Collage of famous women in sunglasses© GettyImages

How to choose the best sunglasses for your face shape

Find out which style of sunglasses will be your best bet


JUNE 10, 2020 11:39 AM EDT

The fashion runways and celebrities have spoken. For this upcoming summer season, the top sunglasses designs all share the same common denominators: oversize frames, geometric designs and a touch of vintage. But, careful! Just because something is in style doesn’t mean that you should dive in head first to wear it. In order to “correctly” show off your next pair of shades, you first need to find out which style of sunglasses will look best on your face shape.

We’ve put together this guide with all the designs guaranteed to be the best bet based on your face shape. Ready to see what they are?

© GettyImages

Round faces

If the shape of your face is similar to Selena Gomez’s or Chrissy Teigen’s , dear reader, you’ve got a round face.

When picking out sunglasses, you should look for designs that contrast with the curves of your face to elongate it. So, unless you want to accentuate the natural shape of your face, stay away from circular frames. Coming up, we’ve got four options that are perfect for you:

© Quay Australia

Cat eye

The cat eye design has an interesting angle that will make your face look more slender. This style is the Reina ($55) designed by Jennifer Lopez for Quay Australia.

© Farfetch

Rectangular

This Versace ($230) design is another example of a pair of glasses that will flatter your face. Their shape will help balance, elongate and define your natural features.

© Krewe

Slightly-square aviators

The geometric shape on this classic design will definitely work in your favor. You can take some inspiration from the Audubon by Krewe ($335).

© Smart Buy Glasses

With a winged frame

We’ve mentioned before that round designs should be avoided, but if you wear them with a slightly sleeker frame, they’ll actually help make your features look smaller. A good pair to start with are these Bobby sunglasses by Jimmy Choo ($229).

© GettyImages

Heart-shaped

Lily Collins, Maisie Williams, and Reese Witherspoon are perfect examples of women with heart-shaped faces. People with this face shape have wider foreheads, high cheekbones and narrow and pointy chins.

When picking out sunglasses, the goal should be to minimize the contrast of your face. These are the best designs for you:

© Farfetch

Straight top, round bottom

This design from Fendi ($440), is an excellent example. They’ll help bring out your face since they imitate its natural shape. And the line at the top, at the height of the eyebrows, will help to add proportion to your face.

© Shopbop

Floral print

The striking print and shape of glasses like these Lele Sadoughi Nolita Round Sunglasses ($175) will direct all the attention to your cheeks, which will help create better symmetry.

© Victoria Beckham

Square cat eye

These shades created by Victoria Beckham ($319) will help balance out the dimensions of your face (wide top and narrow bottom) by making it look sleeker.

© Mango

Thick frames

Thick frames will make the width of your forehead look narrower, thus creating better balance with your chin. You can try a pair similar to these Acetate frame sunglasses from Mango ($35).

© GettyImages

Square faces

If you take a look at Olivia Wilde , you notice that she has a prominent jawline, angular features and a wide forehead. The angles on square faces are quite pronounced, especially at the jaw, which is why your sunglasses will need to create a slimmer, softer look.

To achieve this, you need to create curves. Look for frames that are rounded. Here are a few suggestions:

© Farfetch

Cat eye

These sunglasses are also great choice for those with square-shaped faces. The curvy frames help to flatten and elongate prominent features. This style by Dior ($360) is a great stepping stone.

© Raen

Big and oval-shaped

Oversized, oval-shaped frames provide the rounded-effect that your face needs. This style, Figurative by Raen ($150) will direct all the attention to the top of the face.

© Macy’s

Aviators

The downward curved lines on this classic design will round out your face’s sharp angles, creating better balance between the top and bottom. This design is by Michael Kors ($139).

© YSL

Curved corners

This style from Saint Laurent ($280) is a great example of the kind of glasses you should be rocking. The rounded corners will definitely soften up the features of a square face.

© GettyImages

Oval faces

Jessica Alba is a prime example of someone with an oval-shaped face. If you have this face shape, your features are proportional and balanced and you have prominent cheeks and a narrow chin.

This means that almost any kind of frame will look great on you. We would just recommend you avoid round frames because they can actually reduce your face’s symmetry. Go with:

© eyebuydirect

Delicate wayfarer

The symmetrical and aerodynamic design of these sunglasses will help accentuate your naturally proportional features. The image shows Nevada glasses from Eyebuydirect ($39).

© Neiman Marcus

Maxi square frames

Big, square frames will help create additional angles on oval-shaped faces. You can be a little daring and try a design similar to this one by Dolce & Gabanna ($205).

© Saks Fith Avenue

Rimless cat eye

An aerial, curvy shape like these sunglasses by Prada ($246) will fit your face like a glove.

© Target

With a top bar

Aviators have once again come up on the most-recommended list. The bar at the height of the eyebrows will definitely add contrast to an oval face. Try something like these A New Day ™ Brown sunglasses ($12).

© GettyImages

Oblong faces

If your face is long and the chin and cheeks are very narrow like Sarah Jessica Parker, the best option for you is to choose oversized glasses, in styles with soft, rounded frames. You can even go with iconic wayfarers, but make sure the frames are thick. These will work well for you:

© Macy's

Maxi wayfarer

Like we mentioned before, this oversized, retro-design will look great on you. Get inspiration from this Ray-Ban classic ($154).

© Etsy

Hexagonal

Once again, a retro design is a sure bet. Oversized and geometric, a design like this one by TiaraBleu ($27), will tone down your features.

© Warby Parker

Round and angled

With its delicate curved lines, this design will help balance out the length of your face. Try a pair similar to these Whittier from Warby Parker ($195).

© Mr. Porter

Thick, curvy frames

If you’re not a big fan of oversized sunglasses, wearing sunglasses with thick frames is another great way to add width to a long face. By adding soft lines to the design, they really are the perfect alternative. You can try this unisex style from Mr. Leight ($645).

© GettyImages

Diamond-shaped faces

Celebrities like Anna Kendrick and Megan Fox have diamond-shaped faces. This type of face has a narrow forehead and jaw, with the widest part being the cheekbones.

Oval frames will help you to soften the contour of the face. Similarly, rectangular or geometric frames can help balance out your chin.

© Westward Leaning

Futuristic ovals

These modern sunglasses are a guaranteed win. This unconventional pair is the Solitaire 04 from Westward Leaning ($195).

© Chloé

Octagonal

Let your daring side show with geometric designs, like these from Chloé ($275), which will help add balance to your face.

© GettyImages

Thick at the eyebrows

Frames that have a thick top bar at the eyebrows will provide the perfect contrast to your cheeks, like these Kanharga sunglasses from Aldo ($18).

© Ravello Sunglasses

Micro-ovals

Definitely try these out! Your face is practically the only type that can pull them off. We hope that the Ravello Sunglasses from Illesteva ($220) do the trick.

With this design, we’re wrapping up our guide to the best sunglasses for your face shape. Knowing your features is crucial when it comes to wearing these accessories.

So figure out which face shape you’ve got and go find the perfect shades for it.