Wearing glasses is an opportunity to express your personal style, and the right hairstyle can beautifully complement your chosen frames, creating a cohesive and polished look. Far from being a challenge, coordinating your hair with your glasses can be a creative process that enhances your best features. The key lies in understanding how balance, proportion, and style work together to create harmony between your cut, your frames, and your face shape.
Matching Your Hairstyle to Frame Shape
The shape of your glasses frames is a great starting point for choosing a complementary hairstyle. The goal is to create balance; you can either contrast the shapes or echo their lines in a subtle way.
For Square or Rectangular Frames
Angular frames have strong, defined lines. To soften this look, consider hairstyles with waves, curls, or soft layers. A cut that adds roundness and volume around the face, such as a layered bob or long, flowing waves, can provide a beautiful contrast to the sharp angles of the frames. Avoid overly severe or geometric cuts that might compete with the frames.
For Round or Oval Frames
Rounder frames have a softer silhouette, so they pair well with hairstyles that add a bit of structure and definition. A sleek, straight bob, a pixie cut with some height at the crown, or long, straight hair can create an interesting and complementary contrast. A side parting can also help to add an angle and break up the roundness of both the frames and a round face shape.
For Cat-Eye or Unique Frames
Cat-eye frames have a distinct vintage or playful feel. You can lean into this with retro-inspired hairstyles like soft updos, victory rolls, or bouncy curls. Alternatively, a simple and sleek hairstyle, such as a low ponytail or straight, tucked-back hair, allows the statement frames to take centre stage without creating a look that feels too busy.
The Importance of Cut and Length
The length and cut of your hair play a significant role in how it interacts with your glasses. Certain lengths can either highlight or obscure your frames, so it's important to consider how they will work together.
Short Hair and Pixie Cuts
Short hairstyles are excellent for glasses wearers as they put the face and frames on full display. A pixie cut, for instance, draws attention upwards, highlighting your eyes and glasses. With a short bob, the length is crucial; a cut that ends right at the jawline can beautifully frame both your face and your spectacles.
Medium-Length Hair
Shoulder-length hair or a 'lob' (long bob) is incredibly versatile. You can add soft layers that frame your face without getting in the way of your glasses. This length allows you to wear your hair down without it overwhelming your frames, or easily tie it back to show them off completely.
Long Hair
With long hair, the main consideration is ensuring it doesn't completely hide your glasses. Tucking your hair behind your ears is a simple but effective way to showcase your frames. Styles like a half-updo, a high ponytail, or a loose braid can also keep hair away from your face while creating an elegant look.
Working with a Fringe
A fringe (or bangs) can look incredibly chic with glasses, but it requires some thought. The length and style of your fringe can either clash or harmonise with your frames.
- Full, Blunt Fringe: This can be a strong look, but be mindful of where the fringe ends. If it sits right on top of your frames, it can look a bit crowded. A slightly shorter fringe or one that sweeps to the side might be more manageable.
- Side-Swept or Wispy Fringe: These are often the easiest styles to pair with glasses. They soften the face and don't create a hard, horizontal line that competes with the top of your frames. They beautifully frame the face without getting in the way.
- Curtain Bangs: This parted style is also a great option, as it frames the face on either side and naturally draws attention to your eyes and glasses in the centre.
Everyday Styling Tips for Glasses Wearers
A few simple styling tricks can make all the difference in ensuring your hair and glasses look their best together.
- Add Volume at the Crown: A little bit of volume or height at the top of your head can help to elongate your face and balance out the visual weight of your frames, especially if they are large or bold.
- Embrace Updos: Ponytails, buns, and other updos are a fantastic choice for glasses wearers. They pull hair away from the face, making your glasses a deliberate focal point of your look.
- Consider Texture: Adding some texture to your hair, like soft waves or curls, can prevent your style from looking flat and can beautifully soften the lines of more angular frames.
- Tuck it Back: One of the simplest and most elegant ways to wear your hair with glasses is to tuck one or both sides behind your ears. This opens up your face and puts your frames on display.
