Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
With my super squinty eyes, sunglasses are a must for me. I mainly wear them when driving so I don’t, you know, seriously injure anyone with my car. But I shy away from wearing them to a lot of other occasions because I can never find the perfect pair. Here’s a confession: I have a small face and a larger nose with a bump on the bridge, which makes finding the perfect pair quite the task. Since I have a small face, frames that are too large make me look like a bug or alien. And since I have a bump on the bridge of my nose, I have to wear sunglasses at the highest point of my nose, which always covers my eyebrows. And yes, I have this weird thing where I think sunglasses only look good on me if my eyebrows peak out over the top. I’m a nutcase, I know.
I’ve tried on many pairs over the years, hoping to find a pair that fits my specific face shape. I’ve learned a few do’s and don’t and figured I’d share them with you. Here are some tips for choosing sunglasses for your face shape, ranging from $22-$160.
Sunglasses for Round Faces
If you have a round face, the goal is to find a pair of shades that will elongate and stretch your face. Choose narrow frames for a slimming effect and avoid anything that gives you a major cat-eye or has lenses that peak out past the edges of your face. Aviators are always a great choice and will flatter your face.
Try these: Ray-Ban Aviator 58mm Sunglasses / Kate Spade Annor 54mm Sunglasses / Ray-Ban Standard Clubmaster 51mm Sunglasses
Sunglasses for Oval Faces
An oval face shape is very common and versatile, so most types of sunglasses will flatter you. Lucky you! Wayfarers and fun cat-eye shapes are flattering on this type of face. Oval or square glasses will add some width to your face if it’s also on the thinner side.
Try these: Ray-Ban ‘New Small Wayfarer’ 52mm Sunglasses / Maui Jim ‘Olu ‘Olu 57mm PolarizedPlus2® Cat Eye Sunglasses / Ray-Ban 58mm Polarized Sunglasses
Sunglasses for Square Faces
If your face is more on the square side, avoid square frames and opt for round ones instead. Usually those with square face shapes have larger foreheads, so you can pull off sunglasses with larger frames that many other people can’t.
Try these: Gucci 57mm Rectangular Sunglasses / Quay Australia Noosa 55mm Cat Eye Sunglasses / Maui Jim Taro 59mm PolarizedPlus2® Round Sunglasses
Sunglasses for Heart-Shaped Faces
Frames that are circular on top but squarer at the bottom will flatter your face the most. Smaller frames look best as well as to not overwhelm the dainty heart shape. Look for Clubmaster and retro styles.
Try these: Kate Spade Alexuss 50mm Round Sunglasses / Ray-Ban ‘Clubmaster’ 51mm Sunglasses / Ray-Ban ‘Classic Wayfarer’ 50mm Sunglasses
I love sunglasses and collect Ray-Bans, the only shape it do not wear is square. But I love them all 🙂 I bet the small original Ray-Ban aviator would look amazing on you.
I just got my first pair of Ray-Bans! I got the small wayfarers so they fit my face. I have a pair of knockoff aviators from TJ Maxx, so when those break I will upgrade 🙂
Great choice that was my second pair and it’s a classic.
This is a great guide! Ray Bans have always been my hands-down favorite, but I’m thinking about picking up a pair of Warby Parkers for this summer!
I just bought my first pair of Ray Bans since I can finally afford them with my big girl job!
I have a hard time not looking like a bug in sunglasses because I have a small face too. But I have found a pair that I LOVE and wear almost every day…. Maui Jim baby beach. They are like mini aviators, and I now want them in gold.
Glad to hear I’m not alone! I have to try on SO many!
Maybe my problem is, I don’t really know what shape my face is!?? I pretty much just love all of these and want to be able to wear them all!
haha then you are a lucky girl who can look good in ANY shape!
I have a small face too and I’ve learned that kids sunglasses fit me much better!
yes! I usually look for “juniors” ones
Great post! I’ve been experimenting with different styles of sunglasses this spring. Just got a pair of wayfarers. I usually go with an oversized frame but these are nice for something different. I love your picks!
I just got some small wayfarers too and I love them!
I have a heart shaped face and I look for those same qualities in my every day glasses- a little rounder at the top and more square at the bottom. I’ve found that size doesn’t matter too much as long as they don’t go outwards past my cheeks and the top two qualities are filled. I like this post!
