Face Shape Guide: Finding the Perfect Frames for You

Post on 12th December 2025

Finding the right pair of glasses isn’t just about choosing frames you fancy in the moment. It’s about understanding what truly complements your unique features.

At Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, with more than 85 years’ experience as a leading eye care specialist in the UK, we believe everyone deserves to feel confident and comfortable in their glasses. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you discover which frame styles will compliment your natural face shape.

Why face shape matters

Just as certain clothing styles flatter different body types, glasses work in a similar way with different styles suiting different shaped faces. The right frames can balance your proportions and highlight your best features, as well as express your personality.

Identifying your face shape

Before diving into frame recommendations, you’ll need to determine your face shape. Stand in front of a mirror and pull your hair back. Look at the overall outline of your face and consider these key features:

• The width of your forehead
• The prominence of your cheekbones
• The shape of your jawline
• The length versus width of your face

The good news is, whatever your features, there will be a style for you. Here are the 5 most common face shapes to help you identify yours:

Oval

Lucky you! Oval faces are considered the most versatile when it comes to eyewear. Your balanced proportions mean you can experiment with almost any frame style. Geometric shapes, wayfarers, aviators, oversized frames and cat-eye styles all work beautifully. The key is choosing frames that are as wide as (or slightly wider than) the broadest part of your face.

While you have plenty of freedom, avoid frames that are too large or too small, as these can overwhelm or underwhelm your balanced features.

Round

Round faces have soft, curved lines with similar width and length measurements. Your cheeks are likely the widest part of your face, with a rounded chin and no sharp angles.

Angular and rectangular frames add definition and create the illusion of length. Look for clear, strong lines that contrast with your face’s natural curves. Square, rectangular, and geometric frames are your friends. Avoid perfectly round or oval frames, which can emphasise roundness rather than adding structure. Seek designs featuring high temples, narrow frames and clear bridges, which will help elongate your face.

Square

Square faces feature a strong, defined jawline, a broad forehead and angular features. Your face length and width are fairly similar.

Round and oval frames soften your angular features handsomely. Cat-eye styles and frames with curves add a lovely contrast to your geometric face shape. Avoid boxy, square or angular frames that emphasise rather than balance your natural angles. Seek frames slightly wider than your cheekbones, with soft curves and perhaps some decorative detail on the temples to add width.

Heart

Heart-shaped faces are characterised by a wider forehead and cheekbones, tapering down to a narrow, pointed chin.

Frames that are wider at the bottom help balance your proportions. Try aviators, cat-eye, round frames and rimless styles. Frames that are light-coloured or detailed at the bottom draw attention downward. Avoid heavy frames that are wider at the top, which can make your forehead appear even broader. Seek frames with low-set temples, bottom-heavy styles and frames with decorative details on the lower half.

Rectangular (Oblong)

Rectangular faces are longer than they are wide, with a strong jawline and high forehead.

Oversized, square, and round frames work well. Aviators and geometric styles are excellent choices. Avoid narrow, small frames that make your face appear even longer. Seek softer shapes and deeper frames, as this will make your face appear wider and shorter.

Beyond face shape

Skin tone

Your colouring plays a role in which frame colours will make you look vibrant and healthy. If you have warm skin tones (golden or peachy undertones), look for warm colours like tortoiseshell, gold, honey, beige, olive green and warm reds.

Cool skin tones (pink or blue undertones) suit cooler shades like silver, black, blue, purple, pink, and cool reds or grey.

If you have neutral skin tones with balanced undertones, most colours will suit you, so feel free to experiment with both warm and cool tones.

Eye and hair colour

Dark hair and eyes can get away with bolder, darker frames, while light hair and eyes often suit lighter or translucent frames. But if it’s a striking look you are after, then try experimenting with dark frames on light features or vice versa.

Choosing the right glasses is about finding frames that make you feel confident and comfortable. While face shape is a helpful starting point, the most important factor is how you feel when you look in the mirror.

If you have any questions about finding the perfect frames for your face shape, your local Scrivens branch is here to offer help and advice.