How to Choose the Best Frames for Your Face‎

Purchasing new frames can be overwhelming. But with a little guidance, the experience can be fun and exciting. Eyewear is a declaration of your personality and has the ability to introduce you to strangers without speaking a word. Eyewear has even become a signature staple for many celebrities. Think, Steve Jobs, John Lennon, Elvis. So where to begin when choosing new frames? Here are some suggestions to help you find your signature pair.

Consider Your Script
Starting off, we recommend you take your prescription strength into consideration. Not every script will look good in every frame. Our professional Opticians can immediately direct you away from any frames that aren't ideal for the lenses your prescription will require. For example if you're nearsighted with a strong, negative script, your lenses will be thicker.  Thick lenses will look better in a smaller frame because the lenses get thicker as they spread out from the center. So a small frame will eliminate the thickest part of the lens. A large one would allow that bottle cap effect.

Compliment Your Coloring.
Skin tone plays an important part in finding the best frames to compliment your appearance. There are hundreds of skin tones but to simplify it; You have either a warm (yellow-based) or a cool (blue-based) skin tone. Here's a helpful trick: check out your veins. If they're more blue than green, you have a cool skin tone and should consider frames that are black, reddish brown, slate blue, or dark tortoise. Do your veins appear more green? That means you have a warm skin tone and will be best off in camel, khaki, or copper. For the outgoing warm, try a bold fire engine red.

Contrast the Your Face Shape
Pick frames that contrast your face shape, not ones that imitate it. An oval, symmetrical face shape is generally ideal but the percentage of people that possess that face shape is rare. Choosing frames that help us achieve this "oval effect" tend to compliment ones face shape the best.

If a weak chin is problematic for you, a frame that's slightly wider at the bottom edge will give the lower portion of your face what your chin is lacking.  If you have a circular round-face, try frames with sharp angles: rectangles, trapezoids, and the super trendy hexagonal frames will look awesome. Round glasses would accentuate fuller cheeks.  If your cheeks and jowl expand further than your forehead, choose a frame with a dramatic top edge to avert eyes up. Check up the helpful chart below to identify frames suitable for your specific face shape.

Illustration by Vic Blankenbaker

Be Yourself
Above all else, you do you! All of these suggestions are merely that... suggestions! Go with your gut. If you find a frame outside these guidelines that makes you feel good about yourself, break the "rules". There are hundreds of styles, shapes, color and brands when it comes to eyewear. This article aims to ease the process for you. But it won't work for every person, every time. Glasses are one of the first things people notice about us. What impression do you want to give off? It's your vibe. Own it with a pair that makes you feel fab, confident and mostly YOURSELF.