Glasses guide: What glasses will suit my face?

Glasses are, for some, a daily essential. So, it's understandable why people want to buy stylish frames from the biggest brands around. Unfortunately, doing that usually comes at a high cost (unless you know the ultimate glasses buying hack, of course... we’ll tell you all about that later!) This, along with the fact that your specs *literally* frame how you see yourself, mean it’s worth doing a little research before you pick any old pair.

Whether you wear glasses every day, reach for them only on occasion, or just want to throw some on sometimes for a little extra fun, you might want to read our handy lil’ glasses guide. Forget wondering ‘what glasses will suit my face?’ From how to choose glasses to our top tips on picking glasses for different face shapes, you can learn everything you’ll ever need to know right here. We know, we’re spec-tacular!


How to choose glasses

Specs aren’t usually given much thought when it comes to pulling together outfits, which if you really think about it, is a little bit odd. People tend to try on a few different pairs of sunnies to see which frames complement their look the best, yet just wear the same pair of glasses with every ‘fit. Just like all your other accessories – handbags, scarves, belts etcetera – glasses can elevate your look in an instant and, in our humble opinion, deserve more consideration.

Glasses shapes, colours and glasses styles should all be key factors when picking yourself a pair, but there are a few other things to consider such as how lightweight, strong, flexible and corrosion-resistant the frames are. Before we dive into the fun stuff (read: glasses shapes and styles), let’s take a closer look at the two main types of glasses material: metal-frame glasses and plastic-frame glasses.

To make glasses shopping as simple as can be, it’s worth figuring out a few things before you start. Trust us when we say it’s helpful to be aware of your face shape and rough size – we’ll help you with this shortly, don’t worry! – and to have some idea of what glasses styles you like. A little inspiration can go a long way so without further ado, here are our latest big-brand and designer glasses...


What glasses will suit my face shape?

If you’re sat wondering ‘what glasses will suit my face best?’, we get it. With so many different glasses styles to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to begin. But if you take anything away from this glasses guide, please let it be that your face shape is one of the most important factors when you’re specs shopping.

How can I work out my face shape?

It’s not as difficult as it may seem. A great way to work out your face shape is to stand in front of a mirror (a TK Maxx one preferably, wink wink) with your hair out of your face and compare it to the shapes shown below in our glasses guide. Alternatively, you can take a selfie and draw around the outline of your face on your phone. This should help you discover your face shape more easily! Then, once you’ve got this, you can go through the best glasses for different face shapes below and begin looking for your perfect fit.

Best glasses for round faces

The best glasses for round faces are ones that complement your softer features. Round faces tend to be a little shorter, with a wider forehead, fuller cheeks and rounded chin. If you have this face shape, bear the following in mind:

- Sharper edges create angles and have a flattering effect – think about classic square and rectangular frames

- You can balance out your features with a strong brow line (semi-rimless glasses frames are a great way to achieve this)

- Women’s cat-eye frames are not only stylish, but they’ll also lengthen rounder faces

- Men should consider bold, thick frame-glasses with angular shapes – you’ll find ideal glasses for your face shape in our selection

Best glasses for square faces

If your face width and length are in proportion and you’ve got a broad forehead and a strong jaw, you should look at glasses styles for square faces. We’d consider the following:

- Complement your face shape with large silhouettes

- Soften the edges of your face with an oval or round glasses shapes

- Avoid thin, angular and square styles as these will draw attention to your chin

- Cat-eye frames will soften your face shape and add a little bit of 70s flair

- To soften and highlight your features, make sure you get frames that are narrower than your face

Best glasses for oval faces

Oval faces tend to be well balanced and softly rounded, with a forehead slightly wider than the jaw and high cheekbones. If you’re searching for glasses for this face shape, you should think about the following:

- Balanced proportions mean that almost all frame shapes will suit you, so go wild!

