Written by Joyce Chua
The first image that comes to mind when I think about sunglasses is Audrey Hepburn’s iconic character, Holly Golightly, in the 1961 movie adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Paired with that little black Givenchy dress and classic pearl necklace, Hepburn was — and still is, to me — the epitome of chic.
But with so many sunglasses options available, how do you pick one that suits your face shape? The wrong sunglasses can emphasise the features that make your face look disproportionate, or disguise the features that you wish to play up. Like it or not, sunnies can make or break your face, ladies! So pick wisely.
There are six main types of face shapes: round, square, oval, heart-shaped, oblong, and diamond. And the trick is to find the best sunglasses for your face shape. With that, you are gold. Go forth and attain ultimate chic-dom with your sunnies!
1. Round
A round face like Ginnifer Goodwin comes with prominent (perhaps chubby) cheeks, and the length and width of the face are about equal. The jawline is round and full, and the cheekbones mark the widest part of the face.
Sunglasses for you: in order to downplay the fullness of a round face, choose frames that have straight or angular lines. Rectangular frames are a safe and chic bet. Darker colours like black and navy can also help to visually balance out your face.
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2. Square
If you have a square face like Olivia Wilde, the sides of your face are straight and your face is about as wide as it is long. You have a defined, square jawline, and your hairline is most likely straight across.
Sunglasses for you: soften the angular qualities of a square face with oval or round frames. The Jackie O style or an aviator sunnies are ideal for square faces. Make sure that the top of the frame sits high enough on the face to draw attention away from the strong jaw line.
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3. Oval
Congratulations on your face. An oval-shaped face, like Jessica Alba’s, is the easiest one to find shades for.
With its balanced proportions — a narrow forehead and jaw line, a chin that is slightly narrower than the forehead, and typically high cheekbones — it is a face shape that is suited to all types of sunnies. Just make sure that the size of the frame is in proportion to your face. We’re way past the super-housefly look.
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4. Heart-shaped
A heart-shaped face like Reese Witherspoon’s comes with a wide forehead, narrower jaw line, high cheekbones, and a sharp chin.
Sunglasses for you: opt for cat eye sunnies that will accentuate your face shape and balance out the proportions. Sunglasses that are too wide can make your chin look extra pointy, so go for narrower styles.
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5. Oblong
If you have an oblong face shape like Liv Tyler, your face is longer than it is wide. Your forehead, cheeks and jawline are all the same width, and your jawline is probably rounded.
Sunglasses for you: oblong faces work best with rectangular frames, which add width and help balance out the length of the face. Sunglasses with a lower bridge may help to shorten the length of your nose.
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6. Diamond
A diamond face like Rihanna’s is, quite simply, an oval face with angles. If you have a diamond face shape, your face is slightly longer than it is wide, and your jawline is pointed. Your cheekbones are high-set and are the widest part of your face.
Sunglasses for you: go for top-heavy frames, such as half-rimmed frames or frames with detailing on the brow line. Up-sweeping styles like cat eye help to emphasise the cheek bones. But do avoid narrow frames that highlight your narrow eye line.
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What sunglasses trend are you into right now? How do you make them work for your face? Sound off in the Interested in searching for a new pair? Shop yours at Zalora Singapore now!