Glasses and Hairstyles: Fringes, Buns and Short Cuts

Your hairstyle changes how much of your face is on show, so it also changes which glasses look right. A heavy fringe works best with a frame that sits clear of it, an up-do leaves room for a bolder shape, and a short cut puts the temples and the sides of the frame on display. Pick the frame for the face you show most days, not only for the face you see with your hair pulled back in the optician's mirror.

Why hair and frames need to work together

Glasses and hair both frame the face. When they compete, the look feels crowded; when they share the job, each one makes the other look more deliberate. Three things matter most:

• Where the hair line falls – a fringe, a side part or a hairline pulled tight all decide how much space is left above the brows.
• How much width the hair adds – volume at the sides makes a face look wider, a sleek style makes it look narrower.
• What happens at the ears – the temple arms run along or under your hair, so the style decides whether they stay hidden or become part of the look.

Your face shape is still the starting point (our face shape guide covers that), but hair is the adjustment that most people forget to make.

Fringes and bangs: keep the top line clear

A fringe creates a strong horizontal line just above the eyes. If the top of the frame lands in the same place, the two lines blur together and the eyes can look boxed in.

• Blunt, heavy fringe: choose a frame with a modest lens height and a soft upper edge. Round and oval shapes leave a little gap of skin between hair and frame, which keeps the eyes visible.
• Curtain bangs: the parted fringe already draws a gentle arch, so slightly rounded or soft-square frames echo it nicely.
• Wispy or side-swept fringe: almost anything works; a clear or light-coloured frame keeps the look airy.

A practical tip: if your fringe rests on the lenses, it will leave marks and push the frame down. Ask your hairdresser to keep it a few millimetres longer or shorter than the top of your frame.

Buns, ponytails and up-dos: room for a bolder frame

Pulling hair back reveals the whole face, including the forehead, cheekbones and ears. That extra exposure means a delicate frame can look a little lost, while a frame with some presence fills the space well.

• A high bun or top knot adds height, so a frame with some width balances the vertical line.
• A low, sleek bun looks polished; a black or tortoise acetate frame matches that tidy mood.
• A messy bun or loose ponytail is casual, so a clear or coloured frame keeps it relaxed rather than formal.

With hair tied back, the temple arms are fully visible. Details on the sides, such as a metal emblem or small studs, suddenly count for more.

Theory-FL02Shop nowPadulla-FC01Shop nowSenda-FC02Shop now

The Theory-FL02 is a round frame in fully transparent acetate, a light choice under a fringe. The Padulla-FC01 is a black oval acetate frame with the IGIOO deer emblem on the temples, which shows best when hair is pulled back. The Senda-FC02 is a brown rectangle acetate frame with a 52 mm lens width, a steady pick for long, loose hair.

Short cuts: pixies, bobs and crops

Short hair puts the frame centre stage. There is less hair to soften the sides of the face, so the shape and colour of the glasses do more of the talking.

With a bob, look at where your hair ends compared with the temple arms. When the hair sits just over them, a thin metal or rimless frame almost disappears; a full acetate rim gives more definition.

Long, loose hair and lots of volume

Long hair falling forward covers part of the frame's sides, which narrows the visual space around your face. Big curls or waves add width on both sides.

• With straight, long hair, a frame with defined corners adds structure that the hair itself does not.
• With curly or voluminous hair, choose a frame wide enough to hold its own; very small frames can look swallowed. Check the frame width on our frame size guide and compare it with a pair you already own.
• With hair tucked behind the ears, the temple arms trap the hair in place. A slimmer temple is more comfortable here.

Matching frame colour to hair, not just skin

Hair is the largest block of colour near your glasses, so it is worth looking at both together.

• Dark hair: black frames look sharp and graphic; clear or light tortoise frames soften the contrast.
• Brown and auburn hair: tortoise and brown acetate repeat the warm tones; gold metal adds a little shine.
• Blonde and light hair: lighter tortoise, gold or clear keep things gentle; black gives a deliberate, bold contrast.
• Dyed or bright hair: neutral frames such as clear or black let the colour lead.

Practical habits that keep frames and hair happy

1. Put your glasses on after styling, not before, so sprays and products do not land on the lenses.
2. Avoid pushing glasses up as a headband; it stretches the temples and loosens the fit over time.
3. If a tight ponytail pulls the temple arms back, loosen the style slightly at the sides.
4. Take a selfie with your usual hairstyle before choosing a frame. Your everyday hair is the real test.

Shop this guide

Bonterey-FC01Shop nowAmory-FC01Shop nowCamet-FC04Shop nowTheory-FL02Shop now

The Bonterey-FC01 is a rimless frame with a gold metal finish that weighs only 18 g, so it barely interrupts loose hair. The Amory-FC01 is a black acetate rectangle frame at 26 g with spring hinges, a clean partner for short crops. The Camet-FC04 is a dark tortoise rectangular acetate frame that suits textured short cuts.

Find a frame for your everyday hairstyle

Start with the shape your hair already suggests, then browse round, oval and rectangle frames, or see everything in our women's eyeglasses and men's eyeglasses collections. Add your prescription in a few clicks with our lens selector.