Finding the Best Glassesfor Long Face Shapes
Choosing the perfect pair of glasses can feel like a guessing game. Even after trying on a dozen pairs, you may feel totally unsure which frames complement your face shape.
If you have an elongated face shape, some frame styles look more natural and balanced on your facial structure than others. This guide exists to help you identify if you have a long face shape and then make a confident choice about a pair of glasses you’ll love wearing every day.
What Is a “Long” Face?
A long face is any face that is longer than it is wide. On a long face, the distance from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin is wider than the span from ear to ear. Almost every face shape can have a long variation, each with its own characteristics.
Oval Face Shape
An oval face is naturally longer than it is wide. Those with longer oval faces benefit from frames that add visual width to create better balance.
Round Face Shape
The round face shape is wider than a typical oval, with the forehead, cheeks, and jawline having similar widths.
Square Face Shape
Similar to oblong but with more angular features, a rectangular face shape has a more defined jawline and forehead.
Heart-Shaped Shape
A heart-shaped face can also appear long, particularly when someone has a high forehead combined with a narrow, pointed chin.
How Can You Tell If You Have a Long Face?
If you’re not certain about your specific face shape, there are simple ways to measure and determine if you have a long face.
Take Measurements
First, measure from the center of your hairline down to the tip of your chin. This gives you the length of your face. Next, measure across the widest part of your face, typically from cheekbone to cheekbone. Divide the length measurement by the width measurement. If the ratio is 1.5 or higher, your face is considered long.
Look for Visual Cues
You can identify whether you have a longer face by looking for certain characteristics in the mirror. Notice whether you have:
- A high forehead that takes up a significant portion of your face
- A long nose bridge
- Cheekbones and jawline that aren't much wider than your forehead
- An overall impression that your face is taller than it is wide
What Are the Best Glasses for Long Faces?
While wide face shapes need frames that add vertical emphasis, long faces require the opposite approach. The key to choosing the most flattering glasses for a long face is selecting frames that add visual width rather than emphasizing length. As you decide on frames, pay attention to size, width, style, and your specific face shape to get the right pair.
Frame Size
While shopping, prioritize frames that create horizontal balance. Look for lens widths that are proportional to your face’s widest point. This typically means choosing wider frames rather than narrow ones.
Larger, wider frames naturally create balance by adding visual weight to the sides of your face. This helps harmonize with the vertical emphasis of a long face shape and creates a proportioned appearance.
Consider the measurements of each specific pair of glasses:
Lens Width
Your frames should be wide enough to make your face appear balanced. Avoid very narrow lenses that make your face look longer by comparison.
Bridge Width
A slightly wider bridge can help break up the length of your face by creating a horizontal line across the center.
Temple Length
While this doesn’t affect the visual balance as much, the temples should fit comfortably without sliding down or pinching behind your ears.
Frame Style
Beyond size, certain frame styles work particularly well for long faces. Deep frames with taller lenses add horizontal emphasis. Oversized styles are excellent choices because they add both width and visual weight.
Popular styles that work well include:
Wayfarer frames
Square shapes
Cat-eye styles
These styles are known for adding structure and visual balance. Decorative elements or contrasting colors on the temples make this balance even more prominent. These details draw the eye outward and create width.
Frame Shape
Round or square frames with roughly equal width and height can help create better facial proportions. These shapes add horizontal emphasis without making your face appear longer.
What glasses shapes should you avoid with a long face? While very narrow, rectangular frames aren’t always the most flattering choice for elongated faces, there are so many wonderful frame styles that will enhance your natural features beautifully. Instead, choose frames that have some vertical depth to balance out your face's natural length.
Face Shape
Every face shape has specific characteristics that influence which frames work best.
Oval Face Shape
Look great with almost any style, but oversized frames work especially well because they maintain the natural balance while adding fashionable flair.
Round Face Shape
Flattered by tall frames or styles with decorative elements at the temples, which help break up the length and add visual interest to the sides of the face.
Square Face Shape
Look great in round or curved frames that soften angular features, as the curved lines create a nice contrast to the straighter lines of this face shape.
Heart-Shaped Shape
Should consider bottom-heavy frames or classic aviator styles that balance a narrow chin and create better proportion between the upper and lower parts of the face.
Find the Perfect Glasses for Long Face Shapes at Visionworks
While face shape is a great starting point for selecting glasses, what really counts is how your frames make you feel when you wear them. Your glasses should be something you're excited to put on each morning—a stylish accessory that makes you feel amazing all day long! Visionworks creates a shopping experience designed to help you find that perfect match.
Comparing Your Options: Instead of grouping glasses by brand, we arrange them by frame shape. This means you can easily browse all the square frames, round frames, or cat-eye styles in one section, so it’s much simpler to compare options that will work well with your face shape.
Finding Functional Frames: We also offer extensive lens customization options to help your glasses work perfectly for your lifestyle, whether you need progressive lenses, blue light protection, or other specialized features.
Our experienced team understands how different frame styles complement various face shapes, and they’re always happy to help you find options that you'll love wearing every day. Plus, our 100-day guarantee means you can feel confident in your choice.
Schedule an appointment at your local Visionworks today!
Related Articles
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
