How to Choose Sunglasses for Your Face Shape: The Ultimate Guide

When it comes to sunglasses, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. The perfect pair doesn’t just protect your eyes, but highlights your best features, balances proportions, and adds that effortless “put-together” vibe. But with so many shapes and styles, how do you know which ones actually work for your face? That’s where a good face shape guide comes in.

Below, we’ll break down the main face shapes, explain how to figure out yours, and share the most flattering sunglasses styles for each, plus a few that might not be your best bet.

How to determine your face shape

Grab a mirror (or even better, open your phone’s front-facing camera), pull your hair back if necessary, and take a good look at the outline of your face:

• Round face: Fuller cheeks, rounded chin, similar width and length.
  
• Oval face: Balanced proportions, forehead slightly wider than chin, gently rounded jaw.
  
• Square face: Strong jawline, broad forehead, angular features.
  
• Heart-shaped face: Wider forehead, high cheekbones, narrower jawline or chin.
  
• Long/oblong face: Face length greater than width, elongated features.
  

Keep in mind: your face might not fit perfectly into one category. Think of these as style starting points, not hard rules.

Best sunglasses for round faces

Round faces look amazing in sunglasses that add definition and angles.

• Best picks: Rectangular, square, wayfarer, and cat-eye frames. These styles create contrast and give the face more structure.
  
• Styles to skip: Perfectly round frames, which can exaggerate roundness.
  
• Why it works: Straight lines and bold angles sharpen soft curves, balancing proportions.
  
• Celebrity Inspo: Selena Gomez, Chrissy Teigen.
  

Searchers often ask, “What are the best sunglasses for a round face?” The quick answer: pick angular frames, and you’ll instantly elevate your look.

Best sunglasses for oval faces

The great thing about oval faces is that they are the most versatile! You can get away with nearly any style.

• Best picks: Aviators, oversized frames, geometric shapes, round styles, even playful fashion-forward designs.
  
• Styles to skip: Frames that are overly large compared to your face can overpower it.
  
• Why it works: Oval faces already have balance, so sunglasses can be about personality and flair.
  
• Celebrity inspo: Beyoncé, Adam Levine.
  

When shopping, treat it as your chance to experiment. Oval is the VIP pass of face shapes!

Best sunglasses for square faces

Square faces shine when you soften those strong angles.

• Best picks: Round, oval, or aviator frames. Curved lines contrast beautifully with sharp jawlines.
  
• Styles to skip: Thick, boxy frames that mimic your natural angles.
  
• Why it works: Rounded styles smooth out edges, creating balance.
  
• Celebrity inspo: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt.
  

Think of it this way: the more curves in the frame, the more harmony with your features.

Best sunglasses for heart-shaped faces

Heart-shaped faces benefit from frames that balance width at the top with a narrower chin.

• Best picks: Cat-eye, aviators, bottom-heavy frames, or rimless designs.
  
• Styles to skip: Heavy top frames that emphasize the forehead.
  
• Why it works: By drawing attention downward, you create proportion between forehead and jaw.
  
• Celebrity inspo: Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Gosling.
  

This is where playful cat-eye styles really get their moment to shine.

Best sunglasses for long faces

A long (or oblong) face looks best with sunglasses that break up length and add width.

• Best picks: Oversized frames, wayfarers, wraparound, and square sunglasses.
  
• Styles to skip: Tiny or narrow frames that exaggerate face length.
  
• Why it works: Wide frames visually “shorten” the face for better balance.
  
• Celebrity inspo: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ben Affleck.
  

So, if you’ve ever asked, “What sunglasses suit a long face?”, think wide, bold, and statement-making.

Quick reference chart

Face Shape	Best Styles	Styles to Avoid
Round	Rectangular, square, cat-eye	Round frames
Oval	Aviator, oversized, geometric	Oversized
Square	Round, oval, aviator	Boxy, angular
Heart-Shaped	Cat-eye, aviator, rimless	Heavy-top frames
Long/Oblong	Oversized, square, wraps	Narrow/tiny frames

Beyond face shapes: styling tips

Face shape isn’t the whole story. Sunglasses should also reflect your personal style, often being the accessory that speaks the loudest. As stylist Lorena Maza told Highsnobiety, “For sunglasses, in particular, there is just something so timeless about them, they always give you a certain coolness. When you wear your sunglasses, you separate yourself from the people around you.”

In other words, sunglasses are as much about attitude as they are about angles. Model Edie Campbell even described them in the Financial Times as her “personal style signifier,” noting that a strong frame can become a trademark look.

• Match sporty frames with activewear for running or cycling.
  
• Try retro cat-eyes for a playful vintage touch.
  
• Oversized black frames instantly scream chic and sophisticated.
  

Ultimately, the best sunglasses are the ones that make you feel confident.

Where to shop the perfect pair of sunglasses for your face shape

At GlassesUSA.com, we make finding flattering sunglasses for your face shape easy. Explore our AI-powered Pairfect Match Quiz, try frames virtually with our Live Try-On, and choose from 1000s of styles. From premium brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, Gucci, and Prada to exclusive house favorites like Muse, Revel, Ottoto, and Amelia E., you’ll find options for every budget and vibe.

Want to see them in person? Visit one of our stores in Garden City, Orlando, or Natick to compare collections side by side and get a hands-on fitting. Whether online or in-store, your perfect sunglasses are waiting.