By Gal Shapiro, EyeBuyDirect Fashion Stylist

Color choice is an essential factor to consider when purchasing eyewear. Why you ask? Here are three simple reasons.

• Not all glasses frame colors will suit everyone´s skin tone, hair color and eye color. For instance, skin tone is a vital factor one should consider when choosing frames. People with warm-toned skin, or golden or apricot undertones, will look great in strong bold colors like gold, copper, orange, coral, red, warm blue and yellow. Those with cool-toned skin, or pink or rosy undertones, would be more suited to black, plum, dark brown, magenta and blue frames. These warm/cool tone rules can also be followed for hair and eyes. And if you are confused or unsure about your tones, just ask a friend or family member to watch you try-on a few frames of different colors and get their honest opinion about what suits you best.

• Certain frame colors can reflect one´s personality traits. For instance, black frames might send forth an air of mystery, elegance and sophistication. Blue is a color with cool, calm and relaxing properties, so someone wearing blue frames could be seen as an easy-going and composed person. Other suggestions include:
  
  Red - Passionate, aggressive, sexual, energetic
  Pink - Feminine, innocent, delicate, soft
  Violet - Rich, upper-class, noble
  Grey - Dignified, classy, intelligent, mature
  Yellow - Fun, happy, warm, optimistic
  Green - Earthy, organic, natural, honest, youth
  

• Some frame colors or even color combinations can be particularly hip or fashionable depending on the dictated fashion trends of that season or year. Find out more about current and upcoming eyewear color trends at Color Forecasting2008-2009.