It happened again: you were excited about ordering a new pair of sunglasses, only to realize they’re too big when they arrived.
Finding the right pair doesn’t have to take several attempts; the key is knowing which size and style work best for you.
There are plenty of great sunglasses for small faces in lots of different styles. Let’s get into the top picks!
At a Glance
This post will help you understand which sunglasses suit small faces. It covers shapes and styles, plus sizing tips. You can also see examples of dos and don’ts to better understand which styles to avoid if you have a smaller face.
| Key Fact | Details |
| Products reviewed | 4 pairs of sunglasses |
| Brands featured | Tory Burch, Ray-Ban, Miu Miu, Modo |
| Styles covered | Oval, round, rectangular, geometric |
| Best for | Daily wear and vacation |
| Frame materials | Metal and acetate |
| Prescription compatible | Most models can be fitted with prescription lenses |
| Price range | $130-$370 |
| Who this guide is for | Shoppers with small faces looking for suitable sunglasses. |
Size Matters
Finding the right size sunglasses can be harder than it seems at first. It might sound obvious, but there are entire Reddit threads dedicated to people who have bought the wrong size of sunglasses.
Typically, small sunglasses have a lens width of 50mm or less, and they have a temple length of around 140mm.
Although brands and models vary, it’s a good idea to measure your face to see which sunglasses work best with your proportions.
EZContacts has a filter on the left-hand side of the search page that lets you filter sunglasses for small faces (there’s even an extra small option).
Once you select a particular pair, you can check the sizes available in the drop-down menu.
General Small Sunglasses Tips
Sunglasses for small faces should enhance your features, not overpower them. Generally, medium to small frames will suit you best and show off your bone structure.
It doesn’t mean you can’t rock oversized shades. But if the lenses take up half your face, cover your eyebrows, and reach the end of your nose, they’re likely too big. Instead, opt for a square lens or Jackie O-style sunglasses that are glamorously oversized while still being in proportion to your face size.
If your sunglasses also stick out too far to the sides of your face, it’s not a great look. It can make it seem like they are too wide. Some styles, such as horn-rimmed glasses, are intentionally designed to extend slightly beyond the face. But a good rule of thumb is that the frame should line up with the edge of your face.
For example, look at the woman below. The shades are too wide and reach too far down her face. This makes her face look even smaller, while the sunglasses look huge!
To make sure your shades aren’t too small, make sure the temples reach the edges of your face. If your sunglasses aren’t wide enough, they risk looking like children’s glasses!
The woman below has got it right. The sunglasses feature flattering frames, and the lenses aren’t too big.
Thick frames aren’t always flattering on small faces because they become the main focal point; instead of complementing your face, they take it over.
The woman below is an example of how thick acetate frames aren’t always the best option. They look bold, but the proportions don’t suit her small face.
This is an example of round oversized sunglasses that just look too overpowering. They cover her eyebrows and most of her face. Smaller rounded sunglasses would have looked more flattering.
Celebrities With Small Faces
Selena Gomez
The famous singer-turned-beauty mogul has a petite, rounded face shape. A quick Google search will show you how good oval and round sunglasses look on her. They don’t overwhelm her features; instead, they bring out her gorgeous hair.
Zendaya
The actress has a small face, and she is a bit of a chameleon who can pull off lots of hairstyles and sunglasses. She suits rectangular sunglasses the best as they don’t overpower her face like aviators or oversized styles.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé looks good in just about anything! But even though she seems to love oversized sunglasses, in all honesty, sometimes they overpower her petite face. Slim rectangular, oval, and round sunglasses, on the other hand, work wonders and bring out her bone structure.
Scarlett Johansson
The actress has a small heart-shaped face, and she’s a good example of a smaller face that looks great in aviator sunglasses. She also suits cat-eye shapes well. Her style shows that the key to choosing sunglasses isn’t just finding a frame that fits your face size. It’s also about choosing a shape that complements your features well.
Styles of Sunglasses for Small Faces
Once you have the perfect size nailed down, the next step is figuring out which style works for your particular small face. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s also about your face shape, your features, and your preferences.
Oval Sunglasses
Oval sunglasses are the contemporary, cool cousin of round shades. They have that Y2K feel, so it’s no wonder they’re a hit with it-girls like Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber.
This shape suits smaller faces. They work especially well for narrow faces because the focus is on the width of your face. They balance out your proportions and don’t take over your face.
If you have a heart-shaped or rectangular face, this style will also suit you.
Looking for oval sunglasses to try? The Tory Burch oval sunglasses come in four different colors, and the gold pair is extra glamorous. The shape and size make them perfect sunglasses for smaller faces.
Round Sunglasses
If you have a petite face, opt for smaller round sunglasses rather than an oversized style. Metal frames are perfect for adding a modern touch without overwhelming your face. Thick, acetate, round frames, on the other hand, may not be as flattering.
