Femme aux cheveux gris portant des lunettes en acétate écaille de tortue qui illuminent le teint

Glasses That Make You Look Younger: An Optician's Secrets, Worth More Than Any Face Cream



We often invest a small fortune in creams, serums and skincare rituals to keep our complexion fresh and luminous. Yet one accessory can transform our appearance in a matter of seconds, without changing a single thing about our face: our eyewear.

I'm not talking about chasing the latest trends. I'm talking about frames that instantly bring a healthy glow to the face, brighten the eyes and give us a livelier, more radiant presence... and sometimes make us look a little younger, too.

After more than 30 years of fitting faces with eyewear, I'm convinced of one thing: the right pair of eyeglasses can become our most powerful beauty accessory. You simply need to know what to look for ;)

In short: which glasses make you look younger?

The eyeglasses that make you look younger are those that centre the eyes well within the lenses, follow a gently upswept line, have some presence near the temples and come in a colour that brightens the complexion. Conversely, rimless frames, very fine metal, perfectly clear crystal frames on fair skin and overly dominant black can harden or tire the features, especially after 50.

Video (in French): How to choose eyeglass frames that make you look younger, an interview with Marie-Sophie Dion (4 min 31 s).

In this article:

How can eyeglasses make wrinkles less noticeable?

When a client asks me which eyeglasses could make her look younger, I rarely begin by looking at her wrinkles. I look at her eyes and where they sit on the face, at her eyebrows, at her complexion and, above all, at what naturally gives her character.

A frame with carefully considered proportions, with the eyes harmoniously positioned within the lenses, can make the gaze look far more awake. My guiding principle: when the eyes are well centred in the lenses and the frame flatters the complexion, we can make people forget we're no longer 20.

It's remarkable how much a few millimetres can change an expression.

And that's not all...

With a well-chosen shape, you can draw attention away from under-eye bags and dark circles. A slightly upswept outline creates the impression of a "lifted" gaze. And a frame with enough presence on the sides, near the temples, can visually soften the fine lines at the corners of the eyes: the famous crow's feet.

I particularly enjoy working with thickness near the temples, while taking care not to compromise peripheral vision with overly wide temple arms. A little more material in just the right place around the lenses can make a beautiful difference. That said, I never want to hide the eyes behind two heavy pieces of opaque plastic!

This is why I love using translucent acetates in certain areas. They let me play with volume without weighing down the sides of the face, and without obstructing side vision when we're behind the wheel of our car or our boat.

When I design a bespoke frame, I sometimes even add a subtle touch of material above the bridge, between the eyebrows, to visually soften the small V that forms there over the years.

I affectionately call it the "concentration V." It's also known as frown lines, or the "11s."

My clients adore this little trick. Some look in the mirror and tell me: "With eyewear like this, I can skip the Botox and every other treatment!"

And there's always someone who adds: "Marie-Sophie, could you do the same for my neck?"

(Oopsy! If only I could!)

Man wearing square eyeglasses in translucent blue-grey acetate, with added presence near the temples to soften crow's feet

Why do some glasses make you look older?

We unconsciously associate certain eyewear shapes with characters, eras and even generations.

Think of the small, fine, rimless round spectacles perched on the nose of Santa or Mrs. Claus in classic illustrations. Or the famous "grandma glasses" we see in old films.

These images are deeply ingrained in our visual memory because they recall the very origins of eyewear, which was nothing more than lenses held in place by small pieces of fine metal.

So while rimless eyeglasses (sometimes called invisible frames) or very fine metal frames can be elegant, on some faces they can also look more prim, more serious and at times rather dated.

It's also worth knowing that a rimless frame leaves small metal lines visible at the bridge and along the temples. Depending on where they sit, these lines can visually blend in with the lines of the face, much like small wrinkles, instead of drawing attention to the eyes.

That doesn't mean you should give up fine eyeglasses after 50! Not at all.

But it does mean choosing a shape, a colour and a presence that genuinely flatter the wearer, rather than simply opting for the most discreet frame possible.

