The Contrast Principle
The single most useful rule in eyewear styling is contrast. Your frames should balance your facial features, not echo them. Round face? Add angles with geometric frames. Strong jaw? Soften it with curves. This isn't a hard rule — personal style can override it — but it's a reliable starting point when you feel overwhelmed by options.
Below is a complete breakdown for each face shape, including specific frame recommendations and brands. If you want to cut straight to trying frames on, Charm Optical in South Edmonton carries over 500 styles and their team can help you narrow down the options quickly.
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Round Face: Add Angular Structure
Characteristics: Equal face width and length, full cheeks, soft jawline, rounded chin.
Best frames:
- Square and rectangular shapes
- Browline (Clubmaster-style)
- Wayfarer / trapezoidal
- Geometric frames with defined corners
Avoid: Perfectly round frames, very small frames.
Top picks: Ray-Ban Clubmaster, Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Oakley square frames, Calvin Klein rectangular acetate.
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Oval Face: Almost Anything Works
Characteristics: Slightly longer than wide, balanced proportions, cheekbones as widest point, gently tapered forehead and jaw.
Best frames:
- Virtually any shape — this is the most versatile face type
- Walnut/aviator shapes, wayfarers, rounds, squares all work
- Match frame width to face width for the best proportions
Avoid: Frames that are significantly too wide or too narrow for your face. Shape is flexible; size still matters.
Top picks: The full range — experiment with Versace bold frames, minimalist Persol, or classic Ray-Ban styles. Oval faces have the luxury of choosing by style preference rather than face-shape rules.
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Square Face: Soften the Angles
Characteristics: Strong jawline, broad forehead, angular features, roughly equal face width and length.
Best frames:
- Round and oval shapes
- Aviator (teardrop shape softens strong jaws)
- Cat-eye for women (upswept corners balance wide jaw)
- Thin or rimless frames that don't add more structure
Avoid: Boxy square frames — they compete with your natural angles. Heavy, angular frames can make the face look rigid.
Top picks: Ray-Ban Round Metal, Ray-Ban Hexagonal, oval Persol frames, Maui Jim aviators.
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Heart Face: Balance the Width
Characteristics: Wider forehead, prominent cheekbones, narrow chin (sometimes pointed). Also called 'inverted triangle.'
Best frames:
- Bottom-heavy frames (wider at bottom than top)
- Round and oval shapes
- Aviator — wider bottom edge adds width at the jawline
- Light-coloured or rimless frames that don't add weight on top
Avoid: Top-heavy frames, oversized brow decorations, frames wider than the forehead.
Top picks: Ray-Ban Aviator, Tory Burch delicate frames, rimless or semi-rimless options from Charm Optical's collection.
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Oblong Face: Add Width and Break the Length
Characteristics: Noticeably longer than wide, long straight cheek line, forehead/cheeks/jaw of similar width.
Best frames:
- Oversized frames that fill vertical space
- Round and wide frames
- Deep (tall) lenses that take up more face real estate
- Browline frames with strong horizontal emphasis
Avoid: Narrow, small frames that sit high on the face. They leave too much empty space below and emphasize length.
Top picks: Oversized Versace or Gucci frames, wide browline styles, Burberry round frames.
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Face Shape Matching Quick Reference
| Face Shape | Best Frames | Avoid | Key Principle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Square, rectangle, browline | Round, very small | Add angles |
| Oval | Almost anything | Wrong size only | Proportional width |
| Square | Round, oval, aviator | Boxy, angular | Soften edges |
| Heart | Bottom-heavy, aviator, rimless | Top-heavy, wide on top | Balance width |
| Oblong | Oversized, round, deep | Narrow, small | Add width |
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Beyond Shape: Practical Fit Factors
Face shape gets you to the right general category. But the perfect pair also depends on:
- Prescription needs: Strong prescriptions look better in smaller frames. Progressive lenses need taller frames. Your optician at Charm Optical can guide you toward frames that work with your prescription.
- Skin tone: Warm tones (gold, olive) pair with warm frames (tortoiseshell, gold metal). Cool tones (pink, blue) suit silver, black, and deep colours.
- Lifestyle: Active people need durable, secure frames. Office professionals might lean toward polished styles. Consider how you'll actually use your glasses.
- Budget and insurance: Most Alberta insurance plans cover $200–$400 for frames and lenses, making quality eyewear accessible.
This is one of the most common questions that comes up during eye exams, and the answer often depends on individual factors that only a professional assessment can evaluate. What works for one person may not be ideal for another — your prescription, daily activities, facial anatomy, and budget all play a role in determining the best approach.
If you're in the Edmonton area, Charm Optical offers comprehensive eye exams that go beyond just measuring your prescription. Their optometrists assess your overall eye health, discuss your visual needs, and recommend lens and frame options tailored to your lifestyle. With direct insurance billing for most Alberta providers and same-day glasses for many prescriptions, getting the right eyewear doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Book online — appointments are usually available within a few days.
Insurance Coverage for Glasses in Canada
Most Canadians with employer-sponsored health benefits have optical coverage that helps pay for glasses. Typical plans cover $200-$500 every 1-2 years toward frames and lenses combined. Some plans separate frame and lens allowances, while others combine them into a single optical benefit. The specifics depend on your employer's plan — always check your benefit booklet or call your insurer before shopping.
In Alberta, common insurance providers for optical coverage include Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Desjardins, and Great-West Life. Government programs like AISH and Alberta Works also provide optical benefits for eligible residents. Children under 18 in Alberta can access basic optical coverage through the Alberta Child Health Benefit.
The easiest way to use your benefits is through direct billing — the optical store submits the claim to your insurer electronically, and you only pay the remaining balance at the counter. Charm Optical in Edmonton offers direct insurance billing for most Alberta insurance providers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, and Desjardins. This means no out-of-pocket costs up front and no paperwork to submit later. book an eye exam online to get your prescription updated and use your benefits before they reset.
Find Frames That Flatter Your Face
Charm Optical in South Edmonton carries 500+ frames. Our team will help you find the perfect shape, size, and style for your face — walk in anytime.
Browse Our CollectionFrequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Federal Trade Commission — Eyeglass Rule — Consumer rights for prescription eyewear purchases
- American Academy of Ophthalmology — Buying Glasses — What to look for when buying eyeglasses
- The Vision Council — Optical industry standards and consumer education
- Government of Alberta — Health Benefits — Provincial health coverage for vision care