RIGHT FRAME OF MIND
You already know the rules for dressing to your body shape, but the guidelines change when it comes to sunglasses. Just like your body, your face has its own distinct shape. And just like the clothes you wear on your body, the sunglasses you wear on your face can either enhance or diminish the appearance of your features.
To ensure you choose a pair of sunglasses that look just as hot on you as they do in their display case, take a look at these tips from Luxottica Group.
WHAT A SQUARE
Square-shaped faces have the same width at their temples as they do at their jawline. Mena Suvari and Katie Holmes are both squares. This shape needs frames that will soften the edges of their faces. Frames with rounded corners that sit higher on the face (to obscure the sharp jawline) will flatter this shape best. Try a pair of oversized round sunglasses from Fendi, $137.50.
TRI IT OUT
The triangle-shaped face is the broadest at the browline. Both Jennifer Aniston and Elizabeth Hurley are triangles. These faces should aim to balance the proportions of the face with thin-rimmed frames that don't sit too high on the face. Avoid square shapes and large frames. Try the Kaanapali style from Maui Jim, $249.
ROUND IT UP
This face shape is pretty self-explanatory -- it's round. The distance from the nose to any edge of the face is fairly similar. Charlize Theron and Rachael Ray are good examples of round faces. The goal here is the opposite of the square's: to sharpen the angles of the face. You can accomplish that by selecting frames that are either rectangular or square. Dark colors will downplay the roundness of the face, too. Try Coach's Sofia sunglasses, $74.
I HEART YOU
Heart-shaped faces are narrow at the chin and wide at the forehead and cheekbones with delicate jawlines. Reese Witherspoon is undoubtedly a heart, as is Tiffani-Amber Thiessen. This shape should focus on adding more depth to the bottom half of the face. This can be done with lightweight metal frames or clear plastic ones. Cat eye frames and heavy frames are no-no's. Try Nautica's Trek style, $59.95.
GET OVAL IT
Those with oval-shaped faces (Julia Roberts and Halle Berry) are considered blessed in the sunglasses industry. Apparently, they have the least to worry about and the most options. There are still a few things to remember. Be sure not to wear a frame wider than the widest part of your face. To avoid having your face appear too long, try to get frames that cover a good portion of the center of the face or rely on cat eye frames like Nautica's Escapade style, $59.95.
All sunglasses available at any Vision Source location.
playing it safe When it comes to "coolness," there really isn't a single accessory that tops sunglasses. That said, there's a much more important function behind the eyewear and it has little to do with how you look and more to do with how you see. "Sunglasses are definitely a fashion statement," said Dr. Spencer Quinton of Vision Source Seven Hills. "But, more importantly, they're going to protect your vision in the long term." Shading your eyes with your hand may get you through the left turn at the traffic light but it certainly won't save you from some of the life-altering effects the sun can have on your eyes. "UV rays can cause cataracts, macular degeneration -- the leading cause of blindness for people 50 and up -- even eye cancers," Quinton said. Preventing such serious consequences involves more than just picking out the hot shades you saw in the latest issue of Elle. One feature that's not an embellishment is absolutely essential. Consider it a must-have this season: sunglasses with UV protection. If you pick up a pair with the little sticker that claims they are UV protected, that's still not enough. Take them into an optician's office or, better yet, purchase them from an optician, to be absolutely sure. An eye doctor can test the lenses and tell you if they're protected and by what percentage. According to Quinton, nothing less than 99 percent is acceptable. Sunglasses purchased at swap meets or in foreign countries may claim to be UV protected but could come up short in a test. The only other feature that should concern you is the size of your sunglasses. "It's good that the bigger styles are coming in again," Quinton said. "If they're small, they're allowing light from the sides to come in." An ideal style to protect you from that problem are the popular wrap-arounds. Pamela Anderson and Victoria "Posh" Beckham are both faithful to this look. Other than the size of the frames and the UV protection, it's all up to your own personal preference. "The color of the tint has nothing to do with UV protection," Quinton said. "You can put a UV coating on a clear pair of sunglasses." Also, just because you're out of the sun doesn't mean you're out of danger. "If you're in the shade, you're still getting UV exposure. Wearing sunglasses will lower your risk of macular degeneration," Quinton said. If that's not enough to encourage you to get a pair, perhaps this is. Said Quinton: "There are other, more cosmetic, effects from exposing your eyes to the sun. Like yellowing growths on the eye and wrinkles from squinting so much."
