Prescription glasses - any app to help choosing?

9thFloorNightmare · 2023-01-31T22:45:43+00:00

I hate choosing glasses, I don’t know what goes well for the shape of my face and skin colour. I don’t think the assistants know either. I always end up with basic boring glasses and regreted my latest choices so much. My dress style is simple and now that I have a short haircut and stopped dying my hair, I would like to wear more interesting, trendy glasses because the ones I have makes me feel much older than my age (45) Is there an app I can use? When I read articles online with photos etc, it does make sense to me and when I’m at the shop I get so overwhelmed, I end up choosing the easy, safe options. I’m quick to recognise when I hate a pair but can’t recognise when something looks good / suitable and I don’t dare getting something a bit more fun :(

GoldilockMom · 31/01/2023 22:46

Lots of the options have tho an option.

There’s only 7 styles of frames so easy to narrow it down.

Original poster

9thFloorNightmare · 31/01/2023 22:59

For example - for sunglasses - I’ve got cat eyes big squares and love it but same styles don’t look as good for prescription

I seem to feel better using round prescription but then can’t choose only the metal frame which is very limited for colour and ages me in my opinion

Can a face suit different styles?

Black / dark frames (not metal) makes me feel kinda of grumpy and I darent’t choose a solid red for example or a colorful frame, and look silly. Other people don’t look silly with funky glasses, but I do 🤓

OP posts:

NeverDropYourMooncup · 31/01/2023 23:08

What about more of the Wayfarer style? Less of the cat eye but still a slight indication upwards, a rounded but not circular lower frame and better peripheral vision than narrow rectangular frames without looking like somebody's Nan with giant square ones.

You could also try brown/tortoiseshell frames rather than heavy black and maybe a dark blue would be a softer dark choice without being a bit 'I'M WACKY AND FUNNY, ME'?

If you have a look at some of the websites, they have an option to show some of the frames against an image of you - and once you've got your prescription, it's a hell of a lot cheaper to take advantage of the thinner lenses so you can have a wider variety of choice.

Starlightstarbright1 · 31/01/2023 23:25

I work in an opticians... its mybfavourite oart if my job helping someone glasses.. choose . what is your face shape?

Tell assistants you want lots of opinions. Try loads on..skin tone and hair colour can affect the colouring. If you are used to metal frames and want somethink different. Try some thinner plastic frames. Hard to advise without you there. Try black and rhen go lighter if too heavy.. we have certain ranges for petite frames.

Original poster

9thFloorNightmare · 31/01/2023 23:33

Starlightstarbright1 · 31/01/2023 23:25

I work in an opticians... its mybfavourite oart if my job helping someone glasses.. choose . what is your face shape?

Tell assistants you want lots of opinions. Try loads on..skin tone and hair colour can affect the colouring. If you are used to metal frames and want somethink different. Try some thinner plastic frames. Hard to advise without you there. Try black and rhen go lighter if too heavy.. we have certain ranges for petite frames.

I know it sounds weird, I can’t figure out my face shape!

Same with my hair! I know my hair is curly but I can’t tell if it is fine hair or coarse hair.

(don’t judge)

I have light brown skin, and my hair is dark and going grey

What colour you recommend?

OP posts:

Original poster

9thFloorNightmare · 31/01/2023 23:35

NeverDropYourMooncup · 31/01/2023 23:08

What about more of the Wayfarer style? Less of the cat eye but still a slight indication upwards, a rounded but not circular lower frame and better peripheral vision than narrow rectangular frames without looking like somebody's Nan with giant square ones.

You could also try brown/tortoiseshell frames rather than heavy black and maybe a dark blue would be a softer dark choice without being a bit 'I'M WACKY AND FUNNY, ME'?

If you have a look at some of the websites, they have an option to show some of the frames against an image of you - and once you've got your prescription, it's a hell of a lot cheaper to take advantage of the thinner lenses so you can have a wider variety of choice.

My latest pair is a big square one - I thought it would look cool but I do look like someone’s granny 😭

I worry brow will make my face too brown

Love navy and dark blue but haven’t found something I like yet

Off I go to google Wayfarer…

OP posts:

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 31/01/2023 23:49

I've tried a few of the apps and 'Try it on' features on glasses websites and they're all a bit pants.

Best way I've found is to go into an opticians, pick a load of different shapes, try them on and take a selfie then take a picture of the numbers on the inside of the arm on the frame.

Go home and look through the pictures to see what you like the look of best. Because you have the numbers you can find other frames of the same shape and size. The numbers are in this format xx - xx - xxx and are consistent across all brands, they refer to:

Lens diameter - bridge width - arm length

If you go to online stores like glasses direct you can filter frames based on those measurements.

Starlightstarbright1 · 01/02/2023 08:06

9thFloorNightmare · 31/01/2023 23:33

I know it sounds weird, I can’t figure out my face shape!

