If you have a broad forehead, high cheekbones, and a narrow chin, finding the perfect eyewear can be a game-changer. This blog post will help you navigate the myriad of eyewear options available, offering our best advice on frames that will flatter your facial contours.
Whether you're looking for a bold 'statement frame' or something more subtle, read-on for our top picks tailored specifically to heart-shaped faces in 2024.
What is a heart shaped face?
A heart-shaped face is characterised by a wide, prominent forehead, high cheekbones and narrow pointed chin. With a short, soft jawline and full cheeks, your high hairline may also be considered as a 'widow's peak'. Collectively, these attributes give your face its top-heavy, heart-shaped appearance.
How do I know my face shape?
To determine your face shape, simply observe the overall contour of your head and the proportions between your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and chin. Although your head is typically oval-shaped, it is the interplay of these facial 'reference points' that defines its category of shape.
Keep in mind that many face shapes overlap with each other, so you may be a mixture of two or more kinds. The most common face shapes include;
3 ways to know your face shape
To help you determine your face shape, we've discovered some incredibly useful apps designed for both Android and iOS smartphones. For the best user experience and accurate face shape detection, we've ranked these apps in the table provided below.
App |
Cost |
Apple Store |
Android |
My Face Shape Meter |
Paid |
||
Find Your Face Shape |
Free |
Not available |
|
Measure Your Face Instantly |
Free |
Not available |
|
Hiface |
Free |
||
Golden Ratio Face |
Free |
Ask the public
Using this poll website, you can share your self-portrait to ask other users a question about your appearance. For optimal results, it is recommended to post a front-facing self portrait photograph, accompanied with your question; "What is my face shape?" This approach encourages constructive feedback on your facial structure.
Video method
Record your video selfie from different angles, then watch it back and pause it at different points to get a good look at your face shape. This is a great way to see your face shape in action, and you can even ask a friend or family member for their opinion on what they see.
5 signs you have a heart shaped face
- Your forehead is wide.
- Your cheeks are full.
- Your jawline is soft.
- Your chin is small and pointed.
- Your hairline is wavy (widow’s peak).
Keep in mind that everyone's facial features are unique, so there is no single indicator that guarantees you have a certain face shape. However, if you notice several of these characteristics on your face, you likely have a heart-shaped face.
How to pick the best glasses for a heart shaped face
Identify your face shape. The first step in finding the best glasses for your heart shaped face is to identify your facial structure. Using the methods (listed previously) this makes is much easier to begin selecting the right glasses frame for you.
Pick a top-heavy frame. With a heart shaped face, your forehead will be your most prominent feature. Subsequently, large spectacles with a heavy upper half (browline) can help bring visual balance to your face. (Suggestions further below.)
Frame size plays a crucial role in both comfort and optical performance. To ensure glasses that fit well and won't hinder your vision, slide down or pinch your head it's important to know your ideal lens and bridge-width. When shopping in-store, look for these dimensions on the frame itself. If you're shopping online, be sure to check the specifications for these measurements.
Your prescription can also determine your frame selection. If you have a strong prescription that requires thinned lenses (high index), you may consider opting for thick-rimmed eyeglasses. In the case of progressive (varifocal) lenses, taller frames are better suited to accommodate these lenses compared to slim or short rectangular frames.
Frame material is crucial for style, comfort, and day-to-day performance. Lightweight wire-rimmed glasses offer easy wearability and minimal bulk. On the other hand, chunky full-rim acetate frames exude a timeless appeal and can be exceptionally durable. If you have sensitive skin, it's worth considering spectacles made from hypoallergenic materials, avoiding cheap metals containing poorly coated nickel.
What glasses suit heart shaped faces?
Full-rim glasses (made from acetate) with a pronounced 'browline' are the best glasses style for heart shaped faces. These eyeglasses help balance out the top-heavy forehead of a heart-shaped face and tend to be the most flattering. For inspiration, here's an overview of the most popular eyeglasses styles;
- Wide frames
- Cat-eye glasses
- Rounded frames
- Aviator glasses
- Butterfly glasses
Best women’s glasses for heart shapes faces 2024
Cat-Eye Glasses
Women with heart-shaped faces look especially great in cat-eye glasses. The quintessential upward ‘flicks’ across the frame’s browline help draw attention to your eyes and brows. Stylised frames like these are great for balancing your face shape and gives flattering feminine look. Heart-shaped faces tend to be the widest at the forehead, so these top-heavy glasses help create a more proportional aesthetic.
Wire rim glasses
If bulky acetate glasses are too thick for you, why not go for some dainty wire rimmed frames instead? Thin metal glasses like these have made a come-back in fashion and offer a versatile vintage vibe. For your heart shaped face, aim for rounded rectangular frames with large lenses. Large wire frames make your face look smaller and your cheeks less full.
In terms of frame size, it’s a flattering look for women to wear oversized spectacles. However, make sure your select the correct bridge width so they rest properly on your nose. There's nothing more annoying than glasses sliding down or resting incorrectly on your cheeks.
Round Glasses
For a retro look, a pair of round glasses are the way to go. Metal or acetate, round rimmed glasses are a timeless throwback that looks great on everyone. As the lenses are equally as wide as they’re tall, they visually ‘lengthen’ the look of your heart-shaped face for a lovely balanced look.
