How To Determine The Right Frame For Your Face

 

In learning how to select eyeglass frames, there are steps that can be taken to avoid a sloppy purchase that results in poor fitting frames. For many people in the market to buy new frames, making a fashion statement can sometimes be as important to the consumer as quality of vision. However, it is important to remember that knowing how to select eyeglass frames is not strictly an enhancement of one’s beauty. Comfort also plays a vital role in determining whether or not a purchase is made.

 

Sizing 

If you are buying eyeglass frames for the first time, looking at frames in an optical store in a shopping center or at your optometrist's office is often a good place to start.  Be sure that you select eyeglass frames for comfort and write down measurements of some frames you like.

 

If you have already worn glasses before, then you can use those to help you size the frames.  Your current glasses will have measurements for the bridge (the part over the nose) the frame width (from the tip of temple to the tip of the other temple) and the arm length (from tip of the temple to the tip of the end of the arm)  If you measure your glasses with a millimeter ruler (better than inches because the resolution is smaller) then you can compare to the measurements we have for every pair of glasses on our site.  In this manner, you can compare several frames to yours and get an idea of what it would mean to have, for example, a lens height of 35mm versus one that is at 26mm.  Give it a try and you will find that its quite easy to do.

 

The Temple Arm Length can vary up to about 10mm from what is written on your frames as they are adjustable (you bend the "earpiece" to fit comfortably.  If you have worn glasses, you know that this is an easy thing to do.

 

The Bridge Measurement, aka DBL or Distance Between Lenses, (nose) can be easily adjusted by moving the nose pads. Typically, the bridge measurement is between 15 and 20 mm and so a variation in this from your glasses to a new pair will not make any difference.

 

The Frame Width is not adjustable in any way so it is important to stay about 5mm from the measurement on your glasses. 

 

The Lens Height and Width are provided to help you get an idea of how big the glasses will seem on your face.  Typically, if the Frame Width and Temple Arm Length are similar to yours, then the frame will be a suitable size for your face.  If you really like a frame and are not sure, simply measure the glasses you have (sunglasses will work too) and you will get an idea about how big they will be on your face.

 

Shape

Remember, every persons face is shaped slightly differently than the next and sometimes the face shape may change the shape of the frames you want to buy. There are a few tips that can be followed in looking for the perfect pair of frames. If you have plenty of facial hair, larger frames tend to mask certain features. Smaller cut frames may enhance a bearded look. Also, in knowing how to select eyeglass frames, try to avoid frames larger than your head. In other words, if you have a smaller shaped head smaller frames will not mask your features. More on this below.........................

 

Comfort and Fit 

A few tips to consider in knowing how to select eyeglass frames is to make sure your eyes are comfortably positioned with the middle of the lens. Again, if you currently have glasses that fit, you should not stray too far from the numbers on that frame.  Avoid large set frames if your eyes are set close together. When wearing the frames, your eyebrows should line up parallel with the top part of the frame of your glasses. Lastly, choose a frame set that appears different from the shape of your face. If you have a rounded face, your frames should probably be a shape other than round.

We often are asked from customer with strong prescriptions, "I have a very strong prescription (greater than +/- 6.00).  What do you recommend as the most aesthetically pleasing lenses without breaking the bank?"

Answer:  In addition to order a higher index lens (1.61 or higher), the smallest frame possible that looks good on your face will help as well. I also recommend a frame that is fairly round or oval (no corners), where you look right through the center of each lens. These techniques minimize lens thickness.

You should consider three main points when choosing an eyeglass frame for your face shape, according to Vision Council of America (VCA):
• The frame shape should contrast with the face shape.
• The frame size should be in scale with the face size.
• Eyewear should repeat your personal best feature (such as a blue frame to match blue eyes).

Seven Basic Face Shapes - What Shape Are You?  Print this page and ask a friend.

While most faces are a combination of shapes and angles, there are seven basic face shapes: round, oval, oblong, base-down triangle, base-up triangle, diamond and square. Here is a further description of these face shapes and which types of frames work for each (information comes from VCA). If you have any questions, please email or call us and we will help you use these guidelines to choose your new eyeglasses.

Round
A round face has curvilinear lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles. To make the face appear thinner and longer, try angular narrow eyeglass frames to lengthen the face, 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 considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. To keep the oval's natural balance, look for eyeglass frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face, or walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow.

Oblong
The oblong face is longer than it is wide and has a long straight cheek line and sometimes a longish nose. To make the face appear shorter and more balanced, try frames that have a top-to-bottom depth, decorative or contrasting temples that 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 cheek and chin areas. To add width and emphasize the narrow upper third of the face, try frames that are heavily accented with color and detailing on the top half or cat-eye shapes.

Base-Up Triangle
This face has a very wide top third and small bottom third. To minimize the width of the top of the face, try frames that are wider at the bottom, very light colors and materials, and rimless frame styles (which have a light, airy effect because the lenses are simply held in place to the temples by a few screws).

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

Square
A square face has a strong jaw line and a broad forehead, plus the width and length are in the same proportions. To make the square face look longer and soften the angles, try narrow frame styles, frames that have more width than depth and narrow ovals.

Color Analysis - Are you warm or cool?   Knowing the answer will help you easily select frame colors

VCA's three keys to color analysis are that ...
• All people have either a cool (blue-based) or warm (yellow-based) coloring.
• Everyone looks best in his or her own color base.
• Eyewear color should complement personal coloring.
The main factors to determine the best color palette are the colors of the skin, eyes and hair.

Are you warm or cool? Knowing the answer will help you easily select frame colors.

Skin
Skin tone is the prime element in determining coloring. All complexions fall into one of two color bases — blue (cool) or yellow (warm). A cool complexion has blue or pink undertones, and a warm complexion has a "peaches and cream" or yellow cast. Olive skin is considered cool because it is a mixture of blue and yellow. (In the United States, cool, blue-based complexions are more common than the yellow-based warm complexions. About 60 percent of the population are "cools.")

Eyes
Eye colors are usually a secondary element in determining coloring because of the wide range of eye colors. For example, blue eyes can range from a cool almost-violet to a pale blue-gray, which is warm. Brown eyes can vary from a light cider shade (warm) through a medium-brown to a cool almost-black.

Hair
Hair colors are also considered warm or cool. Strawberry blond, platinum, blue-black, white, salt-and-pepper and "dishwater" brown are cool. Warm hair colors include golden blond, flat black, brown-gold, "carrot" and "dirty" gray. Eyeglass Frame Colors Once you have determined if you are "warm" or "cool," then you can find the eyeglass frame colors that will suit you the best. Some examples of frame colors best for warm coloring are: camel, khaki, gold, copper, peach, orange, coral, off-white, fire-engine red, warm blue and blond tortoise. For cool coloring, the best eyeglass frame hues are black, rose-brown, blue-gray, plum, magenta, pink, jade, blue and demi-amber (darker) tortoise.

 
As you can see from the information above, there are certainly some guidelines to follow which will help you to make sure your eyeglasses fit your face and coloring.  BUT............. do they fit your personality?  There certainly are times when we stretch out with our fashions, and at Greateyeglasses.com we are committed to providing you with quality eyewear at great prices so you can stretch out with your eyewear too. 

 

There definitely are enough celebrities with large, round faces that have large, round glasses and look great!!!  I'm sure you have seen people with long faces wearing rectangular glasses with blue lenses and they look great too! 

 

So we say "Go for it!"  HAVE FUN!!!!