How to Find the Best Eyeglasses for You: 3 Tips to Ensure Comfort and Style

Ever wondered why some eyeglasses look lovely in optical shop displays and digital brochures, but not so much when worn? It may have something to do with the wearer’s face shape.

When shopping for eyewear, many people tend to forget that not all designs are made for everyone – much like a dress. Think of it like this: When you buy a wedding dress, you match its silhouette and other elements to your body type.

For eyeglasses, different frames are more suitable for specific face shapes. How well the frame matches your face shape affects how it would look on you and the level of comfort you’ll have when wearing it. Of course, that’s just one consideration you need to think about.

In this article, you will learn three tips for finding the best eyeglasses for comfort and style.

1.   Determine your face shape.

One of the primary factors that affect the fit of eyeglass frames is your face’s shape. There are quite a few of these, but the broadest categorization includes oval, heart, square, round, oblong, diamond, and base-down triangle.

However, it is essential to note that nobody really has a perfectly shaped face that fits a single category. The truth is that most faces are a combination of two or more of these shapes, which is why trying to pick out just one is near impossible.

The key is to determine what the different elements of the face (e.g., chin, forehead, cheekbones, etc.) look like to decide what type of frames work well with certain combinations.

To make a decision you won't regret, it pays to know the general description of each face shape, as featured below:

Oval

You can tell if you have an oval-shaped face by looking at its overall proportion. Oval faces are deemed ideal due to the natural balance it has.

If you have this face shape, eyeglass frames with about the same width as the broadest part of your face will work best. You can also go with those that are wider, such as frames shaped like a walnut.

Heart

Heart-shaped faces have a wider upper third portion that narrows down to the bottom. With this type of face shape, the goal is to create an illusion of balance with an eyeglass with a broader base.

If your face is shaped like this, you can also go with rimless glasses or those with light-hued, airy-looking frames.

Square

Two of the most apparent features of this face shape are a strong jaw and a broad forehead. As the name implies, square-shaped faces have roughly the same width and length proportions.

To soften your square face’s sharp angles, you can choose narrow frame styles and those that have more width than depth. Narrow oval frames would also work.

Round

A round face shape has similar proportions for its width and length. But unlike a square-shaped face, it has virtually no angles and is made up of curved lines.

People with this type of face should wear angular and narrow-framed glasses as they help lengthen the face and make it look thinner. Eyeglasses with a transparent bridge and rectangular frames are also okay.

Oblong

As the name implies, the oblong face shape is nearly as curvy as a round face. However, it is more on the longer side and has a straight cheek line.

To make it look more balanced, frames with more depth than width can create an illusion of a shorter face. Frames with decorative temples or contrasting designs can also help achieve this.

Diamond

A diamond-shaped face is characterized by a narrow jawline and forehead. The cheekbones are also a bit broad and quite dramatic.

If you’re one of the few with this face shape, you can draw attention away from your cheekbones by highlighting your eyes with frames that have distinctive brow lines. Rimless glasses or those with cat-shaped or oval frames would also work.

Base-down Triangle

The base-down triangle face shape is the near-opposite of heart-shaped faces. With a narrow forehead and wider cheek and chin, choose heavily accented frames with prominent brow detailing and color to emphasize the upper third of the face. Glasses with cat-like frames would also work.

2.   Pick the right frame size.

Besides the shape, another major factor you should think about when buying eye frames online is the size. Keep in mind that most frames made for children and adult male and female wearers have different structures, styles, and sizes.

Men’s eyeglasses usually have larger frames than those made for ladies. Of course, both adult men’s and women’s glasses are bigger than spectacles made for children.

Some optical shops offer unisex frames that can fit both men and women. It all depends on your preferences and the right fit.

3.   Choose frames based on your lifestyle.

Eyeglasses will most likely be worn often, primarily when used for vision correction. This is the main reason why you should prioritize comfort in choosing the right frame in the first place. Because of this, you also need to think about your specific lifestyle when picking out a frame for your eyeglasses.

There are many materials to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. The rule of thumb is to analyze the wearer’s usual lifestyle – particularly their activities.

For example, kids’ eyeglass frames should be sturdy enough to withstand rigorous activity while still ensuring comfort. This is why most children’s eyewear is typically made from softer plastics, such as cellulose acetate propionate, which is also hypoallergenic. For added safety, they should also be free from Bisphenol-A (BPA), a common ingredient in most industrial plastics.

Experts also recommend flexon – a very flexible titanium alloy – for kids’ frames because of its corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and hypoallergenic properties. The best part is that it returns to its original shape when bent or twisted.

As for people who participate in sports, glass frames should be both durable and made so that they won’t fall off easily. In this case, blended nylon frames are the best choice.

Get Stylish and Comfortable

Looks and comfort are two things you must think about when picking eyeglasses. Individual frames are made for a specific purpose, while others are for certain face shapes. Make sure you get the right one with these eyeglass selection tips.

AUTHOR BIO

Firas Saab is the Training Manager at Al Jaber Optical in Dubai, the leading optical and eyewear company in the UAE that offers a comprehensive range of eyewear and optical services across the board, through a wide range of modern optical products and facilities. Firas is an enthusiastic trainer with more than a decade in the retail and optical industry and has recently acquired HND in Business and Management in addition to his Optical qualifications.