What Colour Glasses Suit Me?
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When you shop for prescription glasses online, the best way to choose the right frame colour is to start with your skin tone, then fine-tune your choice using your eye and hair colour. This guide gives you a clear starting point using your natural features, walking you through each step to help narrow down frame colours that flatter your complexion and feel right for you.
The Short Answer
6 in 10 customers choose black or tortoiseshell. Both work across all skin tones and are a reliable starting point. Use the guide below to explore other options that suit you.
Most Popular Frame Colours
Not sure where to start? Here's what our customers choose most often:
Works with all skin tones
Warm tones, hazel/brown eyes
Cool tones, blue eyes
Warm tones, blonde/auburn hair
Versatile, neutral tones
Cool tones, grey/white hair
More unique colours
Based on 2020–2025 Spex4Less customers
Based on 2020–2025 Spex4Less customers
Find Your Skin Tone in 60 Seconds
The #1 Reason Glasses Look Wrong
Ever had glasses that looked great online but felt slightly off once you tried them on? Frame colour plays a bigger role than most people realise.
Your skin tone affects how colours sit against your face — whether they feel natural or a little harsh. These two quick checks help you identify if your skin tone is warm, cool, or neutral, making it easier to choose frame colours that suit you with confidence.
The Vein Test
Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural daylight:
- Green veins → Warm skin tone
- Blue/purple veins → Cool skin tone
- Mix of both → Neutral skin tone
The Jewellery Test
Which metal looks better against your skin?
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Gold flatters you → Warm skin tone
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Silver flatters you → Cool skin tone
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Both look equally good → Neutral skin tone
Warm vs Cool vs Neutral
Find your skin tone to see which frame colours suit you best.
Skin Tone Comparison at a Glance
Warm
Neutral
Most colours work - crystal, black, tortoiseshell
| Skin Tone | Best Frame Colours |
|---|---|
| Warm | Tortoiseshell, gold, brown |
| Cool | Black, silver, gunmetal |
| Neutral | Most colours work - crystal, black, tortoiseshell |
What Frame Colours Work Best for Warm Skin Undertones?
People with a warm skin tone feature a natural golden or peachy glow. The key is to choose frames that enhance this warmth without overpowering your features. Below are the colours that best complement your complexion.
Similar frame: Planet PLT 52 in tortoiseshell
Flattering Frame Colours
- Tortoiseshell - honey tones create natural warmth
- Gold - enhances golden skin tones
- Brown - natural warmth without harsh contrast
- Bronze - soft, golden tones
Not sure which suits you? Try up to 4 frames at home for free
What Frame Colours Suit Cool Skin Undertones Best?
People with a cool skin tone tend to have pink, rosy, or fair skin tones, often with blue or purple veins. Frame colours with grey, blue, or pink tones tend to sit most naturally against your complexion. Below are the colours that best complement your skin tone.
Similar frame: Gucci GG1800O in silver
Which Frame Colours Work Best for Neutral Skin Undertones?
Neutral skin tones sit comfortably between warm and cool. If this sounds like you, your natural features won't limit your options, making personal taste the most useful guide.
Similar frame: Armani EA1167 in silver
More Room to Choose
A neutral skin tone offers the most flexibility. Eye and hair colour can help narrow things down, but personal preference can lead the way.
Using Hair Colour to Balance or Contrast Frames
Your hair frames your face just like your glasses do. You can complement your hair colour (similar tones for cohesion) or contrast with it (opposite tones for impact) - both approaches work well.
Blonde Hair
Light hair naturally draws attention to frames, so both subtle and bold styles work well.
Complement
Contrast
Brown Hair
With brown hair, frames tend to look balanced rather than dominant, giving you flexibility with both subtle and stronger colours.
Complement
Black Hair
Black hair creates strong natural contrast, making bold colours pop while neutral tones blend effortlessly.
Red/Auburn Hair
Naturally warm and expressive, red hair pairs best with rich tones or cooler shades that create clean contrast.
Grey/Silver Hair
Grey hair is naturally neutral, giving you freedom to wear almost any frame colour with confidence.
