Its summer,its time to pamper yourself with that gucci shades you've been dreaming off![If not now,then when:)].But here's something you should keep in mind while buying those die-for shades,rather than a picture of the MI2 Cruise.
Sunglasses for safety :
Sunglasses are a rage for the element of style they add to your look,but don't forget their primary function is to protect your eyes.Futher more,sunglasses without UV filtration might actually do more harm,since they fool your eyes into thinking its dark out,your pupils dilate and let in more of those harmful UV rays!Keep in mind the degree of darkness has no effect on protection at all.Always check if your shades come with a label readin UV-400 or 99%UV protection.
Style quotient :
Don a frame that suits the shape of your face,your skin tone,hair colour and your personality.A shade lookin great on Jennifer Aniston might just ruin your face.Make your sunglass search personalized.
Lens :
There's a lot tat goes into your sunglass lens than just the colour!
1.Lens material :In most sunglasses the lens are made of either of the two materials,
Glass - Ups are,its got the best optical quality and is scratch resistant.The cons,its heavy and expensive.
Polycarbonate - The ups are,it is lightweight,affordable and has good optical quality.But it is not scratch-resistant.(You can request for a scratch-resistant coating though.)
2.Lens colour :
The tint of the lens is designed to cut down on brightness and glare,to enhance terrain details and a lot of other things.When shoppin for shades,keep in my mind when you will be using your shades and choose a tint accordingly.Gray and Brown : These are neutral shades as they distort colours the least,they also cut down on overall brightness.
Yellow/Gold/Amber provide less overall brightness.
Rose/Vermilion make the world brighter,they provide excellent low-light visibility and enhance contrast.
A word of advice : Stick to darker shades this summer as they do a better job in blocking the sun.
3.Visible light transmission (VLT) :
It is the amount of light that reaches your eyes through the lens.Measured as a %,it is affected by the colour & thickness of your lens,the material they are made of and the coatings they have on them.All purpose sunglasses have a VLT of around 15-25%.Wear the shades you are planning on buying and make sure you can see clearly through them.
4.Optical quality :
Your glasses should be free of distortion and imperfections,lest they damage your vision.Test lenses for distortions by viewing a straight edge at arms length.You should continue to see a straight edge with your sunglasses on without any curve or distortion.
Certain special features in sunglasses :
Polarization :
Polarized sunglass lenses reduce light that is reflected from surfaces like snow or water.It reduces blinding glare and the resulting eyestrain.It's great for water sports,skiing or when you are out at the beach.
Mirrored sunglass lens :
They have a reflective coating which reduces glare by reflecting much of the light that hits the lens surface.Mirrored coatings make objects appear darker than they are,so lighter tints are often used to compensate for this.
Photochromatic glasses :
They change colour when exposed to the sun,a great option for those wearing glasses.
A word of advice to all those wearing glasses : Its best to get prescription glasses and analyse product options (clip-ons,magnetic attachments) with your ophthalmologist,rather than get your hands on those dream shades all by yourself.
Wrap-around lenses :
These provide increased protection by covering your eyes even on the sides.
Fit Tips :
* Frames should fit snugly on your nose & ears,but not pinch or rub.
*The weight of the sunglasses should be evenly distributed between u'r ears & nose.They should be light enough to avoid friction on these contact points.
*Your eyelashes should not touch the frame.
When is it most important to wear sunglasses?
*It's summer (when UV radiation is atleast 3 times than it is during winter)
*You are at the beach or near water.
*You are outside at high elevations.
*You are participating in snow sports.
*You have had eye surgery,or taking photosensitizing drugs you should wear sunglasses whenever out in the sun.
Is it necessary to shell out big time for sunglasses?
When there are lot of designer look-a-likes available in the market which are much lighter on your pocket,anyone will be tempted to buy them.I am not saying branded is the best,just check if you are getting your glasses from a trusted store,avoid the roadside stalls.Shades will never go out of fashion!!So its worth it,to shell out some bucks and invest in a good pair.
Cleaning your shades :
*Use a soft,line-free cloth to clean your lenses.
*Avoid wood-based materials,like facial tissues.They are abrasive and may scratch your lens.
*A spray-on lens cleaner or just plain water can be used,since dry lenses are more susceptible to scratching when rubbed.
Also consider buying :
1.A protective case.
2.Cleaning cloth & solution.
