Your eyeglasses are more than just vision correction—they’re a reflection of your personality and style. At Austin Optics in Forest Hills, we offer expert guidance in selecting the perfect eyeglass frames to complement your facial features, lifestyle, and budget. Our experienced opticians are here to help you find a frame style that enhances your look and provides all-day comfort.
Whether you’re shopping for a bold new statement or a timeless classic, we’ll walk you through frame styles that best match your face shape, helping you look and see your best.
A square face is often characterized by a strong jaw line, a broad forehead, and a wide chin and cheekbones. The width and length of the face are close to being equal. Frames should be selected to make the face look longer and to soften the square angles of the face. Choose frames that are slightly curved (like an oval shape) and that have more horizontal than vertical real estate.
- Characteristics: Strong jawline, broad forehead, and equal face width and length.
- Best Frames: Slightly curved or oval frames that soften angles and add length. Look for horizontal styles with gentle curves.
The oval face is identifiable by its balanced proportions. The forehead is slightly wider than the chin and cheekbones are high. Frames should complement the natural proportions of the oval. Choose frames that are wide or wider than the broadest part of the face and that follow your brow line. Often, diamond or rectangular shapes work best for oval shapes.
- Characteristics: Balanced proportions with a slightly wider forehead and high cheekbones
- Best Frames: Most styles work well! Try rectangular or diamond-shaped frames that are as wide or wider than the broadest part of your face.
Although fairly similar to an oval shape, an oblong face is longer than it is wide. The ideal frames will shorten the face by creating a break in the length of the face. Choose frames that have depth and a low bridge to shorten the nose. Try frames that are round, deep, have low-triangle shapes, or that have strong vertical lines.
- Characteristics: Full cheeks, rounded chin, equal width and length.
- Best Frames: Angular, narrow, or rectangular styles that add definition and length. Avoid round frames which emphasize curves.
A round or full face is characterized by having the same width and length. For round faces, frames that add length to the face often work best. Frames that lengthen the face are typically angular, narrow and are wider than they are deep. It is best to avoid round style frames as these will exaggerate the roundness and curves of the face.
- Characteristics: Longer than it is wide with a long nose or cheek line.
- Best Frames: Deep, round, or low-bridge frames to break up facial length. Choose styles with vertical depth or strong lines.
A heart shaped face looks like a heart or a triangle with the point facing down. The forehead is very wide and cheekbones are high while the face narrows towards the chin. Counterbalance the narrow chin by choosing frames that are wider at the bottom. Generally, light colored and rimless frames work best, although aviator, butterfly and low-triangle styles also work well.
- Characteristics: Wide forehead and cheekbones, narrow chin
- Best Frames: Light-colored or rimless styles, and frames that are wider at the bottom—like aviator or butterfly shapes—to balance the face.
- Characteristics: Narrow forehead with wide jaw and full cheeks.
- Best Frames: Top-heavy styles such as cat-eye or frames with bold color or design on the upper rim to draw attention upward.
This is a general guide and is only intended for reference. Our experienced and trained staff will assist you in selecting frames what work best for your lifestyle
- Characteristics: Narrow forehead and jaw with high cheekbones.
- Best Frames: Oval, rimless, or cat-eye frames that soften angular features and highlight the eyes and cheekbones.
- Characteristics: Narrow forehead with wide jaw and full cheeks.
- Best Frames: Top-heavy styles such as cat-eye or frames with bold color or design on the upper rim to draw attention upward.
This face shape guide is a helpful starting point, but choosing the perfect frames goes beyond shape. Our knowledgeable team is here to provide personalized advice and ensure your new glasses suit your vision needs and unique style.