Which spectacle frames flatter your face
Whether you’re feeling like a French film star or a Wimbledon winner there’s a pair of spectacles (eyeglasses) to indulge your mood. All you have to do is find the frames that best suit your shape of face.
OVAL FACE
It is an easy shape to fit; just remember to keep frames in proportion to the face. Frames often look best when they’re as wide as; or wider than; the broadest part of the face. Almond- or walnut-shaped frames are recommended.
ROUND FACE
To make the face seem longer and thinner, avoid excessively rounded shapes. Frames should be wider than they are deep. Try angular, narrow frames, such as flattened rectangle styles. A clear bridge will widen eyes.
OBLONG FACE
Frame shape should interrupt the verticality of the face. Try rounded styles or up-tilted, curved shapes that are as wide as or wider than, the face. Decorative temples can also create horizontal, balancing lines.
SQUARE FACE
The goal is to make the face look longer and soften the angles. Gently curved, narrow styles like cat-eye shapes and flattened ovals lengthen face. Accentuate horizontal lines with styles that have more weight or decoration on top.
NARROW FOREHEAD
To balance the width of the chin, try frames that are wider on top, such as wayfarer shapes, or those with heavier tops and delicate or rimless bottoms. Ovals and cat eyes, with their up-tilted angles, accentuate and flatter high cheekbones.
WIDE FOREHEAD
Try to minimize the width of the top part of the face with frames that are wider on the bottom half. Modified aviator shapes are flattering; light colors and rimless styles also look good.
SKIN COLOR
If your skin has blue, pink or olive undertones, you may want to avoid pink- or rose-tinted lenses and frames, which accentuate a ruddy complexion. For peaches-and-cream skin, look for warmer, golden-toned glasses. If you have delicate features, try lightweight shapes, such as wire rectangles or ovals. To see which frames work with your face shape, try out different styles.
What to know before you buy spectacles:
When it comes to buying spectacles, approach the task with the same adventurous determination you’d wield in scoring the perfect pair of shoes: seek out the style that most delights you, keeping your eye toward a marriage of form and function that best fulfills your needs. Look for spectacles that flatter your face.
If you have a high prescription, avoid metal or rimless glasses, which offer little or no coverage for the edges of thick glasses. Or you can opt for high-index lenses, made from a thinner, lighter plastic that offers stronger vision correction; they run higher than the conventional lenses. For distance glasses should choose a larger frame for better peripheral vision.
Make sure the frames are comfortable. Glasses should sit lightly on the bridge of the nose without squeezing or slipping down. If you have trouble finding a comfortable pair, try a style with adjustable nose pads.
Choosing contact lenses:
Lenses are either plastic or glass. Plastic is more common; it’s lighter, the color range is greater, and it’s easily coated to adapt to light conditions. Green or gray lenses block light without distorting vision, give truest colors, and protect delicate skin around eyes. On overcast days brown or yellow lenses give the best visual contrast. Pastels (blue, pink) are mostly for looks.
Use soap and water to clean your contact lenses: dry them with a soft cloth (the grit from a paper towel; or your shirt; may leave scratches). Tiny bottles of cleansing fluid from opticians are convenient, but no more effective.
Why sunglasses are necessary:
When the light is too bright, your natural defenses take over; the pupils of your eyes contract and you squint. Usually these natural reactions don’t provide adequate protection. Squinting cannot keep out ultraviolet (or burning) rays or infrared (or heat) rays. The results of over-exposure to the sun’s glare can be eyestrain, headaches, or a feeling of fatigue; and wrinkles around the eyes. A pair of effective sunglasses is an ideal solution. Always choose sunglasses with 90 percent to 100 percent UV protection (a lens coating), indicated on a lens, sticker or a tag.