The best shapes for eyeglasses and sunglasses

Style is about balance. So, when it comes down to choosing your prescription glasses or sunglasses you need to know first what face shape you are and which glasses will complement it best. They should not only complement your face shape but should also represent your personality, life style and what is most fashionable. - today glasses have become a fashion item, so much so, that some people wear them regardless of whether they need them or not.
The shape of your face will determine the shape of your frame. Remember, the different shapes come in various sizes and the scale of your face must also to be taken into account when choosing the size of your frame. As a general rule, the main part of the frame should be as wide as the widest part of your face and in proportion to the shape and size. Glasses should not only help to give a lift to your face but also have a complementary effect when wearing them.

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There are 8 basic face shapes:

Oval

Oval is considered the best face shape as it has the most balanced proportions and can generally pull off any style of glasses. In order to keep its even proportions though, you may find that it is best to pick a frame that is as wide as or wider than the broadest part of the face.

Rectangle

Select a distinctive, wide, horizontal frame with some weight at the top and bottom and rounded sides or with decoration on the temples to add fullness and width to this narrow face. This is a face that is longer than it is wide and quite often will have a longer nose. To balance this out you may want to try glasses that sit lower on the bridge, which will help to shorten the nose.

Inverted Triangle

To balance this out you may find it advisable to pick glasses that take the attention to the top rim of the frame, perhaps semi-rimless glasses on top and coloured or thicker frame on the bottom. Keep the volume and detail to the lower half and keep it discrete on the upper half.

Heart

Select frames which give the illusion of fullness at the cheek area, that bring balance between forehead and chin. To balance this out you may find it advisable to pick glasses that take the attention to the top rim of the frame, perhaps a downswept frame that has outer dominant vertical lines. They will accentuate the breadth in the lower half of your face.

Pear

Select frames with a broad horizontal line at the top (to give illusion of width at the eye area) and little or no heaviness to the rest of the frame. This will bring balance to the wide jaw-line

Square

Select a frame with not only straight horizontal lines to give the illusion of width, but also a narrow oval shape or anything with rounder, softer edges to give the illusion of roundness.

Round

Choose a squarish frame shape which has the edges “knocked off" - softly angular, narrow frame or glasses with more width than depth give a more contoured shape. It will lengthen your face and make it appear thinner. Avoid any big round glasses, and keep the width equal to or wider than the broadest part of your face.

Diamond

Opt for frames that give a straight look to the top and bottom, giving the illusion of width. It can also help if you pick light coloured frames or even rimless glasses.