Alex O'Brien
Eye Care

How to choose glasses to suit your face shape

From over-sized, full frames to rimless glasses, we give you the low-down to make sure you wear your glasses as opposed to your glasses wearing you.

Award-winning optometrist Tsu Shan Chambers says it’s all about being true to yourself. “Pick frames that you like, regardless of the latest trends, that reflect the REAL you,” she says. “Colour makes you look younger. And don’t forget comfort- the weight of the frame should be evenly distributed across your nose and ears. If they feel heavy, they probably look heavy.”

First things first, tie your hair back and look in the mirror. What shape is your face? Trace it on the mirror with a lipstick can help you see it more clearly.

Oval: Lucky you! You probably know already that you can carry off pretty much any frame shape, so have fun trying on as many pairs as you can and rather than face shape, consider what suits your personality and colouring.

Round: Go for angular frames that will help balance your face shape. Make sure the fit is narrow so it lengthens your face and doesn’t add more width, and avoid harry Potter-style round frames at all costs!

Square: Round frames will soften the angle of your strong jawline and make you look more feminine. Choose frames that sit high on your nose to help lengthen your face and make sure the fit is narrow so they don’t add more width.

Diamond: Narrow forehead and chin, full cheeks? Play up your delicate features with feminine cat-eye and oval shapes. Any frames that sweep upwards will emphasise your great cheekbones.

Oblong: easily mistaken for oval but in need of very different frames, so take a really close look. If you have a long oval face you’re oblong and should go for over-sized frames with depth to narrow your face and width to shorten it. Rounder shapes tend to suit you better than angular.

Heart: If you have a wide forehead and cheekbones but a narrow chin, rimless frames looks great on you, or anything very light. Avoid heavy, embellished frames. 

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eye care, glasses, specsavers