Sunglasses are every girl’s essential summer accessory, for practical reasons like hiding that sunny glare on the beach, secretly checking out that hottie on the boardwalk, masking your I-just-rolled-out-of-bed look, or looking super #trendy while out and about. Whatever your reason, your shades accompany you everywhere, so it’s important to have the right ones for your face shape — and HC has consulted the pros to find out which ones work best for you!
Heart-Shaped Face
Broad forehead and higher, defined cheekbones that taper into a small chin.
For a heart-shaped face, fashion stylist Elizabeth Kamm recommends thin frames, like wire ones, which she says, “balance the face very well and draw focus to the cheekbones, rather than overwhelming and hiding them.” To avoid narrowing the jaw and chin and exaggerating the top of the face, Kamm suggests staying away from very round styles — instead, bottom-heavy frame shapes such as aviators will help add width to the lower half of the face.
Get The Look:
Icon Eyewear ‘Helen’ Aviator Sunglasses, $12, Nordstrom
Vintage Tinted Aviator Sunglasses, $17, Etsy.com
Jeepers Peepers Aviator Sunglasses, $33, Asos.com
MARC by Marc Jacobs Thin Square Plastic Sunglasses, $98, Bergdorf Goodman
Oblong Face
Narrow, longer face with a tall forehead.
Wider, oversized frames are perfect for those with an oblong face shape, as they help break up the length of the face. Adorned temples not only add interest to the look, according to celebrity stylist Colin McDonald, but also add width to the face. Kamm notes that styles that are turned up in the corner, such as cat-eye shades, put width above the eyes — and they’re super glamorous, so they can be dressed up or down!
Get The Look:
Retro Sunglasses, $6.95, H&M
Oversized Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $15.50, American Eagle
Primrose Oversized Sunglasses, $32, Topshop
Steve Madden Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $36, Victoria’s Secret
Round Face
Full cheeks with a circular face shape and rounded chin.
Contrast a soft jawline and create flattering angles with angular or geometric sunglasses, which Kamm says are “really cool right now.” This style will help draw the eye up, which gives the illusion of narrowing the forehead.
Get The Look:
Pentagon Frame Sunglasses, $9.99, Urban Outfitters
Super Cat-Eye High-Pointed Sunglasses, $9.99, Amazon.com
Jeepers Peepers Square Neon Sunglasses, $29.10, Asos.com
Vogue 4 Sunglasses, $45, American Apparel
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Square Face
Strong jawline and angular face.
The wrong shape of sunglasses will give a square face too harsh a look, Kamm warns. Aviators may help soften a strong jawline, as do slightly upturned oval frames. Round shades as seen on celebrities like Lady Gaga, Johnny Depp and the Olsen Twins, which McDonald says have “made their way back into contemporary fashion,” also contrast well against angular faces. Time to get trendy!
Get The Look:
Specs in the City Neutral Sunglasses, $9, LuLu’s
Leopard Rounded Sunglasses, $12.50, Romwe.com
With Love From CA Aviator Sunglasses, $14.50, Pacsun
Round Plastic Sunglasses, $24, Free People
Oval Face
High cheekbones with a forehead and chin narrower than the cheeks.
Wayfarers and cat-eye styles are great for oval faces, because “the geometric shape of the sunglasses against the oval is very pleasing to the eye as it creates symmetry,” Kamm explains. With wayfarers being a classic and cat-eyed styles coming back into the style spotlight, you can’t go wrong this season!
Get The Look:
Xhilaration Red Tartan Plaid Sunglasses, $12.99, Target
Cesia Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $16.90, ShopAkira.com
Floral Etched Sunglasses, $24, Free People
Polka Dot Loren Shades, 40, NastyGal.com
Diamond-Shaped Face
Angular face with distinct cheekbones, small forehead and chin.
Look for oval-shaped shades that are slightly turned up at the corner and extend about a quarter inch beyond your face right by your eye. “This look will broaden you from the brow up,” Kamm says. “The round bottom of the sunglasses should be slightly curved, hitting halfway on the apple of your cheeks.”
Get The Look:
Richie Sunnies, $24, Free People
Small Plastic Oval Sunglasses, $32, Topshop
Wood Effect Sunglasses, $32, Warehouse
Pin-Up Shades, $50, Madewell
No need to be shady — what shades are you rocking this summer?