Best Glasses for Different Face Shapes: How to Choose Glasses for Male and Female Face Shapes

Finding the best glasses for different face shapes is simple. It is easy to choose glasses for male and female face shapes including round, oval, heart, square, pear and diamond.

Choosing the right glasses for face shapes is about knowing which features need to be balanced and the ones that need glasses to draw attention away from them. Glasses and face shapes are paired together by matching the opposite shape to add intrigue and balance.

The best glasses types for different face shapes change from time to time depending on certain fashion trends. The best woman glasses for face shapes are more dainty and feminine, while male glasses have thicker frames with strong lines.

There are 6 main face shapes that help a person choose glasses. The 6 different face types for glasses are round, oval, heart, square, pear and diamond. A round face has even proportions and a circular shape. Similar to a round face, an oval face is an oblong shape with smooth curves. Heart shape faces have a small chin and wider forehead. A pear face has a broad jaw and narrow forehead. The square face shape has proportionate sides and a square set jaw. A diamond face shape is wide at the cheekbones and narrower at the forehead and chin.

You may be asking the question "what glasses suit my face?". With this helpful guide, we will show you how to choose glasses for different face shapes by breaking down the 6 face shapes and the best glasses that suit them.

The 6 different face types for glasses are:

1. Round Face Shape: Round faces are proportional in length and width and have soft, rounded curves with fuller cheekbones.
2. Oval Face Shape: An oval face has an oblong shape with a wide forehead and a rounder jawline and chin.
3. Heart Face Shape: A person with a heart shaped face has a broad forehead and a small chin. The best glasses for heart shaped faces are square and cat-eye glasses.
4. Square Face Shape: Square faces have proportional width and length with a square jaw and broad forehead.
5. Pear Face Shape: A pear face shape is characterised by a wide jawline with the face becoming narrow until it gets to the forehead, the smallest feature of the face.
6. Diamond Face Shape: Diamond faces are the widest at the cheekbones with a narrow forehead and tapered chin. This face shape is very versatile for different glasses styles.

At Raie Eyewear, our dedicated optometrists perform bulk billed eye tests for eligible Medicare cardholders. Prioritise your eye health by booking regular eye tests.

[Illustrations of round, oval, heart, square, pear and diamond face shapes]

How Different Glasses Suit Different Face Shapes

Different glasses and face shapes go together by complementing certain features and characteristics of a face. Face length, width, forehead, eyes and other face parts contribute to what glasses would look best.

The glasses that balance the proportions of a face are ones that add breadth to a narrow face or draw the eye up from a wider jaw.

The main glasses types that suit certain face types are:

• Rectangle glasses suit oval, round and diamond faces because their angular lines balance out the softer features of these face shapes.
• Oval glasses suit square, diamond and pear faces as the soft curves offset their more angular features.
• Square glasses suit heart, oval and round faces as the proportionate shape and sharp lines complement the circular features of these face shapes.
• Cat-eye glasses suit pear, round and diamond faces because the feline feature at the upper corner of the frame draws the eye upwards and adds balance to the face.
• Round glasses suit rectangle, square and pear faces as their proportional, circular shape adds softness and balance to the appearance.

The Different Face Shapes

The different face shapes involve different types of face lengths, widths, noses, lips and eye combinations such as a broad forehead and narrow jawline for heart shape faces or wide set eyes and tapered chin for diamond faces.

The different face types are analysed and understood by recognising certain characteristics that match the qualities of specific face shapes.

1. Round Face Shape A round face shape is characterised by its circular and proportionate dimensions. A person with a round face will have fuller cheeks and a softly rounded chin. The proportions of a round face for men are different to women as men usually have a more square and angular chin whereas a women's jawline is often softer and less defined. A round face is among the most common types of face shapes and is considered very flattering.

The best glasses for round faces are rectangle, square and geometric glasses as the angular lines help to offset the soft curves of this face shape.

If you have a round face shape, use your hairstyle to create interesting angles and elongate the face. The hairstyles that complement a round face are longer, soft waves, short hair with volume and asymmetric haircuts.

[Illustration of round face shape]

What Glasses Suit Round Faces?

• Rectangle glasses are a clean shape with sharp edges that contrast the softness of a round shape.
• Square glasses are similar to rectangle glasses with a proportionate shape to balance a round face.
• Geometric glasses have angular sides that bring intrigue and dimension to a round face.

