You’ve heard that old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Here’s our version: when life gives you the need for a medical device, make it into a fashion accessory.

Glasses are right up there with great watches as trendy accessories today. The frames you choose will affect the way your face looks, so why not make them reflect your personal style?

We don’t have to tell you that that’s easier said than done. A pair of glasses that makes one person look like a model could make you look like a disaster. Believe it or not, most of that boils down to your simple face shape. Here’s how to figure out your face shape and use it to find your next great pair of glasses:

1. Figure Out Your Face Shape

For the most part, your face shape depends on your genetics. In fact, this year researchers found fifteen new genes that influence your face shape. Despite all that complexity, though, most people’s facial shapes fall into one of five categories.

Square Face

If you have a square face, you have a strong, horizontal jawline along with a wide forehead. You have more angular, distinctive features rather than softer ones.

Keep in mind that while we call this shape “square,” it’s more of a rectangle for some people. It doesn’t matter whether your face is taller than it is wide. The keys are that your forehead and chin are about equal in width and that you have angular features.

Heart-Shaped Face

Let’s say you have that same wide forehead that people with square faces have. Instead of a wide jawline, though, your chin is narrow and comes to a point at the bottom. If that’s the case, you have a heart-shaped face.

People with this facial shape also have high cheekbones. This makes their cheekbones the most prominent part of their face.

Round Face

So far, we’ve talked about a wide forehead with a wide chin and a wide forehead with a pointy chin. There’s one more combination for folks with broad foreheads: rounded chins.

People with round faces also have full cheeks along with a rounded jaw line. Their faces are about equal in height and width as well.

If you have a round face, you’ll count yourself lucky as you age. A round face tends to make people look younger than they are. No wallet-busting anti-aging skin treatments for you (or fewer of them at least).

Oval Face

If you have a narrow forehead, you’re probably feeling a bit neglected right now, but this one’s for you. If you have a narrow forehead along with an even narrower curved chin and high cheekbones, you have an oval face.

Overall, the oval face is considered the shape with the best overall balance and proportions.

Diamond-Shaped Face

This one’s not as common, but far be it from us to leave anyone hanging. If you have a narrow forehead, wide cheekbones, and a pointy chin, you have a diamond-shaped face.

2. Learn the Best Types of Glasses for Your Face Shape

Now that you’ve nailed down your face shape, here’s your guide to finding the perfect glasses.

Glasses for Square Faces

If you have a square face, the goal for your glasses is to soften your angles. Aim for round or oval frames with great curvature. If you want to be more adventurous, look for glasses with upswept corners that bring a bit of extra bulk to the top.

Some people with square faces look great with thin frames, while others like frames that are thin on the bottom and thick on the top. Regardless, be sure to avoid frames that are too square or angular.

Glasses for Heart-Shaped Faces

If you have a heart-shaped face, the goal is to balance your forehead with your narrow chin. Rectangular frames, as well as frames with volume or details on the bottom half, tend to do this well.

Oval and round frames work well as long as they don’t have too much volume on the top half. The same goes for folks with retro tastes. If you want to do a cat-eye frame, make sure it’s not the style that has a thick top with a delicate bottom.

Regardless of the shape you choose, there’s one popular rule for those with heart-shaped faces: find frames that are wider than your forehead.

Glasses for Round Faces

If you have a round face, your goal is to find frames that balance your face with strong, angular shapes. Square frames work well, but make sure your frames are wider than they are tall.

For round faces, there are just as many “don’ts” as there are “do’s.” Steer clear of round frames as well as frames that are too small. If you have full cheeks it can also be a challenge to find frames that don’t rest on your cheeks. Trying on your pick before buying it is important for those with round faces for that reason.

Glasses for Oval Faces

If you have an oval face, you already have a great balance in your facial shape. While other face shapes need their glasses to accentuate certain features, your goal is to avoid glasses that mess up your existing balance.

Round frames tend to work well for people with oval faces. Thin frames and medium-sized frames tend to do a great job at maintaining balance, but you should avoid oversized glasses.

Glasses for Diamond-Shaped Faces

For the rare beauties with diamond-shaped faces, aim for a great oval frame. Rimless frames also tend to look great on those with diamond-shaped faces. The most important rule, though, is to stay away from frames that are too narrow.

3. Find a Pair to Try On

While all the information above can narrow down your search, at the end of the day you have to try on the glasses to know if they have the look you want. As great as online shopping is, it makes that try-on step difficult. Some companies offer an in-home try-on, so find out more about that great opportunity if online shopping is your game.

Finding the Perfect Pair of Glasses

Unless you don’t need prescription lenses, most of us only have one or two pairs of glasses. When you’re shopping for your next pair of frames, you have to make them count. The tips above can help you figure out your face shape and find the glasses that complement it best.

For more great tips on style and more, check out our blog of useful tips.