Everyone’s facial features are different, and that’s what makes finding the perfect pair of glasses so personal. If you have a larger nose shape or more prominent nose, choosing the right frames can help balance your features and make sure your glasses fit comfortably. The good news? There are plenty of flattering frame styles that not only suit your nose shape but also highlight your best features.
At Glasses Direct, we know how important it is to feel confident in your eyewear. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best glasses for big noses, from finding your face shape to selecting the right bridge design, colour, and material.
Find glasses to flatter your unique features
When deciding what glasses best complement a prominent nose, it helps to break things down into a few simple steps.
1. Determine your face shape
Before shopping for new prescription glasses, identify your face shape — whether it’s round, oval, square, or heart-shaped. This will guide you toward frame shapes that naturally flatter your proportions.
- For a round face, angular frames such as rectangular or square glasses help add structure and draw attention away from the centre of the face.
- If you have angular features like strong cheekbones or a longer nose, opt for rounder frames and designs with slightly wider tops or decorative temples to create balance.
2. Measure your face for glasses
To find glasses that suit your nose shape, measure the width of your face, nose bridge, and the length between your eye and ear in millimetres using a ruler. These measurements will help you choose glasses with the ideal bridge width, arm length, and lens width to best suit your features. Compare your numbers with the size details listed under each product on our website to ensure the best match.
3. Choose the right frame size
Fit matters just as much as style. Ill-fitting glasses can be very unflattering and exaggerate a large nose or throw off facial balance. Aim for a comfortable glasses frame size that sits neatly below your browline and rest snugly on the bridge of your nose, aligning with your eyes.
💡 Tip: Use the Glasses Direct Best Fit Machine to compare your measurements and find the right fit. You can also try on frames at home using our Free Home Trial service before committing to a pair.
How to choose the best glasses for big noses?
Once you know your measurements and face shape, you can focus on finding eyeglass frames that visually balance your prominent nose.
1. Choose thicker or oversized frames
Oversized glasses or bold acetate frames that fit well can offset a bigger nose by drawing attention to your eyes and upper face. These frames add balance and visual interest without overwhelming your features. Our larger metal and titanium frames are also lightweight and durable — ideal for everyday comfort.
2. Ensure a good fit with the ideal bridge shape
The bridge of your glasses (the part that rests on your nose) strengthens the frame and supports its weight. Depending on which design you go for, the nose bridge can change the way your glasses look and feel on your face.
Saddle bridge
Common in plastic frames, this design provides even weight distribution, but can feel snug on bigger noses. If you prefer this style, look for a wider saddle bridge (around 18mm or more) with integrated nose pads for added comfort. A saddle bridge will fit nicely without making the bottom of your nose look too big.
Keyhole bridge
This shape offers extra space and shifts the weight to the sides of the nose. Frames with keyhole bridges make perfect glasses for wide nose bridges. A keyhole bridge also allows glasses to rest slightly higher on the face — a flattering option for people with high cheekbones.
Adjustable nose pads
Found mostly on metal and titanium frames, these provide a custom fit that accommodates different nose shapes and bridge widths. They are also easy to adjust yourself. If you’ve ever found glasses slipping down or resting too low, this could be the key to solving it.
Comfort fit
A familiar feature of sports glasses, soft silicone comfort-fit nose pads mould to your nose for added grip and security — ideal for active lifestyles.
3. Create balance with the right frame shapes
The goal isn’t to hide your nose, it’s to create balance across your features. Some frame shapes can draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones, helping everything look proportionate. The best glasses shape for larger noses are typically angular frames such as:
- Rectangular frames
- Square aviator glasses
- Wayfarer styles
- Cat-eye frames
- Browline styles like Clubmasters
- Semi-rimless glasses
- Square frames
- Geometric glasses
These shapes add definition and create contrast, helping to balance the proportions of a prominent nose or round face. Avoid frames that are too small, as they can make your nose appear larger. Think of it like styling your outfit — the right shape complements, not competes.
4. Select flattering frame colours
Colour can make just as much of a difference as shape. When choosing colours, opt for tones that enhance your natural features.
- Darker frames like black, tortoiseshell, and midnight blueare excellent choices, adding definition and drawing attention toward your eyes rather than your nose.
- Translucent or pastel frames soften your look and add lightness, which can be great if you prefer a subtle style.
- Frames with contrasting temple colours or with embellishments can also shift focus away from the centre of your face.
Quick tips
- Look for adjustable nose pads or keyhole bridges for a better fit
- Keep eyes centred within the lenses
- Try it with your look — Free Home Trial is a great way to get a feel for new frames
- Don’t be afraid of colour; balance is more important than hiding
What are the best glasses for big noses?
It’s worth remembering — there’s no such thing as a “bad” nose. Every face is unique, and your glasses should make you feel like yourself. The right pair doesn’t just fit your features — it fits your personality. Whether you go bold with statement frames or prefer something minimal, wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable. Below are some of our top picks for frames that flatter large noses and accentuate your best features:
