Ask Angie (& Gryffin, Deborah Karie & All) -Progressive Lenses for Narrow Face - Help! - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie (& Gryffin, Deborah Karie & All) -Progressive Lenses for Narrow Face - Help!

karen13

Veteran

I am again apologizing for posting so much today, but renewing my prescription has become urgent and I desperately need YLF to work its magic for me. I wear progressives every day. I want them to flatter and be classic and versatile enough to complement my wardrobe - I'm a bit stodgy that way. I'm going to the expensive store recommended by a YLFer tomorrow.

I have narrow face and close set eyes. Can't read anything close - about 2.75 correction, not too bad on distance, but deteriorating. Looking at these photos has made me realize my right eye is set closer to my nose than my left, and I always raise my left eyebrow when I look at a camera (what a crazy tic), It is really hard to find a small enough bridge and lens width that will come even close to centering my eyes and still fit enough height and room to have progressives.

I have read the frame fitting posts of the past several years and found Griffin, Deb and Karie have similar issues. Children's frames aren't tall enough (plus they are neon).

#1 Size 49-17 is my current pair, purchased 4 years ago, pre YFL. My first time wearing glasses other than readers. I know now they are too wide and pull me down at the bottom corners. The color is neutral and goes with everything, but boring. I think they fit better when my face was wider before I lost weight.
#2 - Size 48-16. Too dark I think but what about the shape?
#3 51-12. Narrowest Bridge I could find, which centers my eyes a bit better? Too Wide. Fun color, will it mesh with my wardrobe?
#4 47-18. Again too dark. But I kind of like shape.
#5 48-20 Similar to #4, I prefer 4's size, but this one's narrower frame.
#6 Not sure of size. Too harsh color, but shape?
#7 51-16 color and shape are possible, or am I just swayed by them matching my jacket? Too wide.
#8&9 These are for color, as the shape seems too square and wide.

Please give me your thoughts and tips. Most of these come in several colors I can order, so please separate fit from color if you can. Nice frames and good progressives are crazy expensive, so I want to get it right.

Thanks in advance for helping me find the Goldilocks of frames - not too light, too dark, too wild, too crazy!

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Sal

Veteran

No expert but the two I don't like are 4 ( a bit too dramatic and overpowering) and 7 (not exciting enough).

On a first glance my favourites were 3 and 5- I also like 2 and 6 but the photo angle makes it harder to tell.

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Karen, yes I have the same challenge!

I have two pairs one is 49 lense width and the other 46. I really cannot go bigger than 49.

I studied Angie’s posts in detail to gain an understanding of what was best for me:)

I find that a round or roundish frame seems to be quite flattering on women with a small face.

My fave here is actually 4. The shape, the size and they are ‘strong’ but not overpowering. No 6seems to be fighting with your natural brow line but I do like the pattern of the frame. No 7 too big:)

Adela

2 is my favourite one, the shape is very flattering and I like the color also- it makes your face even more interesting because of the contrast.

lyn67

Veteran

2 is my best! I will follow this thread as am in the same trouble getting me a new pair, hard to overbid my 3 yrs old Coco Song's unfortunately:-(.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I like #2 and #6.
I also have a narrow face. A couple of years ago I looked and looked and looked, and "settled" on a pair I loved as glasses, but only liked on me. This year, I had much better luck, and ended up getting two pairs just because they were very different from each other, and it had been so hard to find ones in previous years. The SA told me that that happens... the styles change slightly and you can go from feast to famine. This may be a good year for narrow.

Interesting, I've never seen that sizing before. Maybe here it's just no publicized... would be very handy to know.

harmonica

Veteran

Finding the right frames are so hard! I have the same challenge.

I'm no expert, but like #2 the best. The shape and colour seems to fit very well, not too overwhelming, not blah. Follows your eye brows nicely. I'll follow this thread.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First figure out what bridge size fits you best and then go from there. In my experience if they constantly fall down they will be annoying. I need a 16 bridge and can sometimes / rarely go to a 17 but that is risky for me. In width it depends on the style. Anything from 49 to 52 for regular specs and 56 works for sunnies. On phone so I need to return to London m at photos

JAileen

Veteran

These are my general impressions with respect to vertical size and color/pattern. Some of the patterns seem harsh on you. Your coloring is very delicate, and with them, I think the glasses become the focus instead of you (the glasses are wearing you, rather than you wearing the glasses). For those glasses maybe they can order a better color.

