How To Use Your Face Shape and Skin Tone To Help You Choose the Right Glasses Frames

How To Use Your Face Shape and Skin Tone To Help You Choose the Right Glasses Frames

Falling in love with a pair of stylish glasses from a photo is the easy part. Deciding whether they are a good match for your face shape and skin tone, may take a little more consideration ...but don’t be discouraged, we can help!

Knowing your face shape and skin tone means you can make more informed style choices that will lead you to your perfect glasses match!

First, to determine your face shape, you can use the measurement method. You should use a flexible tape measure, or a paper ruler. Exact measurements aren’t the goal here. They are just used as a comparison to your other facial features. So, just have fun with it!

You will need 4 measurements.

  • Forehead - measure from hairline to hairline at the widest point.

  • Cheekbones - from outer eye drop down to just under the bone.

  • Jawline - about an inch below your ears at the widest point.

  • Face Length - from the middle of your hairline on your forehead to the tip of your chin.

Take your measurements and use the following guidelines below. We also include the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of choosing frames for each face shape.

Your face is considered Oval if:

 

  • Your Face Length is larger than your Cheekbones and your Jawline (usually by at least an inch).
  • Forehead is larger than Jawline.
  • Your Jaw is more soft than sharp.

Do: Find glasses that have a defined bridge, as wide/wider than the widest part of your face, can be geometric in shape, not too deep or narrow.
Don’t: Extremely oversized frames.

 

Your face is considered Heart-shaped if:

 

  • Your Face Length is larger than your Cheekbones and your Jawline (usually by at least an inch).
  • Forehead is larger than Jawline and rounded. May have a widow’s peak, but doesn’t have to.
  • Cheekbone width around the same as your Forehead width.
  • Jawline width is smaller than your Cheekbone and Forehead width.
  • Your Chin area is more pointy.

Do: Frames designed with wide bottoms, low-set temples, or thin, light or clear colors, or
metal frames, in round or square shapes.

Don’t: Frames that bring attention to top of glasses and forehead like decorative accents,
strong colors, that will bring attention to the forehead.

 

Your face is considered Round if:

 

  • Face Length and Cheekbones have similar measurement and are larger than the Forehead and Jawline.
  • Forehead and Jawline have similar measurement.
  • Forehead rounded at hairline.
  • Jawline is soft and rounded.

Do: Find glasses that have a less defined or clear/thin bridge, in angular narrow shapes. Wide, rectangular frames work as well.
Don’t: Round or small frames.

 

Your face is considered Oblong/Long if:

 

  • Face Length is larger than Cheekbones and Jawline.
  • Forehead, Cheekbones and Jawline are similar in size.

Do: Frames that are deep, rather than wider, or frames with decorative accents or colors at temple area.
Don’t: Narrow or rectangular frames.

 

Your face is considered Square if:

 

  • All measurements are similar.
  • Jawline is usually angled and sharp/boxy.

Do: Frames that are oval or round with softer lines.
Don’t: Angular or sharp frames.


Now that you know your face shape, it’s time to consider your skin tone. While face shape helps determine the frame style you choose, skin tone will help you choose the colors that will look best on YOU! You are one step away from a perfect match!

What is your Skin Tone?

Let’s do the vein test! Extend your arm and turn it so that the underside of your forearm is facing you (wrist up) in natural light. Look at your veins to determine whether they appear more blue/purple, or green. Below is your skin tone and frame color options based on this test.

Warm: If your veins appear green in natural light due to the yellow tone to your skin.
Frame color options: Warmer colors such as the deep reds, browns, yellows, golds, orange, tortie, or pearle/ivory.

 

Cool: If your veins appear blue/purple due to the pinker tone to your skin.
Frame color options: Blues, blue-greens, pinks, purples, silver/clear, lighter neutrals, and gray.

 

Neutral: If you cannot clearly determine your vein color.
Frame color options: Any frame colors will work depending on your style.

 

And remember, these are just guidelines to support you through your styling choices ONLY IF you need them.

We, at KN, are the first to admit that personality and attitude have no guidelines, so feel free to “color outside the lines” as well.

You know we’re all about you Just being YOU!

IT'S TIME TO SHOP!

Four Factors to Choosing Eyeglass Frames. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/lasik-glasses-lenses/how-to-choose-glasses.

Eyewear 102: Picking The Perfect Shade For Your Skin. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.topologyeyewear.com/article/eyewear-102-picking-the-perfect-shade-for-your-skin.

Glasses Frames Colors: Frame Colors for Eyeglasses. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rosineyecare.com/glasses-frames-colors/.

Hong, H. (2018, July 20). Behold: The Face Shape Guide You Never Knew You Needed. Retrieved from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a22064408/face-shape-guide/.

How to Choose Eyeglass Frames for Your Face Shape. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/eyeglasses_shape_color_analysis.htm.

How to Determine Your Face Shape. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.birchbox.com/guide/article/how-to-determine-face-shape-men.

Oblong Face Shape. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/help/face-shapes/oblong/.

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