How to Choose the Perfect Frames for Your Face Shape

The Secret to Finding Flattering Frames

Choosing the right glasses comes down to one key principle: understanding your face shape.

After 40+ years as a licensed optician, I've learned that the frames that look best are those that balance your natural features. The right style can enhance your appearance and boost your confidence, while the wrong choice can feel off, even if you can't pinpoint why.

This guide will help you identify your face shape and choose frames that work with your unique features.

How to Determine Your Face Shape

Stand in front of a mirror with your hair pulled back. Observe three key features:

1. Widest point of your face

• Forehead = heart-shaped or diamond

• Cheekbones = oval or diamond

• Jawline = square or round

2. Face length vs. width

• Longer than wide = oval or oblong

• Approximately equal = round or square

3. Jawline definition

• Rounded = round or oval

• Angular = square

• Pointed = heart-shaped

Finding Your Perfect Frames by Face Shape

Oval Face Shape

Characteristics: Balanced proportions, slightly wider at cheekbones, gently rounded jawline

Best frames: Virtually any style works, including oversized, geometric, cat-eye, and square frames

Avoid: Frames that are too small for your features

Expert tip: This versatile face shape allows for experimentation with current trends and bold styles.

Examples: Think Beyoncé, Jessica Alba, Ryan Gosling

Round Face Shape

Characteristics: Soft curves, similar width and length, full cheeks, minimal angles

Best frames: Rectangular, angular geometric, cat-eye, and square frames add definition

Avoid: Round frames, small delicate frames, bottom-heavy styles

Expert tip: Choose frames wider than they are tall to create the illusion of length.

Examples: Chrissy Teigen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Black

Square Face Shape

Characteristics: Strong angular jawline, broad forehead, defined features

Best frames: Round, oval, soft cat-eye, and aviator frames soften angular features

Avoid: Sharp angular frames, heavy geometric styles

Expert tip: Curved frames balance strong bone structure beautifully.

Examples: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Demi Moore

Heart-Shaped Face

Characteristics: Wider forehead, high cheekbones, narrow pointed chin

Best frames: Bottom-heavy frames, round styles, aviators, rimless options

Avoid: Heavy top frames, exaggerated cat-eyes, very wide frames

Expert tip: Look for frames with details on the lower half to balance a wider forehead.

Examples: Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds

Diamond Face Shape

Characteristics: Narrow forehead and chin, wide high cheekbones (rare shape)

Best frames: Cat-eye, oval, rimless, and browline frames highlight cheekbones

Avoid: Narrow frames, boxy styles, heavy lower rims

Expert tip: Cat-eye frames are exceptionally flattering for this face shape.

Examples: Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Johnny Depp

Oblong/Long Face Shape

Characteristics: Face noticeably longer than wide, straight cheek line

Best frames: Deep frames, oversized styles, round or square frames with depth

Avoid: Narrow small frames, thin rectangular styles

Expert tip: Frames with visual depth break up length and create proportion.

Examples: Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, Adam Levine

Other Things That Matter (Beyond Face Shape)

Face shape is important, but it's not the whole picture. Here are the other things I think about when helping someone choose frames:

Skin Tone

Warm undertones (golden, peachy): Tortoiseshell, honey, warm browns, gold metals

Cool undertones (pink, bluish): Black, silver, blue, gray, purple, silver metals

Neutral undertones: Most colors work well

Personal Style

Your frames should align with how you present yourself:

• Professional: Classic shapes, neutral colors, subtle details

• Creative: Unique shapes, bold colors, artistic elements

• Minimalist: Clean lines, rimless designs, understated elegance

• Fashion-forward: Current trends, statement pieces, bold choices

Lifestyle Considerations

• Office/computer work: Consider blue light filtering

• Outdoor activities: Polarized lenses, durable materials

• Active lifestyle: Lightweight, flexible frames

• Multiple environments: Transition lenses or multiple pairs

Common Selection Mistakes

After four decades, I've seen the same mistakes over and over:

Mistake #1: Choosing trendy over what actually works. Those frames look amazing in the ad. But if they don't work for your face shape, you won't love wearing them. Choose what flatters YOU first, trends second.

Mistake #2: Going too small. Your frames should be at least as wide as your face. Small frames make your face look bigger and your features look out of proportion.

Mistake #3: Trying to match everything. Don't try to match your frames to your hair color or clothes. You want complement or contrast, not matchy-matchy.

Mistake #4: Deciding under bad lighting. Fluorescent store lighting distorts colors and appearance. Natural lighting provides the most accurate view.

(This is actually one of the biggest advantages of having True Vision Mobile come to your home, you see exactly how the frames look in real lighting, with your real clothes, in your real life.)

Mistake #5: Ignoring your eyebrows. Your frames should work with your eyebrows, not cut through them. The top of the frame should follow your brow line or sit just below it.

