How to Select Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Sunglasses are not just a summer accessory; they’re a crucial part of protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. But, thanks to the many styles on offer, picking the right pair can be tricky. Knowing your face shape is the key to finding sunglasses that complement you. The right pair will draw attention to your eyes, whereas the wrong pair could throw you off balance proportionally. Read on for an all-inclusive guide on how to determine the best sunglasses for your face shape.

Oval Face Shape

Traits of an Oval Face

Which brings us to a much-loved face shape: oval. It has ideal proportions and is usually longer than it is wide. The forehead is a bit wider than the jawline, and the face tapers down softly into a round chin. Due to these well-proportioned characteristics, an oval face can wear almost any style of sunglasses.

Sunglasses That Suit Oval Faces Best

Because you have a well-balanced face, you can get creative with different sunglasses shapes. Frames that add contrast to the natural curves of your face tend to work, though.

• Square or Rectangular Frames: The angular shapes provide a definition and contrast the softer curves of an oval face, giving it structure. A wide, square frame will draw attention to your cheekbones while breaking up the smooth lines of the face.
• Unique Shapes: To make a statement, consider sunglasses with geometric frames, such as hexagonal or octagonal frames. These give an interesting contrast to your face’s smooth lines.
• Round Frames: If you feel like having a more playful look, round glasses can work too — particularly in modern or retro styles. But beware of overly rounded frames that can undermine the natural balance of the face.

In layman’s terms, oval faces can wear most anything, but shapes that bring some structure and dimension are preferred.

Round Face Shape

Traits of a Round Face

Round: Width and length are similar; often characterized by full cheeks, a rounded jawline, and a forehead that is almost the same width as the cheeks. A round face has a certain charm, but the trick is to select frames that will bring definition to and elongate the face.

Sunglasses for Round Faces: Best Options

To counterbalance the softness and roundness of your face, wear sunglasses that create the effect of length and angles.

• Square or Rectangular Frames: These frames with sharp angles will elongate the face. They provide a geometric contrast that separates the roundness and gives definition to the jawline.
• Cat-Eye Frames for Round Faces: Cat-eye sunglasses would be perfect for round faces. Their upward curve on the outer edges can give the illusion of energy — and lift — to the face. This shape accentuates the eyes and adds drama, taking the focus from the roundness of the face.
• Angular or Geometric Frames: Other types of frames that can work well are those that feature sharp angles, such as hexagonal or angular rectangles. These frames give the illusion of a more structured and longer-looking face.
• No Round Frames: Round shades are a style statement in their own right, but the roundness of round frames, when worn on a round face, becomes more apparent. If you are hoping for a more angular look, it’s best to avoid them.

In the end, you’re trying to find balance by selecting eyewear that adds angles and elongation to the face.

Square Face Shape

Square Face Shape Characteristics

A square face is characterized by sharp, angular features. Your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are usually similarly wide. It allows a strong and pronounced jawline. For this particular one, the objective is to add balance to the angularity and soften the edges of the face.

Best Frames for Square Faces

As a square face has many strong angles to it, you want to go with frames that add some curves to balance out those strong lines.

• Round or Oval Frames: Soft, rounded frames work to counteract the angularity of your face. This creates a balance, where oval or round sunglasses will soften your overall look. They soften the angles of your features, and convey a sense of sophistication.
• Aviators: Aviator sunglasses are classic options for square faces. Their teardrop shape works to soften a strong jawline, while the thin metal frame brings an elegance and softness to the rugged features.
• Opt for Cat-Eye Frames: Cat-eye sunglasses are also amazing. The curved edges of the frame help soften angular features, while the lifted design highlights your cheekbones. This shape can soften a square face with femininity and sophistication.
• Stay Away from Square or Rectangular Frames: These frames are classic but evoke angularity in a square face. When you go for frames with sharp corners, you may actually be accentuating square features instead of softening them.

In other words: Choose sunglasses with round or soft edges to help soften the angular lines of your face and add visual balance.

Heart-Shaped Face

Traits of a Heart-Shaped Face

A heart-shaped face is widest at the forehead and tapers to a pointed chin. It usually has high cheekbones and a high forehead. The intention is to combine the breadth of the forehead and the slenderness of the chin.

