You’ve been framed, expert reveals the best glasses for your face shape – six face shapes explained

Your face shape plays a key part in selecting a pair of sun/glasses that suit you best. So if you’re planning on purchasing some new frames, here is some advice from Sharon Copeland, Optician at Feel Good Contacts about how to determine your face shape (six types explained) and then how to choose glasses for your face shape:

Determining your face shape

There are a range of methods that can help you to determine your face shape. Including the phone method, the mirror method and the photo method.

1. The Phone Method

Using an app such as Facebook messenger, try tracing over a selfie using your phone. Simply use the colour-pen tool to pick out the basic geometry of your shape. It doesn’t have to be perfect as long as you get the basic shape.

2. The Mirror Method

Look in the mirror and trace your face shape onto the mirror’s surface using a washable marker pen.

3. The Photo Method

Print a photo of yourself and trace around your face and hair line to outline the basic shape.

Tip

Once you’ve determined your face shape, you can figure out which glasses suit you best. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to pick glasses which contrast with your face shape. For example, if you have a round face shape, you may want to stick to angular boxy style frames.

Our guide below will go into more detail about face shapes and the styles of frames that suit them.

Best glasses for square faces

The best glasses for square faces are generally round or oval frames, as well as clubmasters. These will soften the sharp edges of a square face.

Rectangle frames will also create a narrow focus towards the centre of the face. Both thin and thick frames work well on square faces. Darker colours create a classic and timeless feel.

Celebrities with a square face shape includes Emily Deschanel, Demi Moore, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Hudson, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Ben Affleck.

Please note: Square faces are defined by a strong chiselled jawline and broad forehead. They have a 1:1 ratio and are even in width and length.

Best glasses for round faces

Angular shaped frames such as square and wayfarers look good on round faces and add more dimension and balance. Avoid oval, round and cat-eye frames that can make a face appear slightly wider. Thinner, lighter coloured frames add a soft and romantic touch to rounder faces.

Celebrities with a round face shape includes Cameron Diaz, Emma Stone, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Leonardo Dicaprio, Elijah Wood, Jack Black.

Please note: Round faces have fuller cheeks, less defined jawlines. The smooth lines of a round face mean that they have a greater curve of symmetry, but less definition.

Best glasses for rectangular faces

Thick wayfarer, clubmasters, cat eye and square frames give the illusion of greater width and create balance. Thicker frames also work particularly well on rectangular faces to break the length of the face. Bold prints, bright colours and splashes of retro neon can work well on rectangle faces.

Celebrities with a rectangle face shape includes Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Natalie Portman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen.

Please note: Rectangular faces are typically longer in length and shorter in width. Large frames with bigger lenses look best on rectangular faces.

Best glasses for heart-shaped faces

Cat-eye and rounder frames are a perfect choice for this face shape. Lighter frames that are rimless also add a soft touch. Transparent and pastel-coloured frames are also highly complementary.

Celebrities with a heart face shape includes Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Campbell, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Jonas, Will Smith, Ryan Gosling.

Please note: Heart-shaped faces are broader at the top and become slender and thinner towards the bottom. A broad brow and narrow chin make frames elongate the face and even out its proportions.

Best glasses for oval faces

Oval face shapes have the advantage of suiting most frame silhouettes. It’s generally advised to choose a wider frame to maintain a balance of proportions. Rectangle or cat-eye frames will create more dimension across your face if it is oval-shaped.

Celebrities with an oval face shape includes Julia Roberts, Kelly Rowland, Jessica Alba, Adam Levine, Jude Law.

Please note: Oval shaped faces are longer in length and shorter in width. The sleek and slender silhouette has a beautifully rounded symmetry.

Best glasses for triangle-shaped faces

To create more definition towards the upper half of the face, frames with a heavy brow and thick upper frame help to create fullness. Clubmasters and wayfarers are particularly complimentary, and bolder colours and charismatic prints are a good choice.

Celebrities with a triangle face shape includes Victoria Beckham, Shailene Woodley, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Reynolds.

Please note: Triangular faces are thinner at the top and become wider at the cheeks and down towards the chin are.