Embrace the summer season by enhancing your style with the perfect pair of sunglasses. With a diverse range of styles, colors, and brands available, you may wonder how to find the best sunglasses for women and best sunglasses for men.
Here are our top tips for finding the perfect pair!
Understanding your face shape
Choosing the right pair of sunglasses begins with understanding your face structure and shape. If your face is characterized by soft, curved lines with nearly equal width and length, you have a round face. A little bit of structure can accentuate your look beautifully. Rectangular frames or wayfarer frames, known for their angular designs, can help to make your face appear slimmer and longer. What’s more: cat-eye frames create an illusion of a narrower face due to their elongated design, adding a bit of mystery to your look.
Square faces are distinguishable by a robust jawline and broad forehead. If you have a square face, frames that can soften the sharp features are ideal. Round frames provide a balance to the angularity, while the classic teardrop shape of aviator sunglasses is an excellent choice to add a touch of finesse. Butterfly frames, known for their unique design, shift the focus away from the angular lower part of the face, offering a stylish look.
If your face is widest at the forehead and gradually narrows towards the chin, you have a heart-shaped face. Bottom-heavy frames can add width to the lower face without accentuating the top part. In contrast, rimless frames are subtle and won't overemphasize your forehead.
Diamond-shaped faces, which are narrow at the forehead and chin while being widest at the cheekbones, can benefit from frames that highlight the eyes. Cat-eye frames can emphasize your cheekbones and create a balanced appearance. Oval frames soften your face, making your narrow features seem more proportionate.
Oval faces are generally slightly wider at the cheekbones, with a gentle narrowing at the forehead and jaw. If you have an oval face, you can wear almost any sunglasses shape. For example, square frames help maintain your face's elegant, natural balance.
The importance of facial features
While face shape plays a significant role in determining the most flattering sunglasses, it's also important to consider individual facial features.
The size and shape of your nose can heavily influence your choice of frames. A larger nose might benefit from larger frames to keep things proportional, while smaller noses should carry more delicate styles for a balanced look. The bridge of your sunglasses is another factor to consider, as comfort is key. If you have a high nose bridge, you may find glasses with a higher bridge more comfortable. Got a lower nose bridge? Inquire if your sunglasses should feature nose pads.
Your eyes, eyebrows, and cheekbones also influence your choice. Sunglasses should ideally follow the natural line of your eyebrows and not obscure them. For people with prominent cheekbones, frames that sit high on the nose can prevent uncomfortable pressure. Similarly, the width of your jaw can inform your decision. If you have a wide chin, consider wide frames, such as aviator frames. On the flip side, if you have a narrow chin, choose sunglasses for women or sunglasses for men that are bottom-heavy or shapes that extend past the width of your face.
If you're uncertain about your face shape and facial features, consider scheduling an appointment with one of our opticians. They can provide expert advice to help you find sunglasses that enhance your best features.
Lens colour: Fashionable and functional
The lens colour of your sunglasses extends beyond the realm of style. It also significantly impacts how you perceive colours and contrasts—both indoors and outdoors.
Gray lenses are a popular choice due to their neutral transmission of colours; they reduce light intensity without altering your view. They are suitable for general outdoor activities in bright conditions.
Brown and green lenses are excellent choices for people who love the great outdoors. These lenses enhance contrast by filtering out more of the sun's blue light, making them ideal for sports and hobbies practiced outside (think: golf, hiking, and everyday fun in the sun).
Blue and purple lenses offer more than a cool, stylish appeal. They reduce glare from yellow light and provide greater clarity in foggy or hazy conditions. People who enjoy water sports also love blue and purple lenses because they reduce glare from the water and improve contrasts, especially in environments where the surroundings are mostly blue and green.
Rose and red lenses offer comfort during extended periods of use and reduce eye strain. For athletes who enjoy cycling, running, or extended hiking, rose and red lenses improve depth perception, allowing them to better judge distances, anticipate changes in terrain, and react swiftly to potential obstacles.
UV protection: Love the sun, minimize the rays
Regardless of the lens color, your sunglasses should offer broad UV protection. Overexposure to UV rays can lead to various eye problems, making UV protection a top priority when choosing the best sunglasses for your needs.
Opt for sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. These sunglasses are labeled as 'UV400' and offer optimal protection. UVA rays are present throughout the day and can penetrate deep into the eye, potentially causing long-term damage. UVB rays are more intense and affect the surface layers of the eye, playing a significant role in photokeratitis and the development of certain eye conditions.
As you can see, with our tips, you can find sunglasses that will suit you impeccably!
Jacinthe Laurendeau Optician
