Sunglasses Buying Guide

Sporting cool sunglasses is a great way to give your eyes protection from harmful UV rays and to express your personal style. We'll walk you through the different uses and styles of sunglasses. Whether you need a killer pair of shades for snowboarding or you want to look flirty and fabulous on the beaches this summer, we have everything you need to know about sunglasses.

Sunglasses for Safety

Sunglasses are designed to protect our eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. If you don't know exactly what UV rays are, then read up:

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the component of sunlight which is harmful to our skin. It can cause sunburns and sometimes even skin cancer. It is even more damaging to the face and the eyes, causing burning, wrinkling around the eyes, skin cancer of the face and premature eye damage. Too much unprotected exposure to UV radiation can cause photokeratitis, cataracts and has been linked to causing some forms of macular degeneration. Furthermore, sunglasses without UV filtration might actually do more harm to your eyes than going without any shades; since your eyes are fooled into thinking it is dark out, your pupils dilate, letting in more UV radiation.

If you go out of your way to slather yourself with sunscreen before going outside, you should take the extra step and keep your eyes going strong too! Get yourself a good pair of UV filtering sunglasses  and get back to having fun in the sun.  Just make sure you're protected.

Safety Tips

• You should always wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection  while spending time outdoors during the day, no matter the season. UV is not season-specific and can damage your eyes at any time. Snowy winter days are especially deceiving because while there is a chill in the air, the sun's rays naturally reflect off the snow increasing the UV intensity.
• Long exposure to UV radiation can greatly increase the chances of developing cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye) and damage to the retina.
• Lenses should be gray,  green  or brown  and the larger the lenses, the better.
• Wrap-around sunglasses provide an extra measure of protection, as does wearing a hat with a wide brim or a visor.
• Buying sunglasses from street vendors is risky. There's no assurance that the eyewear, no matter how dark the lens, will protect against UV rays.
• Polarized lenses,  which normally include UV protection, can help cut down glare on sunny days and are especially useful for driving.

Fashion Sunglasses

Sunglasses don't have to only be about UV rays. Let an awesome pair of shades become your biggest fashion accessory this summer! Trends change with every season, so get ready to buy a new pair at least twice a year if you want to keep up with the latest styles. Also, try to pick a style that looks good on your face shape. The right pair of sunglasses will have you looking glamourous, while choosing the wrong pair can leave you looking more bug-like than starlet-like.

Styles for Men

Aviator  These are sporty and the perfect rock star accessory if you have the right face shape.	Sports Wrap  Perfect for biking or just looking super athletic.	Rimless  These are great for those who want to look polished and professional.	Celebrity  Sport the latest Kanye glasses or the classic Elvis shades if you have the personality to pull them off.	Rectangular Metal Rim  A classic look perfect for the classic gentlemen.

Styles for Women

Jackie O  The epitome of 1960s elegance, this style is feminine and funky.	Aviators  Although more Top Gun masculine than Jackie O feminine, these can look awesome on a girl who digs edgier styles.	Oversized Square  Perfect for the devishly glamourous cats. Practice your favourite Victoria Beckham pose and hit the streets!	Cat Eye  Are you bursting with personality and confidence? Try rocking these retro glasses	Tortoise Shell  These rims add teh perfect burst of colour and compliment many types of skin tones.

Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Flatter your best features by choosing a style of sunglasses that is best for your face shape. Here are some basic guidelines for pairing shades with faces:

• Triangle: If you have a narrow forehead that gets wider at the cheeks and the chin, sport a pair of aviators to balance everything out.
• Round: Look for sunglasses with narrow, angular frames like square-framed sunglasses. 
• Oval: Good news! You can sport practically any style, but wraparounds  and oversized sunglasses will look the best!
• Diamond: If you have high cheekbones and your face gets narrow at the eye line and jaw line, look for square, rimless frames.
• Oblong: If your face is longer than it is wide, look for round or square shapes. Frames with short horizontal and long vertical lines also work. Decorative or contrasting temples add width to the face.
• Square: If you have a broad forehead and a strong jawline, go with narrow frames in an oval or round shape. Cat eye sunglasses also will work!
• Heart: If your face is wide at the top and then tapers down to a narrow chin, look for frames that are narrower on top and wider on the bottom. Rimless or light-coloured shades usually work best.

External Links

• UnitedShades.com-- Find more information on how to choose the perfect sunglasses for your face shape, skin colour, and hair texture!
• MakeupTalk.com-- More information on face shapes and sunglasses with celebrity examples!