Match Eyeglass Frames to the Shape of Your Face

Round

A round face has curvilinear lines with the length and width in the same proportions and no angles. Try angular-narrow eyeglass frames to lengthen the face and make the face appear thinner and longer. This also creates a clear bridge that widens the eyes and frames that are wider than they are deep, such as a rectangular shape.

Oval

The oval face is said to be the ideal shape because of the balanced proportions it carries. Look for frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face or the walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow. This keeps the oval's natural balance.

Oblong

The oblong face is longer and displays a long straight cheek line and most of the time a longish nose. To make your face give the illusion that it's shorter and more balanced, you could try frames that have a top-to-bottom depth. Frames that are decorative or contrasting temples also add width to the face or a low bridge to shorten the nose.

Base-Down Triangle

The triangular face has a narrow forehead that widens at the chin and cheek areas. Try frames that are heavily accented with color and detailing on the top half or cat-eye shapes. This will add width and emphasize the narrow upper third of the face.

Base-Up Triangle

This kind of face has a small bottom third and a very wide top third. To minimize the width on the top portion of your face, try a frame that is wider at the bottom, very light colors and materials, and rimless frame styles (which have an airy, light effect because the lenses are held in place to the temples by a few screws).

Diamond

This is the rarest face shape. Diamond-shaped faces are mainly narrow at the jaw line and eye line, and cheekbones are often high and very dramatic. To bring out the cheekbones and highlight your eyes, try to select frames that have distinctive brow lines or detailing, or try rimless frames or oval and cat-eye shapes.

Square

A square face has a broad forehead and a strong jaw line, plus the length and width are in the same proportions. Try to select narrow frame styles to make the square face look longer and soften the angles. Try to go for frames that have more width than depth.