How to Find the Best Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

sunglasses

When hunting for the best sunglasses to suit you – look no further than your face shape.

You don’t just want any pair of shades. You want to find the best sunglasses ever – ones that seem like they were made just for you. Like finding the perfect little black dress, your shades are going to be the ongoing staple of your summer wardrobe. You need to think about proportion, balance, and versatility.

A general rule when shopping for shades: Look for frames that are the opposite of your face shape. For example, if you have a square face, you’ll want to score round frames that help soften your already strong features. If you have a round face, you’ll want to add definition to your features through angled frames.

Here’s a fool-proof guide to help you find the best sunglasses for your face shape:

Heart-Shaped
If you have a heart-shaped face, avoid sunglasses that are too wide – they’ll make your chin look pointy. Aviators would be the best sunglasses for your face, and if you’re feeling bold you can also go for retro cat-shaped sunglasses.

Your celeb spirit-animal: Reese Witherspoon

Round-Shaped
Steer clear of round frames: The best sunglasses for your shape are angled frames with straight lines that have some width to them. Your best bet would be rectangular frames, which will strengthen the definition of your features.

Your celeb spirit-animal: Michelle Williams

Oval-Shaped
If your face is oval, you’ve basically hit the face shape jackpot: An oval face is the easiest to find sunglasses for. All you have to do is make sure the size of the frame is in proportion with your face. Why not give cat-eye frames a try?

Your celeb spirit-animal: Eva Mendes

Square-Shaped
Complement your strong features with oval or rounded sunglasses, which will soften the angles of your face. The best sunglasses for your face shape would be a Jackie O-style frame or aviators. Make sure the top of the frame sits high enough to downplay your jaw line.

Your celeb sprit-animal: Lea Michelle

Long Face
Long faces look ah-mazing with a wider, rectangular frame, since they add width and help balance out your face’s length. Going oversized also helps create the illusion of a wider, shorter face.

Your celeb spirit-animal: Sarah Jessica Parker

Other Tips to Keep In Mind

  • Rimless sunglasses (like aviators) tend to fit most face shapes.
  • If your eyebrows are visible above the frames, your shades are too small.
  • Your eye should be in the middle of the lens (horizontally and vertically).
  • The edge of the frame should be a touch wider than the widest part of your face.

The verdict: What are the best sunglasses for your face shape?

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Image: Stephen McLeod

Krissy Brady

Krissy Brady is a women’s health + lifestyle writer who’s so out of shape, it’s like she has the innards of an 80-year-old. Instead of learning how to crochet, she decided to turn her emotional baggage into a writing career (genius, no?). You can follow her shenanigans on Twitter (you know, if you want).