When it comes to buying sunglasses, determining your face size and shape is important because it will help you find a better fitting, more functional pair of sunglasses. Proper fitting sunglasses can give you a stylish look all your own like Geordi Laforge or Elton John. To find the best sunglasses for your face, you will need to, measure your face, determine your face shape, and match that shape to a style of sunglasses.
How To Measure Your Face
Measuring the dimensions of your face will help give you an idea of what size and shape your face is. To measure your face, stand in front of a mirror and follow these steps:- Measure Cheekbone to Cheekbone: Place the end of a tape measure just below your eye to find the top of your cheekbone. Measure to the same point on the other side of your face. Write down this number.
- Measure Jaw Line: Feel below your ears to find the ends of your jawbone. Measure from the end of your jawbone to the other end around the bottom of your face. Write that down too.
- Measure Face Length: Measure from the center of your hairline straight down over the front of your nose to the bottom of your chin. Write that one down too.
Look at your measurements and comparing them to each other, determine which shape of face you are below. Check out our Sunglasses Buying Guide for more about sunglass frame sizes and shapes.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
There are several different face shapes. Compare the different dimensions of your face, look in the mirror, and or have a friend help you determine which shape your face is. Look below to see common face shapes and see which one of these categories matches you.
Round
The Best Glasses for Round Shaped Faces
These curves are kickin’! The round face shape has noticeable curves and less defined angles. The best glasses for round faces avoid curved features, emphasizing sharp angular lines that will help elongate your face and make it look thinner and sharper. This face group may benefit from high-on-the-temple, colorful frames as well. Round face shapes work best with Rectangle, square, wrap and shield shaped glasses.
Square
The Best Glasses For Square Shaped Faces
Square shaped faces are generally about the same length and width across the face — they are characterized by a broad forehead and a strong jaw line. The best glasses for square faces are round or oval shaped - this helps round out the sharpness of the face for a more balanced look. Examples of styles that would work well for square faces are aviators, butterflies, round or any frame style that favors oval or circular curves. Center or top set temples are the way to go with a square face.
Oval
The Best Glasses for Oval Shaped Faces
Oval faces have it made because literally every frame looks awesome! Oval faces have gently rounded, fairly even features, and pretty much any frame is going to work well on them. Designer to sport, fashion to function, everything works. Just don’t get huge frames that block out those pretty symmetrical features; choose sunglasses that cover the face from the eyebrows to the cheekbones.
Oblong or Rectangular
The Best Glasses for Oblong & Rectangular Shaped Faces
Oblong faces, also called rectangular, are long and narrow with few angles. An oblong face works especially well with oversized sunglasses. Also, larger wayfarer or rectangular lenses and sunglasses with thick frames add width to a long face. Another option is sunglasses that feature tall or deep lenses and vintage style frames because the sharp angles and bold lines will give oblong faces an edge, sharpening otherwise soft features. This group is going to turn heads in wrap, shield, square, wayfarer and rectangle styles. Oblong faces should avoid small frames.
Diamond
The Best Glasses For Diamond Shaped Faces
Diamond-shaped faces are characterized by a narrow jawline and forehead with the cheekbones as the widest part of the face. Oval and rimless frames will help compliment wide or high cheekbones. Diamond faces should use frames that feature gentle curves and should not be wider than the wearer’s cheekbones.
Heart
The Best Glasses For Heart Shaped Faces
Heart-shaped faces, sometimes called triangle, are widest at the temples and narrowest at the chin. The best sunglasses for heart and triangle shaped faces feature wide lower edges with no straight lines along the top because they shift attention downward and elongate the face. Cat-eye styles or glasses that feature rounded edges are ideal for giving the wearer a more balanced look. This face shape will be best served with shield, butterfly, rimless, or aviator styled frames.- Sunglasses - How to Choose
One of the most common questions people ask when buying sunglasses is: which sunglasses will suit my face shape?
The first thing that should be said is - the sunglasses you like the most and that make you feel great are the ones you should buy. Our recommendations are merely a style guide to help you make a decision. Given our extensive and fabulous range of designer sunglasses, this isn't always easy.
Most Common Face Shapes
And
Which Sunglasses We Recommend
Sunglasses for heart-shaped faces
Heart-shaped faces generally have a wider broad forehead, defined high cheekbones and a pointed narrow chin. We recommend sunglasses that are wider at the top than the bottom.
Cat eye frames, wayfarer styles and retro square frames generally work well with heart-shaped faces. They pull focus towards the centre of the face, creating a more balanced look. Medium to thicker frame styles with dark colours work well.
Sunglasses for oval-shaped faces
Oval face shapes are gently rounded with soft curves and are proportionate from top to bottom. Any style of sunglasses will sit perfectly on oval faces.
Aviators particularly complement this face shape, adding depth and contouring due to their tear drop silhouette. Thin gold or silver metal frames in particular, add to the delicate softness of oval face shapes.
Sunglasses for round-shaped faces
Round faces have curves, a wider forehead and chin and fuller cheeks; they are proportional in width and length. It's best to avoid round or oval sunglasses as they can create a wider face appearance.
Square, rectangle or Wayfarer frames, on the other hand, create depth and structure. The angular corners form soft contours and angles, with dark thick frames, helping add some dimension to the face shape.
Sunglasses for square-shaped faces
Square faces have a wide forehead, chin and cheekbones of a similar length and width. They also tend to have a more defined jawline and angular features with strong natural contouring.
The aim should be to soften the facial features of a square shaped face. Round or oval sunglasses make the highly structured angles of a face shape such as square appear more delicate. Square or rectangular silhouettes will extravagate the sharpness of your facial features.
Sunglasses for rectangle-shaped faces
Rectangle faces have narrow foreheads, broad jawlines, wide cheekbones, and a flat chin. They are best suited to frames that balance out the features and draw attention away from the wide jawline.
Top-heavy frames with double nose bridges are an excellent choice in doing this, for example, clubmaster sunglasses or aviators. These frames are wider at the top, drawing attention away from the narrow forehead. Cat eye frames are great as they will highlight wide cheekbones and draw attention to the eyes. Sunglasses such as oval frames will also highlight the eyes, whereas rectangle sunglasses make a face appear more symmetrical.
Tips For Finding The Right Sunglasses
Consider these handy tips when shopping for the right sunglasses:
UV protection
Choosing the right pair of sunglasses doesn't only concern your face shape and the way they look aesthetically. You should also consider safety as their primary purpose is to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays.
All of our sunglasses have 100% UVA and UVB protection. You'll find a CE and UKCA mark featured on the frames, usually on the inner part of the temples. This ensures that they meet European Union and UK standards and have adequate UV protection.
Size
Size is another factor not to be overlooked as choosing frames to fit is essential. Sunglasses should be as broad as your face at the temples that cover your entire eye area. This will ensure that light doesn’t enter from the sides or from above.
Lens types
There are a variety of lens types and sunglasses tint options, some will be better suited to your lifestyle than others.
For example, if you spend a lot of time outdoors, you may want to consider polarised lenses. These reduce reflective glare from surfaces such as water, road surfaces, snow or glass.
Gradient sunglasses, on the other hand are excellent for driving. These lenses are darker at the top and gradually get lighter towards the bottom of the lens. This means that they can allow you to see what's ahead of you clearly while blocking bright light from the top.
Personality
Consider your personality and the aesthetic you wish to adopt. For example, if you like standing out from the crowd, opt for a bold frame or colourful lenses. If you’re after something more subtle, then perhaps go for delicate metal frames.
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