How to Know If Frames Are Right for You

Found frames you think might work? Here's my quick checklist:

Good signs:

• The frame top lines up with your eyebrows

• The frames are about as wide as your face (at the temples)

• Your eyes are centered in the lenses

• They sit comfortably, no pinching

• They match the style recommendations for your face shape

• The colors look good with your skin tone

Red flags:

• The frames stick out past your face

• They cut through your eyebrows

• Your eyes are way off to the side or too high/low

• They pinch your nose or temples

• They keep sliding down

• You have to squint or tilt your head to see

But most importantly:

• Do you feel like yourself?

• Can you imagine wearing these every day?

• Do they make you feel confident?

• Are you excited about them?

If you're answering "no" to those last questions, keep looking. The right frames are out there.

Why I Bring Frames to Your Home

Here's something I've learned over the years: people make better decisions about glasses when they're relaxed, at home, in natural lighting, and not rushed.

That's the opposite of a traditional optical store experience.

When I come to your home with frames:

You see them in the lighting you live with every day, not harsh fluorescent lights that make everything look weird.

You can try them with your actual wardrobe. See how they look with your work clothes, your casual outfits, the colors you wear most.

There's no pressure. No other customers waiting. No feeling rushed. Take all the time you need.

I bring 20-30 frames I've already chosen based on your face shape, coloring, and style, not 500 random options that overwhelm you.

You get honest feedback from someone with 40+ years of experience who has no reason to push you toward expensive frames. I just want you to love what you choose.

Your family can weigh in. Sometimes your partner or kids have great instincts about what looks good on you!

Your Simple Action Plan

Ready to find frames that actually flatter your face? Here's what to do:

Step 1: Figure out your face shape using the guide above

Step 2: Note which frame styles work best for your shape

Step 3: Think about your coloring, style, and what you do every day

Step 4: Decide what you want to spend (quality frames typically run $200-500)

Step 5: Get some help! Whether you visit a store or have me come to you, work with someone who knows what they're doing

Step 6: Don't rush it. You'll wear these every day, take the time to find the right ones

After 40+ years of helping people choose glasses, here's what I know for sure:

The right frames aren't about what's most expensive or what's trending on Instagram.

They're about what makes YOU feel confident and comfortable.

When you understand your face shape and know which styles work for you, choosing glasses becomes so much easier. Instead of being overwhelmed by options, you can walk in (or have me walk in!) knowing exactly what to look for.

And that confident feeling when you find the perfect frames? That's what I'm here for.

Let's Find Your Perfect Frames

If you're in the Fraser Valley and ready to find glasses that actually work for your face, I'd love to help.

Here's how it works:

• Click here to book a call

• We chat on the phone about your face shape, what you like, and what you need.

• I bring 20-30 frames chosen specifically for you to your home.

• You try them on in natural lighting, with your real clothes, taking as much time as you need.

• I give you honest feedback about what works (and what doesn't).

• We make sure everything fits perfectly.

No crowded stores. No bad lighting. No pressure.

Just you, me, carefully chosen frames, and the time to find something you'll love.

You can click here to book your home consultation. Serving Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, and throughout the Fraser Valley.

Know your face shape already? Perfect, let's find your frames.

Still not sure? No problem! I'll help you figure it out when we meet.

Questions People Ask Me

• Can I break the rules and wear frames that aren't 'right' for my face shape?

  Absolutely! These are guidelines, not laws. If you love a frame and feel great in it, that's what matters. I've had clients "break the rules" and look fantastic because they wore them with confidence.

• What if I'm between two face shapes?

  Lots of people are! Just focus on your most obvious features, or try styles from both categories and see what you like best.

• How do I know if frames are the right size?

  They should be about as wide as your face (not wider), sit comfortably without pinching, and let you see your whole eye in the lens. If they're sliding down or leaving marks, they don't fit right.

• Should I update my frames even if my prescription hasn't changed?

  I think it's nice to update your frames every few years. Styles change, and fresh frames can really update your look. Plus, if your old frames are worn or damaged, new ones will help you see better.

• Can I have multiple pairs in different styles?

  Yes! Lots of people do. Maybe fun frames for weekends and professional frames for work. Or computer glasses and regular glasses. It's a great way to express different sides of yourself.

• What about kids?

  For kids, focus more on fit, comfort, and durability than face shape rules. Their faces are still growing and changing. Just make sure the frames fit well and can handle some rough treatment!

About Me

I'm Kim McEachern, and I've been helping people find the right glasses since 1979. That's over 40 years of watching faces light up when they find frames that make them feel amazing. I started True Vision Mobile Optical because I wanted to make glasses shopping less stressful and more personal. Now I bring the expertise and selection right to your home, so you can choose frames in comfort, without the pressure.