Oval Glasses
Oval glasses are a great choice for women with heart-shaped faces. Glasses like the Oliver Peoples O'Malley are incredibly versatile and can be worn for various occasions and environments. Whether you're looking for a sophisticated look for work or a more relaxed look for weekends.
Celebrities with heart-shaped faces
The most notable celebrities with heart-shaped faces include Cheryl Cole, Eva Longoria-Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mary-Kate Olsen, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie, and Reese Witherspoon. For your optical inspiration, scroll below to see these heart face-shaped celebrities and their choice of eyeglasses.
Singer, performer and reality TV show host Cheryl Cole wears these Clubmaster style glasses to perfection. They have a subtle cateye shape which suits her heart shaped face perfectly. The pale colour works nicely with her complexion and draws attention to her eyes and brows.
Actress Eva Longoria is another great example of the heart face shape. Her pronounced full cheeks and broad forehead give her face that upside down tear-drop shape. Seen above, she wears a dark pair of cat eye glasses which harmonises with her dark hair, eyebrows and warm complexion.
Round glasses are a great option for heart face shapes, as demonstrated by Mary-Kate Olsen in this street-shot. These circular wire rims are lightweight, versatile and have a 70's vintage aesthetic. You don't have to have tinted lenses like hers, but round glasses like these are timeless style for any occasion.
Although these are sunglasses, Naomi Campbell proves that big frames are a great way to make a statement with your choice of eyewear.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but large frames work especially well for women with heart shaped faces. Big frames with dominant lenses make your head seem narrower, more dainty and more feminine.
Round eyeglasses are a timeless style that's never going out of fashion. Did you know that the earliest versions of optical lenses were entirely round? This is why circular frames are so ubiquitous since lenses were almost always round in shape.
Nicole Richie wears these round shades, complimenting her full cheeks and short pointed chin. If you have a similarly wide forehead, round shades are a great style of frame to balance your face shape.
Did we mention cat eye glasses already?
Once more time, they suit heart shaped faces perfectly. The up-swept browline is incredibly flattering for women as it accentuates your eyes and brows for maximum effect.
A subtle cat eye shape is more than enough without having to go full 1950's with insane 'flicks', diamonds and frame chains. Unless that's your thing...
Best men’s glasses for heart shaped faces 2024
Wayfarers
Wayfarer glasses were popularised in the 1950s thanks to their unique design, simple shape and increasingly timeless appeal. They’re a stylish choice for both sunglasses and spectacles which men’s suit heart-shaped faces incredibly well. The angular frame shape helps balance your soft cheeks and wide forehead. If you're looking for a classic style of glasses that will never go out of fashion, a set of tortoise wayfarers are the perfect choice.
Rectangular frames
Rectangular frames are a great choice for men with heart-shaped faces, as they help broaden the face's appearance. Look for glasses which are tall in height reaching from your brow line down to your lower cheeks. Frame thickness is up to you, but rectangular frames look great when they’re big, bold and bullish.
Square Frames
While there are no hard and fast rules for choosing the right frame shape for your face, certain shapes tend to flatter certain face shapes more than others. If you have a heart-shaped face, you may want to try very angular, geometric glasses. Square frames like these can help balance out the proportions of your face, and they can also help make your chin look more pronounced.
Oval Frames
If you have a heart-shaped face, you might want to consider oval frames such as the Oliver Peoples Riley. This shape will help soften your face's angles and give you a more delicate appearance. Oval frames are also very versatile and can be worn with various looks. Whether you're going for a sophisticated or casual look, oval frames can help you achieve the perfect style.
Glasses for heart shaped faces FAQ’s
Do aviators suit a heart face?
With their characteristic tear-drop lenses, Aviator glasses suit heart shaped faces perfectly. Thanks to their tall and tapering frame shape, Aviators help make your face look narrower and proportionate whilst providing excellent UV protection due to their dominant lens coverage.
What face shape can wear Aviators?
People with various face shapes can wear Aviators, but they look best on those with oval or round faces. This is because Aviators tend to have a very defining tall shape, which can help to balance out the softer curves of these face shapes.
What is the most feminine face shape?
There is no definitive answer to this question as beauty is subjective. However, some face shapes typically considered more feminine include oval, round, and heart-shaped faces. These face shapes tend to be softer and more delicate-looking than other shapes, such as square or rectangular.
Do round sunglasses suit a heart-shaped face?
Yes, round sunglasses can suit a heart-shaped face. The key is to find a pair that is the right size that fits you properly. Frames which are too small can make your face look larger and wider, whilst frames that’re too big may slide down your nose and be unpractical.
When choosing the correct size of spectacles, the main measurements to consider are the lens width, bridge width and temple length.
What glasses should I avoid if I have a heart shaped face?
Conclusion
- Know your face shape
- Heart faces have wide foreheads and high cheeks
- Heart faces usually have a short, pointed chin
- Heart faces suit tall rounded glasses shapes
- Large glasses make your face look smaller and narrower
- Be sure to get the correct frame-fit
Hopefully you found this article helpful. Please check out our other guides to choosing glasses. Thanks for stopping by.