Summer Sunglasses

As with buying clothes, sunglasses aren’t all the same. Not only is having a pair or two of summer sunglasses a fashion accessory, it’s also vital in protecting your eyes from the sun’s rays. If it’s time for you to buy a new pair for the summer, you may want to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered.

Just like choosing a hair style, your face shape plays a role in what type of sunglasses you should buy. The latest trend that’s managed to stick around for a while is sunglasses that are oversized. This actually is better for you, since the larger design covers more of your face, hence better protection from the sun. But that doesn’t mean just anyone can get away with oversized lenses. Look at your favorite celebrities and see what type of frames they’ve chosen. It helps to choose celebrities with a similar face shape as yours.

Round face shapes tend to look better in sunglasses that have straight lines, which balance out the roundness and curves of the face. The oversized sunglasses look doesn’t quite work for faces that are heart-shaped, since this can make the face - especially the chin - appear much bigger. Angular glasses do wonders for long faces. Rectangular frames are ideal to create curves.

Don’t shop for sunglasses purely based on price. If you don’t have the same budget at your favorite A-list star, this doesn’t mean you can’t get a decent pair of sunglasses. Many frames look exactly the same but carry different price tags. Found an expensive pair you just have to have but are without funds? Take a picture and shop around for a knock-off pair. With enough research you’ll be able to find a copy cat pair at a much more affordable price.

Sunglasses aren’t just about how cool they look on you, it’s also important to know that they are properly protecting your eyes. Any pair of sunglasses you buy should offer 100% UV protection for up to 400 nanometers. Most glasses sport a sticker that states it offers 100% UV protection and those are the only kind you should buy. If you don’t see a sticker or aren’t sure how much protection a pair of sunglasses offers, if any, ask the salesperson. Be clear about what you’re looking for and bring photos for reference if you have a specific style and design in mind. Speaking of designs, you may want to invest in a pair of sunglasses that wrap around toward the ear, coupled with a wide lens or frame. This particular design is ideal for offering even more protection for your eyes.

Did you know that the color of your sunglasses also matters when it comes to keeping your eyesight safe? While shopping for sunglasses this summer, look for shades that are lighter in lens color. Lighter lenses don’t cause your pupils to dilate, which keeps your vision intact. Look for sunglasses that are blue, yellow, green, brown or amber.