The question of "which sunglasses suit me?" is one the woman&home fashion team hear time and time again. And for a good reason. Small yet mighty, a stylish pair of sunglasses has the power to transform your look.
As you may have already found, it’s not a one-size-fits-all matter, and finding the best sunglasses can be as tricky as hunting down the best jeans or best bathing suits.
So, if you’re still on a one-woman mission to find your sunglasses soulmate, then we are here to lend a helping hand with some tips and tricks from the experts.
Of course, everyone has the right to wear whatever sunglasses they like, but if you’re interested in finding out what sunglasses flatter your face, then knowing your face shape is a good start.
What is my face shape?
Just as understanding your body type makes shopping for clothes easier, knowing your face shape will help take the stress out of finding a gorgeous pair of sunglasses.
If you don’t already know your face shape, the easiest way to do it is to look in the mirror and get a lipstick or something easily wipeable to draw around your face in the mirror. Alternatively, you can take a selfie on your phone and draw on it that way.
Every face is different, but most will fit into one of the five main face shapes - oval, square, round, heart, and diamond.
- Oval: Typically longer than wide, with wider cheekbones and narrowing at the chin and forehead
- Square: A strong jawline and equally wide cheekbones and forehead
- Round: Soft angles with full cheeks and rounded chin
- Heart: A wider forehead and cheeks with a narrow chin
- Diamond: Narrow at the eye line and jawline and broad cheekbones.
Once you’ve worked out which category best matches your face shape, it’ll help narrow down your sunglasses search as different shaped frames will help to compliment your features.
What sunglasses suit me and my face shape?
Dan McGhee, director of professional services at Vision Express, explains below what type of sunglasses to look for according to your face shape:
Oval: With a rounded chin and forehead, the proportions of your face are perfectly balanced. This means that most frame shapes will look great on an oval face, which typically appears longer than it is wide. To maintain this natural balance, choose frames that are as wide or slightly wider as the broadest part of your face. Also, consider oversized or bold shapes, such as aviators.
Square: To soften your strong jawline and make your face look longer, go for narrow frames with more width than depth, particularly oval and round styles. You should avoid square styles, which will look out of balance with the rest of the face. And instead of darker acetate frames, perhaps opt for metal frames with a thin profile.
Round: With characteristic full cheeks and a rounded chin, the aim when choosing frames for a circular face is to create as much definition as possible. To make your face appear narrower and longer, go for angular, narrow frame styles. A clear bridge will also help emphasize your eyes, while frames that are more rectangular and wider will balance the shape of the face.
Heart-shaped: A broad brow with a narrow chin defines this face shape. Therefore, choose frames that elongate your look, direct attention downward, and even out proportions. Go for light-colored or rimless glasses to broaden the lower part of your face. Rounded frames or cat-eye style are also a good choice.
Diamond: Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eye line and jawline and have broad cheekbones that may be high and dramatic. You want to make sure you’re drawing attention to the eye area as this will offer more width and balance to your face. Choose top-heavy styles like semi-rimless frames, rectangle, and oval. Upswept frames like the cat-eye will emphasize and soften your cheekbones, but remember to avoid narrow frames.
Now you’re one step closer to finding your perfect pair, we’ve rounded up our favorite styles for each face shape. You'll want to keep your new buy close to hand, so investing in a sunglasses chain is a good idea too. Happy shopping!
The best sunglasses for oval faces
Give the classic aviator shape a modern update with this bolder acetate style. The light brown hue makes them easily wearable whatever the outfit or occasion. They're a true bargain buy with 100% UV protection and are a fun purchase for the warmer months ahead.
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Based on the famous Jackie O sunglasses, these frames add a little twist to the classic style with ivory frames. The chic brown lenses also give this style a French Riviera look that will upgrade any summer look - they also boast 100% UVA and UBV protection to make these sunnies a stylish and practical choice.
Switch up your classic tortoiseshell for this cute gingham pair for a picnic-perfect look. Girly and glamorous, the oversized style is sure to make a statement, amping up the simplest of summer outfits. Featuring gradient lenses and a retro aesthetic, they will bring out your inner Hollywood starlet.