1 - color and general size look nice
2 - shape and general size good. Color seems harsh.
3 - nice size, shape and color
4 - these too big top to bottom, and color seems harsh
5 - these look pretty good
6 - these look good except for the harsh pattern.
7 - color is kind of blah

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW, KAREN. Lots of winners here. WELL DONE. (Never feel bad about posting. You can post a hundred times a day, if you like).

(Your old frames droop at the outer bottom corners - big NO-NO).

#2 is KILLER, and so is the colour. Excellent shape. Perfect fit. Not too dark. You are simply not used to wearing glasses any more. You have to give it some time. (Ask if the frames come in another colour, though).

#4 is my next favourite. Another perfect fit. KILLER. Dramatic though - you have to be okay with that. I think you can absolutely pull it off.

#6 is another excellent fit. But the pattern overwhelms your face.

#3, #5 and #7 - not a good a fit.

Adriana

Veteran

I just made a very expensive mistake (even though I brought a friend), because I was in a hurry. Two weeks before vacation. This is what I neglected: you can just see my bags under my eyes above the rim of the glasses. Just that "line" you see. My former glasses fell just there.
A tip for your eyebrow: facersize your lower one up.

Anonymous

I like 2 and 4.
Eliz P, the size is printed on the inside of the temple arm. The 3 numbers are lens width, bridge width and temple arm length.

calmwave

I like #2 & #3. I thought the color of #3 was lovely on you although slightly wide.

rachylou

Veteran

I like 2 and the colour of 3

Anonymous

Karen, I too have a narrow face and close set eyes. I cannot find plastic frames that fit me properly so I stick to metal frames. My current pair are Anne Klein (photo below) - mine are progressives as well. The sunglasses are Kate Spade (plastic frames) - Paxton. I thought about making those my regular pair but decided to make them sunglasses instead.

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Runcarla

Veteran

#2 and #6

Jane

Veteran

I like 2 a lot and 4 is my favourite.

(I’m going to need new glasses soon, and I’m grateful for your post as it is good to see the comments. )

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Back to see photos and I really like #2! Colour is great and so is the shape. If the bridge fits you well (i.e. no sliding) then I think they are winners. Also ask if they come in any other colours just to be sure.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Angie's picks look great to me, too. I don't think 2 and 4 look too dark, probably because the lower parts are lighter. If they were all dark, they would be a heavier look. I actually prefer these colors to the lighter ones such as 3 and 7; I think the coloring of 2 and 4 look more current.

gryffin

Veteran

Karen - I like 2 and 4. But you are going to hate me because I love 8 on you. The fit your brows perfectly, your eyes are well centered, the color is beautiful w your coloring, they are stylish and elegant but not overwhelming. I need a 48 usually. I can go as low as 46-49 depending on style. You have a great face for glasses!! Everything looks hideous on me. I was super lucky w my coach frames thanks to my uber savvy optician. The weird thing is they are a 50 but they work. BCBG petite fit eyeglasses and Dana Buchanan are also lines that I did not buy, but they had frames that fit. Worth checking out at some point. But great job. Nice choices!!

Joy

Veteran

I like several of these for you but 8 and 9 are my picks, especially for color but your eyes look centered.

karen13

Veteran

Everyone's comments were so helpful! I really appreciate the opinions. And hopefully this provides a resource for my small-faced sisters moving forward.

Angie - thanks for the vote of confidence on my choices. YLF was such a great resource before I went out to look. I probably tried on 60 frames in 4 different places. And each round of photos made me realize things and be more focused the next time. I am starting a new thread to post my narrowed down options and questions for the experts after today's visit to the optician.
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....es=1#post-

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's the way to do it, Karen. I AM PROUD OF YOU. You are reaping the reward.