[Product images of rectangle, square and geometric glasses]

What Glasses Don't Suit Round Faces?

• Round glasses: The spherical shape makes a round face appear more circular, adding curves where glasses should be adding angles.
• Oval glasses: Add to the fullness of the face shape, similar to round glasses.
• Aviator glasses: Do not complement a round face as they add curves and emphasise the fullness of the cheeks.

To choose glasses for a round face shape, select frames that contrast the fullness and circular shape, like glasses with angular shapes and sharp, clean lines.

2. Oval Face Shape An oval face shape is characterised by its oblong shape and rounded curves. A person with an oval face has a wide forehead and a rounder jawline and chin. The proportions of an oval face for men are different to women as men tend to have a more sharp and angular chin whereas a women's jawline is often softer and less defined. An oval face is among the most common facial shapes and is considered very flattering.

The best glasses for oval faces are rectangle, square and aviator glasses as the sharp lines provide balance to the gentle curves of this face shape.

If you have an oval face shape, use your hairstyle to compliment your appearance. The hairstyles that are flattering for an oval face include a short and sleek bob, a pixie cut and a wavy bob. These hairstyles work with an oval face because this face shape is very versatile and works with many fun and fashionable hairstyles.

[Illustration of oval face shape]

What Glasses Suit Oval Faces?

• Rectangle glasses are a clean shape with sharp edges that contrast the softness of an oval shape.
• Square glasses are similar to rectangle glasses but they have a proportionate shape to balance an oval face.
• Aviator glasses are a very versatile frame that perfectly compliments the contours of an oval face.

[Product images of rectangle, square and aviator glasses]

What Glasses Don't Suit Oval Faces?

• Oversized glasses: Make the face appear too narrow or small, diminishing the face's aesthetic features.
• Undersized glasses: Distort the balance of the face's proportions, making the head seem too wide and long.

To choose glasses for an oval face shape, find frames that offset the rounded features and highlight the aesthetic proportions. An oval face is considered to be the most versatile, making it easier to choose glasses as most styles look good.

3. Heart Face Shape
   A heart face shape is characterised by its soft features and asymmetric dimensions. A person with a heart face shape will have a wide forehead and a tapered chin that comes to a point. The proportions of a heart face for men are different to women as men usually have a squarer and more angular chin, whereas a women's jawline is softer and less prominent. A heart shaped face is among the most common face shapes and is considered very flattering.

The best glasses for heart faces are square, cat-eye and oval glasses as they bring intrigue and depth to the face.

If you have a heart face shape, use your hairstyle to emphasise the small chin and disguise a broad forehead. The hairstyles that complement a heart face are long bobs, close-cropped pixie cuts and long layered styles.

[Illustration of heart face shape]

What Glasses Suit Heart Faces?

• Square glasses have proportional sides and edges that are either soft or sharp in design, a perfect accessory to a heart shaped face.
• Cat-eye glasses mimic the feminine flick of a feline eye which emphasises the gaze and draws the eye upwards on a heart face.
• Oval glasses are a neutral shape that balances the wide forehead of a heart shaped face.

[Product images of square, cat-eye and oval glasses]

What Glasses Don't Suit Heart Faces?

• Rectangular glasses: Not good for heart shape faces as they emphasise the broad forehead instead of balancing it.
• Oversized glasses: Disrupt the proportions of the face, making it appear too narrow.

To choose glasses for a heart face shape, select frames that contrast the wide forehead and concurrently highlight the tapered chin, like glasses that emphasise the eyes and complement the proportions.

4. Square Face Shape A square face shape is characterised by its blocky, proportionate dimensions. A person with a square face will have a square jaw and a broad forehead. The proportions of a square face for men are different to women as men will have a more square and angular jawline, whereas a women's jawline can be softer and less sharp.

The best glasses for square faces are round, oval and browline glasses as the curved edges help to offset the sharp angles of this face shape.

If you have a square face shape, use your hairstyle to take attention away from the square jawline and soften the features. The hairstyles that complement a square face are textured shoulder-length hair, tousled bob and feathered, long hair.

[Illustration of square face shape]

What Glasses Suit Square Faces?