These round Ray-Bans are timeless and look good with just about everything. The classic shape and subtle design won’t dominate your small face.
Rectangular Sunglasses
Rectangular sunglasses balance out the width of your face, similar to oval shades. Narrow styles suit smaller faces best and look sleek.
They work especially well on round and oval face shapes because they add some angles to the curves of your face.
These Miu Miu rectangular shades are perfect for petite faces. The minimalist frame is chic, while the shape adds some style points to your outfit.
Aviator Sunglasses
The right aviators can complement your face. The key is to find a pair with smaller lenses. Metal frames are the way to go, and you can also opt for a mirror or tinted lens to add some interest.
This style suits square, oval, and heart-shaped faces well because the teardrop shape balances out your bone structure.
These Modo sunglasses come in a small size and five sleek colorways. The contemporary geometric shape adds a fun twist to an otherwise classic style.
Styles You May Want to Avoid
Square Sunglasses
Square sunglasses are wider and just generally bigger than styles such as oval and round sunglasses. While they suit a variety of face shapes, their proportions can overwhelm smaller faces.
The frames typically end up sitting too far down your cheeks, and sometimes, square sunglasses may appear too wide for your face. This can make them stick out at the edges, which isn’t flattering.
An alternative:
Rectangular sunglasses are perfect if you want to add some edges to the curves of your face but don’t want them to take over your entire face. Choose an acetate pair for a modern look.
Oversized Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Cat-eye sunglasses can work with small heart-shaped faces, as shown by Scarlett Johansson and Penélope Cruz. However, oversized cat-eye shades with thick frames can end up looking a bit ‘cartoony.’ The proportions can make your face look smaller, which isn’t likely what you want.
An alternative:
Sleek, slimline cat-eye sunglasses, or those with a metal frame, often look better on smaller faces than huge cat-eye frames. Or, if you can’t find a pair you like, oval sunglasses are the next best thing since they’re feminine and cool without looking distracting.
Mask or ‘Bug-Eye’ Sunglasses
Mask-shaped sunglasses have been a big hit in the last few years, and they’ve even been reinvented as ‘bug-eye’ sunglasses. While these styles are fun, stylish, and can provide great protection from UV rays, they are often just too big for small faces.
The shape is super oversized, meaning they often cover half your face (or more). This could include your eyebrows, cheeks, and much of your nose. So if you have a small face, they can make you look like more sunglasses than actual face! Just take a look at Kim Kardashian or Beyoncé in these styles; they look a bit ‘much’ at times.
While they can pull it off as celebrities who want anonymity from the public, the rest of us may not get away with it.
An alternative:
Instead of huge mask sunglasses, opt for a pair of thinner wrap-around sunglasses. They are especially ideal if you play outdoor sports or have a sporty sense of style.
Try Before You Buy
If you’re worried that your favorite sunglasses won’t fit, try them on in-store before you commit (you can always order them online cheaper afterward).
Don’t want to leave your house? EZContacts has implemented a genius virtual try-on tool called Fittingbox. This app lets you snap or upload a photo of yourself and virtually try on sunglasses. It’s really useful for seeing if a particular shape and style suits your smaller face. Using this app, you can try several pairs and see which one flatters you most!
FAQS
Why do sunglasses always look so big on my face?
You may be buying the wrong size and fit for your face, which is why they look too big. Be sure to check the measurements and try them on in person or virtually.
If I have a small face, can I wear oversized sunglasses?
Yes! But there is good oversized and bad oversized. If you get it right, you’ll get that stylish JLo or Paris Hilton circa 2002 look. The flip side is that if they’re too big, they will just look out of proportion and swallow up your face or slide down your nose.
Do square sunglasses suit small faces?
In general, small faces work well with curved sunglasses such as oval and round styles. Square sunglasses can work with some small faces (especially if you have a rounded small face) as they add some angles. But if they seem too big, try rectangular styles instead.
Should I avoid thick frames with a small face?
Generally, smaller faces suit thinner frames and metal frames well because they don’t overwhelm your features. Thick acetate frames can still look stylish, but it’s best to try on a few models to see what works.
TL;DR
Sunglasses for smaller faces can balance out your proportions and features. The key is finding a pair that complements your face rather than overwhelming it.
- Generally, small sunglasses feature a lens width of 50mm or less, and they have a temple length of around 140mm.
- You can often filter online results by size, which helps narrow down your options.
- Opt for thinner frames and medium to small lenses rather than oversized styles with chunky frames, as they could overpower your face.
- A good general tip is to make sure the sunglasses’ edges reach the edges of your face, and that the lenses don’t sit too far down your nose.
- Some flattering styles include oval, round, rectangular, and aviator sunglasses.
- Take a look at celebrities with small faces for inspiration. Some examples are Selena Gomez, Zendaya, Scarlett Johansson, and Beyoncé.
- Try sunglasses on in-store or virtually to ensure they suit your face shape and size.
