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| • Best fitting sunglasses • Colors and tints • Frame measurements • Lens colors • Lens materials | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WHAT TYPE OF SUNGLASSES WOULD BE BEST FOR ME?Not all faces are shaped the same, so it makes sense that frames won't look the same on every face. Stylists suggest that facial features should be balanced out in order to identify the right pair of complimentary sunglasses. You should follow the ‘rule of opposites’ while choosing the sunglasses. Oval face – If your face is oval-shaped you should know that no rule applies to your case. Any pair will look good on you. Oval-shaped faces are characterized as having the most balanced proportions and allows the widest choices when it comes to picking frames. If your face has a tendency towards soft curves, you can pick from geometric, rectangle or square shapes. These compliment your face by adding curves to your angles and vice versa. You can find a wide array of striking sunglasses at https://heavyglare.com/sunglasses Square face - If you have a square face, you can balance it out by using round or oval frames. A butterfly shape compliments the width of your forehead or jaw line with mild angularity. Avoid clearly geometric forms that highlight the bottom of the frame because they can make your chin stand out excessively. Try something with slightly rounded edges to soften things up a bit. Stay away from sharp angles. Try the round/Oval frames at heavyglare.com Round face – If you have a round face, it is exactly as it sounds. You have a softer jaw line and soft cheekbones. It is nearly as wide as it is tall. Your aim is to make your face look longer. You should stay away from round shaped sunglasses, as they will overstate your softer features. For the coming season, you best choices should be square or aviator frames. Oblong Face - If you have an oblong face you have a long face. Your jaw line and cheekbones are proportional to an oval face, but…longer. What you have to do is balance out your face shape. You should experiment with lines. If you have high forehead or sharp chin, round frames will balance it. If you have a long and skinny shaped face, horizontal frames will broaden your face. Never use tall frames as they will make your face look longer. Heart-shaped face - There is nothing girlie about hearts in this case. You have a wide forehead, and a fine square jaw-line but your chin is a bit pointy. People with heart-shaped faces like Reese Witherspoon tend to prefer butterfly or round styles. What you have to do is balance out the stiff forehead and not-so-strong chin. Aviators sunglasses with a nice classic line will do the trick. Nevertheless, any frame with a straight line across the bridge that gets soften at the bottoms should look good on you. . Large head - The best forms of frames are those that assist the arms in sitting at an appropriate 90 degree angle. Spring hinges allow the arms to flex and this is a good alternative as well. Small head- Avoid large frames. Look for smaller frames that fit on your head proportionately allowing for the perfect fit on the rear end of your ears. Focus on smaller sized styles, wayfarer and cat-eye while avoiding the trendy but over-sized designs. Purpose When it comes to choosing the best sunglasses for active sports, one size does not fit all. Depending on whether you are going on a road biking tour in Italy or a cruise through the Caribbean, you should look for some specifics. Think about whether fashion or function should be deciding factor, how large you need the lenses to be, how close the frame should contour your face, etc. Whatever you choose, always make sure the shades offer adequate UV protection (99%-100% absorption), and are attached by a sports band or lanyard so they won't get easily lost. In addition, here are a few other things to remember: Skiing and Snowboarding - Polycarbonate lenses - shatter-proof and fog-resistant Plastic frames - sturdier and more flexible than metal frames Wraparound frames - offer the best protection against wind and snow Polarized lenses - absorb glare off the snow Amber or vermilion tint lenses - provide the best contrast against snow Cycling - Wraparound frames - best protection against wind and dust Brown, photochromic lenses - offer best contrast and adapt to changing light Tennis - Polycarbonate lenses - won't shatter if struck by the ball Polycarbonate or nylon frames - less likely to snap on impact Sports band - glasses should be secured with a strap Golf - Contrast-enhancing lens tint - brown and rose colors are best for contrasting green fairways Golf frames - some manufacturers offer special frames with minimized bridge and extended bottom flaps to reduce the visual distraction of the frames during your swing
How do I figure out what sunglasses will fit best?