Same with my hair! I know my hair is curly but I can’t tell if it is fine hair or coarse hair.

(don’t judge)

I have light brown skin, and my hair is dark and going grey

What colour you recommend?

Show quote history

Square tbh only suit a few faces.

To me you need to rry them on.. if you don't feel.the assustant is getting it then go elsewhere..or go back and get another assistant. Feedback is really helpful from customers. So if you hate green for example say...if you feel the lenses are too big / small say. Tell them what you don't like about your current frames.

There are lots of clear with colour through them at the minute. They work lovely with many skin tones.. black doesn't tend to work well with fair skin.

I would also get you to try colours that match yiur eyes.. so someone with blue eyes can really make a fearire of the eyes, more tortoiseshell with briwn and fair skin.

I always try a wild card too something the customer wouldn't normally consider.

Shape wise hard to know without knowing face shape.. maybe try some with a slight wing?

Don't be embarrassed spending time in the shop there isn't a rush - some customers are really quick others take longer. It balances out.

Also say they are ok but i don't love them. That is also helpful.

Original poster

9thFloorNightmare · 01/02/2023 08:27

Starlightstarbright1 · 01/02/2023 08:06

Square tbh only suit a few faces.

To me you need to rry them on.. if you don't feel.the assustant is getting it then go elsewhere..or go back and get another assistant. Feedback is really helpful from customers. So if you hate green for example say...if you feel the lenses are too big / small say. Tell them what you don't like about your current frames.

There are lots of clear with colour through them at the minute. They work lovely with many skin tones.. black doesn't tend to work well with fair skin.

I would also get you to try colours that match yiur eyes.. so someone with blue eyes can really make a fearire of the eyes, more tortoiseshell with briwn and fair skin.

I always try a wild card too something the customer wouldn't normally consider.

Shape wise hard to know without knowing face shape.. maybe try some with a slight wing?

Don't be embarrassed spending time in the shop there isn't a rush - some customers are really quick others take longer. It balances out.

Also say they are ok but i don't love them. That is also helpful.

Show quote history

Where do you work? I’m coming to your store!

Maybe the problem is the optician I go to…they never offer help in terms of choosing, and when I ask they say that it looks good, or maybe a bit too small, etc but no real advice. If they are not busy, they just talk amongst themselves. I’m also not happy with the contact lenses I got from them, it seems weak and I can’t see as well.

Can I take my prescription to another opitician or better to wait until my new eye test is due?

OP posts:

Original poster

9thFloorNightmare · 01/02/2023 08:28

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 31/01/2023 23:49

I've tried a few of the apps and 'Try it on' features on glasses websites and they're all a bit pants.

Best way I've found is to go into an opticians, pick a load of different shapes, try them on and take a selfie then take a picture of the numbers on the inside of the arm on the frame.

Go home and look through the pictures to see what you like the look of best. Because you have the numbers you can find other frames of the same shape and size. The numbers are in this format xx - xx - xxx and are consistent across all brands, they refer to:

Lens diameter - bridge width - arm length

If you go to online stores like glasses direct you can filter frames based on those measurements.

Oh that is such a great idea! I can also ask family and friends to vote on the styles!

I didn’t know about the numbers thing;)
Thanks!

OP posts:

antwacky · 01/02/2023 09:52

@9thFloorNightmare
This might help you determine your face shape, there are lots of apps too that can tell you your face shape and they recomend spectacle shapes/colours as well hairstyles. I might give one of them a go.

www.intouchsalonspa.com/the-7-basic-face-shapes-knowing-your-shape-and-choosing-the-right-style/

WonkyFeelings · 01/02/2023 10:59

I think if the assistants are not helpful then you need to buy your frames elsewhere. At my opticians, I go and try pretty much everything in the shop and they help me narrow it down, they have tons of experience so with my feedback and their opinion we eventually find something that I really like.

crackofdoom · 01/02/2023 11:05

Specsavers used to have little camera/ screens where you could take photos of yourself wearing different frames and compare them next to each other, which was really helpful. And now they don't.

I'm going to change the branch of Specsavers I go to from now on, anyway- the staff in my nearest one quite obviously couldn't GAF about helping me find the right frames, and were only into aggressively trying to flog me add- ons 🙄

Original poster

9thFloorNightmare · 01/02/2023 11:59

crackofdoom · 01/02/2023 11:05

Specsavers used to have little camera/ screens where you could take photos of yourself wearing different frames and compare them next to each other, which was really helpful. And now they don't.

I'm going to change the branch of Specsavers I go to from now on, anyway- the staff in my nearest one quite obviously couldn't GAF about helping me find the right frames, and were only into aggressively trying to flog me add- ons 🙄

We might be going to same branch - all they care about is charging extra for thinner lenses or no glare technology and stuff like that -

OP posts:

Procrastatron · 01/02/2023 12:17

I’ve never got on with online/apps for trying on glasses. I think my face is wonky as the glasses are never straight in the picture.

