6 Best Sunglasses for Small Faces in 2023 (Men & Women)

Finding a pair of sunglasses that fits well and looks good can be difficult for those with smaller faces. Several styles that look good on others can drown out your features. Some frames won’t even stay on your face without slipping down your nose.

But don’t worry. With a little help, you’ll be able to find the right sunglasses for your petite face.

This guide will cover a few technical details that will help you understand what to look for in sunglasses. Then, we’ll provide a list of the top sunglasses for small faces.

Ideal Sunglasses Size for Petite Faces

Use these numbers as a guideline to find sunglasses that fit petite faces better:

Frame Width: 123 to 131 mm

Lens Width: 47 to 52 mm (Round frames: 45 to 48 mm)

Bridge Width: 16 to 20 mm (Round frames: 16 to 22 mm)

Lens Height: Rectangular: 28 to 32 mm; Square: 32 to 39 mm; Oval: 30 to 32 mm; Round: 35 to 41 mm

Temple Length: 130 to 145 mm

How to Measure Your Face

Measuring your face will give you a better idea of what size sunglasses will work for you. It’s actually quite a simple process. All you’ll need is a flexible tape measure.

Then take these 5 measurements (be sure to write them down in millimeters):

1. Forehead Width. Measure the widest part of your forehead, from hairline to hairline.

2. Cheekbone Width. Measure the width of your cheekbones. Start from your hairline above your cheekbone to the same point on the opposite side.

3. Jawline Width. Start measuring just underneath your ears at the base of your jaw. Run the tape measure along the edge of your jaw until it reaches the middle of your chin. Multiply this number by two for the full measurement.

4. Face Length. Hold the tape measure at the center of your hairline and stretch it to the tip of your chin.

5. Pupillary Distance. Find a hard ruler for this one and stand about 8 inches from a mirror. Hold the ruler across the bridge of your nose. With your right eye closed, line up the 0 line of the ruler in the center of your left pupil. Then, open your right eye and close your left eye. Without moving the ruler, check for the line that falls directly over the center of your right pupil. Most people will have a pupillary distance (PD) of 54-74 mm.

The widest part of your face will determine your face shape as well as your face size. Narrow faces typically range between 110 mm and 125 mm in their measurements. These people typically have the most difficult time finding eyewear that fits.

A petite face may also be short from top to bottom. This may affect the frame style you decide to go with. But the most important measurements will be your face width and pupillary distance. This will help you find frames that fit your face measurements.

Recommended Sunglasses Frames for Small Faces

Rectangular, oval, and classic cat-eye sunglasses are top choices for small face shapes. Square and round sunglasses also can work, but sometimes the lens size is too big. Rimless and semi-rimless frames are also great, non-obtrusive options.

Frames to Avoid

The advice usually given to people with small faces is to avoid:

Tall lenses
Oversized frames
Aviators
Thick frames

Taller lenses can make your face seem even smaller, while thicker frames can cover up too much of your face. However, there’s no reason you can’t experiment with these shapes and sizes.

Click here for more information on the best types of sunglasses for your face shape.

The current fashion trends favor bigger, taller lenses. This means that many stores aren’t carrying as many short rectangular or oval frames. However, it also means that you can probably pull off slightly taller frames, since these are currently in fashion.