1. Wire frames tend to be lighter than plastic. Plastic frames are made from a variety of materials - nylon frames are the most durable, being more flexible and less prone to snap. Look for metal hinges whenever possible as they tend to last longer than the plastic type. Some sports models have "air dams" molded into the frame that direct the flow of air over the inside of the lenses or small ventilator holes to reduce fogging. 2. Your sunglasses should fit snugly without pinching behind your ears or the bridge of your nose. More expensive shades often come in different sizes. Leave them on for a few minutes. Often, you won't be able to tell if they're too tight until you've worn them for a while. 3. Remember that the best reason to wear sunglasses is to protect your eyes. Large lenses and wraparounds help cut down on UV rays that can easily leak in around the edges of smaller-lens models. Plus, the wraparound design gives full-coverage protection from dust, snow, wind, and rain--a must for cycling and skiing. 4. Test-drive your selection whenever possible. Fluorescent store lighting won't tell you very much about how the sunglasses perform in normal sunny conditions. If the dealer will let you, go outside and look at the glare on a body of water or a car window. Check a shady spot to make sure you can see in shadows.
BASIC TERMINOLOGIESTemple: It’s the arm of the frame that reaches out around your ear. Bridge: This is the shape of the frame that lies across your face. It can be categorized into different bridge styles that are created by the accessories designer. The bridge that does justice to your facial features depends on the ‘shape’ of your face, something that you will find below. Lens: This is the simplest of the lot. It is the part of the spectacles that your eyes look through. It plays the role of blocking the sun. The shape of your face should determine the height of your lens. They come in different tones like green, grey or amber. These shades are the most efficient sun blockers. Polarization: You can purchase your sunglasses without having concerns as to if they are polarized or not. Modern lens are produced with UVA/UVB rays protection which is all you need to be concerned about. Polarization is generally thought of as protection to the eyes yet it does not focus on eye protection at all. When you are doing anything related to “extreme sport” is when it is necessary to make use of polarization.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN LENS COLOR OR TINTS?The color of the lens is usually a personal decision, but here are some facts to keep in mind: • Gray or green-tinted: Offer the least amount of color distortion; good for all-purpose use and clear days. • Amber and orange: Block blue light, offering a brighter view on cloudy, hazy, or foggy days. • Gold and yellow: Add contrast; best in flat and dim-light situations. • Brown: Best for enhancing depth perception. • Rose: Has the highest contrast and best low-light image resolution. • Mirrored: Reduces the amount of light that reaches the eyes; good at high altitudes. • Gradient: Shaded from top to bottom. (A double-gradient lens is dark at the top and bottom, and lighter in the middle.) Driving glasses are often gradated so that you can see the dashboard clearly. • Photochromic: Automatically darkens and lightens as light conditions change. Photochromic (transitional) lenses will not get very dark, and take some time to adjust to changes in light. Heat also hinders the photochromic (transitional) lenses from getting dark.
Tip: Darker does not necessarily mean better. The darker the lenses, the more visible light they block. Brighter conditions demand darker lenses. It is important to keep in mind where you will be wearing them most. Sunglasses designed for mountain climbing, for example, generally have lenses too dark for everyday wear.
What do the numbers located on the bridge and temples of the frames mean?
Example: The numbers on the frame reflect the SIZE MEASUREMENTS in millimeters (mm). 1st Number (ex.54) = the width of the lenses
Lens Color Guide
What are the different lenses made of?
There are three major types of sunglass lenses: glass, polycarbonate and plastic. • Glass lenses are the most scratch-resistant and distortion-free, but they are also heavier, more expensive and more likely to shatter. • Polycarbonate lenses are tougher than plastic and are shatterproof, making them ideal for sports and outdoor activities. • Plastic lenses cost much less, but are easily scratched and generally come with cheaper, flimsier frames.
What is the benefit of Polarized Lenses?
Polarized lenses are great for reducing glare from water, sand, snow or highway pavement that can cause temporary blindness, eyestrain, headaches, and impair night vision. They contain horizontal filtering strips that virtually eliminate the glare of reflected light. Polarization alone, however, does not block UV rays. UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lens. When buying polarized sunglasses don't forget to check the UV rating too.
What type of sunglasses would be best for me?
