Face Shapes

Not sure which frames suit your face? That’s what we’re here for. Below is the short version of what our opticians look for, face shape by face shape.

The general rule: opposites attract

Play against your facial contours. If you have angular features (prominent cheekbones, a strong jawline), go curvier with rounder frame shapes. It pulls attention away from the parts of your face that are already doing plenty of work on their own.

Oval-shaped face

Features: Oval faces are well balanced, with a gently curved jawline slightly narrower than the forehead. Cheekbones tend to sit high, and the face is roughly 1.5 times longer than it is wide. It’s a versatile shape that works with a lot of frames.

Best bet: top-heavy frames and butterfly shapes. Square and rectangular frames add contrast to the oval’s curves. Most other shapes are fair game too, just keep scale in mind. An oval’s one real pitfall is a frame that’s too small or too large, which throws off the natural balance of the face.

Square-shaped face

Features: A broad forehead, a strong horizontal jawline and a square chin, generally about as wide as it is long. The goal with a square face is to pick frames that let those architectural features do their thing.

Best bet: ovals and rounded rectangles. Softer oval or round shapes contrast the straight lines of a square face. If you prefer a rectangular frame, look for softened edges rather than sharp corners. Frames that emphasize the browline, through either shape or color, help balance the jawline.

Round-shaped face

Features: Round faces are all curves: fuller cheeks, a wide forehead, a rounded chin, and usually about as wide as they are long.

Best bet: rectangular frames and contrast bridges. A round face is the perfect showcase for strong angular shapes. Look for lenses wider than they are deep. Round faces also do well with frames that sweep up slightly at the corners, which shows off the cheeks and brings the focus back to the eyes.

Heart-shaped face

Features: A broad forehead tapering to a small chin, with cheekbones that are generally high and angled along the contour of the face. The trick is finding a shape that balances those different widths.

Best bet: aviators and rimless styles. Both taper toward the bottom, which echoes the shape of the face rather than fighting it, and neither adds visual weight at the forehead where a heart-shaped face is already widest. Rimless in particular keeps the top line light. Steer clear of anything heavy across the browline.

Bring your face in and we’ll do the rest

Face shape is a starting point, not a rule. With over 700 designer frames on the floor, the fastest way through is to let one of our opticians hand you four or five and watch what happens.

Frame materials and styles  ·  Request an appointment  ·  call (843) 796-1155