Sunglasses for a heart-shaped face: the shapes that bring balance

Short answer: The best sunglasses for a heart-shaped face are light at the top and soft in shape: round, oval and aviator frames, thin or light-coloured rims and lenses that are a little wider at the bottom. Keep the frame about as wide as your forehead – not wider. Avoid heavy browline frames, chunky or decorated top rims and very wide oversized shapes, which all add weight where your face is already widest. Among our frames, the round Vang in recycled metal, the aviator Lai and the oval Dahl are the easiest matches.

How to tell if you have a heart-shaped face

Pull your hair back, look straight into a mirror and trace the outline of your face. A heart-shaped face – sometimes called an inverted triangle – usually shows these signs:

• The forehead is the widest part. The temples and forehead are wider than the jaw, and the cheekbones are often broad too.
• The face narrows towards the chin. The jawline tapers to a smaller, sometimes slightly pointed chin.
• Often a widow's peak. Many heart-shaped faces have a V-shaped hairline, but not all do.

If your cheekbones are the widest point and both the forehead and jaw are narrower, your face is closer to a diamond. If the forehead and jaw are about the same width, it's more likely oval. Most faces are a mix, so treat this as a starting point – our guide to which sunglasses suit my face covers every face shape.

Why lighter, softer frames work

With a heart-shaped face, the goal is to take a little attention away from the forehead and add some visual width lower down. Three details do most of the work:

• A light top line. Thin metal, a slim rim or a clear or pale colour keeps the upper half of the face from looking heavier.
• Soft curves. Round and oval lenses soften the angles of a pointed chin and wide temples.
• Weight at the bottom. Lenses that are wider or deeper at the bottom – like aviators – balance a narrow chin.

Best sunglasses for a heart-shaped face

• Round frames: The classic match. Round lenses soften the forehead and draw the eye to the middle of the face. See our round sunglasses.
• Aviators: The teardrop lens is wider at the bottom, which is exactly what a narrow chin needs. Browse our aviator sunglasses or read more in our guide to who aviator sunglasses suit.
• Oval frames: Soft, slim and never top-heavy. Have a look at our oval sunglasses.
• Thin metal frames: A wire frame adds almost no weight at the brow, so the face stays in balance.
• A soft cat-eye: A gentle, low upsweep can work well, especially in a lighter colour. Our guide to cat-eye sunglasses explains the difference between soft and strong shapes.

What to avoid with a heart-shaped face

• Browline and heavy top rims. A thick or dark brow bar adds width where the face is already widest.
• Decoration at the top. Studs, bold contrast or chunky details on the upper rim pull the eye up to the forehead.
• Very wide oversized frames. If the frame sticks out past your temples, the top of the face looks even broader.
• Strongly upswept cat-eye frames. A sharp flick at the outer corners widens the top half. Keep the upsweep soft.
• Small, narrow frames. Tiny lenses can make the forehead look larger by contrast.

The right size: width in real millimetres

1. Measure a pair that fits. Measure the front from outer edge to outer edge, or read the temple stamp: lens width □ bridge – temple length. For a heart-shaped face, the frame should match the width of your forehead and temples, not stick out past them. Many heart-shaped faces sit around 134–139 mm.
2. Check the top rim. It should follow your eyebrows without sitting above them – you want to see a little brow.
3. Check the lower edge. The bottom of the lens should not rest on your cheeks when you smile.
4. Check the eyes and bridge. Your pupils should sit near the centre of each lens, and the bridge should rest on your nose without sliding or pinching.

ECO SHADES sunglasses for a heart-shaped face

Vang is made from recycled metal and has adjustable nose pads. The other frames below are made from 100% recycled plastics with 5-barrel optical hinges and friction-lock screws. All have UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA.

• Vang Gold Brown: a thin round frame in recycled metal that adds almost no weight at the brow – the featured pair and our top pick for a heart-shaped face. 50□22-138, frame width 135 mm, Small/Medium, Category 3.
• Lai Black: our aviator, with teardrop lenses that are wider at the bottom. 57□17-145, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Dahl Grey: a slim oval in translucent grey that keeps the top line light. 54□17-146, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Zanon Clear: a round frame in a clear finish – soft curves without a heavy brow. 55□22-145, frame width 134 mm, Small/Medium, Category 3.
• Quist Mocha: a faceted round frame in a warm, soft colour. 45□25-145, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Mora Olive: a medium cat-eye with a gentle upsweep. 53□22-145, frame width 139 mm, Medium, Category 3.

Our lenses are not polarised. Questions about our materials or UV protection? Just contact us.

Quick FAQ

What sunglasses shapes suit a heart-shaped face?

Round, oval and aviator shapes, plus thin metal frames and soft cat-eyes. They keep the top of the face light and balance a narrower chin.

What are the best sunglasses for a heart-shaped face for women?

Round and oval frames in light or warm colours, aviators and a soft cat-eye like Mora. Skip heavy browline styles.

Which sunglasses suit a heart-shaped face for men?

The rules are the same for everyone. Aviators like Lai and round metal frames like Vang are easy choices; avoid chunky, top-heavy frames.

Can I wear oversized sunglasses with a heart-shaped face?

Yes, if they are not wider than your temples and the top rim is not too heavy. Rounded oversized lenses work better than square ones.

Every ECO SHADES pair comes with UV400 lenses and a 2-year warranty, and our sunglasses are CE, UKCA and FDA approved. We have 30 years of optical experience and 20,000+ happy customers behind our designs. With a heart-shaped face, keep the top light and the shape soft – then pick the pair you love.