When it comes to choosing the best sunglasses for active sports, one size does not fit all. Always make sure the shades offer adequate UV protection (99%-100% absorption), and are attached by a sports band or lanyard so they won't get easily lost. In addition, here are a few other things to look for: Skiing and snow boarding - Cycling - Tennis - Golf -
WHAT IS ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION (UV)?UV, or ultraviolet radiation, is part of the invisible light spectrum that falls between 100 and 400 nanometers (nm). UV is divided into three ranges - UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. UV-C, the range below 280 nanometers, is not considered a threat because most of it is filtered by the earth's protective ozone layer (although air pollutants are degrading the ozone, thus increasing UV exposure). Prolonged exposure to the higher-ranged UV-A and B rays, however, can cause significant eye damage, ranging from temporary discomfort to long-term vision problems such as cataracts. So check the labeling on your shades to make sure they protect against UV-A and B rays. Some Useful Info about UV 1. UV radiation is most intense between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and is stronger at high altitudes and closer to the equator. Hence, sunglasses are particularly critical gear for mountaineers, climbers and anyone heading for the tropics. 2. The reflective qualities of snow, sand and water amplify the effects of UV radiation, harming unprotected eyes over even a brief period time. Thus, it's especially important to wear the right sunglasses while skiing, boating, climbing or while hanging out on the beach or in the desert. 3. Dark lenses that do not block UV light can actually cause more damage than wearing none at all because they dilate your pupil, allowing more light in without blocking the damaging rays. 4. You may tend to think that you do not need sunglasses on cloudy days. But the fact is - though clouds block solar brightness they can still allow up to 80 percent of UV light to reach your eyes and skin. So do not forget your shades on those cloudy days. 5. In addition to UV-blocking shades, wear a brimmed hat when in sunny conditions. Fifty percent of sunlight comes from directly overhead and can reach your eyes over the top of your sunglasses. Look for "wraparound" sports sunglasses, with specially curved lenses and frames that hug the contours of the face. 6. Babies and young children are more susceptible to UV damage because they have more translucent corneas and lenses. So, they must also wear baby sunglasses and hats in the time of outing. WHAT IS ANSI Z87? ANSI Z87 denotes the rating for safety glasses. Glasses which are marked with Z87 means that they have been highly rated and meets the ANSI standards eye and facial protection. ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. WHAT HAS BEEN CHANGED IN THE NEW ANSI STANDARD FOR EYEGLASS?The new standard is now called the ANSI Z87+ standard and it is performance driven. • The new standard has two levels of performance for non-plano (prescription) lenses. - Basic Impact - High Impact • The new standard requires that prescription safety frames must meet the lens retention (High Velocity and High Mass) test requirement with 2.0mm lenses. Please be aware that an employee subjected to High Impact may not be adequately protected if wearing lenses tested only for Basic Impact. Description of the new ANSI testing requirements: High Impact Level Prescription Lenses • Must not be less than 2.0mm thick. • The lenses shall be capable of resisting impact from a 6.35mm (1/4 in.) steel ball traveling at 45.7 m/s (150 ft/s). • Marking by manufacturer or lab with "INITIALS" as a trademark would look like this: INITIALS+ Basic Impact Level Prescription Lenses • Basic Impact lenses shall be a minimum 3.0mm thick except those lenses having a plus power of 3.00D or greater shall have a minimum thickness of 2.5mm (no change from the 1989 standard). • Basic Impact lenses are not tested to stringent High Impact requirements. • They will NOT be marked with a "+" • Protectors with Basic Impact lenses will be delivered to the wearer bearing a Warning Label indicating that the protector only meets the Basic Impact Standard.
Prescription Frame • All prescription safety frames must meet High Velocity and High Mass impact resistance tests while retaining the lenses. • The frame will be marked with Z87+. • All frames marked with Z87+ can be used for Basic Impact and High Impact protection. Side shields • Lateral protection shall be assessed using a rotation point 10mm behind the corneal vertex, which means that shields must now provide more coverage. MarkingsSplash and droplet: D3-splash and droplet / D4-dust Fine dust: D5 UV protectors: U (plus the scale number) Infrared light protectors: R (plus the scale number) Welding: W (plus the shade number) Visible light filter: L (plus the scale number) Special Notes1. Wire frames tend to be lighter than plastic. Plastic frames are made from a variety of materials - nylon frames are the most durable, being more flexible and less prone to snap. Look for metal hinges whenever possible, as they tend to last longer than the plastic type. Some sports models have "air dams" molded into the frame that direct the flow of air over the inside of the lenses or small ventilator holes to reduce fogging. 2. Your sunglasses should fit snugly without pinching behind your ears or the bridge of your nose. Shades that are more expensive often come in different sizes. Leave them on for a few minutes. Often, you won't be able to tell if they're too tight until you've worn them for a while. 3. Remember that the best reason to wear sunglasses is to protect your eyes. Large lenses and wraparounds help cut down on UV rays that can easily leak in around the edges of smaller-lens models. In addition, the wraparound design gives full-coverage protection from dust, snow, wind, and rain--a must for cycling and skiing. 4. Test-drive your selection whenever possible. Fluorescent store lighting will not tell you very much about how the sunglasses perform in normal sunny conditions. If the dealer will let you, go outside and look at the glare on a body of water or a car window. Check a shady spot to make sure you can see in shadows. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
