Designer sunglasses are made specifically to suit an individual face shape, hair colour and skin tone. The designers' world is all about subtle colour and shape changes that elevate a basic shape into something quite stunning and desirable. A great example is the ever-popular aviator shaped sunglasses. This deep based lens looks heavy and dominating on most faces until you replace the solid lens tint with a gradient tint. Instantly the lens looks softer and less imposing. Such a subtle change is one of many features will are going to cover below to ensure you bag that perfect pair! 

1. What is a face shape?

First, let's talk about what a face shape is. So, your face shape is as obvious as it sounds. The shape of your face. 

The proportions of your face change what shape your face is. Your forehead might be wider than your jawline, or they could be the same width. This is going to change the imaginary shape you can draw within your face. 

It is really important to not feel self-conscious about your face shape. It isn't something to worry about. What is important, is to understand what face shape you have, so you can choose your sunglasses better. Why? Well, let's talk about that now. 

2. Why is knowing your face shape important?

Have you ever looked at someone wearing sunglasses and thought, "they don't look quite right"? We sure have. 

Well, this is normally where the person has gone for a style they love, but one that doesn't match their face shape. Therefore, this accentuates parts of the face they'd benefit from softening. 

For example, you might have a square face. Therefore, you want rounder shapes and softer angles in your sunglasses. This balances out your face shape. If you go for something like an aviator, this will pull your face shape down and those sunglasses might not look as if they suit you. 

3. How do you know the shape of your face? 

So, how do you figure out what face shape you have? 

The answer is, with a little bit of deliberation. A lot of the time, it isn't obvious. It might take a little time. 

First, you want to see your face front on. So either stand in front of a mirror or just take a selfie (we find this one so much easier). 

Then, look at your face in that photo, or mirror. Look at the top of your forehead, the side of your forehead, your cheekbones, your jawline and your chin. How do these seem to connect? 

You face will fit into a round, oval, square, heart or triangle shape. Sometimes you may have a mixture of two. But, mostly, you'll have one distinct face shape. 

Face Shape Cheat Sheet

Wide cheekbones: If your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you probably have a round face.

Wide Forehead: If your forehead the widest part of your face, you probably have an oval face. 

Strong Jawline: If you have a really strong jawline, your face shape is probably square.

Jawline comes to a point: If your jawline comes to a point then you probably have a heart shape.

Use this as a starting point. We will delve deeper into this in our next section! 

After looking, and thinking you have finally got your answer, it is probably best to ask friends and/or family for their opinions too. It might take drawing on the photo you take (or the mirror) to get a better idea of what shape your face is. 

4. What Face Shape do I have? And, what sunglasses suit my face shape? 

Ok, so now we are probably at the part that you really want to read. The part we put everything together and work out what shape sunglasses you should choose. 

We will go into each face shape and state the characteristics and expand on our cheat sheet. This should help you really nail down your initial thoughts. We will also let you know what shape sunglasses will really compliment your face.