Do you have a good local independent optician? Since I’ve moved to my local independent I’ve had a much better selection of fun frames And I always have great fun with the owners choosing them and getting proper advice and feedback.
My current glasses are from a brand called XIT

Chewbecca · 01/02/2023 12:20

I second the selfie suggestion!

I tried loads, took selfies of all the ones I didn't feel silly in. Looked at the selfies at home and narrowed it down to 3. Sent them to my mum and a trusted friend who both chose the same pair.

Alocasia · 01/02/2023 13:06

The numbers quoted above are not correct. The middle one is not bridge width. It’s distance between lenses which is very different. The bridge width could therefore vary a lot depending on if it was a thick chunky frame or a thin metal frame, even though this number might be the same between both pairs.

There is absolutely no substitute for trying frames on in an opticians. There are so many variables in every face that nobody can tell you what will look good. Trying on via an app won’t take into account bridge height/width of your nose etc which can make a huge difference to the fit. Find a good independent opticians and book an appointment with someone who can help you choose a great pair.

WithFlamingLocksOfAuburnHair · 01/02/2023 13:18

Definitely find a new optician. I have found independent shops better than chains. After my wonderful optician retired I tried a few until I got the same service, someone to steer you through their collection and who will give you honest feedback and who knows all their frames so can rotate around a particular shape or size or colour until you get something great.

JofraArchersFastestBall · 01/02/2023 13:21

I struggle with choosing in an opticians. I can't see properly without my glasses on, and I hate choosing when feeling flustered and observed. The people in my opticians are perfectly nice, but don't offer much advice on styles etc.

I find the services where you try a selection at home via the post to be the best. Then you can try whilst relaxed and take as many photos to compare and send to friends as you like without feeling like a lunatic. I am very happy with my bloobloom pairs, which I've had for over a year - but I've also ordered from glasses direct and ace & tate in the past and they've been good too. Bloobloom are great because thinner lenses/anti glare etc is all included in the price, and you can get a second pair for half price if you can't decide on one. You can also filter by fit on the website, which is useful if you need narrow frames (like me).

thinkfast · 01/02/2023 13:39

If you go to. Good opticians with decent frames they normally help with this. You can't tell from an app if the glasses are fitting correctly etc. in my experience, small private opticians are great for this, avoid chain stores with big selling targets.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 01/02/2023 13:58

Watching with interest OP thanks for this thread, I could have written it.

I'm on the search for some interesting but not zany (ones. I've come to the realisation that the sensible ones o go for are the thing I wear that ages me the most

LunaTheCat · 01/02/2023 20:19

Independent optometrists are much better.
Look at Francis Klein frames!
I love my Francis Klein!

MontalbanoFan · 01/02/2023 20:49

In Specsavers, a couple of years ago, they used a machine which scanned my face from different angles. As it did its thing, the words ‘oval’ and ‘heart’ kept flashing up on the screen.
After a minute or so of this, it stopped on ‘oval’. It then suggested the shape of glasses I should choose. (As a matter of fact, it was the shape I always instinctively chose).
If you were offered this service, OP, at least you would get to know your face shape. I know now that mine is oval with a hint of heart!
Still find it difficult to choose nice glasses though - so I feel your pain!

Original poster

9thFloorNightmare · 01/02/2023 21:00

Gaaaah I don’t understand why specsavers don’t have none of the technologies they used to have. Are they regressing?

Also I’m so scared of independent opticians - are they much more expensive? I think it is trauma from childhood - where I come from there is no good free health care and parents need to pay for everything the children need - from appointments, to medication, dental, eyes, everything!

Me and my sister needed glasses from very young and it was sooooo expensive back then and not a lot of options for kids. Then the fear of losing it, breaking it and all that! No such a thing as getting your main free pair and a spare one just in case…

From 15 I used lenses and then had laser surgery and never had to worry about glasses again until last year -

but yeah, better to invest a bit more money and don’t feel ugly

Regarding contacts, is it normal for them to be weaker than glasses? I don’t think so but this is how it seems with my specsavers pair.

OP posts:

WithFlamingLocksOfAuburnHair · 01/02/2023 21:11

I don't know if they independents are more expensive, maybe, but if you want to spend money on something a bit more daring you want to be sure. Plus the service is way better. Mine give me disposable lenses to wear while trying on and let me keep the pack so I have a few spare. They let me split payments over a couple of different dates so I could maximise claiming back on my health insurance. You could always ring places in advance to see what price ranges they have so you don't waste your time. Or mine are no pressure so you can try on, take lots of photos and go away to think about it.