Whether it is lusting over that new Christian Dior style or picking that fun pair off the rack at the local discount store, sunglasses are not only a great way to protect your eyes but a fashionable way to show off your individual style. When you are able to find a frame you love that compliments your face; you have found a winning pair.
According to the Vision Council of America, there are three main points to consider when choosing frames:
* The frame shape should contrast with the face shape
* The frame size should be in scale with the face size
* Eyewear should repeat your best personal feature (like blue frames to match blue eyes)
Most faces are a combination of shapes and angles and will not fit perfectly into a basic shape, so pick the one your features most strongly resemble and run with it. If you do not know your face shape, you can better see it by pulling back your hair and looking in a mirror. Outline your face with a bar of soap, light lipstick, or a washable eye pencil. Look at the shape you drew. Is it more of a circle, oval, rectangle, heart, diamond, or triangle? If you are still having a hard time seeing your shape, ask a friend what she sees.
Oval
The oval face is considered to be the “ideal” shape because it generally has very balanced proportions. The shape is generally in near perfect alignment, so most any style will be flattering. It is still important to keep proportion in mind, so be sure you choose smaller frames for a smaller face and larger frames for a larger face. Let your personal style dictate what you choose. For a bit of contrast, consider a more angular shape versus a rounder one.
Round
Round faces have curving lines with the length and width in the same proportions. The round face is mostly circular without angles. To contrast the shape, rectangular styles work best to add some angles. Choose a pair that is no wider than the widest part of your face and is wider than it is deep. Dark colors will also help to downplay the roundness, but avoid frames with embellishments at the edges. Those rhinestone flowers you thought were so cute in the corners will draw the eye to the edge and actually make your face appear wider.
Oblong
This face shape is longer than it is wide with long lines along the cheeks. The goal here is to make the face appear shorter than it actually is. Try to avoid rectangular frames and opt for a more square shape instead. Frames with depth in the length instead of the width will help the face appear shorter. If you are trying to minimize a long nose, try a frame with a lower bridge.
Diamond
Although this is the most uncommon of face shapes, it is often the most striking. Diamond faces have narrow foreheads and chins with high, dramatic cheekbones. For a flattering fit, try square, oval or rimless frames. Styles with detailed or distinctive brow lines can be especially fun and flattering.
Square
A square face has a strong jaw line and a wide forehead with strong angles for both. It is nearly as wide as it is long. To make your face appear thinner and longer, look for narrow frames with more width than depth. To contrast angles at the same time, try narrow ovals. Delicate styles can soften harsher features
Rectangle
Similar to the square, the rectangle face has strong angles but is longer than it is wide. Soften angles the same way by adding a curvy frame rather than a more square one. A style with top-to-bottom depth, like aviators, can help the face look shorter. Another consideration is a wider, more circular frame.
Triangle
With a narrow forehead and wider cheekbones, it is more flattering to dray the attention upward. Look for a style that is wider or embellished at the top, cat-eye can be especially fun. Another style to try is a rimless bottom.
Heart
This shape is characterized by a wide forehead and a narrow chin. Avoid dark heavy frames or aviators since these will only enhance the width. Instead, opt for a light color or rimless style in narrow oval or rectangle. A softly curved wraparound style can also minimize the curves.
For all shapes, keep the size of your face in mind. Putting a large frame on a small face or small on a large one is very unflattering, even if the shape is otherwise suitable. Try to stay within the natural boundaries of your face by choosing a frame that does not extend past the widest part of your face.
Another element to keep in mind when selecting sunglasses is color. If you have a cool skin tone looks best in cool colors. Consider blues, pinks, plums, magentas, tortoise, and black. Warmer skin tomes are more flattered buy golds, coppers, oranges, and off whites. For a more dramatic look, try bright red.
No matter what your skin tone or face shape, there are thousands of styles of sunglasses on the market ranging from your local drugstore to styles by designers like Hugo Boss, Gucci, Fendi, Chanel, Emporio Armani, Prada, Christian Dior and others. So if you whether you are trying to match that fabulous new outfit, shoe off your chic style with your favorite designer, or just shading your eyes while playing with your kids at the park, by following a few simple suggestions, you can find a great pair of sunglasses that are as flattering as they are fun.