Glasses can be a great accessory that enhances your look. Many people wonder if wearing glasses makes them more attractive. The answer isn’t straightforward and depends on several factors. In this article, we’ll explore how glasses can complement your appearance and tips for choosing frames that flatter you.
How glasses enhance your facial features
Glasses sit right on your face, framing your eyes and drawing attention to your best features. The right pair can make your eyes pop, balance your face shape, and give you an intelligent, stylish look. Here’s how glasses enhance your natural beauty:
- Draw attention upwards – Glasses lead the eye upward, focusing attention on your eyes, brows, and upper half of the face.
- Make eyes stand out – Lenses refract light and create a magnifying glass effect, making your eyes appear larger.
- Soften and balance – Glasses break up sharp angles in a long or oval face, adding balance and symmetry.
- Add color – Frames in a bold color contrast with skin and hair tone, making facial features more vivid.
The framing effect of glasses gives definition to the eyes and brows. This guides the viewer’s gaze to your best feature. The right pair makes your eyes a focal point.
Choosing the most flattering frame style
Face shape is the most important factor for picking flattering glasses. The frame shape should contrast with and balance your face shape. Here are frame recommendations for different face shapes:
Round face
- Angular narrow frames to add definition.
- Aviator, rectangle, wayfarer, or cat eye styles.
- Higher frames draw the eye upwards.
- Avoid round frames.
Square face
- Rounded frames soften sharp angles.
- Oval, round, wayfarer, or oval styles.
- Moderately sized lenses.
- Avoid boxy, angular frames.
Oval face
- Horizontal frames add width and balance.
- Rectangular, square, wrap, or boxy styles.
- Wide or high-sitting frames.
- Avoid narrow frames.
Heart-shaped face
- Bottom-heavy cat eye, wayfarer, or oval frames.
- Wide frames add width to the bottom of the face.
- Light-colored frames contrast with chin.
- Avoid rimless frames or narrow rectangles.
Frame size for your face
In addition to shape, the scale of glasses affects how flattering they are. Frame size should be in proportion to your face dimensions. Here are some size guidelines:
- Small face: Look for narrow, petite frames. Larger frames overwhelm small features.
- Large face: Wider, thicker frames suit a larger canvas. Delicate frames look out of scale.
- Long face: Lenses that are wider than the broadest part of your face add balance.
- Round face: Lenses that are narrower than the cheeks downplay width.
The glamorous oversized trend can work for some, but for most a frame width close to the widest part of your face is ideal. Temple length should align with the width of your face for a harmonious look. With the right sized frames, your eyes and face become the focus rather than the glasses themselves.
Lens shape for your face
Just as important as the frame is the shape of the lenses. The general guideline is to choose lens shapes that are opposite your face shape. Some flattering combinations are:
| Face shape | Flattering lens shape |
|---|---|
| Round | Angular or rectangular |
| Oval | Rounded or aviator |
| Square | Oval or round |
| Heart | Bottom heavy cat eye |
Balancing your face shape with opposite lens shapes helps create ideal proportions. The variety of lens options means you can find a style that complements your look.
Choosing frame colors for your complexion
Frame color makes a big impact on how glasses affect your appearance. The right hues can enhance your skin, eyes, and hair. Consider the following color guidelines for your complexion:
- Warm complexion: Brown, olive, golden frame colors.
- Cool complexion: Silvers, blacks, purples, blue-toned browns.
- Fair skin: Black, brown, deep red, tortoiseshell.
- Darker skin: Havana, lighter browns, gold, army green.
Selecting a frame hue that contrasts with your skin tone helps create definition around your features. Complementary colors like plum frames on warm golden skin are especially striking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold colors for a fun look.
Bridge size for your nose
Another important fit factor is bridge size, the width between lenses on the frame. Choosing the right bridge keeps your frames from sliding down your nose or sitting too high. Here’s how to select the ideal bridge:
- Wide nose bridge: Look for wide bridge frames that sit directly on your nose.
- Narrow nose bridge: Choose adjustable nose pads to customize fit.
- Low nose bridge: Opt for frames with high bridge measurements.
- High nose bridge: Frames with low bridge dimensions are less likely to sit too high.
Getting the bridge size right for your nose shape prevents glasses from sliding down or pressing into the sides of your nose. Proper bridge fit keeps frames stable and comfortable on your face.
Do glasses detract from your appearance?
Now that we’ve reviewed how to select enhancing glasses, do they ever detract from your look? Thick lenses, light reflection, or poorly fitted glasses could take away rather than add to your appearance. Here are some ways glasses can detract and tips to avoid it:
- Thick lenses distort eyes and overwhelm your face.
- Choose high index lenses for thinner glass with prescriptions over +/-4.00.
- Visible glare and reflections are distracting.
- Go with anti-reflective coating to minimize glare issues.
- Ill-fitting frames slide around and feel uncomfortable.
- Have a professional adjust the frames and nose pads for you.
With flattering styles and proper fit and vision correction, glasses accentuate your best features. But the wrong pair can obscure your eyes, crowd your face, and create visible distortions.
Do glasses make you look older or younger?
Glasses can influence whether you appear older or younger. Styles that cover up youthful eyes versus mature styles create different impressions. Consider these tips:
- To look younger: Choose light, rimless frames that don’t hide your eyes.
- To seem older: Darker full frames convey maturity and sophistication.
- Balance age: Go for medium-sized frames in lighter metallics or tortoiseshell.
Larger, heavy frames tend to age you, while delicate rimless options emphasize youth. But color, proportion and attitude are as important as frame size. The right glasses align with how you want to be perceived.
Do glasses boost attractiveness?
Studies reveal that glasses positively influence attractiveness for both men and women. Researchers at the College of Optometrists in the UK showed photos of models with and without glasses to participants. Both genders were ranked as more attractive when wearing glasses than without. So it appears that glasses do boost attractiveness!
Some reasons why glasses make people more appealing:
- Draw attention to the expressive eyes and upper face.
- Add symmetry and proportionality to facial features.
- Make the wearer appear more intelligent and serious.
- Give people a distinctive style and personality.
The survey found even small “invisible” frames increased attractiveness. Bold confident frames had the most striking effect on perceived attractiveness. So glasses clearly help draw focus to your best features!
Should you wear glasses if you don’t need them?
The attractiveness benefits of glasses raise the question – should you wear them if you don’t need vision correction? There are pros and cons to consider if you are thinking about donning non-prescription glasses:
Pros
- Can make you more attractive and give a stylish look.
- Express your personality through distinctive frames.
- Convey intelligence and authority.
Cons
- Don’t improve vision or provide eye health benefits.
- Could be viewed as a dishonest sign of poor vision.
- Need to care for and clean glasses regularly.
- Risk negative reactions from some who disapprove.
Fake glasses are popular for costumes or making a fashion statement. But the practical annoyances like smudges and slides may outweigh the appearance benefits. Consider contacts or laser eye surgery if you want clear vision without glasses hassles.
Conclusion
The right set of frames can definitely give your look a lift. Choosing styles and colors that complement your facial features draws attention to your best assets. Flattering proportions, proper fit and high quality lenses prevent your glasses from being a distraction. With so many great options, you can pick frames with personality that project confidence and style. While glasses aren’t for everyone, they can provide a versatile aesthetic boost.