FASHION 101

How To Choose The Right Pair Of Sunglasses

Did you know that the right sunnies can create amazing optical illusions for both your face and body? Cosmo shows you how to pick wisely!
Posted on May 15, 2010 02:00 pm by Bianca Valerio, model, make-up artist, image consultant, and TV host
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. Legally Blonde 2 (Reese Witherspoon), Doc Marlon Pecjo (Bea Alonzo) and Columbia Pictures (Sarah Jessica Parker)

How To Choose The Right Pair Of Sunglasses

They say great things come in pairs. So just like the perfect-fitting pair of jeans, keep in mind these two things when buying your next pair of sunglasses: Shape and Size.

No, I wasn’t referring to your boyfriend’s buddy (as I fondly call it). Rather, consider the shape and size of BOTH your face and eyewear frames. No matter how fab a pair of shades are, if they don’t complement your face shape, you’re better off without them.

The rule of thumb is opposites attract (Face Shape vs. Frame Shape).

Here are the basic face shapes (which can also help you with proper makeup application), plus frame shape recommendations:

SQUARE: Face is angular with a strong jaw, broad forehead, and square chin.
Celebrity Pegs: Demi Moore, Rhian Ramos

Opt for round or oval frames to offset your angular facial contours.
Avoid angled or geometric frames which will only harden your facial features and may even make you look too masculine (and I don’t mean in a sexy, androgynous way).

ROUND: Face is all curved, with full cheeks and minimal angles.
Celebrity Pegs: Renee Zellweger, Heart Evangelista

We look best in square or rectangular frames, which give the illusion of higher cheekbones. Since round faces hardly have angles, your frames can provide you with the instant angles you need!
Unless you wish to look like a marshmallow, stay away from round or oval frames.

HEART: Your face is wider at the forehead and temples then narrow at the chin.
Celebrity Pegs: Iya Villania, Reese Witherspoon

I’ve seen Iya sporting cat-eye, a.k.a. sexy secretary eyewear, and it looks perfect since the pair's shape is opposite that of a heart-shaped face (narrow at the temples and wider toward the chin).
Complementing this face shape is tricky, so another option is to go rimless or semi-rimless.

OVAL: Considered to be the perfect frame canvas, this face shape can pull off almost all frames!
Celebrity Pegs: Cosmo cover girls Megan Fox and Bea Alonzo

Add more dimensions to your soft facial angles by wearing a geometric frame.

OBLONG: Your face is longer than oval but not necessarily wide.
Celebrity Pegs: Sarah Jessica Parker, Shaina Magdayao

To balance the length of your face, opt for wide frames, which give a perpendicular effect. Be careful not to wear frames wider than your face, as this will only accentuate how long your face is.

Size does matter, no matter what Jackie O or Nicole Richie may say! Unless you wish to make a fashion statement (which you can confidently carry), the size of eyewear frames must be directly proportional to the size of your face. Smaller faces call for smaller frames and vice versa.

Another tip: Frame colors are just like makeup. Warm tones like tortoise shell, gold, brown, and maroon bring out the yellow in Asian skin tone. This can enhance one’s tan or natural honey-colored skin. Cool-toned frames, on the other hand, like royal blue, purple, red, and silver, give the illusion of fairer skin or, for some, paler skin. A better move would be to color coordinate your makeup with your preferred sunnies to make your full-on ensemble a vision of perfection!

The next time you shop for some sunnies, blink your eyes and chant these three words: Shape. Size. (Plus) Color!

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5 out of 5 Number of Votes: 5 |

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Tags: color,shape,face,shades,Bianca Valerio,size,sunglasses,eyewear,sunnies

lildrops

23. If you want to have one of those pair of sunglasses.. Try to visit Sunglass Hut botique in Gateway Mall, they have some of it. Most especially in Prada, Rayban, Burberry, Bvlgary, Oakley's Dolce and Ralph. Maybe you can find your new pair of luxury sunglasses. :)
July 26, 2010 at 03:27 pm report abuse
Hardinero

20. hayz...sayang nakabili na ko ng oakley....
June 21, 2010 at 12:03 am report abuse
shivanee

19. tnx for the info
June 10, 2010 at 11:37 pm report abuse
summerinparis128

18. Thanks for the additional tips Ms. Bianca. I love wearing sunglasses and I will definitely keep that in mind. I hope we can also interact with you to score some advice about personality development. I saw you on the Cosmo Eyeball and you really turn everyone's head.
May 21, 2010 at 06:42 am report abuse
jhe_1212

17. 17. I like the last one!
May 20, 2010 at 04:54 pm report abuse
mmmanila

16. I'll wear whatever matches my mood :)
May 20, 2010 at 06:07 am report abuse
nbc

15. Why the price is not indicated?
May 19, 2010 at 10:39 pm report abuse
mary_ann_lei

14. Cosmo, Heart Evangelista is not round-faced. Judy Ann Santos, Charo Santos-Concio those are round-faced.
May 17, 2010 at 11:22 pm report abuse
BiancaValerio

13. Hi girls! Definitely, whatever you feel great in, go for it! These are just tips to help enhance your look even more and may also add or lose a few pounds on your face. If you're not sure what your face shape is, go to an eyewear specialist and they'll help you figure it our for free :-) If you don't personally favor the shape of your face, the right haircut or make-up application can help lessen or conceal that! I'll discuss those topics very soon. Let me know what you guys want me to write about alright? Whether in beauty, fashion, sex or what-have-you! I'm all ears :-)
May 16, 2010 at 03:17 pm report abuse
vandrin

12. 12. I have an oval shaped face so any frames will do... :)
May 16, 2010 at 11:48 am report abuse
flyingfish

11. im round face but can get a way with aviators ;) try all shapes and sizes
May 16, 2010 at 10:55 am report abuse
MayaGabunales

10. i can't wear sunglasses because im nahihilo everytime.
May 16, 2010 at 10:24 am report abuse
angel_love_song

9. thanks! this is so helpful! :D
May 16, 2010 at 08:11 am report abuse
myles_away

8. I go for whatever looks good on me.
May 16, 2010 at 07:04 am report abuse
lavfifth

7. i don't know my face shape..haha..wayfarer's great..aviators are endless too..
May 16, 2010 at 02:36 am report abuse
kgtiu87

6. I'm always confused whether I'm oval-shaped or round-shaped. Oh well, whatever look good on me anyway.
May 16, 2010 at 12:53 am report abuse
sexy_lola

5. very few options for me I'm heart shaped
May 16, 2010 at 12:48 am report abuse
princessvhie

4. wow! thanks for giving me an idea on what sunglass will suit me.:)
May 15, 2010 at 06:49 pm report abuse
zyramae_12

3. I got a lot of ray ban shades with an angular shape because that's the best sunglasses that fits me cause my face is round
May 15, 2010 at 05:31 pm report abuse
iamjaezel011409

2. Cat-eye! I wanna try this sunnies.
May 15, 2010 at 03:04 pm report abuse
summerinparis128

1. Shape and Size.i will definitely keep that in mind! :)
May 15, 2010 at 02:41 pm report abuse