How to Choose Sunglasses for Your Face Shape: An Easy Guide for Australia

The right pair of sunglasses can lift a simple outfit, frame your face and make long summer days far more comfortable. But with cat eye, oval, square, round and rimless styles to choose from, it is easy to end up with a pair that never quite feels right. This guide walks you through how to choose sunglasses for your face shape, how to get the size right, and what UV400 and lens categories mean here in Australia.

1. Find your face shape

Pull your hair back, stand in front of a mirror and look at three things: the width of your forehead, your cheekbones and your jawline, and how long your face is compared with how wide it is.

• Round: soft curves, full cheeks, and a face about as long as it is wide.
• Oval: slightly longer than wide, with a gently rounded jaw and balanced proportions.
• Square: a strong, angular jaw with forehead, cheekbones and jaw all about the same width.
• Heart: a wider forehead that narrows to a smaller, pointed chin.
• Long: noticeably longer than wide, with a straight cheek line.
• Diamond: wide cheekbones with a narrower forehead and jaw.

2. The best sunglasses for each face shape

The simplest rule is contrast: choose frames that are the opposite of your face shape, so angular frames for soft faces and softer frames for angular faces.

• Sunglasses for a round face: square, rectangle and geometric frames add definition. A bold black square pair like the Marbella or the Portofino with chain link temples sharpens your features.
• Oval face: lucky you, almost every shape works. Keep the frame about as wide as the widest part of your face and have fun with cat eye or retro oval styles such as the Tulum or the Capri.
• Square face: soften a strong jaw with oval, round or rimless frames. The small oval Sorrento or the light, rimless Santorini are good places to start.
• Heart face: balance a wider forehead with light frames that do not add width at the top. Rimless styles like the Cannes and soft cat eye shapes look natural.
• Long face: deeper lenses and wider frames help shorten the face visually. Look for bold square shapes and details on the temples that add width.
• Diamond face: cat eye and oval frames highlight your cheekbones, while rimless designs keep the look light. Try the angled lenses of the Palma.

3. Get the size right

Even the right shape looks wrong if the size is off. A few quick checks:

• Width: the frame should be about as wide as your face, with no gap at the sides and no pinching at the temples.
• Brows: your eyebrows should sit just above the top of the frame, not hidden behind it.
• Cheeks: when you smile, the frame should not lift off your nose or press into your cheeks.
• Measurements: many frames list three numbers, such as 49, 23 and 132. These are the lens width, the bridge width and the temple length in millimetres. Compare them with a pair you already love.

Small faces often suit compact styles like the Mykonos, while larger faces can carry bold square frames with ease.

4. What UV400 and lens categories mean in Australia

Style matters, but in the strong Australian sun, the lens matters more. Here is what to look for:

• UV400: lenses that filter ultraviolet light with wavelengths up to 400 nanometres, which covers both UVA and UVB rays.
• Lens category: in Australia, sunglasses and fashion spectacles are covered by a mandatory safety standard, and each pair is labelled with a lens category from 0 to 4.

• Category 0 and 1: fashion spectacles, not sunglasses. They are made for style and offer little glare reduction. Category 1 is not suitable for driving at night.
• Category 2: sunglasses with medium glare reduction and good UV protection, great for everyday wear.
• Category 3: sunglasses with high glare reduction and good UV protection, ideal for the beach and bright summer days.
• Category 4: special purpose sunglasses with very high glare reduction. They are not suitable for driving.

You can read more about the standard on the Product Safety Australia website. At Marliva, every product page lists the lens details, so you always know what you are buying.

5. Choose your lens colour

• Grey: keeps colours true and is the most neutral choice for everyday wear.
• Brown: adds warmth and contrast, and looks lovely with tortoiseshell and gold frames.
• Gradient: darker at the top and lighter at the bottom, so you can still see your phone screen or a menu clearly.
• Polarised: cuts reflected glare from water and wet roads. Polarisation is not the same as UV protection, so check for both if you need them.

6. Match your sunglasses to your style

Think about where you will wear them most. Tortoiseshell and gold tones suit warm colours, linen and gold jewellery, while black frames go with everything from a white tee to a little black dress. For beach days, pair your sunglasses with a straw hat and a pair of gold hoop earrings. For long lunches and weddings, a cat eye or oval frame adds a polished, retro touch. Looking for an outfit to go with them? Our guide on how to style a midi or maxi dress has plenty of ideas.

7. Look after your sunglasses

• Keep them in a case when they are not on your face, not loose in your bag.
• Rinse off sand and salt water with fresh water, then dry with a soft microfibre cloth.
• Avoid paper towels and clothing, which can scratch the lenses.
• Do not leave them on the car dashboard, where heat can warp the frame.
• Pushing sunglasses up onto your head stretches the arms over time, so hang them on your top instead.

Find your next pair

Ready to choose? Browse our women's sunglasses for cat eye, oval, square, round and rimless styles, many with UV400 lenses. Every order ships free across Australia.

Not sure which frame suits you? Email us at support@marliva.com and we will help you choose.