Sunglasses are summer’s most important accessory. Whether you’re at the beach or behind the wheel, you need a serviceable pair to protect your eyes from hazardous UV light, glare, and airborne fruit snacks. But you already know all that. Let’s face it, the real reason we like sunglasses is because they make us look and feel glamorous. Nonetheless, you’ll only achieve that if you know how to find your perfect pair.
Test the tint. Look in a mirror and make sure you can just make out your eyes through the lenses in normal light. That’s the best density for driving and most outdoor activities.
Spot a fake. Usually if the shades lack packaging (box, warranty, bag) or feel really light (cheap plastic), then it’s not the real thing. That may not be bad if you’re wearing them for fashion rather than function and looking to build an eyewear wardrobe on a budget. Just remember the lenses may not be impact-resistant or supply UV protection.
Fit your face. To get a more flattering fit, simply pick your most prominent facial feature from the following list and match it with the recommended style of shades:
Wide-set eyes: Buy a pair with a darker, thicker bridge to draw attention inward and make your eyes seem closer.
Close-set eyes: Choose side frames with a catchy design or color to draw attention outward.
Small face: A modified aviator style with shorter lenses and lightweight metals (or thinner plastics) is best.
Long face: Look for glasses that are longer than they are wide.
Round or square face: Go with wider frames.
Long nose: Select a pair with a straight brow bar; it’ll shorten your nose.
Flat brow or low nose bridge: Pick a model with adjustable nose pads so you can lift the glasses off your cheeks. A flat-top frame is also best.
Arched or rounded eyebrows: Look for frames with a little lift at the top.
Give yourself more reasons to wear. If one of the reasons you wear sunglasses is to hide your red, allergy eyes, maybe you should wear them more often. Sunglasses can act as mini-shields, keeping pollen off your lashes and lids.
Sunglasses may also help you fight jet lag, according to a study that followed 1,000 international travelers flying east. Those who wore shades until their normal back-home wake-up time recovered from jet lag up to 3 days faster than those who didn’t. It seems that by manipulating your body’s exposure to light early in the morning, you can fool your biological clock and ease into the new time zone with less fatigue. So go ahead and play the role of mysterious stranger when you’re traveling.
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