Key Takeaways
- Your face shape helps guide which frames sit and look right.
- The 5 common face shapes each pair well with certain frame styles.
- Frame size should match the width of your face for comfort.
- Warm and cool colour tones can complement your skin, hair, and eyes.
- Our team can help you match lenses and frames to your daily needs.
Shopping for sunglasses can feel harder than it should, with rows of frames and no clear place to start. The shape of your face, your colouring, and the way a pair fits all shape what looks right. Our team at Focus West Optometry can guide you through the choices and help you browse a range of sunglasses styles that suit your features.
The sunglasses that suit your face come down to matching frame shape to your face shape, choosing a size that fits your proportions, and picking colours that complement your skin, hair, and eyes.
Fun Fact: Bees can see ultraviolet (UV) light, revealing patterns on flowers that guide them to nectar.
How to Find Your Face Shape
Picking sunglasses feels simpler once you know the shape of your face. Start with a mirror or a clear photo taken straight on. Pull your hair back so you can see your whole face.
Grab a soft tape measure and check the width across your cheeks and the length from your hairline to your chin. Then look at your jawline, cheeks, and forehead. A sharp jaw, round cheeks, or a wide forehead each point toward a different shape. These few measurements give you a solid starting point before you shop.
The 5 Main Face Shapes
Most faces fall into 5 groups. Once you spot yours, matching frames can become much easier.
Round and Oval Faces
Round faces have soft curves and similar width and length. Angular frames, like square or rectangle shapes, add definition and balance those curves.
Oval faces have a gentle length with slightly narrower forehead and jaw. Most frame styles suit this shape, so you have room to play with looks you enjoy.
Square and Heart Faces
Square faces show a strong jaw and broad forehead. Rounded or oval frames soften those angles and bring a smoother feel.
Heart faces are wider at the forehead and narrow toward the chin. Frames with a wider bottom or subtle curves help balance the top and draw the eye down.
Diamond Faces
Diamond faces have narrow foreheads and jaws with wide cheekbones. Frames with soft curves, like oval or rimless styles, highlight your cheekbones and open up your eyes.
How to Pick the Right Frame Size
Shape sets the style, but size sets the comfort. Frames that are too big may slide down your nose, and frames that are too small may pinch your temples.
Smaller faces tend to look balanced with narrower frames that don’t stretch past the edges of your face. Larger faces often suit wider frames that line up with your cheeks. When you try a pair on, the frames should rest gently on your nose and ears without leaving marks or shifting when you move. Comfort keeps you reaching for your sunglasses all summer long.
How to Match Colours to Your Features
Colour can pull your whole look together. It starts with the undertone of your skin.
Warm undertones, which lean golden or peach, pair nicely with warm frame colours like brown, gold, and honey. Cool undertones, which lean pink or blue, work well with cool shades like black, grey, and silver. From there, think about your hair and eye colour too. Deep brown eyes can pop against warm tones, while blue or green eyes often stand out beside cooler frames. Play with a few options and see what feels like you.
How Our Team Can Help
Frames are one piece of the puzzle. The lenses inside protect your eyes from bright light, and the right guidance makes the process easier.
Lens Choices and Sun Protection
When choosing sunglasses, 100% UV protection is the most critical feature to look for so your eyes are shielded from harmful ultraviolet rays regardless of how dark or light your lenses are. Beyond UV defence, adding polarization provides significant extra comfort by cutting harsh glare reflected off flat surfaces like roads, water, or car hoods.
Good lenses protect your eyes from bright light while keeping your vision clear and comfortable, and our team in Signal Hill can walk you through the right lens features to fit your routine and your comfort.
Frame Advice
Choosing frames can feel less overwhelming with a hand to guide you. At our optical boutique, we can look at your face shape and features and suggest styles that suit them.
Try-on technology in the store lets you see how different frames sit before you decide. You get a personalized fit and honest feedback, so you leave with sunglasses you feel good wearing.
Come Find Your Next Pair
Ready to find sunglasses that fit your face and your lifestyle? Book a visit with Focus West Optometry and let our team help you choose frames and lenses made for you.