After all, why would we want to make invisible an accessory that could make us unique and desirable?

Metal or acetate: which makes you look younger?

The material matters too. A metal frame often looks more serious, as it has long been associated with eyewear as a purely functional accessory for correcting vision. Acetate, by contrast, has a more playful effect: it reads as a fashion accessory. For a detailed comparison of the two, read Plastic or Metal Eyeglasses? Make the Right Choice for You.

Eyeglass temple in translucent rose acetate with a gold metal core, combining metal and acetate

Do gold or silver-colored glasses make you look better?

It's often said that people with a rosy complexion should wear silver jewellery, while a golden complexion is better complemented by gold.

It's a useful starting point in colour analysis. But eyewear plays a very different role from a necklace or a ring: it frames our eyes directly and sits at the very centre of the face.

Personally, I find that an all-silver frame can sometimes cool the complexion and the person's overall look. Gold, even on someone with a warm complexion and warm-toned hair, can also come across as more sober and serious than intended.

I often like to introduce a touch of colour or a combination of materials to give the eyes more impact.

Metal paired with a warm acetate in a polished or matte finish, for example, can be far more flattering than a frame made entirely of metal.

And sometimes, it's a rich or vibrant colour that works the magic! (And if you're wondering whether brown really goes with everything, I discuss it here: Do Brown Glasses Really Suit Everyone?)

Clear (crystal) frames: stunning in magazines, but in real life?

Remember the great wave of crystal eyewear, those completely transparent frames we saw everywhere? I find them beautiful on some people with a matte or sun-kissed complexion... but they are certainly not universal.

The celebrities wearing them in photos usually benefit from expert makeup, perfect lighting and a particularly luminous complexion... retouched ten times over. Everyday life is another story.

On fair skin, a perfectly colourless frame can sometimes lack vitality and even make you look slightly tired. This is especially true as natural hair and eyebrows grow lighter over the years.

For clients who love transparency, I often suggest a lightly tinted translucent acetate instead.

A rosé champagne, a soft honey, a translucent blue, a dusty rose or even a delicate sage green can work wonders, depending on the skin tone.

You keep the beautiful lightness of transparency, with a colour that contrasts with the skin.

Because, between us, nobody wants to look like an ice cube!

Can you wear black eyeglasses after 50 or 60?

Ah, black eyeglasses! They have character, they're graphic, and they can be incredibly chic. But they aren't always forgiving.

Over the years, our hair turns grey or white, our eyes may appear smaller or softer, and a very black frame, whether fine or very thick, can sometimes become too dominant. Rather than putting the eyes in the spotlight, it risks stealing all the attention.

That said, there are some magnificent exceptions.

Look at Quebec actress Louise Latraverse, with her white hair, black eyeglasses and vivid red lipstick. What style!

She creates a remarkably strong visual balance. Her eyewear doesn't overpower her: it's part of her personality.

This is one of my favourite pieces of advice: never judge a frame by its colour alone. Look at how that colour interacts with the hair, the eyes, the eyebrows, the makeup and even the personality.

For some women, an espresso brown, a deep grey or a rich plum will be a beautiful alternative to black.

For others, a spectacular black is precisely what will make all the difference... paired with tinted lips (a must).

Quebec actress Louise Latraverse, with white hair, wearing round black eyeglasses

Should you choose eyewear based on your face shape?

I'm often asked: "Marie-Sophie, I have a round face. Do I absolutely have to choose square frames?"

I always smile a little at these ready-made rules, and I answer: "Absolutely not! What matters are your facial features: the shape and position of your eyebrows, the length of your cheeks and forehead, and so on."

Of course, the structure of the face is important. But two people can have exactly the same face shape and wear completely different frames. Finding the frames that enhance a face is a blend of science and art that opticians master through their training. I explain my approach in detail in The Great Myth? Eyeglasses According to Face Shape.

Beyond studying the details of the face, there's another element people often overlook: attitude.

A woman with a bohemian, creative style won't necessarily want the same angular frames as a woman who loves architectural, statement clothing, even if their faces share similar proportions.

