Specfactory.co.za believe consumers should be well educated and informed when purchasing eyeglasses, so we have put together on this website very detailed explanations on how to choose the right type of frame for your particular face. Normally you can do a better job of choosing the right frame that really suits you, than the average sales assistant. Take your time to discover what colour, style of frame and construction will suit you the best. Our large range of frames has been chosen from the top manufactures in the world and will satisfy the most demanding customer.

At Specfactory.co.za it is our ultimate goal to find the right frame shape for your face. We know that your face is unique. Choosing the frame that's right for you doesn't have to be difficult and of course we cannot choose it for you, because it is all about what you like, and what looks good on you.

The following illustrations and information are designed to assist in choosing the most flattering frames for you.

• The top of the frames should be no higher than the line of your eyebrows.
• The lower edge of the frames should not sit on your cheeks, make sure that when you smile, so that they don't touch and irritate.
• Choose a size of frame that is in proportion to your face - if you have a small face, don't choose large glasses.
• The frames should not be wider than the overall width of your face at the temples.

Seven basic shapes

Every face is one of seven basic shapes: diamond, heart, pyramid, oval, rectangular, round or square . Below are further descriptions of these face shapes and which types of frames work for each particular face.

There are three keys to choosing the correct eyeglass frame for your face shape:

• The frame shape should contrast with the face shape.
• The frame size should be in scale with the face size.
• Eyeglasses should repeat your personal best feature (such as a brown frame to match brown eyes).

Picking out eyeglass frames can be overwhelming, but help is at hand

Five Tips to Help You Look Fabulous

• Eyeglass frames should complement your face shape, features and colouring.
• Frames must fit you properly to work right and look good.
• They should match your lifestyle.
• Certain prescriptions work better with certain frames.
• Construction of frame varies with different materials.

A rounded chin and forehead; your face appears longer than wide and your forehead is wider than your jaw.

The oval face is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. To keep the oval's natural balance, look for eyeglass frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face, or walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow .

Consider most shapes of frames

A long face with a square chin

The oblong face is longer than it is wide and has a long straight cheek line and sometimes a longish nose. To make the face appear shorter and more balanced, try frames that have a top-to-bottom depth, decorative or contrasting temples that add width to the face or a low bridge to shorten the nose

Consider large square frames

A broad forehead with tapering width down to a very narrow rounded chin.
To minimize the width of the top of the face, try frames that are wider at the bottom, very light colours and materials, and rimless frame styles (which have a light, airy effect because the lenses are simply held in place to the temples by a few screws).

Consider small square or rounded frames

A broad forehead with a long jaw-line and a square chin.

A square face has a strong jaw line and a broad forehead, plus the width and length are in the same proportions. To make the square face look longer and soften the angles, try narrow frame styles, frames that have more width than depth and narrow ovals.

Consider oval and round style frames

A narrow forehead with wide cheekbones and a narrow chin. Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eye line and jaw line, and cheekbones are often high and dramatic. This is the rarest face shape. To highlight the eyes and bring out the cheekbones, try frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines, or try rimless frames or oval and cat-eye shapes

Consider wider, bigger styles

A circular face, usually with fuller cheeks and a rounded chin.

A round face has curvilinear lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles. To make the face appear thinner and longer, try angular narrow eyeglass frames to lengthen the face, a clear bridge that widens the eyes and frames that are wider than they are deep, such as a rectangular shape.

Consider more rectangular and wider styles

A narrow forehead that widens at the cheek and chin areas. To add width and emphasize the narrow upper third of the face,

Consider frames that are heavily accented with colour and detailing on the top half or cat-eye shapes