Choosing the right eyewear to complement one’s face is very easy — especially once you are aware of your face type. This done, finding that perfect-for-you pair of eyewear is a pleasurable shopping experience.
“With my sunglasses on, I’m Jack Nicholson. Without them, I’m fat and 60” are the words of the famous American actor and producer Jack Nicholson, who is rarely seen without his vintage-inspired sunglasses with coloured lens.
At a time when being fashionable is more the rule than an exception, the way one looks, says it all. And with the amount of thought that is now invested into the right selection of clothes, shoes and jewellery, can eyewear be far behind?
An easy way to decide the right eyewear for a face is simple — just pick up a pair that catches your attention and put them on! But it is possible to narrow down one’s choices in advance, especially if the optical retail outlet has a wide range of eyewear, that might sometimes confuse you.
There are a few points that you need to consider when it comes to choosing eyewear frames for different face shapes, like round, oval, oblong, triangle, square or diamond. To determine the face shape, you can just pull your hair back and away from your face, so that all the contours of the face are clearly visible when you look into the mirror. The next important step is to ensure that the eyewear highlights your best facial feature.
STYLES TO SUIT BASIC FACE TYPES
Round:
Full cheeks, minimal angles with width and length in the same proportions – that is how a round face is defined. Actresses Christina Ricci and Kate Winslet and celebrities like Kayne West and Will Smith are some good examples of this face type.
Geometrical styles like rectangular frames can make the face look longer and slimmer as they minimize the curves. Angular narrow frames give the face better definition adding to its length, while a clear bridge widens the eyes.
Oval
The oval face shape is only slightly narrower at the jaw line than at the temples, as compared to the round face, that has a gently rounded hairline. Some celebrities with oval faces include Jude Law, Jennifer Aniston and Megan Fox.
Frames that are as wide as or wider than the broadest part of the face, or walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow, are good choices for such face types.
Oblong
A common shape, the oblong face type – like those belonging to Sarah Jessica Parker, Elizabeth Perkins or Tom Ford – is longer than it is wide and has a long straight cheek line.
To get a balanced look, the wearer can opt for frames that create contours, adding width and giving depth to the face. Decorative or contrasting temples do this pretty well, while a low bridge will shorten the nose.
Triangle
The triangular face shape has a dominant jaw line with narrowing cheekbones and a broad forehead, like those of Keith Urban, Minnie Driver or Kate Hudson.
Frames that are heavily accented with colour, and detailing on the top half or cat-eye shapes are good selections.
Inverted Triangle
The inverted triangle is named so because it is a face shape that features a much wider appearance at the top of the face than at the bottom. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tyra Banks, Ryan Gosling and Xian Lim have this kind of a facial structure.
Boxy or rectangular eyewear with a straight-across look can be avoided as they emphasise the width of the wearer’s cheeks instead of minimizing it. The wider portions of the face can be eased with airy, rimless glasses.
Square
A person with a square face, like Tom Welling, Nick Lachey, Sandra Bullock or Demi Moore, has a strong, square jaw line and usually, an equally square hairline, along with a broad forehead and wide cheekbones.
Slightly curved frames and narrow frames complement such a face shape. They can also try narrow frame styles or frames that have more width than depth, and narrow oval-shaped styles.
Diamond
A cross between heart and oval face shapes, this type of face shape is widest at the cheekbones, and narrow equally, at the forehead and jaw line, giving it a balanced yet dramatic appeal. People with this kind of facial structure, like Robert Pattinson, Katherine Hepburn or Linda Evangelista, are advised to choose frames that soften their prominent cheekbones.
They can try frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines, and also try rimless frames or oval and cat-eye shapes, which help de-emphasise the width in the middle of the face while balancing the rest of the face.
When it comes to eyewear fashion, consumers are spoilt for choice with the wide array of options to select from. So go for the one (or many, we say) that is an extension of your style quotient!
