How to Pick the Right Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
Besides protecting you from the sun, sunglasses serve a great many purposes. They can complete an outfit and offer excellent protection to your eyes. With an abundance of options available across different shapes, sizes, and colours, selecting one that fits you best can prove daunting.
Knowing your face shape is the best approach to ensure style and comfort when selecting sunglasses. Once you understand what your face shape is, selecting the frames that compliment your look becomes significantly easier.
In this article, we will look at different face shapes and tell you all about the right sunglasses for each, what shapes to avoid, and some tips.
Why Face Shape Matters
Everyone has a different face shape. Some faces are round, others are more square, long, or heart-shaped. Certain sunglasses work better with certain shapes because they help balance your features. They also help avoid that awkward feeling when a pair looks good on the shelf but odd on your face.
This guide will help you match your face shape to the right style, so you feel confident in every pair you try on.
1. Round Face
How it looks:
Soft, full cheeks with a rounded chin. The width and length of the face are about the same.
Best sunglasses for you:
Go for frames with angles. Rectangular or square shapes are great because they add structure. Cat-eye and wayfarer styles also work well.
Avoid:
Small round frames—they can make your face look rounder.
Top tip:
Look for bold lines and frames that are wider than your face. It helps slim and sharpen the look.
2. Oval Face
How it looks:
Balanced shape with slightly wider cheekbones and a gentle curve from forehead to chin.
Best sunglasses for you:
Lucky you—almost everything suits this face shape. Square, round, cat-eye, aviators—take your pick.
Avoid:
Frames that are too big or too narrow. They can throw off the balance.
Top tip:
Keep the size in proportion. Not too large, not too small.
3. Square Face
How it looks:
Strong jawline, broad forehead, and the face is about as wide as it is long.
Best sunglasses for you:
Round or oval frames are ideal. They soften your features and give a nice balance. You can also try butterfly or rimless styles.
Avoid:
Boxy frames or anything with sharp corners. They can make your face look too stiff.
Top tip:
Choose curves over corners for a more relaxed, natural look.
4. Heart-Shaped Face
How it looks:
Wider forehead and cheekbones with a narrow chin.
Best sunglasses for you:
Go for bottom-heavy frames, like aviators or round styles. They balance the face by adding width to the lower half.
Avoid:
Wide-top or oversized frames that draw more attention to the top of your face.
Top tip:
Thin frames or light colours work best. They keep the focus on your natural features.
5. Long (Oblong) Face
How it looks:
Face is longer than it is wide, with a straight cheek line.
Best sunglasses for you:
Tall or oversized frames work well. They help shorten the face visually. Wrap-around styles and thick frames can also add width.
Avoid:
Small frames that make the face look longer.
Top tip:
Pick deeper lenses and styles with strong vertical depth.
6. Diamond Face
How it looks:
Narrow forehead and jaw, with high, wide cheekbones.
Best sunglasses for you:
Oval and rimless frames work beautifully. You can also try cat-eye or top-heavy styles to widen the look of your forehead.
Avoid:
Boxy frames or anything too narrow. They won’t sit well on your cheekbones.
Top tip:
Focus on balance. Try styles that add width at the top and keep it light around the cheeks.
A Few More Tips Before You Buy
Now that you know your face shape, here are a few extra things to keep in mind:
Try Before You Buy
Shops often let you try on sunglasses before buying. Use that chance. Stand in front of a mirror and take your time. If you’re shopping online, check their return policy.
Comfort Matters
The sunglasses shouldn’t pinch your nose or slide off your face. If they feel awkward, they’re not right—even if they look nice.
Think About Colour
Black is classic, but don’t be afraid to try brown, tortoiseshell, or even gold and silver. Choose what fits your style.
Mind the Size
Your sunglasses should match the size of your face. Oversized can look stylish, but too big can hide your features. Too small can look out of place.
Look at Lens Quality
UV protection is a must. Always check if the lenses offer proper eye protection. Dark doesn’t always mean safe. Look for 100% UV protection.
Popular Styles That Work on Many Faces
If you’re still unsure, here are a few styles that look good on most people:
- Wayfarers: Classic, easy-going, and suit almost everyone
- Aviators: Great for heart and oval shapes, light and stylish
- Cat-Eye: Best for round or diamond shapes, adds lift
- Round Frames: Ideal for square or long faces
Final Thoughts
Picking the right pair of sunglasses doesn’t have to be hard. You must start with determining your face shape, then match it with the style that fits your face shape the best, and then look at other factors such as comfort, colour and size.
A good pair of sunglasses should make you feel confident, look great, and protect your eyes. Once you find the right shape, everything else falls into place.
So, the next time you go shopping, we hope that our guide will help you in picking the perfect pair. Go with what suits your face—not what’s trending. You’ll look better, feel better, and actually enjoy wearing them.
