They perch right there in the middle of our faces, and yet, most people spend more time and care looking for the right pair of shoes to go on our feet rather than the right pair of sunglasses! Why? Because most of us don't have a clue what we should be looking for. There are several factors to be taken into consideration in the search for the right pair of eyewear. UV PROTECTION In your search for sunglasses, the main issue is protection for your eyes from the sun. The correct pair of sunglasses should be large enough to cover your eyes from all sides. You should look for 100% protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. Most reputable sunglass manufacturers offer only shaded lenses with 100% UV protection in their sunglasses. It is always a good idea to check that the sunglasses you are considering do offer this. SIZE Your sunglasses should fit your face properly. Sunglasses that are too tight will pinch the bridge of your nose, the side temples of your face and the backs of your ears after prolonged wear. Sunglasses that are too loose will slide off your nose after a while, or fall right off your face if you look down. If you have a pair of old prescription or sunglasses that fit you comfortably, look at the optical size that's listed inside them. There are usually three numbers which you will find either on one of the temples ( the "arms" that extend along the side of the face to the back of the ears), or on the inside of the nose bridge. The numbers will read, for example: 50-20-140. The first number denotes the size, lengthwise of the frames, the second denotes the depth, and the third is the length of the temples. If you are unable to obtain these numbers, another good way to check sizing is to ask for actual measurements and then compare them to your old glasses, or against your face. STYLE Sunglasses come in all variety of shapes and styles. They are rectangle, round (a la Jackie O), square, aviator and oval-shaped; rimmed, semi-rimmed, or unrimmed; they come with a single or a double bridge across the nose; and they are metal or plastic. Consider the shape of your face when deciding on the right style of sunglasses. The glasses should balance out the rest of your face. If you have a square or round face, rectangle or oval frames would be the most flattering, while long faces generally look well in deeper styles such as square or round shapes. Lucky oval faces look good in just about all the styles. While the double bridge of aviator-styles are very popular now, keep in mind that the style can look heavy on many faces. The single bridge is less obtrusive and tends to be more flattering. If you are set on a double bridge, look for sunglasses where the rest of the frame balances out the top heaviness, for example, semi-rimmed glasses, where the framework is only across the top, or completely unrimmed glasses where the only framework you see is across the bridge and along the temples. Your choice of metal or plastic depends also on several factors. If you have a small or flat nose bridge, it is best to go with a metal frame which comes with silicone nose pads for a better grip. Many people choose metal because it can be more versatile. There are a variety of metals to choose from, from stainless steel, the most lightweight, to titanium, the strongest and most durable. Some people have an allergy to metal, though, while others find that metal glasses can get hot under the sun. Plastic is a good alternative. It is stylish, durable, and certainly does not heat up as much as metal under the sun. PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES If you need a prescription lens in your sunglasses, or if you simply haven't been able to find sunglasses that you like, don't limit yourself to searching only sunglasses. You can shop eyeglass frames also. Once you have found the right pair of frames, you can have your prescription made up into sunglass lens for them. If you don't need a prescription, you can have plain, but protective tinted sunglass lens made up according to your specifications. It's a great way to customize your sunglasses! All in all, if you arm yourself with enough information, sunglass shopping will seem much less formidable, and downright enjoyable. Happy shopping!