The oval face is proportionately balanced. Typically, the oval face shapes have high cheekbones while the chin is a little narrower than the forehead.

People with oval faces should select frames which will maintain the balance of the oval face ... a frame which is at least as wide as the broadest part of your face. Avoid frames with low or "dropped" temples. These detract from the face's natural features.

The heart shaped face is identified by high cheekbones, a broad forehead and a narrow chin.

An excellent choice for the Base Up Triangle (or "heart") shaped face is light coloured (or rimless) frames with low temples. Such frames attract the eye and soften the heart shaped face.

A face with few or no angles and equal height and width is called a round face.

People with round faces should not wear round or square shaped frames. A rectangular shaped frame contrasts the round face having the effect of thinning and lengthening the face. Frames with clear bridges make close-set eyes appear further apart while frames with higher, coloured temples will lengthen the appearance of the round face.

A square face is characterized by a broad forehead, wide cheekbones and a wide chin.

For the square face, look for frames where the lower part is curved with some weight on the top as well. Centered temples are desirable. Taking a frame wider than the widest part of the face will soften the angular appearance of the square shaped face.

The oblong face is longer than it is wide with a long straight cheek line.

Eyeglass frames which are deeper than they are wide will shorten the appearance of an oblong face. Decorative temples are desirable. They add width. A curved frame will relax the appearance of the oblong face.

The base-down triangle face is characterized by a narrow forehead which widens toward the jaw line.

A person with a base-down triangular face wants a frame which is slightly top heavy. Decorative accents on the top of the frame draw attention away from the wide jaw line. A frame which has no lower rim is an excellent choice.

The diamond shaped face, with its high cheekbones and narrow forehead and cheek line is the rarest face shape.

Select a frame style which will accent the forehead and jaw line and drawing attention away from the temple. Choose frames which are decorated along the top. Rimless frames are also a nice choice.