How to Find Spectacles That Actually Fit Your Face Shape

Choosing spectacles is about more than simply picking a pair you like. One of the most important things to consider is how the frames complement your face shape and features. The right frames can sharpen your features, soften angles, and bring harmony to proportions that feel slightly out of balance. The easiest way to get it right is to match your frames to your face shape. 

At Martyn Kemp Opticians, we believe finding the perfect frames should feel simple. Here’s our simple guide to finding spectacles for oval, square, round, diamond, long, and heart-shaped faces.

How to Find Your Face Shape

Before choosing frames, take a moment to understand your face shape.

Ask yourself:

• Is your face longer or wider?
• Do you have a soft or angular jawline?
• Is your forehead wider than your jaw, or vice versa? 
• Which part of your face is the widest, forehead, cheekbones, or jaw?

Most people don’t fit one shape perfectly, but one usually stands out more than the rest.

Oval Faces

Oval faces are naturally balanced, with slightly curved features and a face that is longe than it is wide.

Best choices:

• Square frames
• Rectangle frames
• Soft cat-eye frames

Oval faces are naturally balanced, so most frame styles work. Angular frames add definition without overpowering your features.

Avoid oversized frames that hide your natural proportions.

Square Faces

Square faces are defined by a broad forehead, straight sides, and a strong, angular jawline. 

Best choices:

• Round frames
• Oval frames
• Thin metal frames
• Curved cat-eye styles

Rounded frames soften angular features and reduce the “boxy” effect that comes with most square faces.

Avoid sharp, square frames that make your features look harsher.

Round Faces

Round faces are similar in width and height, with soft curves and fuller cheeks.

Best choices:

• Rectangular frames
• Square frames
• Geometric frames with angles

Angular frames add structure and make the face appear longer and more defined.

Try to avoid small round frames that exaggerate facial roundness.

Diamond-shaped Faces

Diamond faces have narrow foreheads and jaws, with wide cheekbones as the dominant feature.

Best choices:

• Oval frames
• Rimless frames
• Cat-eye frames 
• Browline frames

These styles often soften the cheekbones and draw attention upwards to the eyes.

Avoid narrow frames that make the cheekbones look wider.

Long Faces

Long faces are noticeably longer than they are wide, often with a straight cheek line.

Best choices:

• Wide frames
• Oversized frames
• Deep (taller lens) frames

These shapes help reduce the appearance of length by adding width to the face.

Avoid slim, narrow frames that elongate the face further.

Heart-shaped Face

Heart-shaped faces have a wider forehead and cheek area with a narrow chin.

Best choices:

• Round frames
• Oval frames
• Light, thin frames
• Aviators

These shapes balance a wider upper face and soften the lower half.

Avoid heavy top frames that emphasise forehead width.

Ready to Find Your Dream Pair?

The best specs aren't the ones that are trendy or the safe choice, they’re the ones that balance your natural features and make you feel like they belong on your face. Once you know your face shape, choosing frames becomes far easier and more intentional.

Pop into your local Martyn Kemp Opticians and find your perfect pair today! If you’re still unsure, don’t worry our friendly team is always happy to help you choose the right frame.