- Perhaps try solid frames with large or oversized glasses, such as retro-inspired square or round thick-frame glasses

- Fancy details on the arms of the frames will further define your face shape

- If you prefer more subtle glasses, go for large, rounded metal-frame glasses

- We suggest choosing a style that’s a little wider than the widest part of your face

Best glasses for heart faces

A heart-shaped face tends to be widest at the forehead, gently narrowing towards the chin with softer features. If you have this face shape, bear the following in mind:

- Lots of glasses shapes will suit you, but try to choose frames that will provide contrast and balance to your face

- Opt for frames that are a little wider than your forehead to offset this natural width (maybe a cat-eye or Clubmaster-inspired frame)

- Oval glasses are a great option – seeing as they’re not as tall as round glasses, they won’t overemphasise your cheek bones

- Try a semi-rimless frame for something subtle that will soften your features

How to measure your face for frames

All done? Now you’ve figured out what type of glasses suit your face best, it’s time to actually measure your face. PSA: you may feel a little silly doing this but hey, it’s all in the name of style! When thinking about how to measure your face for frames, you first need to consider the many parts that glasses have. Glasses don't just come in small or large sizes – instead, their size depends on measurements such as frame width, bridge width, and arm length.

You can easily measure your face at home, you’ll just need a mirror and a ruler. TK tip: find a ruler that measures in centimetres and millimetres, as glasses are always measured in millimetres! Now all that’s left to do is to follow these three simple steps…


Why you should buy your glasses from TK Maxx

Remember the ultimate glasses buying hack we mentioned earlier on in our glasses guide? Well, IKYKY and if you don’t… well, here it is. At TK Maxx, we’ve got gorgeous frames from the biggest brands as well as high-end designer glasses for up to 60% less than the RRP! You can buy them online (or in store if you see a pair you love) and get your prescription lenses popped in by your local optician for around £30. Win-win!


As you can see, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…

A simple process with mega savings? It really is the the ultimate glasses buying hack.

Our top glasses care tips

We’re sorry, but our glasses guide wouldn’t be complete without some glasses care tips! We couldn’t possibly tell you how to find the perfect glasses for your face shape and not let you know how to clean your glasses or look after your precious cargo – it’s essential to making sure they last longer and provide optimal vision. So, here you go… our top tips on how to care for your glasses:

  • 1. Daily cleaning
  • - Rinse with water: Start by rinsing your glasses under lukewarm tap water. This helps remove dust and debris that can scratch the lenses when you wipe them
  • - Use a gentle cleaner: Apply a small drop of mild dish soap to each lens. Avoid soaps with lotions as they can leave a residue
  • - Rub gently: Softly rub both sides of the lenses and the frame with your fingers. Make sure to clean the nose pads and the areas where the lenses meet the frame
  • - Rinse thoroughly: Rinse both sides of the lenses and the frame thoroughly with lukewarm water
  • - Dry with a microfibre cloth: Dry the lenses and frame with a clean microfibre cloth. Avoid using paper towels, tissues or your shirt as these can scratch the lenses
  • 2. Careful handling and storage
  • - Use both hands: Always use both hands to put on and take off your glasses. This helps maintain the alignment and fit of the frame
  • - Keep them in a case: When not wearing your glasses, store them in their case for protection. The best glasses case? Probably the one they came in so take care of that too!
  • - Avoid placing them lens-down: When you set your glasses down, place them with the lenses facing up to avoid scratches
  • - Avoid high temperatures: Keep your glasses away from high heat (e.g. don’t leave them out in a hot car) as this can warp the frame and damage the lenses
  • 3. And some special considerations
  • - Avoid using harsh chemicals: Never use household cleaners, window cleaners, or other harsh chemicals on your lenses. These can damage the coatings
  • - Adjustments: If your glasses become misaligned, visit an optician for adjustments rather than trying to bend them back into shape yourself
  • - Lens coating maintenance: If your lenses have special coatings (like anti-reflective or blue light filtering), make sure you're using compatible cleaning products to maintain their effectiveness


Shopping for sunglasses

Now that you know what type of glasses suit your face… yep, you guessed it… you know how to choose sunglasses! And if you need prescription shades, you can follow the exact three same steps as above. We've got a sun-believable deals on sunglasses for different face shapes – take your pick of designer and big-brand pairs. Top TK tip: you can be more playful when it comes to sunnies, so go have more fun (in the sun!)