Round face

CHOOSE WAYFARERS OR SQUARE FRAMES

If the width and length of your face are relatively the same, you sit within the round category. Therefore angular lines, which will enhance the soft roundness of your profile and add definition (in other words, faux cheekbones), are your best friend. Cue square sunglasses or classic wayfarers – the latter being a cult style, largely thanks to Ray-Ban. 

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Square face

CHOOSE ROUND OR AVIATOR SUNGLASSES

What constitutes a square face shape? A defined jawline and broad forehead. Think Rihanna, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Aniston. The key here is to soften your profile and apply a rule of contrast with curved-edge frames to balance angular lines and relax the overall silhouette. The larger your face, the larger your sunglasses should be – and make sure they extend beyond the widest part of your face, too.

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Heart-shaped face

CHOOSE CAT-EYE STYLES

Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead but narrower at the chin. In this case, you want to find frames that mimic this outline, which is why cat-eye sunglasses are the ultimate choice for this face shape. Be careful with proportion here, though: if you have small, delicate features, a larger, more dramatic frame will drown them and vice versa.

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Long face

CHOOSE CHUNKY, RECTANGULAR FRAMES

Long faces are slender, usually with high cheekbones and an elongated forehead. Gisele Bündchen, Victoria Beckham and Meryl Streep all fall within this category, which is said to be the most regal of all. Enter chunky, rectangular frames that will contrast the narrow length of the face by drawing the eye laterally and making it appear shorter. If in doubt, just apply the rule that bigger is better in this case.  

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Oval face

CHOOSE ANY STYLE

Oval faces tend to be described as long and thin, with a chin slightly narrower than the forehead. If this is you, you’re the luckiest of the bunch when it comes to picking sunglasses. Wayfarers, 1960s-style round frames, aviators, dramatic cat-eyes – you can experiment with every trend as anything goes for this profile. Just make sure you pay attention to sizing and proportion. If your face is small, match the frame to that – likewise if it’s larger, then opt for more oversized designs.

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Illustrations by Jason Brooks - Folio Art, exclusively for Next  // @jasonbrooksart

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