Get the Best Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

from Vibe Vixen

We know you can't live without sunglasses this time of year. When the sun in shinning bright, having a pair of chic shades to block the rays is so necessary. But not all sunnies are created equal and depending on your head shape, some will make you look crazy. Jose Castellanos, owner of Dr. York Spectacle Maker in Los Angeles, comes from three generations of opticians and we asked him to give his expertise in matching sun wear for all face shapes. "For round faces, a more angular squared frames works best," says Castellanos. "For squared faces, a more rounded frame is the best option, and for diamond faces, almost any shape works. Also, aviators literally work on every face shape."

Click the page to learn which sunglasses style works best for you. And when you're done buy a pair from our sunnies guide.

Heart-Shaped

Heart faces are broad at the forehead and cheekbones, and narrow at the chin. With its delicate jaw, this face shape is the most feminine of all.

Jose says: "To broaden the appearance of the chin and draw more proportion throughout the face, try thin, light metal or clear plastic frames that have broader bottom halves."

Try: Cat's-eye, round frames.

Don't Try: Overly embellished glasses.

During the start of sunny days in spring and long, hot summer months, we parents slather our children in sunscreen and fill their beach bags with hats, umbrellas and long-sleeved shirts in an ongoing effort to protect them from the sun's harmful rays. But many parents are forgetting a key weapon in their arsenal -- sunglasses. Ongoing, unchecked exposure to the sun can cause severe eye discoloration as our children grow older, which can be painful and lead to a decrease in confidence and quality of life.

click here to read more about sun protection

With spring in full bloom and summer closely approaching, the clouds are rolling out and the sun is shining through. This may be the only acceptable time for fashionistas worldwide to become a little more shady – with swanky sunglasses, that is. During these sunny seasons, sunglasses are staple accessories during now more than ever. Although it's easy to fall in the comfort trap with eyewear, push yourself to be daring with some of the seasons' hottest spec trends.

click here to read more about the swanky sunglasses

What You Need to Know about Sunglasses and UV

April 1, 2012 By Leanne Tremblay 0 Comment

The majority of people choose sunglasses based on two factors, looks and cost. However, there is another important aspect of choosing sunglasses that many of us do not think about: UV protection.

No matter how funky the frames, UV (or ultraviolet) protection should be your first priority when it comes to choosing sunglasses. Without proper protection, UV radiation can damage your eyelids, cornea, lens and most other parts of the eye as well.

click here to learn more about how to choose sunglasses

Sunglasses test shows expensive lenses aren't always best

It started on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Sure, film stars and the very rich had already been wearing dark spectacles. But in 1929, Sam Foster, founder of Foster Grant, began hawking his mass-produced sunglasses there at a Woolworth store — eye protection and a stylish air of mystery for the everyman.

Today you can get sunglasses really cheap — three pairs for $12 recently at a Scarborough flea market. Or you can fork over $1,000 for a single pair studded with Swarovski crystals at a downtown eyewear boutique. And there's every style — iconic aviators, retro cat eyes, sleek sporty shades and glamorous Jackie O look-alikes — at every price in between available at every dollar, drug or department store. Not to mention at opticians, optometrists and online.

So what should you look for? What do you get for your money? To answer that, the Star had a selection of nine pairs of sunglasses, from a $4 pair to a $488 designer-brand, tested by an optometrist — with some surprising results.

Click here to read more about the sunglasses test