Face Shapes
Pyramid
The pyramid is an unusual face shape, although not as rare as the diamond shape. The pyramid has a narrow forehead that widens at the cheek and chin. The choice of frames for a pyramid shaped face should draw attention to the eyes – widening and adding emphasis to the narrow upper third of the face, which will bring the entire face back into balance.
Frames that have detailing on the top half or are more striking in their use of colour will achieve this. Cat’s eye shape frames will also have the same effect. The overall effect can bring the top third of the face into proportion with the lower third.
Diamond
The diamond shaped face is the rarest of face shapes, and is defined by a narrow forehead, wide cheekbones and a narrow chin. Diamond shaped faces are usually narrower at the eye line and jaw line, with high and often dramatic cheekbones. The aim here is to draw attention to the eyes, giving this area more width and balancing the face.
Frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines will help to achieve this effect. Alternatively, try rimless frames or oval shapes, which will also draw more attention to the eyes. Diamond shape faces look particularly good in dramatic, outsize frames.
Square
A square face has a very strong jaw line and a broad forehead. Unlike the rectangle, the width and length are the proportionally equal. The aim is to soften the angles of a square chin and ultimately make the face look longer. Narrow frames with more width than depth can help to achieve this, particularly oval and round frames.
Frames of this style can soften the jaw line, place emphasis on the eyes and lengthen the nose. Square framed styles will achieve the opposite effect, and look out of balance with the rest of the face.
Triangle
A typical triangular face has a broad forehead – the width of the face tapering down to a narrow, rounded chin. The best frames minimise the width of the face’s top and bring the overall look back into balance. Frames that are wider at the bottom will help to achieve this, placing greater emphasis on the lower half of the face.
Very light colours, light materials and rimless frame styles can also help, so consider small square or rounded frames to achieve more balanced proportions for the whole face.
Rectangle
If your face shape is more rectangular, you may have a longer face with a square chin, quite a strong jaw line and a longer nose length. Large, square frames suit rectangular faces best, helping to make the face appear shorter and more balanced. Decorative or contrasting temples will add width to the face.
A frame with a low bridge will help to shorten the appearance of a longer nose, balancing the face and giving the overall appearance of a shorter, more defined line. A rectangular face can look particularly good in modern styles that help to shorten the length of the face.
Round
A circular face with full cheeks and a rounded chin. The round face shape needs a frame design to make it appear narrower and longer. The width and the length of a round face are proportionally similar, with no angles for definition. The aim is to lengthen and give more definition to the face shape, as well as widening the eyes.
Angular, narrow frame styles will help to lengthen the face. A clear bridge will help draw emphasis to the eyes and frames that are more rectangular and wider will balance the shape of the face, providing more definition.
Oval
An oval face with a rounded chin and forehead is the ‘ideal’, as this shape has balanced proportions. An oval face appears longer than it is wide, with the forehead being slightly wider than the jaw. To maintain this natural balance, frames that are as wide as or slightly wider than the broadest part of the face are the best choice.
Alternatively, ‘walnut’ shaped frames that are not too deep or narrow also suit an oval face. However, ovals are lucky in that almost any frame design will suit them, remembering to take into account hair colour and complexion as well.
