Choosing glasses can be a difficult task as you try to balance finding a style you like and one that looks good on your face. Glasses will look different on each person based on their bone structure, facial features, and eyebrows. The most important determinant of how glasses will look on your face is in relation to your eyebrows.
Other than wearing large frames, eyeglasses should not typically cover your eyebrows. They are focal points for expressing emotion and can help enhance the overall look of your glasses. While frames covering your eyebrows are not ideal, fully visible brows within the lenses are improperly fitted.
Keep reading as we “uncover” the debate around glasses covering your eyebrows and why most glasses fitters recommend finding a pair that allows you to show them either wholly or partially.
As you can see the pictures above the debate is over. The glasses should just never cover the eyebrows. And glasses should definetly not should higher than the eyebrows.
Glasses Fitting Philosophies
If your glasses cover your eyebrows, you don’t need to panic! While it is not the most ideal for aesthetic reasons, covering them will not impact your ability to see. If you currently have glasses that cover your eyebrows and you have wanted to get new frames, consider keeping your eyebrows visible for your next pair.
Fitting Glasses with Eyebrows
Your glasses are not only tools for seeing but also serve as accessories that can help highlight your face’s features. There are some key elements that fitters use to create the ideal flow between your glasses and face. Many of these principles directly use your eyebrows’ size and shape to make the best glasses choice.
When choosing glasses, these are the following elements that should be considered with your eyebrows:
- Frames should match the eyebrow’s shape: Your glasses should run parallel with the shape of your eyebrows to create the most symmetry and cohesive flow. When eyebrows mismatch the glasses, it can be distracting or make it appear as if the glasses are out of place.
- Allow at least half of your eyebrows to show above the frame: To create the flow mentioned above, allow at least half of your eyebrow’s thickness to show above the frames. Frames can still partially cover the eyebrow while maintaining the ideal symmetry and aesthetic between your glasses and face.
- Choose frames of opposite thickness from eyebrows: As a general rule of thumb, thinner eyebrows look best with thicker frames, while thick eyebrows should opt for a medium to thin frame. While specific frames may be trendy, they can either overpower the face when pairing thick with thick or prevent the glasses from standing out.
Eyebrows are an essential factor in finding the right glasses but should not be the sole determinant of the style and fit you choose. Make sure that your glasses sit on the bridge of the nose, which will show how much of the eyebrow they really cover. Your face shape may also dictate which styles will best highlight your features.
Considering Face Shape and Eyebrows
Face shape is another important factor that works closely with your eyebrows to find the right pair of glasses. Choosing frames based on face shape helps to either highlight or hide face angles with the angles of your glasses. The eyebrow principles still apply, and the glasses should maintain the same shape as the frames.
These are some important tips in choosing glasses based on your face shape:
- Oval: These are the most versatile face shapes for glasses and often work well with bold frames. Wider frames are ideal for breaking up the length of the face. Look for rectangular or square frames that will add some structure to the face.
- Round: Because round faces often lack angles, create them with your frames. Choose more narrow or sharp-angled glasses to provide structure. Rectangular or square shapes add additional lines that may be lacking from your face shape.
- Heart: Choose glasses that draw attention to the bottom part of the frames to make your chin appear longer or wider. Try oval or rounded frames with limited design elements.
- Square: Round and oval-shaped frames are best for square faces. Keep in mind that if your eyebrows are not arched, you will want to opt for glasses with straighter edges. Browline and rounded glasses strike a nice balance between the frames and the shape of the face.
- Diamond: The goal is to emphasize your eyes rather than your already broad cheekbones. You can do this with frames that emphasize the top half and those that are wide or draw your attention upward. Oval and round glasses help to soften your face and draw attention to your eyes.
These recommendations apply to both men and women, but you may find that some styles are more suited to one gender over the other. Scheduling a fitting with a professional or trying on frames virtually is an easy way to match your face to the right pair of frames.
Source: Vision Express, Zenni Optical
Is it Bad for Glasses to Cover Your Eyebrows?
As we mentioned, it isn’t a large problem if your glasses cover your eyebrows. This can actually be done on purpose if you choose a bold or large frame designed to stand out. Frequently, your sunglasses will also completely cover your eyebrows, especially since the shading of the frames takes them out of view.
It is recommended that your glasses don’t cover your eyebrows to improve the overall appearance of the glasses on your face and allow you to show off all features, including the eyebrows.
Eyebrows serve an essential purpose other than protecting your eyes from moisture and light. They play a crucial role in communication as they are an important method in which we express emotions. Others can gain a better understanding of our moods and feelings when they are visible. They are also necessary for facial recognition, which could be challenging without them.
Unless you are hoping to mask your emotions or remain anonymous, eyebrows serve an essential purpose in non-verbal communication. Others may have to rely on other facial expressions or verbal cues more heavily to make up for your masked eyebrows.
Source: Healthline, Sage Journals, WebMD
What Should You Do If Glasses Cover Your Eyebrows?
There are two solutions to consider if glasses are covering your eyebrows. As glasses are quite expensive, you can try to accentuate your eyebrows from behind the frames as well. If you like your appearance with the covered eyebrows, you do not have to make these changes.
Consider these options to help your eyebrows stand out behind frames:
- Thicken or highlight your eyebrows: Letting your eyebrows grow out or applying makeup can help to highlight brows behind glasses. Filling them in with an eyebrow pencil or applying highlights and contours around the eyebrow can draw more attention. You can use brow gels to help keep unruly brows in place or show them off.
- Try new frames: Looking at other frames that follow our eyebrow guidelines will help you compare different looks. You may find that showing off your eyebrows makes the glasses look better on your face.
While appearances aren’t the most important factors for some in choosing their glasses, many people choose specific frames as an accessory or fashion piece to complement their face. Covering your eyebrows may not be causing any harm, but it could be preventing you from showing off one of your face’s important features.
Source: L’Oreal, Frames Direct
Glasses and Eyebrows
This article has highlighted the important role that eyebrows play in finding the right glasses for your face. While we often consider face shape as most important in choosing frames, eyebrows are the unsung hero that dictate the shape of the frame’s top rims. They help to maintain symmetry and balance on your face to make both your glasses and eyebrows pop!