Once thought of as "bookish" or "nerdy", glasses have become a sought-after accessory for both young and old alike. Glasses can say a lot about your personality and fashion sense, and will instantly communicate a great deal of information about you. For instance, colorful or patterned glasses may indicate a fun-loving personality. Wooden or eco-friendly frames tell the world you care about nature and the environment. High end designer specs let everyone know you have got ultra-chic style to spare. A sporty frame in the colors of your favorite team will advertise your athletic interests.
Glasses can also make you more memorable. If you want to stand out in a crowd, choose distinctive eyewear. Play up and define your own unique style. Anyone can establish a signature look, not just artists and celebrities. Picture John Lennon, Buddy Holly or Jackie Kennedy. I guarantee you can see their glasses in your mind right now.
If you want to stand out in a competitive world, uniquely styled glasses can make you more noticeable, and may help you to land that big account or even get the job over other equally qualified but less noticeable candidates.
No matter what you choose, if you wear your glasses with the right attitude and confidence, you will look stunning and heads will turn. Here are a few insider tips for finding your perfect spectacle style:
Stay True to Yourself
If you are not one to follow the latest fashion trends in other aspects of your appearance, this may not be the time to start. Pick something classic or neutral in a shape that compliments your face. You want to be comfortable in your glasses and not feel like the glasses are "wearing" you. Any frame that looks good on you will always be in style. If square frames don't flatter you, give them a miss and opt for something that suits your face shape better. Generally, round faces will look great in wider or more elongated shapes with strong noticeable details. Square shaped faces are complimented by less angular, softer frame shapes. Oval faces tend to be fairly well-balanced so choose a style that's as wide as the broadest part of your face. If your face is heart or triangle shaped, choose something wider at the bottom than at the top. Of course all these rules can be thrown out the window if you find a frame that looks and feels great but doesn't fit the guidelines because if you love the look you will rock it naturally! And, of course, you will get lots of compliments so be prepared for the extra attention! 
Conversely, if you already enjoy extra attention and love to wear the latest styles- Go for it! Choose something funky, sparkly, colorful or distinctive that you can make your own- and consider having multiple pairs in your wardrobe to fit your outfit, your mood, or the season. You wouldn't own just one pair of shoes or just one purse, why have only one eyewear option?
It Pays to Upgrade
Have you ever been excited to order new glasses and then been disappointed by the thickness of the lenses or the weight on your nose or glare on the lenses? Your Optician knows how to fix these problems and can offer suggestions on how to avoid them. They can help you with glasses that suit your lifestyle and they will also be able to help you by choosing thinner materials, non-glare coatings, and various treatments which will give you the best glasses you have ever worn. It may cost a little more, but it is money well spent. Your glasses are an investment and you use them every day. Consider options like Polarized or Transitions light adaptive lenses that will allow you to enjoy outdoor activities without squinting or damaging UV exposure. There are even new Transitions color lenses in jewel tones such as Sapphire, Amethyst, Emerald, and Amber. These fun new options offer the same reliable sun protection in cool new colors to compliment your style. Think about choosing hi-index lenses that will not only look thinner but give you a crisper, clearer, wider field of vision. Choose non-glare lenses that will help to relieve eyestrain caused by the glare from overhead lighting, headlights, and more. Additionally, non-glare coatings contain several components that will keep your lenses cleaner, keep them dry in the rain, and prevent them from scratching. Your Eyecare Professionals are a valuable resource. They study and learn about all the latest products to be able to enhance your lifestyle and help you to love your glasses!
Color Your World: On Tuesdays We Wear Pink
It's fun to have multiple frames in different colors. Change it up from day to day and match an outfit, mood or season. Perhaps wear a certain color during the Stanley Cup Playoffs (LGB!). Or choose a neutral tone that compliments both your wardrobe and your complexion. Either way, opt for a shade that works well with your skin tone.
There are two basic categories of skin tones, cold and warm. Most people will fall into one of these two categories, although 60% of the US population is reported to have cool skin tone. Not sure which you are? Look at the inside of your wrist. If the veins there appear blue, you are a cool skin tone. If they appear green, you are a wam skin tone.
So, what should you look for when choosing a frame?
Warm skin tones are complimented by: camel, khaki, gold, copper, peach, orange, coral, ivory, red, and blonde tortoise.
Cool skin tones look best with: black, silver, brown, blue, grey, plum, magenta, pink, amber, and dark tortoise.
Accentuate Your Best Features
Emphasize your strengths...
Use eyewear shapes to enhance your neatural beauty. Glasses will frame your eyes the same way artists frame great works of art. Cat eye frames will create a natural facelift by making eyes appear less droopy and highlighting and lifting cheekbones. Choose frames that compliment your eye color. For example, blue eyes will sparkle and shine when contrasted with a red or copper colored frame.
Also, consider your glasses when applying your makeup. Glasses may make your eyes appear a bit darker or in shadow, so use concealer to counteract that effect. Eyeshadow may appear darker as well, so an intense smoky eye may not be your best choice. Instead, highlight lashes with mascara, keep to lighter tones for eyeshadow, and don't forget to highlight your eyebrows.
Do wear makeup to your eye appointment when you try on frames. And style your hair the way you normally wear it. If you always wear a ponytail, wear a ponytail that day. If you always wear your hair down, wear it down. And if you always wear black brown or grey, do not pull out the one bright pink shirt you own and wear it to choose your glasses. This way, you will have a more accurate idea of how the glasses will compliment you and your wardrobe.
Confidence, Confidence, Confidence!
Whatever eyewear look you choose, own it. You will receive second glances and compliments when you hold your head up and smile. In fact, wearing glasses may actually make you more approachable. Several studies have shown that glasses wearers are perceived to be more intelligent, successful and trustworthy. Glasses also make you appear more human. They convey the message that no one is perfect which may help people open up to you.
As far as guys making passes at girls who wear glasses, remember the classic stereotype of romantic comedies where the girl-next-door flings off her glasses to reveal the sexy seductress lurking within.
Cue the lights and the music...
You've got this!
