Choosing a pair of glasses isn't just about following the trend. An elegant frame should enhance the features of the face, stay comfortable all day and reflect a confident personality.
At Olivia Balm, our opticians support you online and in our shop in Lyon: every frame — from the fashion houses to independent designers — is selected for its balance between style, quality and wearability. This guide clarifies face shapes and the frames that flatter them.
Understanding your face shape
Before choosing, identify the dominant shape of your face: the width of the forehead, cheekbones and jaw, and the overall length. The aim is not to box you in, but to read your main lines in order to create harmony.
👉 It's not about "correcting" a face: a good frame converses with your features to find the most natural balance.
Glasses for a round face: add structure and slim down
A round face is characterised by soft features, few sharp angles and a width close to its height. The challenge is to add structure to visually lengthen the lines.
Recommended frames
- Rectangular or square frames
- Bold geometric shapes
- Slightly thick frames to underline the contours
These silhouettes structure the face and create a slimming effect.
To avoid
- Round or very thin frames
- Shapes that are too discreet and accentuate the roundness
👉 At Olivia Balm, MiuMiu, Chloé or Marlone frames sculpt round features particularly well.
Glasses for an oval face: controlled freedom
The oval face stands out with slightly wider cheekbones and harmonious lines. Almost every shape suits it, provided the overall proportion is respected.
For a balanced result
- Choose a frame proportionate to the width of the face
- Avoid volumes that are too wide and weigh the features down
👉 This is the ideal ground to be daring: oversize Chloé, the bold lines of Bottega Veneta, or the fashion silhouettes of Saint Laurent and MiuMiu.
Glasses for a square face: soften the angles
A square face has a strong jaw, a wide forehead and straight lines. The aim is to soften the angles.
The ideal frames
- Round or oval shapes
- Thin or slightly curved frames
- Glasses in soft acetate or metal
These curves break up the rigidity of the angles and bring immediate softness.
To avoid
- Square or overly thick frames
- Very angular lines
👉 The Nathalie Blanc Paris and MiuMiu collections, or certain Roussilhe models, suit it particularly well.
Glasses for an oblong face: balance the length
The oblong face is longer than it is wide, often with pronounced features. The idea is to visually reduce the height.
What works well
- Wide frames to rebalance the proportions
- Round or panto shapes
- Visible bridges or double bridges that visually shorten the face
The aim is to make the silhouette of the face more compact.
To avoid
- Narrow frames
- Very thin shapes
Glasses for a heart-shaped face: rebalance the lower face
The heart-shaped face is recognisable by a wide forehead and a narrow chin. The lower face therefore needs to be rebalanced.
Recommended frames
- Oval or round shapes
- Thin frames
- Glasses that are slightly wider at the bottom
To avoid
- Frames that are too imposing at the top
- Thick temples
👉 Maje and Sandro models, or certain Chloé creations, balance very well with this morphology.
Common mistakes to avoid
Even with the right shape of glasses, some mistakes are common:
- Choosing a frame solely for its brand
- Overlooking the size of the frame
- Forgetting comfort on the nose and temples
- Failing to take use into account (everyday, screen, sun)
A beautiful frame is, above all, a frame you enjoy wearing every day.
The importance of trying on (even online)
On an optical e-commerce site, the choice can seem complex. That's why, at Olivia Balm:
- Every model is selected for its aesthetic balance
- The product pages are detailed
- You can opt for:
- - A frame on its own
- - Glasses suited to your vision
- - Or a reservation in the shop in Lyon
👉 Support remains essential, even at a distance.
Our recommendations at Olivia Balm
As opticians in Lyon, online as well as in the shop, we have chosen to:
- Favour frames with character
- Offer models that are on-trend but wearable
- Combine aesthetics, comfort and build quality
Whether you're looking for a discreet, bold or iconic frame, our selection is designed to suit your face, your style and your daily life.
See all our prescription glasses Discover our sunglasses Read our guide: How to choose your corrective lenses
Need personalised advice?
You can order online or come and meet us in our shop in Lyon for bespoke support.