I think for a smaller face (I am in that category, too), it is very hard to find cool, but well fitting frames. There is a thread somewhere, a few years back where someone gave me fabulous advice about a brand for small faces. I had to go to a store not so close and didn't end up with that brand, but I did find lots of cool styles for small heads. I had been buying glasses in the tween section for too long.
I wear contacts, with reading glasses over them and I also have 2 pair of progressives, now that I finally have frames that are stylish amd fit me. I've had progressives for 20 years and since i never wore them, except at night, at home I only recently have felt comfortable driving and going outside in them. So, the reading glasses first. I buy mine online from a place called Eye Bobs. They have a size called "pinhead," which is for small heads. The choice is not as wide, but there's enough. They are more than drugstore frames, but less than optometrists' prices. If you know your readers ' scrip, you are set. I've bought several from here. And, I just got a thing from them that said they will put a regular prescription in their frames, too.
The first pair of progressives that I found for smaller heads are Dolce and Gabana. Yes, expensive, but along the lines of your bigger ones, but smaller and all black.Then, about 2 years ago, I found a pair of almost "cat-eye" frames at a local optician store. They have a slight tiger print on the top and are more brownish. I can't tell you how many compliments I get on these. In fact, clients of other therapists often stop me in the waiting room when I have them on, to compliment me. They are from a designer in California.
I agree with NY. Give the progressives a chance, unless your eye doctor has told you they are not for you. I had headaches at first, too, but of course, that was 20 years ago, so I think I did. But, i've been wearing reading glasses over my contacts since I was 38, so I've been doing this a long time.