SOME ADVICE TO CHOOSE YOUR SPECTACLES

  Lifestyle analysis

Lifestyle analysis has become an important element of the optical practice's consultation service. It gives the optician a chance to offer the customer practical advice on finding the ideal frame style and lens, while making their eyewear purchase a more enjoyable experience.

Finding a flattering frame is, for many consumers, a bit of a dilemma. In most cases, they are not used to buying eyewear as regularly as they buy other items of clothing, and they can therefore be less confident about what they like, what kind of styles suit them, and what colours and shapes their face can carry.

INDIVIDUAL ADVICE
Reassure the customer that you and your staff are trained to offer them specialist advice to help find the ideal frames and lenses to suit their needs. Explain to them that you will take into consideration their lifestyle, face shape, colouring, vision needs and fashion preferences.

EXISTING SPECTACLES

This is often a good place to start. A customer who already wears spectacles will have opinions on what they like and don't like about their existing pair; they will be able to tell you about difficulties they have encountered with these spectacles; and perhaps even describe what improvements they would hope to experience with a new pair.

UNDERSTANDING FACE SHAPES

Certain frame shapes are particularly well suited to certain face shapes. While there are no strict rules, it is useful to be aware of this. Here are some suggestions:

ROUND- a round face tends to suit quite angular styles and geometric shapes, which give definition to the face. Round or large eye shapes are less suitable as they will exaggerate the round shape of the face.

RECTANGULAR - look for softer shapes with some width; anything small and angular will tend to be less flattering.

OVAL - oval-shaped faces tend to suit many different styles.

SQUARE - soft, oval shapes work well. Thin, angular styles are less flattering.

TRIANGULAR - bolder styles are very flattering.

HEART-SHAPED - anything wide will be too overpowering. Stick to quite narrow, round or square eye shapes for these faces, which are a wider and more rounded shape than triangular ones.

CHOOSING COLOURS: WARM OR COOL?

Again, there are no strict rules, but certain skin tones tend to suit certain "warm" or "cool" colours. For example, yew fair complexions generally suit the most delicate, warm colours such as brown tones, beige, camel or gold. Warm colours are also the best option for anyone with grey or white hair, so try suggesting gold, peach tones or camel, which enliven the complexion. Brown-haired customers, particularly those with brown eyes, are lucky as they generally suit many different colours. Explore some of the season's fashionable hues with them, such as red or aubergine.

FRAME FIT

Ensuring the frame fits well is a vital part of the consultation. Besides the comfort issue, it will also affect how the person looks in their frame. For example, if the frame sits too high on their nose, it will change their expression, and could even make them look as if they are frowning. This generally happens when the bridge does not

fit correctly; it will also mean that the customer is likely to experience some discomfort.

LENS OPTIONS

Lenses will also need to be considered when determining what kind of eyewear will suit your customer's lifestyle best. You'll need to decide which materials/finishes are appropriate to your customer's daily activities. If the lens you advise corresponds exactly to the customer's lifestyle and he understands its benefits, he will feel all the more reassured that he is making a good investment.

THE LOOK OF THE FRAME

Remember that you need to discuss how your customer wants to look, in terms of personality. Encourage people to use adjectives, which describe their character and the kind of identity they want to get across. Do they want an outgoing, confident look, something smart that suits their career? Or would they prefer a gentle frame style that makes them feel they look friendly and approachable?

CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES

If you are advising someone on a frame style, you can't ignore their taste in fashion, the type of clothes they choose to wear, the jewellery and accessories they prefer, or their hairstyle. Their frame has got to coordinate with all these things. Ask questions such as: do you wear more gold or silver jewellery? What colour clothes do you like best wear most often? Etc.