The truth is most the people wear sunglasses to enhance their appearance, look stylish. A miniscule number actually wear them to protect their eyes from UV radiation, dust and wind, and one of the reasons is that “Real” sun shades are pricey. If that is not bad enough, the limited options in terms of form factor forces users to opt for cheap variants.

Buyers need to understand that affordable sunglasses are not built to protect your eyes. However, they do reduce the side effects of sunlight to a certain extent. Today, low cost sunnies have evolved into a fashion statement, and an integral style accessory.

Fit is important –

Sunglasses should fit snugly but not too tightly. They should not move around when you move your head.

Lens size matters –

The size of the lenses will affect how much light they block. Larger lenses will block more light, which can be helpful if you are in bright sunlight.

Sunglass Lenses –

There are different types of sunglass lenses available, each reflecting unique benefits. Some of the most popular types include –

• Polarised Lens – These are great for deflecting intense glare resulting from sunlight bouncing off water, roads/ highways, car windshield, etc.
• Gradient Lens – They are a perfect choice for car drivers because the dark colour at the top of the lens dissolves some of the brightness originating from the headlights of oncoming vehicles while the lighter tint at the bottom offers a clear vision of the road ahead.
• Coloured Lens – The highlight of coloured lens is that they are tinted for a specific purpose. Coloured lenses can be used to enhance contrast and improve vision in certain conditions. For example, yellow lenses can be helpful in foggy conditions, especially driving. On the other hand, blue lens reduces eye strain when using digital devices.
• Mirrored Lens – Mirrored lenses have reflective coating on the outside that helps minimize glare from distinct surfaces such as snow covered plateaus and mountains.

Additional Tips –

Sunglasses Frame Style Matters –
The frame style should complement your face shape. You may want to try on a few different styles to see what looks best on you. Mentioned below are some of the frame styles. While some of these are cyclical, and therefore make frequent comebacks, there are a few that remain in vogue for decades together.

• Wayfarer Frame – They are trapezoidal shaped. However, in the recent times, this shape has evolved, and today looks more like a cat-eye than the squared-off shape of classic wayfarers.
• Clubmaster Frame – Classic Clubmaster is a square shaped frame with gentler curves while the modern Clubmaster boasts the same shape but carries sharper lines.
• Aviators – Aviator sunglasses have a classic teardrop shape that is flattens out on most face shapes. They were originally designed for pilots, but have become a popular fashion accessory.
• Round Frame – Round sunglasses are a great choice for people with square or rectangular face shapes. They help to soften the angles of the face and create a more balanced look.
• Square Frame – Square sunglasses are a good choice for people with round or oval face shapes. They help to add definition to the face and create a more angular look.
• Cat-eye Frame – Cat-eye sunglasses have a flirtatious character and a feminine style that provides sensuous bearing. They can help to elongate the eyes and create a sultry look.
• Rectangular Frame – Rectangle sunglasses are a classic, versatile which can be worn by men and women. They are a good choice for people with oval or heart-shaped face.
• Oval Frame – Oval sunglasses look good on all face shapes. They look cool when set on the bridge of the nose and also when they sit up just over the forehead.
• Oversized Frame – Oversized sunglasses are a trendy style that is perfect for making a bold statement. They can be a bit overwhelming on smaller faces, but look great on people with larger faces.
• Other Shapes – There are several other sunglass frame shapes, such as hexagonal, octagonal, and trapezoidal. These shapes can be a fun and unique way to add distinct personality.

By choosing the right type of sunglass frame, lens and size, you can help to keep your eyes healthy, look trendy and offer your personality a unique character. Even so, affordable glares will only enhance your looks and not help reduce eye strain due to UV radiation.