuyDirect says that rectangular and square frames compliment oval faces the best. This is because they're all-around even, meaning they can pull off other styles, like cat-eye, round, or aviator glasses. 

For diamond-shaped faces, EyeBuyDirect recommends a frame that is either oval or rimless. Either way, a strong browline will add some symmetry to your complexly beautiful face. Cat-eye frames look extra sassy on a diamond face. Similarly, butterfly glasses — which are widest at the temple — complement a narrow chin, says Glasses.com. If you're still not sure in the store or plan to order online, turn to an app like PhotoDirector that will virtually show you different frames on your own face.