In general, “sunglasses should fit snugly and comfortably on the face without too much pressure,” says Lilan Le, OD, NYC-based optician at Heywear walk-in optics studio. “When you smile, the frame shouldn’t dig into the cheeks or leave impressions where it rests on the nose.”

Some wire sunglasses stretch and slide over your nose. Plastic frames can be unforgiving to sensitive temples. And the arms (if they’re not properly adjusted) can put too much pressure on your ears.

“The temples of the glasses should gently rest over your eyes without the temples digging into the back of your head or the side of your head,” says Dr. Le. “A quick check of the fit is to wear sunglasses and look at the floor while shaking your head from side to side. If it slips, it’s too loose. “

Style, UV protection and frame size also play a role. Read on for Dr. Les on how to choose sunglasses that actually fit your face and protect your eyes all summer long.

Here’s how to choose sunglasses that fit your face, according to an optician

1. Choose sunglasses with strong UV and light protection

The main purpose of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. That said, prioritizing the UV protection of your lenses is important.

Look for lenses with a label that says “100% protection against UVA and UVB” or “UV 400”, which Dr. Le blocked all ultraviolet light. “The UV value tells us which frequency range the glasses can block out,” she says. “LT (Visible Light Transmission) categories tell us that a lot of light is now blocked by sunglasses on a scale of 0-4. The higher the category, the more light is faded out. “

Some things to consider when choosing sunglasses with UV protection:

• Darker lenses do not automatically mean that you are protected. Look out for this UV level label, preferably one of UV 400.
• For light reduction, Dr. Le to choose lenses with category 3 and lower: “You can drive up to category 3, but a 4 should never be used to drive a car as it blocks too much light.”
• And to reduce glare on ultra-bright days at the beach and at sea, invest in polarized sunglasses. These reduce the reflection of light and make it easier to see in bright, shiny surroundings. For an affordable option, we love these GreenTree Polarized Sunglasses ($ 19). Or, invest in some serious, sustainable protection, like Amavii Philip Frames ($ 255), which plant a tree for every pair purchased.

2. Determine your face shape

Your face shape is created by the lines and angles of your main features such as your forehead, cheeks, and chin. Dr. Le says that this overall shape can have an impact on the fit and look of your sunglasses, so take this into account before purchasing.

If you don’t know your face shape, don’t worry – there are a few easy ways to find out. “When you look at your hairline, is it round or straight? Does your chin have a more pointed or rounded shape? To determine whether your face is more oval or round, we need to compare width and height, ”says Dr. Le. “Is your cheek wider than your jaw? Is the distance from your forehead to the jaw longer or similar to the width of your face? When you put all of that together, you can find your next face shape. “

After you’ve set your face shape, do the following to choose a frame:

• Round face: Dr. Le recommends adding some contrast with frames with clear, defined angles, like square sunglasses or vintage cat-eye frames.
• Square face: Dr. Le suggests choosing sunglasses that soften the angles of the face, like a 90s-style round shape or classic aviator sunglasses.
• Heart-shaped face: Choose a frame that mimics the shape of your face with a wider top and a narrower bottom. Dr. Le recommends cat-eye sunglasses or frames with a thick, protruding brow.
• Oval face: You’re lucky. Dr. Le an oval face goes well with almost any frame, so make your choice.

3. Trends are fun, but invest in a pair that you will wear for more than one season

Maybe you’re not indulging in those tiny sunglasses all over TikTok, or those huge ’80s-style plastic sunglasses you’ll wear on the slopes one day. “The more wearable your sunglasses, the more likely you are to use them for protection and style,” says Dr. Le.

If you want to spend the money, go for a more classic style. Dr. Le recommends Heywear Donovan ($ 100), which has a versatile, well-sized metal frame. She also likes Rivers ($ 125), which will fit almost any face shape, and Penn ($ 125), which has an oversized acetate frame for added UV protection.

4. Size matters

When it comes to sunglasses, the bigger the frame, the more protection you get. “The bigger the better, because it offers more protection for the sensitive structures of the eyes and the eyelids,” says Dr. Le. Small, narrow frames do not offer as much protection from harmful sun rays as large aviator glasses, for example. Protect your precious looks (and eyelids that can get burned!) And go one size bigger.

5. Wear sunglasses early and often

To keep your eyes healthy, it is best to wear sunglasses outdoors as often as possible. Sunglasses can keep us from doing more damage, especially on bright, sunny days when glare can make us squint and strain.

If you haven’t been an avid sunglass wearer, it’s never too late to get started. However, the sooner you can get your hands on a pair, the better: “We actually absorb most of our sun exposure under the age of 18 and see the damage from this overtime cumulatively as we age,” says Dr. Le. “It’s very important to start wearing sunglasses early.” Parents, invest in some kid-friendly frames for your kids, like Amazon’s Polarized WeeFarer Sunglasses ($ 35) for everyday use. For picky toddlers, the Cocosand Baby Sunglasses ($ 20) come with a strap to keep them in place.

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