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Important Factors When Buying Women’s Sunglasses
The right sunglasses stand out as an important defense against ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause both short- and long-term eye damage, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in San Francisco, CA. The single-most important quality to look for when buying sunglasses to protect your eyes is a sticker or tag indicating that they block 100 percent of UV rays.
The more coverage from sunglasses, the less sun damage inflicted on the eyes. Consider buying oversized wraparound sunglasses, which help cut down on UV entering the eye from the side. At the same time, polarization reduces glare coming off reflective surfaces like water or pavements; it doesn’t offer more protection from the sun, but can help make activities like driving or water sports safer.
The good news is that sunglasses don't have to cost to work well. Less expensive pairs marked as 100 percent UV-blocking can be just as effective as pricier options.
Shop affordable women's sunglasses.
Picking Sunglasses To Complement Your Shape
Sure, sunglasses protect your eyes and help you see, but they also lend an instant, undeniable cool factor to just about anyone. That cool factor is at its height when your sunglasses balance your features and look like they were made for your face. Bobbi Brown, makeup artist, glasses expert and author of the book Bobbi Brown: Everything Eyes, shares her top tips with Allure for finding flattering sunglasses for every face shape:
Your face is round if the width and length are roughly the same; square faces feature strong jawlines and broad foreheads. An oval-shaped face is long and thin, with a chin slightly narrower than your forehead. Finally, a heart-shaped face is wider at the forehead but narrower at the chin.
Round: Go for square or Wayfarer-inspired frames. "Angular lines balance the roundness of your face and add definition," says Brown. The worst frames for a round face? Anything that mimics the shape. "Round faces should avoid circular frames—especially smaller ones—as these will make your face appear more round." Here are some of our favorite options for round faces.
Square: If square frames balance out a round face, round frames balance out—you guessed it—a square face. "Soften a strong face shape by choosing frames with curved or rounded corners," says Brown. "Just make sure they're the right proportion—the larger your face, the larger the frames should be." Placement is important, too: "Choose frames that extend past the widest part of their face," creating a rounder overall silhouette. Brown cautions against anything with "boxy or angular corners. You need something to balance your face shape—not exaggerate it.” Here are some of our favorite options for square faces.
Heart: It’s all about aviators. Unlike square and round faces, mimic—rather than contrast—your face shape. Aviators are typically wider at the top and tapered at the bottom, so they complement the outline of a heart-shaped face. Again, proportion is key: "If you have small, delicate features, don't choose large, heavy frames," says Brown. "If you have more dramatic features, you can choose larger frames." Here are some of our favorite options for heart shaped faces.
Oval: “Most styles work well on this face shape, so you can mix it up," says Brown, citing cat eyes, Wayfarer-inspired frames, and round John Lennon-style glasses. Your main concern should be the size and the proportion to your features, cautions Brown: "If you have smaller features, avoid thick, large frames, as they'll overwhelm your face." To avoid a large gap between the sides of your face and your sunglasses, steer clear of frames that are too wide. "Choose glasses that are the same width as your face, not wider," adds Brown. Here are some of our favorite options for oval shaped faces.
What Women’s Sunglasses Are In Style For 2023?
After a year spent mostly indoors, this spring and summer call for getting outside—and you’ll need a great new pair of shades when you do, says Vogue. What does spring have in store for eyewear? Everyday exuberance to match the season’s optimistic fashion. Here, the magazine sums up the season’s key trends.
Mod Mania: Reminiscent of the bold, space-age goggles made famous by the likes of Pierre Cardin, André Courrèges and Paco Rabanne, they’re the perfect match for miniskirts.
Future Perfect: Sleek, wraparound frames perfectly molded for sport and fashion—think slick metallic shields or vibrant goggles.
Rectangle Redux: Narrow but not too thin, rectangular shades feel just right. The everyday silhouette gives a subtle nod to ’90s style without feeling overly trendy. The right-angle shades strike the perfect balance between subtle cool and easy wearability.
New Age Aviators: Aviator sunglasses have made a comeback the past few seasons, and the iconic frames once made for pilots are now universal. The latest iterations have been reworked and remade with thicker, substantial acetate frames instead of thin and fragile metal versions.
Reinvented Classics: Long-lasting wardrobe staples and utility-focused basics are more important than ever, and that goes for accessories, too. The best sunglasses are practical, no-fuss shapes that will stand the test of time, plus standout details such as tinted lenses and colored frames.
Fair and Square: Updated with gradient acetates, tinted lenses and fresh colors, classic square frames go with everything. Since they’re understated and simple, throw on a pair for everything from sanity walks to backyard tanning sessions.
For more options, shop the latest women’s sunglasses looks from Blenders Eyewear!
