Choose the right glares ~ Life Stylzz

Ask most women what is that one thing they can't walk out of their home without, and you may hear a chorus

where they'd swear by their sunnies. This most-used accessory has evolved into a style statement. Shades can be a reason of confusion, the reason being, lack of right research before buying them.

Like stylist Rick Roy says, "Glares are more of a personal choice. In India, people just copy what the stars do, but it's the attitude and style along with the face structure that you should keep in mind before buying a pair of glares." Fret not! Here are things you should keep in mind to get your two bob's worth while purchasing the perfect eye-wear.

For starters, you need to identify your facial profile. The best shades are the ones that are of the size equal to your face and have frames that contrast your facial structure and features. The point is to garb the features that are prominent on the face. For instance, if you have a tiny face with relatively small features, you would look undoubtedly weird if you opt for a large pair of glares. So ladies, time for some anatomy check.

Let's start with the oval face. Such are the kinds whose facial length is half that of its width. Quite like that of Britney Spears or our very own desi girl, Priyanka Chopra. These are the ones who fit in the lucky lot as almost any glare style suits them. But the ones that seem to go best throughout season are the squarish glares with semi-rounded corners.

A heart-shaped face is a little similar to that of a diamond-shaped one. They both have wide cheekbones. But the former facial type has a wide forehead unlike the latter one which has a narrow forehead. If you're a Reese Witherspoon or Kareena Kapoor heart-shape face alike, we'd suggest you try the glares which are rounded at their corners, especially the ones that are at an angle at the lower half. But a diamond-shaped face (like that of diva Madonna), should use glares that are angular at its upper half.

For the round-faced women whose face is as wide as it is long, (similar to that of the dimpled Preity Zinta and Drew Barrymore) the best glares that suit are the ones that allow an illusion of a long face. So the motive here is to use glares that are wider than the broadest facial feature you have. Using either a round or narrow frame will be a fashion suicide. So for you guys, long live angular frames.

Triangular faces are characterised by wider foreheads that gradually point at the chin, much like beauties Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Liz Hurley. The point here is to add more effect to the wider part of your face, which is the forehead. The best for these faces are the much-loved aviators or even the very chic brow-bar shades; all of which are in style round the clock.

When all three facial features (which include forehead, cheekbone and jawline) have an equal width, you are in the square shaped category ( Sandra Bullock joins you here). It's all about using curvy frames that contrast your facial angles. Go for oval or round shades. Aviators, too, suit this face type.

The last of the lot is the narrow or long face, when your facial length is more than its width. Sexy Sarah Jessica Parker is the best example for this facial type. The idea here is to use frames that guise the length of your face. Use round or square shaped glasses, and never go for the over sized ones.

Stylist Gavin Miguel says, "It's best to go for neutral shades especially the ones that complement your outfit. Don't do bling just for the sake of it. The idea is to cover the area from the eyebrow to the cheekbone, as it is about protecting the eyes and not just wearing glares for the heck of it."

Go vogue:
Sunglasses are not an invention of the modern era. People who lived in the arctic region (Inuit) would use walrus ivory glasses with slits in the centre, to view. This was to protect their eyes from the harmful UV rays. Roman emperor Nero also watched gladiator fights through polished gems. Glares became a rage when they were introduced by Sam Foster in US in 1929. Eyewear designer Ronak Sheth says that in eye-wear, square shapes for women and medium size for men are back in vogue. Colours that are trendy are blacks, browns for men and pinks, maroons, the three-colour gradient (red-green-clear) for women.

Fashion forecast:
Here's what eye-wear designer Ronak Sheth has to say; Sun glasses have now become an important accessory and it's utility part is taken for granted. The important aspect for any glare is- shape, colour and fit. Aviators are the shapes that have the most fan-following. Of late, what's in style are the standard aviator shapes clubbed with materials like carbon-fibre, rubber, leather (all used on the temple or the bar on the top of the shades.) Slight variations of the aviator that are in vogue are the retro mix aviator (aviators that are a bit squarish with sharp angles). The wayfarers are another hot trend, especially the ones made in plastic, injection moulding or handmade acetate. Colours for the season are funky neon colours for the young, black and demi-ambre tortoise for adults (this is a vintage one and was also philosopher Aristotles' style).

Two styles that will catch up in some months are, the retro styling for men and bumble bee glasses for women; blue mirror lenses-lenses in blue especially flash ocean blue with mirror coating. And as for whether glass or plastic for the lens of glares; both are safe. Though glass has more optical quality, there is this fear of it breaking and harming the eye. While acrylic, polycarbonic (PC) and CR39 lens are the best in plastic.
Now after all these mantras from the gurus of style, our final advice is, try your shades before investing in them. And yes, like Gavin Miguel says, it is tacky to go for glares that have a monogram on the sides just to prove you are Richie Rich's sibling. It's all about toning it down to suit your style and attitude.

Funk it up:
Shades look great with colour. Matching them with your complexion is important. If matched well with your skin tone, it can add add a glow to your face or else make you look dull. For the Indian complexion, which is warm tones, you can either wear black or choose from tones like brown, yellow and its shades. Gavin Miguel says that colours like gold look way too loud. Dull-gold, tortoise-shell colours are best for the Indian face. And if you're the one who loves going funky, stylist Rick Roy suggests you go for the over sized or the bumblebee glasses.

B-town talk
While Rick Roy thinks Malaika Arora Khan wears the right kind of glares and knows what suits her best; Gavin Miguel says that Lara Dutta and Bipasha Basu have the right sense of wearing shades and can carry it off.

Important
Always buy UV protective shades, as this is the main aim of a sun glass (to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays).This is why, it is recommended to shell out on a branded pair of glasses so you don't damage your eyes.