According to facial engineering data, the ideal frame of the sunglasses for small face should be 130-140 mm wide (standard frame 145-155 mm), and vertical height should be no more than 40 mm to avoid depressing facial proportions. For example, Ray-Ban’s RB3547N (132mm width) has an 89% fit rate for people who have small faces, and the size measurements 54-16-140 (lens width-nose width-leg length) can improve visual focus by 12% and reduce facial width perception by 18% (Fashion Optics 2023 study). An online survey of online shopping sites shows that if the lens arc (base bend) is maintained at 6-8, the pressure experienced by wearers with small faces is reduced by 47%, with a comfort rating of 8.7/10.
Cat eye designs dominate the market for small faces. Gucci GG0398S (45° upturn) sold 380,000 pairs in 2023, and its sharp Angle design narrowed the width of the cheekbone vision by 15%, and increased the streamline extension rate from temple to jaw by 22%. The 3D face scan shows that the style with the frame height of 38mm and the top width of 110mm can optimize the three-court ratio of the small face to 1:1:0.9 (the golden ratio of 1:1:0.8), which is hailed as “the savior of the small face” by Vogue. According to a luxury brand’s data, the repurchase rate of this model is 32% (only 18% for the round model), and the β-titanium alloy material of the mirror leg (weighing 9g) extends the daily wearing time to 6.2 hours.
Material technology innovation enhances the wearing experience. Oliver Peoples’ OP-523 series uses 1.2mm ultra-thin acetate fiber (flexural strength 85MPa), and the frame weight is only 14g (industry average 22g). The nose bracket distance is 16mm (designed according to the average nose width of Asian small faces 28mm). The pressure distribution standard deviation is only ±0.6N/cm² (normal model ±1.8N/cm²). Laboratory tests show that the 30,000 times hinge opening and closing life (ISO standard 15,000 times), the lens non-slip silicone pad (friction coefficient 0.3) reduces the shedding rate of sports scenes to 0.3%/ hour.
Uv protection cannot be compromised. Small face lenses need to accurately cover the facial projection area (≥95%), the Petite series developed by Essilor (128mm in width) incorporates a 99.9% UV blocking rate, and an edge thickness of 1.8mm (normal 2.5mm) reduces the standard deviation of light transmission uniformity from ±12% to ±3%. Mountain climbing test showed that under the severe ultraviolet environment (UVI index 11+) at the altitude of 5000 meters, the ultraviolet exposure zone of the skin around the eyes was reduced by 92% and the risk of photo-aging was reduced by 67%.
Market data confirms consumption patterns. The global sales of “sun glasses for small faces” amount to $2.4 billion annually (37% of the women’s sunglasses market), with 82% of the sales attributed to Asian women aged 18-35 years old. Japanese eyewear chain JINS data suggests that its small face series (price range $120-250) has a re-purchase rate of 41%, and the frame size database covers 98% of Asian women’s head circumference (52-56cm). According to the Tmall list of 2023, the search volume of special models with small faces increased 173% year-on-year, and the return rate was as low as 2.7% (industry average of 8.5%), which confirmed the commercial value of accurate size design.