Metro Eye

One Size Does Not Fit All – Shopping For Hard-to-Fit Faces

Published May 3, 2012 in One Size Does Not Fit All – Shopping For Hard-to-Fit Faces Leave a Comment

Unless you’re trying to make a fashion (anti-fashion?) statement, wearing glasses that don’t fit is something most of us try to avoid.

However, for some of us, finding glasses that fit well can be a real chore. Large faces, petite faces, and shallow bridges are a few features that can cause fitting problems; frames that don’t fit correctly can slide off your nose, produce skin irritation behind your ears, or cause pressure and discomfort. If you have a hard-to-fit face, knowing how to find the correct size frame that fits you properly can eliminate needless shopping time and keep those peepers happy without causing the rest of your face discomfort! Here are some tips [fitting tips via OpticalVision]:

1. Visit an optical store or optician’s office where you can try on frames and be fitted by a certified optician who has been specifically trained to find frames and fit customers. Once you’ve selected a few that you like, try them on and choose your frames based on fit, feel, and personal taste. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and speak up!

2. Find your correct frame’s size. A comfortable frame fit is based on three measurements: eye size; bridge size; and temple length – all measured in millimeters. The eye size is measured horizontally across the eyeglass lens. The bridge size is the distance between the lenses. Eye size and bridge size are located together; they can be separated by a dash or a box – for example, 52-17. You can find these two sizes in one of two places: either behind the bridge of the frame or along the inside of the temple. If a frame has adjustable nose pads, your optical stylist can adjust the bridge size to fit.

3. Find your correct temple size. The temples, or arms, are the two parts that extend over your ears. Temple size is usually a three-digit number, usually between 125 and 165, found along the inside of one of the two temples. The temple fit should extend past your ear just enough to hold the glasses in place, without touching the sides of your face or digging into your skin.

4. Use your eyeglass frame size to narrow your choices and purchase your glasses. Remember the measurements for future reference, i.e., if you ever have to purchase a pair of spares in an emergency, or order replacements online.

Important Note:Individuals who need bifocal or progressive lenses must pay extra attention to lens size. Bifocal or progressive lenses require a certain amount of space to fit properly the prescription within the lens. Ask your eye care specialist or certified optician for help!
 
 
 

Choosing The Best Frames For Your Face

Published April 10, 2012 in Choosing The Best Frames For Your Face Leave a Comment

Springtime weather may be easy-breezy but finding the perfect pair of shades for your face shape is no day at the beach. The key to flattering glasses is picking the right frame—one that sells you from the get-go, accentuating both your look and your lifestyle. With our simple guide, scoring that perfect pair is easy and stress-free—simply remember your ABCs!

A: Assess Your Face

Face Shape – Determine your face shape and flattering glasses will follow, it’s as simple as that. Look in the mirror or at a photograph and compare with the graphics below. There are six main face shapes; find the one you most imitate:

Heart-shaped Face: Wide forehead and cheekbones; tapered jaw line and narrow chin.

A heart-shaped face has a wide forehead that descends to a narrow chin. To minimize your temple width and draw the eye down to the bottom of your face, a wide square or round lens helps to draw attention upward and balance out an angular jawline. Wide arms can also make the forehead look narrower and accentuate the cheekbones.

Oval: Balanced symmetry between forehead, cheekbones and jaw.

An oval face is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. If you have an oval face, you’re in luck – pretty much any shape will look good on you. It’s best to pick frames that are at least as wide as the widest part of your face. Frames that are softly angular and are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face work particularly well by emphasizing cheekbones and keeping the oval’s natural balance and symmetry.

Square: Broad forehead; square jawline.

A square face is equally as wide as it is long, with angular lines. Lengthen your face with frames that are wider (↔) than they are deep (↕). The best shapes for you are any variety of round, oval or cat-eye frames to offset the planes of an angular profile.

Round: Full cheekbones; narrow forehead and jaw.

A round face has curved lines with the width and length in the same proportions. To make a round face appear thinner and longer, try angular frames to lengthen the face, a clear bridge that widens the eyes, and frames that are wider than they are deep – such as a rectangular shape or cat-eye. Try a clear bridge to widen your eyes; DO NOT wear round frames. Wide wraparound shades in square or rectangular shapes will also make your face appear smaller.

B: Bring out & Balance your Features

You know your basic face shape, now let’s turn our attention to types of frames. The purpose of a good frame is to emphasize your facial strengths while deemphasizing your facial weaknesses. Frame types and frame sizes help you achieve this balance.

  • Full-rim frames – Fully enveloping, these frames help emphasize the eyes.
  • Semi-Rimless frames – These rims only frame the top of your glasses, emphasizing the upper portion of your face (wonder worker for diamond and face-down triangle face shapes).
  • Rimless frames – Seeming to float on your face, these magical frames achieve a “barely there” look with your glasses and deemphasize your forehead (works especially well with heart face shapes).

C: Consider Your Coloring, Style, and Preferences

Coloring:  Want to maximize your overall look? Consider your coloring (warm or yellow- and peach-based tones or cool or blue- and pink-based tones ). Stick with shades that best compliment your coloring to really make your eyes and skin sparkle.

That’s about it! Ready to use your ABC’s to choose the glasses you will absolutely adore? Then get to it!

