Years ago, eyeglasses were seen as nothing more than a necessity. Frame selection was limited to just a few styles and colors, and lenses were often thick, requiring a heavy frame. Today's eyeglasses can be anything from an understated accessory to a bold fashion statement. Thinner, lighter lenses allow for a greater choice of frame materials and styles. You can choose the perfect frames to complement your face shape, coloring and personal style. You'll not only be seeing better -- you'll look great, too.
Step 1
Look in the mirror and note the shape of your face. If it's about the same width as it is tall with a rounded forehead and jaw line, you have a round face. If the width and height are about the same but with a squared-off jaw and forehead, your face is square. If your face is rounded at the top and bottom and about half as wide across the cheekbones as it is tall, you have an oval face. If your face is wider across the forehead and cheeks with a small, pointed chin, your face is heart-shaped or triangular. If your face is narrow through the forehead and chin and wide across your cheeks, you have a diamond-shaped face.
Step 2
Choose frames that balance your face shape. Narrow, rectangular frames look nice on a round face. Narrow oval frames soften the edges of a square face. For a heart-shaped face, look for a frame that takes the focus away from the width at the top of your face, such as a rimless style or a frame that only goes around the bottom of the lens. Choose frames that are wider across the brow or have decorative details at the temples to balance a diamond-shaped face. People with oval faces generally look good in any frame style.
Step 3
Look at the veins on the inside of your arm to determine whether your skin tone is warm or cool. If the veins appear blue, your skin tone is cool. If they look green, you have a warm skin tone. Choose eyeglass frames in a color that will flatter your skin tone. People with cool skin tones tend to look good in blues, purples, gray, black and silver. Dark tortoise shell frames also work well on cool skin tones. If your skin tone is warm, consider frames in shades of gold, brown, coral, peach, red, orange or a light tortoise shell.
Step 4
Think about your personal style. For example, if you tend to dress in a subdued fashion and don't like to call attention to yourself, a simple wire frame will probably suit you better than a bold geometric style. On the other hand, if you work in a conservative field, a unique and edgy pair of eyeglasses can make a subtle statement without taking away from your professional look.
Step 5
Try on a variety of frames in the shapes and colors you think will suit you best.
Step 6
Ask the opinion of the optician or salesperson. If you have a camera phone, snap pictures of yourself in your top choices and send then to a couple of friends whose opinions you trust.
Things You'll Need
- Mirror
Member Comments