Thanks! 🙂
I’m oval-ish but I prefer oversized frames. I like a little brow to show too, but I’m ok if not. I really, really want aviators but I feel they just don’t look good on me.
I feel like SO many people wear aviators because they’re “cool”, but they don’t always look the best 😛 Glad I’m not alone with the brow thing (I wish mine were more arched simply for that reason!)
I love all of these, but it is true that not everyone can pull off the same type of shades! I have a heart-shape face, so I’m definitely going to check out these adorable frames.
I can’t wear the big ones because I look like a bug. Hey- at least I’m being honest, right?
I always want my eyebrows to show too! And I prefer the lenses to be really dark, I always think I look weird if my eyes show through too much. I can never figure out what shape my face is (I think somewhere between a diamond and a heart), I just know that round glasses look terrible on me!
That’s true, too! I usually get tortoise ones because black can look harsh on my skin tone, but I always try to get dark lenses if I can!
Great post! I’m somewhat sunglass obsessed and have way more than I need!
It’s a good obsession to have though 🙂
I have a round face and I find that aviators and oversized sunglasses work best for me! Big no-nos for my shape are ones that conform to my face/kind of bend inward. great post!
thanks Olivia!
You know what I would love to see? A tutorial on how to determine what your face shape is. Because round and oval can be so similar. Thanks for sharing this though.
sure!
Finding the perfect pair really is difficult! I think I have an oval face, but my head & nose are huge and I’ve found that aviators look the best on me. Lovely post! I think it’ll help a lot of people.
thanks Molly!
Finding the right sunglasses is not easy! Thanks for these great tips 🙂
I have a sunglass obsession so love what you picked!
I feel like I have about 20 pairs of cheap sunglasses because I can never figure out what looks best on me 🙂
same! I finally caved and bought Ray Bans that are small and made for small faces. So no more cheapies!
Great post! I seriously need to print this guide for when I go shopping lol I struggle with picking out the best sunglasses.
Thanks!
You know what’s funny? I have ZERO clue what shape my face is considered. LOL. But aviators look best on me so maybe I am round???? 😉
haha! as long as you like how they look on you, that’s what matters!
I have the most difficult time finding sunglasses that work for me. I have a small, round face, so half the time, most sunglasses take up half of it. But I do have a pair of Wayfarers from Target that I like. I do wish they were a bit smaller, but they work.
same! I used to buy the Junior’s styles at Target since they are a tad smaller
I have such a tiny face that I have trouble finding glasses that fit my head. But I do love aviators because they’re usually pretty flattering.
You always look great in the sunglasses you wear on your blog!
Its funny reading how many people had issues finding sunglasses that fit right as well – my problem is big head, round face, flat nose… as in the bridge of my nose does not hold up my sunglasses ever so they usually just rest on my cheeks and I am constantly pushing them up!
See I have a bump on my nose so I can’t wear them down low (which is what I want)- we’re the opposite! haha basically we all struggle finding sunglasses, right?
Well isn’t that a perfect little guide for sunglasses! I’m trying to pick out a new pair! I’m eying some shaped like hearts 😀
I love the heart ones!
Great suggestions! I have a really hard time finding sunglasses that fit my wide face… to the point that I am actually willing to really splurge on sunglasses if they fit well! Sometimes I wish sunglass manufacturers would make each style in different widths!
I know- I feel the same way!
I appreciate this guide so much! I have a really small face that is somewhat oval shaped, and a small nose with a very narrow bridge which makes sunglass shopping a big challenge for me! I will be consulting this guide for my next pair 🙂 XO Brynn
Thanks Brynn!
This is so interesting! My family is always telling me that I’m taking pics with the same glasses, but I feel like it’s the only one that matches the shape of my face! I may need to try some of the other ones you suggested. Thanks for this and hopefully you find a pair that you are happy with:)
haha my mom always says I wear sunglasses that are too big, but I wear the smallest ones I can find!
Very helpful! I have the hardest time finding sunglasses that look ok on me! Stopping by from Treasure Tromp. Have a great day!
Thanks so much Karen!
I have the most round face of anyone ever, so I have to be so careful about sunglasses. I like rectangular shapes or square ish. I’d love to try out a cat eye though.
I have the world’s roundest face, and aviators are my go to. Great tips!
Love these picks. I tend to ALWAYS stick to aviators. I have other styles, but I always go back to those! Great roundup.
Which sunglasses are best for those with a bump on the bridge of the nose?