A Face Shape Guide That Makes Sense

HOW TO CHOOSE SUNGLASSES FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

What Is Your Face Shape?

Not every pair of sunglasses fits every face shape. Everyone has one of six face shapes: oval, round, heart, diamond, square, or triangle.

How To Determine Your Face Shape

Determining what face shape you have can be difficult, but not impossible.

Step 1: Take a photo of yourself straight-on, with your hair pulled away from your face. Even better - have someone else take a photo of you straight-on.
Step 2: Print the photo.
Step 3: Mark the top, bottom, and sides of your face with dots. Draw lines to connect the dots to get a clear sense of your face shape.

 

Oval face shape: Your face is longer than it is wide. You have a curved jawline slightly narrower than your forehead.

Round face shape: Your face is similar to a square face shape but with a rounded jawline.

Heart face shape: Your forehead is wider than your jawline. Your chin is pointed, and you might have a widow’s peak.

Diamond face shape: Your face is similar to a heart face shape but with a tapered hairline.

Square face shape: Your face is roughly as long as it is wide. Your forehead and jawline are also roughly the same width. Your chin is less pointed than other face shapes, and your jawline is squared.

Triangle face shape: Your face is longer than it is wide. Your forehead and temple area is wide. Your jawline and chin are squared.

 


OVAL FACE SHAPE

RECOMMENDED SUNGLASSES STYLES

SHOP AVIATOR

SHOP WAYFARER

SHOP CLUBMASTER

SHOP SQUARE

SHOP OVERSIZED

SHOP CAT-EYE

Oval-shaped faces are slightly longer than wide; the cheekbones are the widest area on the face.

Oval faces can pull off almost any look or style because of their symmetrical features. From classy and chic to bold and sporty, any oversized frame will work - as long as the sunglasses do not overshadow the natural features of the face. This is achieved with sunglasses that hug the eyebrows and cheekbones. Aviators, clubmasters, oversized cat-eye, and round sunglasses are ideal picks for anyone with an oval face. 

Pro tip: Your face shape is highly versatile, so just about any frame shape will work - just make sure they don’t take away from your natural features.

 


ROUND FACE SHAPE

RECOMMENDED SUNGLASSES STYLES

SHOP AVIATOR

SHOP OVERSIZED

SHOP CAT-EYE

SHOP SQUARE

Round-shaped faces generally have a wider forehead and a broader jawline. Similar to a square-shaped face, a round shaped face will have a forehead, cheekbones and jaw that is about an equal width but softer angles.

When choosing a pair of sunglasses to match a round face shape, the goal is to enhance the shape. This can be done by selecting styles that are elongating which will give the face a slimmer and more sharpened appearance. Oversized rectangle and/or square sunglasses will create great dimension and compliment the face. Aviators and cat-eye sunglasses are also a great choice for this face shape.

Pro tip: Add definition with angular shapes. Frames that are larger than your face will compliment your face shape very nicely.

 


HEART FACE SHAPE

RECOMMENDED SUNGLASSES STYLES

SHOP AVIATOR

SHOP CAT-EYE

SHOP ROUND

SHOP RECTANGLE

SHOP SQUARE

Heart-shaped faces typically are wider at the forehead with the broadest temples and gently narrow towards the jawline. Typically, a heart-shaped face has the slimmest chin of all face shapes.

When choosing a pair of sunglasses perfect for a heart face shape, the goal is shifting attention away from the straight edges of the face and to create a more elongated look. This can be done by wearing cat-eye style frames, aviators, round, and/or oversized frames to give the illusion of a more rounded face.

Pro tip: Buy frames that add length to your face. Avoid the smaller frames.

 


DIAMOND FACE SHAPE

RECOMMENDED SUNGLASSES STYLES

SHOP AVIATOR

SHOP ROUND

SHOP OVAL

Diamond-shaped faces generally have a narrow jawline or forehead. A diamond-shaped face will have a narrow forehead and jawline with the widest area being the cheekbones.

When choosing a pair of sunglasses perfect for a diamond face shape the goal is to enhance one's cheekbones. Both oval and tiny cat-eye sunglasses are ideal because their gentler curve will match with the natural highpoints of the diamond-shaped face. Aviators and small, round sunglasses are also a great choice.  

Pro tip: Small frames will look great on you as they balance your face shape.

 


SQUARE FACE SHAPE

RECOMMENDED SUNGLASSES STYLES

SHOP AVIATOR

SHOP WAYFARER

SHOP ROUND

SHOP RECTANGLE

SHOP OVAL

SHOP CAT-EYE

Square-shaped faces generally have a wider forehead and jawline. A square shaped face will have a forehead, cheekbones, and jaw that are nearly equal widths.

When choosing a perfect pair of sunglasses for a square face shape, the goal is to compliment it by wearing round or oval sunglasses. These will give the square face shape a more balanced and symmetrical look. Square faces have well-defined jawlines, which are most complimented by '60s-era circle designs and other soft silhouettes such as aviators.

Pro tip: Look for similar lengths and widths. You can easily tone down definition with round frames.

 


TRIANGLE FACE SHAPE

RECOMMENDED SUNGLASSES STYLES

SHOP AVIATOR

SHOP CLUBMASTER

SHOP OVAL

SHOP RECTANGLE

Triangle-shaped faces typically are narrower at the forehead and become wider at the jawline. A triangle shaped face will have a square and/or flat shaped chin.

When choosing a pair of sunglasses perfect for a triangle-shaped face, the goal is to emphasize dimensional balance while minimizing the bottom-heavy jawline. This means frames with more going on up top, such as aviators and clubmasters, are ideal. Sunglasses with a teardrop, cat-eye, and/or rectangle shape will also help highlight dimensional symmetry.

Pro tip: Avoid small frames. Shift the attention away from the straight edges of the face to create a more elongated look.


Additional Tips

#1 Consider your hair color and skin tone: color, whether on the frames or lenses, can be a fantastic way to inject some individuality into a look. But, as with clothing, certain hues can work against your complexion or clash with your hair color.

#2 Consider your hairstyle and length: unless you sport a buzz cut, hair covers much of your head. This has the potential to completely alter the shape of your face. Long hair can soften features, while short hair will leave bone structures completely exposed.

#3 Remember the classics: classic frame shapes (think aviators, clubmasters, and wayfarers) are considered such for a reason – they work and have done so for decades. Don’t be afraid to try a certain style simply because many other people are already wearing them. For a contemporary update, keep an eye out for updated or limited-edition versions of iconic styles.

#4 Invest: better lenses, better build quality, and a better overall look justify the extra cost of the best sunglasses brands. The right pair should last years. Cheap knock-off alternatives don’t look the same, don’t feel the same, and they are unlikely to have the same protective qualities.

#5 Sport glasses are for sport: keep technicolor wraparounds for the slopes. Head over to our friends at Sport Eyeconic for all your sports gear needs.


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