Make a spectacle of yourself

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Glamorous celebrities like Katy Perry, Jennifer Aniston and Scarlett Johansson are often seen at red carpet events with their specs on, and silver screen hunks like Johnny Depp, Justin Timberlake and Josh Hartnett have made them part of their signature style.

But choosing the right frame is not the same as choosing this season's "in" handbag or shoes.

Personality, complexion, hair, face shape and hair and eye colour must be taken into account when choosing the style, colour and material for a pair of frames.

Transitions Lenses Vivid Life adviser Melisa Schultz identifies seven basic face shapes for which frames are designed.

''Glasses should enhance rather than exaggerate the shape of the face," says Schultz.

People with round faces and full cheeks should choose angular and geometric frames that are more wide than deep to sharpen facial features.

The more rectangular and horizontal the style, the more your face will appear longer and narrower.

With high cheekbones and the chin narrower than the forehead, people with oval faces are spoilt for choice at the optician, says Schultz.

They can wear square, round, rectangular and geometric shapes, but should be careful to avoid frames that are too large for their features.

People with oblong faces have narrow visages that are longer than they are wide. Wide and slightly deep (tall) frames help to make the face look shorter, and an accented rim or detail on the temple widens the upper part of the face. The semi-rimless look also works, advises Schultz.

''Don't choose small frames that are out of proportion, and don't go too wide."

People with base-down triangular (heart-shaped) facesshould choose "butterfly" styles that are wide at the bottom to balance a narrow chin.

''Rimless styles or thin frames in light colours look good," Schultz advises.

People with base-up triangular faces have a narrow forehead and eye-line that widens at the cheekbone and chin.

Schultz suggests aviator styles, but adds that cat-eye frames work just as well to accentuate the upper part of the face.

People with diamond-shaped faces have narrow eye-lines, small foreheads and chins, with angular features and strong, dramatic cheekbones.

Frames should be upswept and wide to balance the cheekbones like the cats-eye shape. Oval shapes balance the width of the cheeks and subtle rimless styles put the cheekbones centre stage.

Finally, people with square faces have strong jaw-lines, broad foreheads and defined chins. They should choose oval and round frames with soft edges to counteract the squareness of their face.

Avoid geometric frames and choose instead soft, almost invisible styles that accentuate the features rather than the frame.

Light shades

I've been wearing a pair of Transitions lenses since December and have noticed a marked difference in my vision. The photochromic lenses darken on exposure to ultraviolet light and adjust automatically if the sky becomes cloudy or when I go indoors.

'Intelligent' photochromic molecules inside the lens cut out 100% of UV radiation and reduce glare, which enhances contrasts, optimising vision and making everything more vivid.

Melisa Schultz, Transitions Lenses Vivid Life adviser, says sun damage to the eyes occurs whenever we're outdoors, especially in South Africa.

Plus, she adds, Transitions lenses are a great way to reduce your botox account - they decrease the need to frown, squint and blink.

Source: The Times