Eyecare Frame Style Guide
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Produced for T Mobile in association with Eyecare International
Quick reference frame style guide Face shapes
Sunglasses
Skin tone
Makeup
Hair style
Frame style checklist
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How to frame your face perfectly Finding frames to suit your face can dramatically improve the way you look and feel when wearing glasses. There are several factors to consider including which style will complement your face shape? What frame will work best with your skin tone and hair, or bring out your eye colour? With so many shapes, sizes, colours, qualities and design materials on offer, choosing the right frame for you can be a little daunting. But while every pair of glasses has to fit your prescription as well as looks, there are definite guidelines that can help you pick the right styles instantly.
Which face shape are you? As a rule, the frame size should be directly in proportion with your face. Smaller frames are best for smaller faces and larger frames, best for larger faces. On the contrary, the frame shape should be a direct contrast with your face. So if you have a round face, frames with angular shapes will offset the roundness for a more attractive look. Round frames will do the opposite and exaggerate the roundness of your face. Identify your face shape first and you’ll be ready to choose frames that are ideal for your appearance and lifestyle.
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Rules to remember Identify your face shape first To do this practically, take a pen and mark out your most prominent facial features on a photo. Note each cheek bone, the outer edge of each eyebrow and both sides of your jaw. Connect the dots and you’ll get a visual idea of your face shape.
Frames should fit comfortably from temple to temple. Check that the frame is resting on the bridge of your nose without pinching. The glasses (unless purposely oversized styles) should not rest on your cheeks or touch the eyelashes. Your pupils should always be aligned with the centre of the lens.
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Oval Gently curved jaw, high cheekbones and slightly wider forehead. Oval is considered the ideal face shape because of its naturally balanced proportions. Most frame styles look good on oval faces, so there’s plenty of scope to be adventurous! Frames should be just slightly wider than the broadest part of your face. Try Modern small, geometric styles Square frames with gently rounded edges Avoid Oversized styles that do not match the dimensions of your face.
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Diamond Wide or high cheekbones, narrow forehead and chin. This face shape is quite a rarity and the ideal frame should add width to the forehead and jaw, while making cheekbones appear narrower. Frames with clear cut, prominent brow lines no wider than the top of the cheekbones, will soften the contour of the face. Try Rimless Cats eye - straight top and rounded bottom Square with slightly rounded edges Avoid Decorative temples that will exaggerate the width of your cheekbones.
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Round Curved lines, width and length in the same proportion, no angles. Try to lengthen your face by selecting wide, rectangular shaped frames that fall low on the cheekbones and minimise curves. Frame details like hinges located above eye level, brow bars, or colour and decoration on the temples will also draw attention to the upper part of the face, making it appear longer. Try Angular or rectangular frames that are wider than they are deep Decorative temples Hinges above eye level Brow bars e.g. aviator style Avoid Small and round shapes, or very large frames that will make your face look rounder. 8
Square Broad, deep forehead, wide jaw line and square chin. To soften the jaw line and make your face appear longer look for frames with soft, slightly curved edges. Oval, round or some very subtle, angular styles are ideal. Frames that are wider than they are deep will help to lengthen a square face, while rounded styles will give it better deďŹ nition. Try Narrow frames Round or oval styles Above eye level hinges or decorative temples Avoid Severely angular and square styles, or those with colour emphasis on the bottom rim.
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Triangle Narrow jaw and wide forehead. Soften the jaw line by emphasising the eye area with styles that angle up and outward at the top corners. Any frame style that mimics the narrow bottom, wider at the top contour of a triangular face will help to balance its shape. Try Square or cat’s eye shapes Rimless bottoms High temples Avoid Fully rounded shapes with no prominent lines to deďŹ ne the eyes.
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Heart Broad forehead tapering to a small, neat chin and mouth. Make the forehead look narrower and add width to the jaw line by choosing styles that angle outward at the bottom. Frames with the temples and bridge located near the middle will help to balance facial features. Try Slender, rounded or square shapes Smaller styles with lower set sides Decorative detail on the temples Avoid Styles that are wider at the top as these will reect the face shape, rather than balance it.
