FACIAL GEOMETRY

To find your shape, pull your hair back and look in the mirror (or do a postshower check—a wet head tells all). Julia Sanderson, 38, a creative associate at Eileen Fisher, is all about right angles: Her face is as long as it is wide, and she has a prominent jaw and broad cheekbones.



THE "BEFORE PAIR"

"The hard lines of these glasses just make her face seem boxier," says licensed optician Deborah Lochli-McGrath, a spokesperson for the Vision Council of America (VCA) and our expert guide for these makeovers. Black frames are way too dark for Julia's coloring, and their style is dated—not a good move for a hip young woman who works in the fashion industry.



THE "AFTER PAIR"

The general rule with glasses is to play against your facial contours (learn more at the VCA's website, Eyecessorize.com.) "See how soft her face looks!" Lochli-McGrath says after Julia's transformation: A low-profile pair with a curved, rimless bottom (Moscot, "Indig," $159) gives angular features a rounder appearance, and the more emphatic upper edge diverts attention from the jaw and chin. A subtle greenish brown tint makes her blue-gray eyes stand out (look for a color that's complementary; an exact match may seem forced).



THE RIGHT SUNGLASSES

A slightly rounded shape and gradient lenses—dark on top, lighter at the bottom—help downplay Julia's jawline (Persol, "PO2866," $249). People slather on sunscreen but forget that eyes also need shielding, Lochli-McGrath says. Forget pale tints; you need dark lenses that cover the entire eye area and build in UVA/UVB protection. Beyond the health factor, there's a glamour bonus: Demiblond tortoiseshell frames pick up the highlights in Julia's hair, making her feel like an Italian movie star. Bellissima.