How Does Eye Colour Influence Frame Colour Choice?
Once you've identified your skin tone, eye colour helps refine your frame choice further. The right frame colour can enhance your eyes and create a sophisticated look.
We'll look at the four most popular eye colours, brown, blue, green and hazel, and highlight which frame colours tend to work best with each.
Brown Eyes
Bold colours create contrast, while warm tones bring out depth and richness.
- Tortoiseshell – natural warmth
- Gold – golden tones
- Green – soft contrast
- Navy – makes eyes stand out
Blue Eyes
Pop with warm tones; harmonise with cool shades.
- Crystal – lets eyes take centre stage
- Tortoiseshell – warm contrast
- Silver – enhances cool tones
- Navy – tonal harmony
Green Eyes
Contrasting hues intensify; earthy tones harmonise.
- Green – cohesive look
- Gold – draws out amber
- Crystal – brightens naturally
- Tortoiseshell – echoes green nuances
Hazel Eyes
Choose based on which fleck you want to emphasise.
- Tortoiseshell – natural blend
- Gold – highlights warm flecks
- Deep Green – earthy tones
- Deep Purple – makes green pop
Quick Tip
These colour principles apply to sunglass tints too. Or, if you already have the perfect frame, reglaze your existing frames with new lenses.
Did You Know?
Frame material affects the colours available to you. Metal and titanium frames are usually limited to classic finishes like gold, silver, and bronze, while acetate frames offer a wider range of colours, patterns, and layered tones. Explore our Frame Materials Guide.
The Bottom Line
Colour theory is a starting point. The best frame colour is the one you'll enjoy wearing every day.
Black and tortoiseshell are popular because they're very versatile, but if a bolder colour speaks to you, go for it. Every order is backed by our 100% money-back guarantee so there's no risk in trying something new.
Try Frames at Home
Nothing beats seeing frames on your face. Our free Home Trial lets you compare colours side-by-side in your own lighting for 14 days.
- Select up to 4 frames in different colours
- Try with different outfits and lighting
- Get honest opinions from friends and family
- Free returns, no commitment required
Frequently Asked Questions
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Check the veins on your inner wrist in natural light. Green-looking veins suggest a warm skin tone, while blue or purple point to a cool skin tone. If you notice a mix of both, you're likely neutral. As a second check, think about whether gold or silver jewellery tends to suit you better.
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Black frames are among the most versatile options and suit the vast majority of people. They work particularly well with cool skin tones. Those with very warm skin tones may find dark brown or charcoal slightly more flattering, but black is a safe choice for almost anyone.
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Based on Spex4Less 2024 sales data, black (34%), tortoiseshell (26%), and blue (15%) are the frame colours customers choose most often. These shades tend to work well across a wide range of skin tones, making them a reliable starting point if you're unsure where to begin.
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The time it takes to make your glasses depends on the frame and lenses you choose. You can check our estimated dispatch times here. Once everything's in stock, we usually assemble, check, and ship your order the same day. Keep an eye on your email for updates, we'll keep you in the loop every step of the way.
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We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all purchases and a 12 month frame warranty. Simply notify us within 7 days of receipt and return your glasses to us within 30 days of the shipped date to take advantage of this unique no quibble money-back guarantee. A full 12 months from the dispatch date we will also repair or replace any frames that may develop a manufacturing fault. Read more about our exchanges and returns here.
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If you would like further guidance on picking the perfect frames, our buying guide walks you through buying prescription glasses online. You can read the guide here.
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Yes, neutral skin tones have the most flexibility. Both warm and cool colours work well, so you can choose based on personal preference or use eye and hair colour as secondary guides.
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Matching isn't necessary, but coordinating can enhance your look. Frames that complement or contrast your eye colour can draw attention to your eyes. For example, warm tortoiseshell frames can highlight brown eyes, while crystal frames let blue or green eyes stand out.
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Absolutely. Our Buying Guide walks you through fit, lenses, and prescriptions so you can choose confidently, without guesswork.