• Round glasses are a proportionate circular shape that are worn to soften the sharp angles of a square face.
• Oval glasses are similar to round glasses but they have more of an oblong shape, balancing a square face's harsh angles.
• Browline glasses have a thicker upper rim and a thinner lower rim, drawing attention to the browline of a square face.

[Product images of round, oval and browline glasses]

What Glasses Don't Suit Square Faces?

• Square glasses: Make a square face appear more angular, emphasising the sharp jaw and broad forehead.
• Rectangle glasses: Accentuate the strong angles of the face shape.
• Geometric glasses: Add sharp angles where you want softness.

To choose glasses for a square face shape, select frames that contrast the sharp and angular shape, like glasses with circular shapes and smooth curves.

5. Pear Face Shape A pear face shape is characterised by its triangular shape and asymmetric dimensions. A person with a pear face will have a narrow forehead and a fuller jaw. The proportions of a pear face for men are different to women as men usually have a more square and angular chin, whereas a women's jawline is often more delicate and less defined.

The best glasses for pear faces are rectangle, oval and cat-eye glasses as the wide shape and intriguing lines bring balance to this face shape.

If you have a pear face shape, use your hairstyle to create interest at the top of the face. The hairstyles that complement a pear face are short bobs, long, sleek hair and shoulder-length curly hair.

[Illustration of pear face shape]

What Glasses Suit Pear Faces?

• Rectangle glasses are wider than they are tall and help to balance out the full jawline of a pear face.
• Oval glasses are similar to an egg shape and are worn to draw the eye upwards to the smallest part of the face.
• Cat-eye glasses add a feminine touch to the face and draw the eye upwards on a pear face with pointed outer corners.

[Product images of rectangle, oval and cat-eye glasses]

What Glasses Don't Suit Pear Faces?

• Square glasses: Don't add any width to the top of the face and therefore do not complement a pear face shape.
• Oversized glasses: Make a pear face disproportionate and make it appear too narrow.

To choose glasses for a pear face shape, find frames that contrast the fullness of the jaw and the triangle shape of the face by adding breadth to the top of the face.

6. Diamond Face Shape A diamond face shape is characterised by its oval shape with sharp angles. A person with a diamond face will be the widest at the cheekbones with a narrow forehead and small chin. The proportions of a diamond face for men are different to women as men usually have a more square and angular chin whereas a women's jawline is often softer and less prominent.

The best glasses for diamond faces are oval, round and cat-eye glasses as the soft lines help to offset the angular contours of this face shape. A diamond face is among the most common types of face shapes and is considered very flattering.

If you have a diamond face shape, use your hairstyle to contrast the sharp facial features and complement the jawline. The hairstyles that flatter a diamond face are side-swept fringes, full, curly hair and textured bobs.

[Illustration of diamond face shape]

What Glasses Suit Diamond Faces?

• Oval glasses are oblong in shape and bring contrast to the sharp lines of a diamond face shape.
• Round glasses are a circular, proportionate shape that perfectly complements a diamond face.
• Cat-eye glasses add intrigue at the top of the face with its feline shape, a good choice for diamond faces.

[Product images of oval, round and cat-eye glasses]

What Glasses Don't Suit Diamond Faces?

• Square glasses: May rest on the cheekbones, making the cheeks look wider which is not complementary to a diamond face.
• Oversized glasses: Add width to the face where it is not needed.

To choose glasses for a diamond face shape, select frames that contrast the sharp and angular lines with softer lines and less width.

Glasses for Male vs Female Face Shapes

The best glasses for different face shapes change for males and females in regard to personal preference and certain defining features. Face shapes are determined by the certain characteristics and dimensions of a face, and this will vary slightly for men and women or any gender.

Best Glasses for Female Face Shapes The best glasses for female face shapes are chosen depending on face shape and personal preference. Not all female faces are alike, however, a general inference can be made about the type of glasses that would flatter these faces. For example, the feminine shape of cat-eye glasses has been very popular with women as this shape mimics the flick of eyeliner and emphasises and elongates the gaze.

Best Glasses for Male Face Shapes The best glasses for male face shapes are chosen depending on face shape and personal preference. Not all male faces have the same appearance and defining features, but some generalisations are made as to what glasses would be best for their faces. Angular shapes are popular with men as the sharp, clean lines of rectangle and square glasses add a touch of sophistication and style.