Getting down with shady!

BEAUTY CORNER

Every month, Living carries a column on beauty tips by our grooming expert, Shahnaz Husain. Send in your queries to dhliving @gmail.com

Sunglasses do make a fashion statement and are very much a part of style and glamour.

They will never lose their popularity and with such a wide variety of styles available, selecting the right one can be a gamble. Designer glasses have flooded the Indian market, so if you go for one of the big names, you have to spare a thought for your pocket too.

Buying the right sunglasses means you have to choose a frame that complements your face and the colour of your skin. They also have to conform to the shape of your eyebrows, otherwise you may end up looking like you have two sets of eyebrows. 

If you have a sallow (pale) complexion, avoid frames with yellow or orange tones — a pink or a dark brown may suit you best. If you buy one, make sure that they are really light. Heavy frames can put pressure on either side of the nose and even leave marks.

I feel that sunglasses are more than just an accessory for your grooming. They also help to protect your eyes. That is why one must pay adequate attention to the lenses, making sure that they are of good quality, without any distortions or scratches. Some lenses get easily scratched too. Go for lenses which provide protection from UV radiation. 

According to a Harvard Medical School optometrist, W Lee Ball Jr, sunglasses also play a vital role in shielding the fragile tissue around the eyes. He says that the skin, including the eyelid itself, is very thin and vulnerable. In fact, sunglasses also protect the skin from sun exposure and the resultant visible ageing signs. These are wrinkles at the outer corner of the eyes, known as crow’s feet. Doctors recommend sunglasses with large lenses for protection from UV rays.

According to the Vision Council of America, it is essential for children to protect their eyes from sun exposure too, as it reduces the risk of many diseases later in life. The eyes of children are more transparent and are more vulnerable to sun-damage. For adults who spend many hours of the day outdoors for recreation, who take prescription medications such as tetracycline, birth control pills, diuretics, and sulfa drugs, who have had cataract or lasik surgery, or who have certain retinal disorders are at a higher risk for UV damage than others. By wearing sunglasses or hats, adults can protect their eyes the same way sunblock protects their skin.

Sunglasses should fit properly, especially on the nose and ears. Tightness on these areas can cause friction. It should also fit closely near the brows, but the eyelashes should not touch the lenses.

Whether you opt for high-priced designer sunglasses or a more affordable pair you find at your drugstore, you can easily find sunglasses that are flattering and functional. And protecting your eye health is one sunglass trend that will never go out of style.

While buying lenses, one can go for tinted ones in soft colours, like rose, mauve, apricot, pale blue or olive green.

You may have heard of polarised lenses. These are useful for water sports and cut down on glare and eye strain.

Take the shape of your face into consideration. It’s a good idea to keep your size in mind too. For example, if you have a small, petite body build, a large frame may be too overpowering. Here’s how to choose the right frame for that perfect look:

The general rule to follow is that you avoid round frames if you have a round or plump face. Try frames with interesting angles or geometric shapes. For long or oval faces, rounded frames are better.

For a long face, choose a large frame with a straight line at the bottom and rounded or oval shaped sides.

For a round face, avoid frames which round off at the sides or bottom. Straight lines or angular frames are better. The angle should be towards the nose and not away from it.

For a square face, say no to square or rectangular frames. Curved ones are better. For a heart shaped face, avoid angular shapes and go for ovals which go straight across the width of the face.