Do Glasses Make You Look Older or Younger?

Do Glasses Make You Look Older or Younger?

The short answer? They can do both.

I've been styling glasses for a very long time, and one thing I've learnt is just how much difference the right frame can make to someone's face.

I've seen someone put on one pair of glasses and instantly look a little tired or washed out.

Then I'll change the frame…

And suddenly their eyes look brighter, their face looks lifted and there they are again.

It's not about trying to look 20 years younger.

For me, it's about choosing glasses that make you look fresh, confident and like the best version of yourself.

Can the wrong glasses make you look older?

Yes, they can.

Glasses sit right in the middle of your face, so naturally they're going to have an impact on your appearance.

A frame that's too heavy, the wrong shape, sitting too low or in a colour that doesn't work with your colouring can sometimes drag your features down rather than lift them, adding dark patches where you don't need them. 

And there's another one I see quite often…

The glasses you've been wearing for years.

We change as we age.

Our hair changes. Our colouring changes. Our style changes. Even our confidence and what we're comfortable wearing can change.

That pair you absolutely loved several years ago might not be the pair you'd choose today.

And that's okay!

Can glasses actually make you look younger?

I prefer to think of it as making you look fresher rather than younger.

I'm not interested in telling a 60-year-old woman she needs to look 40.

I want her to look in the mirror and think:

“Oh wow, I look fabulous!”

That's a completely different thing.

The right glasses can visually lift your features, bring attention to your eyes and add colour and personality to your face.

Sometimes the difference between a frame that works and one that doesn't can be surprisingly small.

A slightly different shape.

A little more lift at the outer corners.

A better bridge position.

A softer or stronger colour.

Even a couple of millimetres in the right place can make an enormous difference.

Frame shape can give your face a lift

This is something I pay a lot of attention to when I'm styling.

If a frame slopes downwards at the outer edges, it can sometimes make the face appear to drop with it.

Instead, I often look for shapes that create a subtle upward movement.

That doesn't mean everyone needs a dramatic cat-eye!

It could simply be a beautiful little lift at the outer corner.

And when we get it right, it's amazing what it can do.

The eyes look more open.

The cheekbones can appear lifted.

The whole face can look fresher.

Don't underestimate the power of colour

You know how much I love colour. 😂

But colour doesn't necessarily mean bright red, purple or green glasses.

It might be a beautiful translucent tone, a soft tortoiseshell, warm caramel, teal, navy or even just a little colour through the sides.

The important part is finding a tone that works with you.

The right colour near your face can complement your skin, bring out your eyes and work beautifully with your hair.

The wrong tone can sometimes leave your complexion looking a little flat and grey. 

This is why I don't just ask:

“What's your favourite colour?”

I look at what that colour is actually doing when it's sitting on your face.

Be careful with glasses that are too heavy

This doesn't mean thick frames are ageing.

Absolutely not.

I LOVE a fabulous bold frame on the right person.

But there's a difference between a frame making a statement and a frame overpowering you.

Your glasses should be part of your face — not the only thing anyone can see.

For some people, a chunky acetate looks incredible.

For someone else, a lighter or more translucent version of exactly the same colour might work beautifully.

It's all about balance.

Where your glasses sit matters too

This is the part people don't always think about.

You can choose a beautiful frame in the perfect colour and still not get the result you want if it doesn't fit properly.

The bridge needs to work with your nose, a thick bridge can bring the eyes closer together or disguise a large nose. 

The width needs to suit your face.

Your eyes need to sit nicely within the frame.

The depth needs to work with your features and your prescription.

Your glasses shouldn't constantly slide down your nose or sit so low that you're forever pushing them back up.

Fit isn't just about comfort.

It changes how the glasses look on your face too.

“But Tracy, am I too old for colourful glasses?”

Absolutely NO. 😂

I hear versions of this all the time.

“Am I too old for these?”

“Are they a bit young for me?”

“Can I really get away with that colour?”

My answer is usually:

How do they make you feel?

There's no age limit on fabulous glasses.

You don't reach a certain birthday and suddenly have to move into beige frames.

If anything, I've seen women become more adventurous with their glasses as they get older.

They know themselves better.

They care less about what everyone else thinks.

And I LOVE that.

Sometimes it's the frame you wouldn't choose yourself

This is one of my favourite parts of eyewear styling.

I'll pick up a frame and immediately hear:

“Oh no, Tracy. That's not me!”

Okay…

Just humour me. 😂

We put them on.

They look in the mirror.

Then comes the pause.

Then the smile.

“Ohhhhh… I actually really like these.”

That's why I encourage people not to automatically reach for the same style they've worn for the past ten years.

You don't have to suddenly become bold and colourful.

But sometimes a small change is all it takes to completely freshen your look.

So, do glasses make you look older or younger?

They certainly can affect how old, tired, fresh or vibrant we appear.

But I don't think “Will these make me look younger?” is actually the best question to ask.

I'd rather you look in the mirror and ask:

Do these glasses make me look and feel fabulous?

Do they lift my face?

Do they bring out my eyes?

Does the colour work with me?

Do they fit properly?

And most importantly…

Do they feel like ME?

Because I'm not trying to make you look like somebody younger.

I'm trying to help you find the glasses that make your confidence shine through.

And that, in my opinion, never goes out of style.

Ready for a fresh look?

If you've been wearing the same style for years, you're struggling to know what suits you, or you're simply ready for something different, I'd love to help.

During an Eyewear Styling Consultation, I'll look at your colouring, face shape, fit, prescription, lifestyle and personality — and we'll have some fun discovering what you might never have chosen for yourself.

Book your Eyewear Styling Consultation and let's find the glasses that make you look in the mirror and think, “YES, that's me.” 👓

Tracy 💜
The Glasses Lady