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Oblong Long, straight contour with high cheekbones and a deep forehead. Look for round or large, geometric shaped frames that widen and shorten the face. These will balance the features perfectly. Decoration or contrasting colour on the temples can also help to broaden and balance out the narrowness of an oblong face. Try Wide frames with a strong top line Round or larger, square shapes Contrasting colour at the temples Embellished designs Avoid Small, square shapes and styles with one, at over all colour.
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Finding sunglasses to fit your face Practical, stylish and an all around great fashion accessory, sunglasses present even more style choices than standard glasses. Crucially however, sunglass frames do not have to be directly in proportion with your face size. If you have a small face it can be hard to find sunglasses that work as well as oversized styles do. But as with any glasses choice, the most important part of choosing sunglasses is to remember to play up your best assets. Options vary widely from oversized to aviator and wraparound styles, so it’s still important to first consider which designs are most suited for your face shape.
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Oval Most styles are attering but as a guide, select sunglasses that complement your eyebrow shape. Choose a chunkier, more solid frame to balance thicker eyebrows.
Diamond Look for sunglass styles that aim to widen your forehead while downplaying your cheekbones. Rounded, straight or square frames are best.
Round Your goal with sunglasses is to ďŹ nd styles that lengthen and slim your face. Dark sunglass frames in black and brown add dimension to round faces.
Square Choose sunglasses that are heavy on top. Look for narrow styles and try oval or round frames that contrast your square features.
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Triangle Stay away from bold frame colours like red or green, as these can exaggerate the features you’re hoping to minimise.
Heart Go for coloured frames that draw attention to the top of your face and sit low on the temples. Aviators are ideal for you.
Oblong Decorative or contrasting temples will add width to the face. Oversized styles can also help to widen and shorten a long face shape.
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Which frame compliments your skin tone? When it comes to choosing frames, everyone looks best in shades that match their own personal colouring. This is determined primarily by skin tone, but also by the colour of your eyes and hair.
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Complexions All complexions are classiďŹ ed as either cool with blue undertones or warm with a yellow base colour. There are distinct universal recommendations for choosing the right frame for each.
Cool Try: Stark frame colours. Black, rose-brown, blue-grey, silver, plum, magenta, pink, jade, blue and darker tortoise styles.
Warm Try: Frame colours that match the skin tone. Camel, khaki, gold, copper, peach, orange, coral, off-white, ďŹ reengine red, warm blue and blonde tortoise, all work well.
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Skin tones Your skin tone can have a big impact on the look of your frames and identifying it now, will deďŹ nitely help you choose the right eyewear later.
Fair Try: Frames that are lightweight or have a hint of colour like rose or amber. Clear, blue or green tinged frames tend to drain the colour from pale cheeks.
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Olive Try: Silver, gold or clear frames. Black should be avoided as it can be too heavy.
Dark Try: Amber often works well. Be very careful with plain black frames, which can look amazing or awful!
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How to emphasise your eye colour Simply choose a frame that doesn’t overpower the colour of your eyes. If your eye colour is pale choose lighter, more subtle frame colours. If your eye colour is bright or dark, frames in more vibrant colours typically look better. Also, always make sure that your eyes are centred within the lenses. This helps to open them up, no matter what the frame shape.
Makeup tips Although eye makeup does not have to match your glasses, you should consider lens prescription, frame size and colour when applying it.
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Top tips Concealer is a must as it lightens your whole eye area. Eyelash curlers open up the eyes and help prevent lashes from hitting lenses! Eyebrows should be even with the top of your glasses frame or a bit higher. If you’re short sighted, widen your eyes with vibrant shadows and dramatic lashes. If you’re long sighted, avoid over exaggeration with muted eye shadows and natural looking mascara.
Short sighted prescription? Lenses can make your eyes appear smaller, so try to minimise the effect by avoiding very pale or pearlier eye shadows. Blend a deep or bright shade upwards and outwards to the outer eye. Then frame the lower lash line with eyeliner or eye shadow to make your eyes appear bigger. Do: Use deep natural or bright shades to enhance the intensity of your eyes. Use a kohl pencil to line the outer corners of your eyes. Curl your eye lashes away from the lenses to help them stand out Apply several coats of mascara so that your eyes stand out more. Don’t: Line your eyes completely as it will make them appear smaller. Steer clear of black altogether.
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Long sighted prescription? Lenses will magnify your eyes so take particular care in applying eye makeup that doesn’t look too exaggerated. Opt for a light, shimmery shade blended across the eyelid and contour with a deeper shade along the socket line to define the eye without creating too much impact. Do: Use neutral, natural tones. Stick to minimal eyeliner, on the outer third of the top and lower lid only. Wear softer shades of eye shadow, or apply bright colours lightly. Use a magnifying mirror to apply, because mistakes will be magnified by your glasses. Don’t: Use bright, colorful makeup shades that detract from the colour of your eyes. Avoid shading the eyelid with heavy eye shadows in dark, smokier tones
Team your frame with the perfect makeup The shape, size and colour of frames can all influence the makeup you wear with them. Full rim and rimless frames are the two extremes, with an appearance most likely to be affected by the style of makeup worn with them.
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Full rim Heavier, full rim frames defined by bold colour blocking or decorative details have a strong facial presence. Using an equally bold lip colour can help to balance this out. If you prefer the natural look however, use a gloss to bring attention to your mouth. A lighter lip colour will leave the focus on your eyes so team it with smoky eye shadow and liner, but go a little softer on the lower lash line. Tip: To minimise shadows cast on your face by frames use a concealer one shade lighter than your foundation.
Rimless Minimalist supra or rimless frames made from lightweight metals or plastics impact less on the face, so their affect on makeup is minimal. Tip: Darker colours will make your features smaller, while lighter, reflective colours will highlight and make them bigger.
Groom your eyebrows Glasses frame your face and eyebrows frame your eyes, so it is essential to make sure that they are always well shaped and defined. Pluck regularly and use a soft brown eye shadow to define the arch of your eyebrows. As a rule, eyebrows should always be level with the top of your glasses frame.
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Which frames suit your hair colour and style? As hair styles deďŹ ne your face and the way you look at any time they naturally have a big impact on the suitability of new frames. Like skin tones, hair colours are considered warm or cool and the same rules apply. Warm Try: Creamy, yellow based and gold including copper, off-white and blonde tortoise. Cool Try: Black and blue-based frame colours including silver, grey and darker tortoise styles.
Hair Style However you wear it, hair deďŹ nes your face in the same way as your glasses so make sure they compliment each other!
Bald Small, geometric frames look best.
Short Geometric or rounder frames look best.
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Very short Go for bold colours and designs or decorative styles.
Long Try glasses on with your hair up and down, as the change in style may alter the look of the frames.
Soft and curly Enhance with delicate shapes, rimless frames and translucent colours.
Very curly Choose a frame that follows your hairline. Classic, small frames are advisable.
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Quick guide to frame styles Face shapes
Characteristics
Glasses
Sunglasses
Avoid
Look for
Oval
Wide forehead Narrower, curved jaw High cheekbones
Small geometric shapes Square with rounded edges
Most styles or those that follow your brow line
Oversized
Eton Bridge Spanish Eyes
Diamond
Wide or high cheekbones Narrow forehead Narrow chin
Rimless Rounded, Decorative Cat’s eye straight or temples Square with square frames rounded edges
City Oskar Levinski Giorgio Armani
Round
Curved lines Equal face width & length No angles
Wide rectangle Dark black or frames brown frames Decorative temples Brow bars
Small and round Oversized
Emilia Anne Spanish Eyes
Square
Broad, deep forehead Wide jaw line Square chin
Narrow frames Narrow, top Round or oval heavy, oval or Decorative round styles temples
Square styles Colour gradients Fully rounded frames
Coco Cruz Toko Hama Police Tom Ford
Triangle
Narrow jaw Wide forehead
Square Cat’s eye Rimless High temples
Metallic or neutral coloured frames
Styles that are City Spanish wider at the Eyes top Ray-Ban
Heart
Broad forehead Small, neat chin and mouth
Slender, rounded or square Small styles Decorative temples
Coloured Small, square frames that sit shapes low on temples
Sexton Smith Eton Bridge
Oblong
Long, straight contour High cheekbones Deep forehead
Wide frames Round or oversized square styles
Oversized styles with decorative or contrasting temples
Eton Bridge Versace Heaven
One, all over colour
Frame style checklist 1. Identify your face shape first. 2. Avoid frames that match your face shape and exaggerate its features. 3. Always make sure that your eyes are approximately centred within the lenses. 4. Choose anti-reflective lens coating for the most appealing look. 26
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