Find the Perfect Glasses for Your Face Shape

As a general guide, there are eight face shapes: rectangle, oblong, square, round, triangle, oval, heart and diamond. In order to find out your face shape, you can either take a picture of your face straight on, or you can pull your hair back and outline your face in the mirror. If you’re taking a picture, make sure your camera is far enough away to avoid the fisheye effect. If you’re outlining your face, make sure you use something that will wipe off later. Then, follow this handy-dandy flow chart to determine your shape:

Remember, not everyone falls perfectly in one category. Sometimes, you can have a combination of face shapes. We mention face shapes only as a tool to narrow down your selection of frames, and not as an absolute guideline to follow.

Once you know which shape you are, let’s continue the search for the perfect frame:

Rectangle: Your face is definitely longer than it is wide, with a broad, square jaw line. Also, your forehead and jaw line are the same width. In order to make a rectangular face appear shorter, try frames that will add more width to your face, such as decorated temples, thick temple pieces, and contrasting temples. Avoid narrow frames, as this will only elongate your face.
Oblong: Your face is longer than it is wide, with a broad, rounded jaw line. Your forehead and jaw are the same width. The trick is to try to make an oval face to appear shorter. Again, just as with a rectangular face, try frames that will add more width to your face by means of decorated, contrasting or thick temple pieces. Again, avoid narrow frames, as this will only elongate your face more.
Square: Your face is almost as wide as it is long, with a straight jaw. Your forehead and jaw are the same width. Square face shapes should seek frames to add length to their face. Try narrow frames that have more width than depth, and narrow ovals.
Round: Your face is about as wide as it is long, with a round and full jaw-line. Your cheeks are the widest part of your face. Round face shapes should try frames that make the face appear longer and thinner. Seek frames that are narrow and angular to soften some of the roundness.
Triangle: Your face is wider at the jaw-line than at the forehead. Look for frames that will emphasize and add width to the top of your face, such as cat eye frames and thicker frames. Also, semi rimless frames with ample decorating are perfect for triangular face shapes.
Oval: Your face is slightly longer than wide with a rounded jaw line. Your face is widest at the cheekbones and your eyes are evenly spaced apart, with only one eye’s width distance between them. Oval faces are able to pull of many different frame styles; however, to compliment the natural balance of the face, try frames that are as wide as or wider than the widest part of the face.
Heart or inverted triangle: Your face is slightly longer than it is wide, with the forehead being wider than the jaw. Your face angles down towards your slightly pointed jaw-line. The trick is to make the top part of your face seem less wide, so try light colors and airy frames. Rimless styles are also perfect, because of their lack of frame material around the lenses
Diamond: Your face is narrow at the forehead and chin, while the cheekbones are high and dramatic. You should find frames that will highlight your eyes and soften the cheekbones. Seek rimless, oval or cat-eye shaped frames, or try a frame with a detailed brow line.

Face shapes are not an absolute science; you can be a combination of face shapes. Also, not all rules apply to all people, and tastes definitely differ from one individual to the next. Probably a good thing, otherwise this world would be far too predictable and boring! The best way to find out whether a frame looks good on you or not is by trying it on using the Virtual Mirror.

Enjoy your shopping experience at Visio-Rx.com.