That's why I prefer to speak of harmony rather than rules.

A frame should respect our features, yes, but it should also carry a distinctive spirit that truly reflects who we are.

Is statement eyewear only for bold personalities?

Not at all. It's probably one of the misconceptions I'd most like to dispel.

You don't need fluorescent or completely eccentric eyewear to have style.

Sometimes a subtle shade, an unexpected outline or a detail with a contrasting finish is enough to make a frame truly unique.

I even find that the most interesting eyeglasses are often those whose subtleties reveal themselves up close. These small details are what make you want to look at someone a second time.

And that's precisely what I love to create in our bespoke eyewear workshop in Saint-Lambert, and in my collection made in Quebec. Eyewear that catches the eye without shouting. That adds character without becoming a costume. That brings a touch of whimsy without ever taking over.

So, what are the best eyeglasses to look younger?

The ones that make us look confident.

The ones whose colour lights up the eyes, whose shape enhances the gaze and whose proportions respect the features of the face. But also the ones that truly feel like us.

I'm always wary of a frame chosen solely because it follows the trends of the season. What looks stunning on an actress, an influencer or a friend isn't necessarily what suits us.

And the reverse is just as true: a frame we would never have dared to try can become a true favourite and breathe new life into our style.

That is the true pleasure of eyewear styling.

My quick guide to eyeglasses that make you look younger

  • What makes you look younger: eyes well centred in the lenses, a gently upswept line, a little more material near the temples, tinted translucent acetates, a touch of colour that brightens the complexion, a combination of metal and acetate.
  • What can make you look older: rimless frames and very fine metal on certain faces, silver or gold on their own, perfectly colourless crystal on fair skin, overly dominant black with white hair.

Ultimately, the most beautiful eyewear isn't trying to take us back to 20. It makes us want to be seen, exactly as we are today.

And believe me, that radiant effect is worth more than a few jars of face cream!

Sincerely,

Marie-Sophie Dion O.O.D.
Optician since 1992, eyewear designer and founder of Bar à Lunettes.

Looking for the frame that brings out your natural radiance? Our opticians take the same approach in our six boutiques in Montreal, Laval, Saint-Lambert, Bromont, Quebec City and Sherbrooke. Book an appointment, or discover our eyewear in stock here.

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Frequently asked questions about eyeglasses that make you look younger

  • What glasses make you look younger after 50?

    Choose a frame that centres the eyes well within the lenses, with a gently upswept line and some presence near the temples. For colour, opt for a shade that brightens the complexion, such as a tinted translucent acetate or a combination of metal and acetate, rather than an overly discreet frame.

  • Do rimless glasses make you look older?

    Not always, but on some faces, yes. Rimless eyeglasses and very fine metal frames recall the spectacles of the past and leave thin metal lines that can blend in with wrinkles. They work best when the shape and colour genuinely highlight the eyes.

  • Are clear glasses flattering on fair skin?

    A perfectly colourless frame can lack vitality on fair skin and make you look tired, especially as hair and eyebrows grow lighter. A lightly tinted translucent acetate, such as a rosé champagne, a soft honey or a sage green, keeps the lightness of transparency while adding warmth to the complexion.

  • What colour glasses suit white hair?

    A very intense black can become too dominant with white hair. An espresso brown, a deep grey or a rich plum is often a beautiful alternative. Black can still work when it is balanced, for example with a bold lipstick, as Quebec actress Louise Latraverse wears it.

  • Can glasses hide wrinkles and dark circles?

    They don't erase them, but they can make them far less noticeable. A well-chosen shape draws attention away from under-eye bags and dark circles, a frame with presence near the temples softens crow's feet, and a little material above the bridge softens frown lines, a refinement possible with bespoke eyewear.

About the author

Marie-Sophie Dion has been an optician and eyewear designer since 1992. Founder of Bar à Lunettes, which has six boutiques across Quebec, she designs her own collection, crafted in her workshop in Saint-Lambert, near Montreal. She is a member of the SILMO d'Or jury in Paris.

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