Eye Candy

Published March 6, 2012 in Eye Candy Leave a Comment

If you have a major sweet tooth for color, you’re definitely in luck this Spring. Fashion Week runways saw sunglasses in rainbow shades of neon, jewel tones, 70′s pop art colors and every combination in-between, dip-dyed, tie-dyed, you name it – we saw it.

Vintage styles in fresh shapes also made a comeback in a spec-tacular way – think Art Deco Miami circa-1970 or New York City in the mid-80′s when the rave was king. Spring 2012 eyewear is all about fantastic color on refreshed retro shapes, and one of the first ones that caught our attention are these super-funky “Xeno” shades by Gotti. Classic aviator meets eye-popping vitamin colors? Yes please!

 

Designer Paul Frank turbocharged his frames with fruity tones and day-glo colors that screamed South Beach bombshell and made us swoon. These shades have us dreaming of palm trees and warm weather already.

 

Spring Shades – The Top Styles To Shop Now

Published March 5, 2012 in Spring Shades – The Top Styles To Shop Now Leave a Comment

I love spring for many reasons: warm weather, being able to leave the house without 50 layers of heavy clothing, the return of wonderful, wonderful sunshine. Sunny days bring about the prospect of new spring shades, and we saw some awesome looks on the runways during NY Fashion Week. Overall, vintage styles ruled the catwalks: Cat eye shapes, pop art colors – all would make the perfect companion for an al fresco weekend brunch or a fresh accessory to a seasons-old sundresses or a comfy tee and cut-offs. Ahead, Metro Eye has your Spring Shades Forecast for the top 5 styles of the upcoming season. Eye candy, indeed!

It’s Hip To Be Square

Strong yet feminine, the square shape took a bold, brash turn on Spring runways. We particularly loved these gorgeous caramel gradient shades by SALT.

"Holtz" sunglasses by SALT

 

Tortoise Shell

Tortoise shell frames are the “it” thing this season, and Spring Fashion Week runways saw every designer from Stella McCartney to Marc Jacobs putting their own unique spin on this retro classic.

"Daphne" sunglasses by Bevel

 

Cat-Eyes

It doesn’t get more vintage than this 50′s throwback. Updated takes on this style keep the shape looking fresh – not like you raided grandma’s closet.

Polarized Cat-Eyes by David Yurman

 

Oversized Eye Candy

Big shapes in bold candy colors were everywhere on the Spring runways. A playful ode to the staple styles of the 70’s, expect this season’s styles to pop with fresh and innovative color combinations.

"Azure Stripe 73" by Paul Frank

Makeup Tips For Girls Who Wear Glasses

Published March 2, 2012 in Makeup Tips For Girls Who Wear Glasses Leave a Comment

photo courtesy of SALT

While a sweet pair of specs can be an awesome accessory to amp up a look, they can also raise questions about how to play the makeup game. The problem? Too much makeup and you can end up looking like an 80’s infomercial gone terribly wrong; too little makeup and your features can disappear. So, to help shape up up your spec-style savvy, we sourced tips straight from the expert – world famous makeup artist Bobbi Brown. In an interview with the online fashion mag Refinery29, she revealed these fantastically doable how-to’s on how to rock some awesome specs and still stay easy on the eyes. Her number one? Eyeliner is essential! Read on for six more of Brown’s tips [tips via Refinery29].

1). Stay In Neutral Territory: According to Brown, less is definitely more. “Wearing glasses draws plenty of attention to your eyes, so it’s best to keep your eye makeup simple. Stick to neutral shades on the eyes but remember to blend a darker color into your crease for added definition. Save the bright, bold colors for your lips. Of course, don’t forget corrector and concealer—a must for all women, but especially if you’re wearing glasses.”

2). Don’t Be Afraid of Mascara: “Most of the time I suggest applying 2-3 coats of mascara to really make eyes stand out. Always use black mascara, it makes the biggest difference. (Unless as per the below your prescription makes your eyes look bigger).”

3). Get In Line: “Adjusting the thickness of your liner is important when you’re wearing glasses,” says Brown. “If your frames are thicker, you’ll want to apply a thicker line to the upper lash line so that eyes stand out. If your frames are thinner, a softer liner works.”

4). Take Your Glasses Look From Day To Night: “There are several ways,” she says. “First, you can add bold colors to your cheeks and lips. A bright or dark lip color can instantly transform you into ‘party ready’ and a bright shade of pink blush on your cheek will instantly give your face a lift and flush of color. Or, you can add sparkle to your eyes. Use a lighter shimmer or sparkly color on your lower lid. To create a smoky eye for glasses, double line your eye. It instantly makes your eyes stand out without being too much. Just line your eye with a gel or pencil, then take a similar colored powdered eye shadow and using a liner brush, line above the previous line, smudging as you go.”

5). Define Your Brows: “Brows make a huge difference when you wear glasses— the frames draw attention to them. Learning how to shape and color your brows can change the entire frame of your face.”

6). Pay Attention To Your Prescription: “If your prescription makes your eyes look smaller, be sure to line your eyes all the way around. I recommend using a liner that is darker than your natural eye color, since it creates a perfect contrast that defines the eyes. Finish with two to three coats of black mascara on the top lashes only for a refreshed look. If your prescription makes your eyes look bigger, use a light hand when applying your eye makeup and be sure to blend everything carefully. The last thing you want your glasses to do is magnify any mistakes. For shadows, go with light, neutral shades like my Gold Nugget Sparkle eyeshadow. Your eyeliner should be delicate and thin, with only one coat of mascara to open up the eyes.”