Face Shape Guide: Finding Sunglasses That Fit and Flatter
The right sunglasses do more than protect your eyes — they balance your proportions, highlight your features, and feel like they were made for you. As a family-owned business fitting Australians since 1985, with stores across Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Western Australia, our team has learned that face shape is the single most useful starting point. This guide walks you through identifying your face shape and matching it to frame styles that work.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
You need a mirror, good lighting, and two minutes. Pull your hair back. Look straight ahead.
Measure four key points:
- Forehead width: Across the widest point, usually halfway between eyebrows and hairline
- Cheekbone width: Across the widest point, usually just below the outer corner of each eye
- Jawline width: From the tip of your chin to the point below each ear where the jaw angles upward. Multiply by two.
- Face length: From centre of hairline to tip of chin
Compare the measurements:
| Face Shape | Forehead | Cheekbones | Jawline | Face Length | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oval | Slightly wider than jawline | Widest | Narrower than forehead | > width | Balanced proportions, gently rounded |
| Round | Similar to cheekbones | Widest | Similar to forehead | ≈ width | Soft curves, no sharp angles |
| Square | Similar to cheekbones | Similar to forehead | Similar to forehead | ≈ width | Strong angles, defined jaw |
| Heart | Widest | Narrower than forehead | Narrowest, pointed chin | > width | Wide forehead, narrow chin |
| Diamond | Narrow | Widest | Narrow, pointed chin | > width | Narrow forehead and jaw, wide cheekbones |
| Oblong/Rectangle | Similar to cheekbones | Similar to forehead | Similar to forehead | > width | Long face, straight sides |
Still unsure? Visit any BrightEyes store. Our team identifies face shapes daily and can confirm yours in seconds — no appointment, no obligation.
Frame Principles by Face Shape
The guiding principle: contrast balances. Angular frames soften round faces. Rounded frames soften angular faces. Wide frames widen narrow faces. Narrow frames narrow wide faces.
Oval Face — The Versatile Canvas
Characteristics: Face length greater than width; forehead slightly wider than jawline; gently rounded chin.
Why it works: Oval faces suit almost any frame shape. The balanced proportions mean you can experiment.
Best frame styles:
- Aviators — classic proportion, follows brow line
- Square — adds structure without overwhelming
- Cat-eye — lifts and accentuates cheekbones
- Round — vintage contrast, softens any residual angles
- Oversized — dramatic, fashion-forward
- Hexagonal — modern edge
Frames to approach with caution: Extremely narrow frames that make the face appear longer.
BrightEyes picks: Ray-Ban Aviator and Wayfarer styles, Prada aviators, Maui Jim Peahi, Oakley Holbrook.
Round Face — Add Definition
Characteristics: Face width and length approximately equal; soft curves; full cheeks; rounded chin; minimal angles.
Goal: Add structure, create the illusion of length, define cheekbones.
Best frame styles:
- Rectangular / Square — strong horizontal and vertical lines contrast soft curves
- Wayfarer — angular corners, slight width
- Browline / Clubmaster — strong upper frame draws eye upward
- Geometric — hexagon, octagon for defined edges
- Cat-eye — upswept corners lift and elongate
- Wrap styles with angular lenses — sport options with structure
Frames to avoid: Round frames (amplify roundness), small frames (get lost), oversized rounds (overwhelm).
BrightEyes picks: Ray-Ban RB2132 New Wayfarer, Oakley Sutro, Prada PR17ZS, Maui Jim Koki, Persol options.
Square Face — Soften the Angles
Characteristics: Forehead, cheekbones, and jawline similar width; strong defined jaw; angular chin; face width and length approximately equal.
Goal: Soften the jawline, add curves, create balance.
Best frame styles:
- Round — pure curves contrast strong angles
- Oval — gentle elongation, soft lines
- Aviator — teardrop shape softens jawline
- Cat-eye — upswept corners lift and feminise
- Browline — emphasis on upper frame balances strong jaw
- Butterfly — wide, curved, glamorous
Frames to avoid: Square/rectangular frames (echo jawline), narrow frames (emphasise width), heavy bottom rims (pull eye to jaw).
BrightEyes picks: Ray-Ban RB3447 Round Metal, Maui Jim Stillwater, Prada round styles, Serengeti Velocity, Oliver Peoples round styles.
Heart Face — Balance the Forehead
Characteristics: Forehead widest; cheekbones narrower; jawline narrow; chin pointed.
Goal: Draw attention downward, widen lower face, soften forehead width.
Best frame styles:
- Aviator — wider bottom, narrow top balances proportions
- Cat-eye — upswept corners add width at cheek level
- Round / Oval — curves soften pointed chin
- Rimless / Semi-rimless — minimal upper frame reduces forehead emphasis
- Butterfly — wide lower lens balances narrow chin
- Light-coloured or transparent frames — reduce visual weight at top
Frames to avoid: Heavy browline frames (emphasise forehead), oversized frames that extend past temples (widen forehead further), strong top-heavy designs.
BrightEyes picks: Ray-Ban RB3025 Aviator, Maui Jim Wiki Wiki, Prada PR09ZS, Versace VE4361, Persol options.