Top Sunglasses for Heart-Shaped Faces

A frame that pulls attention to the eyes while also softening the wider upper portion of your face will create balance and harmony.

• Round or Oval Frames: These frames will soften the angles of a heart-shaped face and highlight the center of your face. Round or oval frames can soften the look of a wide forehead by adding curves.
• Aviators: The teardrop shape of aviators flatters almost all face shapes, perhaps even more so on heart-shaped faces. The graceful soft curves create balance to the wider forehead and narrower chin.
• Cat-Eye Sunglasses: Cat-eye sunglasses are the ideal selection for heart-shaped faces because they enhance cheekbones and give a more balanced appearance. The upward tilt of the outer corners diverts attention from the broad forehead.
• Frames with Wider Bottoms: Look for sunglasses that are wider at the bottom than the top. This design works against a pointed chin, which can be counteracted with increased weight in the lower part of your face, creating harmony.
• Avoid Top-Heavy Frames: Top-heavy frames can make the width of the forehead more apparent, creating a top-heavy look. These should be avoided in favour of better balanced designs.

When selecting sunglasses, the goal is to soften the top of your face and create width at the bottom.

Diamond Face Shape

What Are the Characteristics of a Diamond Face?

In a diamond-shaped face, the cheekbones are the widest part, which is accompanied by a narrow forehead and a narrow, pointed chin. This face shape is often angular, and the cheekbones are high. It tends to make angles sharper, and therefore the aim is to round things out a little and achieve more balance between the width of the cheekbones and the narrowness of the forehead and chin.

Diamond-Face Sunglasses: Best Sunglasses

Select a style that enhances your features—for a diamond-shaped face, this means frames that create softness and width to complement its sharp angles.

• Oval Frames: Diamond faces will love oval sunglasses. The smooth lines of these frames may soften the angles and focus attention on the eyes rather than the cheekbones.
• Cat-Eye Frames: Cat-eye sunglasses also suit diamond faces, similar to oval frames. The upward lift at the corners adds a bit of glamour and accentuates your cheekbones, taking the focus away from the more angular parts of your face.
• Rimless or Semi-Rimless Frames: Rimless frames can give a subtle, airy look that can complement and not overwhelm angular features. Semi-rimless frames are a good in-between option since they call attention to the eyes without adding excess mass to the top of your face.
• Stay Away from Square or Angular Frames: Square or rectangular frames may enunciate the angles of a diamond face. For balance, stick with frames that have rounded edges.

The trick, she says, is to make the angles a bit softer, but still emphasize the eyes and cheekbones.

Rectangle (or Oblong) Face Shape

Rectangle Face Characteristics

The rectangle face shape is longer than it is wide, and it has a straight jawline, high cheekbones, and a narrow forehead. The trick for rectangle faces is to shorten the length and give the appearance of width.

Rectangle Face Best Sunglasses

Sunglasses create balance and depth that give the illusion of a shorter face, as well as adding width; a perfect combination.

• Round or Oval Frames: Round sunglasses are great because they bring balance and soften the length of a rectangular face. Oval frames also work to break up the length by adding curves.
• Square Frames: Square frames (particularly, squarish frames with rounded edges) give a broader look to the face and can help shorten the length. This is perfect for achieving a proportionate appearance.
• Oversized Frames: Bigger frames can shrink the length illusion by introducing horizontal width. They’re also more covering, which means they make your face look more even.
• Do Not Go for Narrow or Elongated Frames: Such types of frames will elongate your face even more, making them an unsuitable option for you if you want to have a balanced and proportional look.

So, to summarize, you want to select sunglasses that will make your face look wider so it appears more proportionate and shorter.

Conclusion

The right pair of sunglasses can really top off a flattering, balanced look depending on your face shape. Knowing your face shape and choosing frames that enhance your features will improve how you look on these important days and make a huge style statement as well. Tempted by classic aviators, stylish cat-eyes, or bold square frames? There’s a pair waiting for you.

When selecting a pair of sunglasses, make sure to choose one that has both comfort and UV protection, and feel free to experiment with different styles until you find one you feel most confident in.