Guide to Selecting Frames for Eyeglasses

Once you've visited the eye doctor and received the prescription for your lenses, next comes the tricky part: figuring out what eyeglass frames are right for you. It can be frustrating when a pair of frames looks gorgeous on the rack but not on your face. Certain frames tend to be are more suited for particular face or nose shapes.

Considering Your Face Shape

• Eyeglass frames that are the opposite shape of your face are typically the most flattering because they balance out your face shape without overemphasizing it. If you have a round face, look for eyeglass frames that are square. The width of the frames will make a round face appear longer. For a longer shaped face with a square jaw, choose rounder shaped frames to minimize the angles of your face. If you have an oval shaped face, you are fortunate and can wear any shaped frame.

  Keep the size of your face in mind as well when choosing eyeglass frames. Frames should match the size of your face, not contrast with it. If you have a small, delicate face, large eyeglass frames will overpower it and make it appear even smaller. For a larger face with strong features, you can select sturdier frames.

Getting the Right Fit

• According to the Vision Council of America, the eyeglass frames should line up with the tops of your eyebrows without extending past them. To select the frames that will fit the best on your face, look for frame sizes that are proportionate to your nose size. Prominent noses will appear more severe with small, thin frames, so look for the largest sized frames that are still match your face size. If you have a wide, flat nose, most eyeglass frames will sit too low and rest on the tops of your cheeks. Look for frames that have a keyhole bridge over the nose. A keyhole bridge is shaped like an old-fashioned keyhole with high, narrow sides that can lift the frames higher up your nose.

Selecting a Complementing Color

• Eyeglass frames come in a variety of colors, so select a frame color that complements your skin tone. If your skin has a slight blue or pink undertone, it's considered a cool skin tone, while having yellow undertones means you have a warm skin tone. If you have an olive skin tone, the Vision Council of America considers it cool. Generally those with darker hair and eyes have cool tones, while blondes and redheads tend to have warm tones. Look for eyeglass frames that are darker, such as black, navy, plum, dark green or dark tortoise for cool skin tones. Warmer skin tones can be flattered by softer frame colors like soft brown, tortoise, gold, coral, khaki or bright red.