Diamond Face — Highlight the Eyes
Characteristics: Narrow forehead; wide cheekbones (widest point); narrow jawline; pointed chin.
Goal: Soften cheekbone width, draw attention to eyes, balance narrow forehead and chin.
Best frame styles:
- Oval — follows natural contour, balances proportions
- Cat-eye — upswept corners mirror cheekbone line
- Rimless / Semi-rimless — minimal frame, maximum eye focus
- Oval aviator — softer teardrop than classic
- Browline — strong upper frame balances narrow forehead
- Geometric with rounded edges — structure without severity
Frames to avoid: Narrow frames (emphasise cheekbone width), heavy bottom rims (pull eye to narrow chin), oversized squares (overwhelm narrow forehead/chin).
BrightEyes picks: Maui Jim Banyans, Ray-Ban RB3548N Hexagonal, Prada oval styles, Serengeti options, Oliver Peoples oval styles.
Oblong / Rectangle Face — Add Width
Characteristics: Face length noticeably greater than width; forehead, cheekbones, jawline similar width; straight sides.
Goal: Create illusion of width, break up vertical length.
Best frame styles:
- Oversized — horizontal emphasis shortens apparent length
- Aviator — wide teardrop adds width at mid-face
- Wayfarer / Square with depth — tall lenses break vertical line
- Round — curves contrast straight sides
- Cat-eye — upswept corners add horizontal dimension
- Decorated temples — detail at sides draws eye horizontally
Frames to avoid: Narrow frames (emphasise length), small frames (get lost), very round frames (can exaggerate length if too small).
BrightEyes picks: Ray-Ban RB4171 Erika, Maui Jim Hula, Prada oversized styles, Oakley Frogskins, Versace oversized styles.
Frame Fit: Beyond Shape
Face shape guides style. Fit determines comfort and optical performance.
Three fit checks:
- Bridge fit: Frame should rest comfortably on nose bridge without pinching or sliding. Asian-fit / low-bridge options available for Ray-Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim, Prada.
- Temple length: Temples should extend straight back to ear, curve gently over ear. Standard 135–145 mm; longer available.
- Frame width: Frame should align with temple width — not significantly narrower or wider than face at temples.
Lens position: Optical centre should align with pupil. Frames that sit too high or low induce prismatic distortion, causing eye strain.
BrightEyes fitting service: Free lifetime adjustments at every BrightEyes store across Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. We adjust nose pads, temple tips, frame alignment, and verify optical centre. No appointment. No purchase required for adjustments on BrightEyes-purchased frames.
Special Considerations
Prescription Lenses
High prescriptions (above ±4.00) benefit from:
- Smaller lens sizes — reduces edge thickness
- Round/oval shapes — minimises peripheral distortion
- High-index materials — thinner, lighter
- Aspheric designs — flatter profile, less magnification/minification
BrightEyes does not fill prescriptions but refers to trusted optical partners who specialise in prescription sunglass lenses for Ray-Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim, and other brands.
Progressive / Multifocal Wearers
- Deeper lens shapes (aviator, oversized, wrap) provide larger reading zones
- Avoid shallow cat-eye or small rounds — insufficient vertical height for corridor
- Frame fit critical — pantoscopic tilt and vertex distance affect corridor placement
Sport and Active Use
- Wrap frames — peripheral protection, secure fit
- Grip features — Unobtainium (Oakley), Megol (Smith), hydrophilic rubber
- Interchangeable lenses — adapt to light conditions
- Impact-rated — ANSI Z87.1 or AS/NZS 1337 for high-velocity impact
Quick Reference: Face Shape to Frame Style
| Face Shape | Top 3 Styles | Also Works | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oval | Aviator, Wayfarer, Cat-eye | Almost everything | Extremely narrow |
| Round | Rectangular, Wayfarer, Browline | Geometric, Cat-eye, Angular wrap | Round, Small, Oversized round |
| Square | Round, Oval, Aviator | Cat-eye, Browline, Butterfly | Square, Rectangular, Narrow |
| Heart | Aviator, Cat-eye, Round | Oval, Rimless, Butterfly | Heavy browline, Oversized wide |
| Diamond | Oval, Cat-eye, Rimless | Oval aviator, Browline, Soft geometric | Narrow, Heavy bottom rim |
| Oblong | Oversized, Aviator, Deep Wayfarer | Round, Cat-eye, Decorated temples | Narrow, Small, Shallow round |
BrightEyes In-Store Experience
Face shape is a starting point. Personal style, lifestyle, prescription needs, and fit preferences all matter. Our stores carry over 10,000 styles across 100+ brands.
What to expect in store:
- Consultation — we ask about use case, style preference, current frames
- Face shape assessment — quick, expert, no pressure
- Curated selection — 5–8 frames pulled based on your profile
- Fitting — each frame adjusted on you; optical centre verified
- Decision support — honest feedback, no commission bias
- Aftercare — free adjustments for life of the frame
Cannot visit? Use our Store Finder for locations across Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Or call 1800 178 251 for phone guidance.