You can’t beat designer Celine when it comes to killer cat-eye sunnies, and this pair does not disappoint. We love the ivory hue for added character and to amp up that retro appeal. These frames will stand the test of time, too, making up for the hefty price tag. Guaranteed to make you feel glamorous the moment you put them on, they have all the UV protection too.
The best sunglasses for round faces
We love Quay sunnies for their stylish frames at affordable prices, and these are a bestseller with thousands of top reviews from happy customers. If you like your frames oversized, these are the ones for you. They have a slightly winged square frame for a flattering fit, and you can get them polarised too for extra clear visibility.
Another uber-glam pair for those of you who like your sunnies to stand out. Featuring a pink patterned frame and a pink lens, they are unapologetically feminine and fabulous with an embellished detail for a bit of bling. They are lightweight and durable with a gradient lens to help with visibility as well as being suitably stylish.
The angular finish gives these simple shades a cooler edge that will flatter round faces too. They come up small, so ideal if you don’t like your sunnies swamping your delicate features. With a bargain price tag, they’re a quick fix that are easy-to-wear too. Plus, they have that important UV protection as well.
The best sunglasses for square faces
If you’ve yet to discover Bloobloom and their stunning shades, then be warned - you’re going to want them all. This minimalist style will help soften square faces and keep you protected. They have polarized and custom-made tints as well as anti-scratch coating. We love the rose gold frame for a luxe finish. Once more, with every Bloobloom pair purchased, another is donated to someone in need with their Pair for Pair Initiative.
These tort round sunnies will be your new go-to. Not only are they super wearable, the frames are crafted from 100% recycled materials, making them kind to your eyes and the planet. Win-win! There are four different frames available; opt for the bold red if you want a fun pop of color.
We’ve held on to our Ray-Ban aviators for years and can vouch for the fact they are worth the investment. Guaranteed to never go out of style, they are an iconic pair that you’ll reach for time and time again. The metal frame is comfortable on the face, and they have super clear visibility. There are 14 different colors, but we rate the gold and green lens combo.
The best sunglasses for heart faces
A fave with celebs from Beyonce to Katy Perry, these slim cat-eye sunnies will give your outfit that A-list touch as well as adding a dose of drama with their extreme shape. Meghan Markle has even been spotted in Le Specs Air Heart sunglasses on a number of occasions. This pair is fitted with shatterproof and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses. They are easy to work into your wardrobe with their simple black hue, but if you really want to take it up a notch - go for the hot red instead.
Tap into that 70s trend with this oversized pair of sunnies from designer Stella McCartney. Vintage-inspired, the gold-tone metal is gentle on the face, and the pink lenses add a feminine finish. The logo is engraved on the brow bar for that designer stamp. They have 100% UV protection but are pretty clear, so not for those who like to hide their eyes behind darker shades.
A more subtle cat-eye frame that is super flattering on the face, these bestsellers come in a plethora of prints and colors from fuschia pink to marble effect. We love the classic mint for a fresh update that would look oh-so-cute with a pretty pastel outfit. They come up slightly oversized and are lightweight and comfy to wear.
The best sunglasses for diamond faces
For those who like to take their cat-eye to the extreme, this purse-friendly pair will be your new go-to. A thin-framed design with tinted lenses, the snow leopard print gets our vote. Designer-worthy without the price tag, they are decent quality with all the vital protection too. We’re pretty tempted to snap up more than one pair tbh.
Make a statement in these stunning rectangular frames. The classic tortoise frame keeps them timeless whilst the bolder shape adds a contemporary twist. Perfect for drawing all the attention to your eyes! They don’t compromise on protection either, offering 100% UV and a category 3 lens.
If you’re looking to splash out on some long-term sunnies, then you can’t go wrong with this never-date pair. The top-heavy style has a tortoiseshell design and a round frame, flattering most face shapes, including diamond. The lenses are polarized, too, for super clear sight. Designed in LA, they are perfect for all-year sunshine.
Fall in love with these cute heart-shaped frames from designer Saint Laurent. They have a slight cat-eye shape for a flattering finish and grey tinted lenses. As well as offering 100% UV protection they are guaranteed to add a playful touch to your summer getup. Vision Express has a virtual try-on tool too so you can get a feel for the frame without having to step outside.
