Waking up early isn’t a fun task for most of us, but for those of us with poor eyesight it can be even more of a chore. If you wear glasses, you spend several minutes getting your make up perfect only to mess up the overall look by slipping into your glasses. If you wear contacts, you spend the first few minutes putting them in and then wiping the residue solution off your cheeks. With a busy day ahead, the last thing you want on your mind is how you’ll be dealing with your shoddy vision that day. Here are some quick tips to helping you ease into the work day in style, without taking time out of our routine.

First, soak your glasses in water and soap over night at least once a month. This removes built up oil and grime and makes them easy to clean throughout the month. You’ll also want to carry solution and a cloth with you so you can easily and quickly return to your day should get a smear on your lenses. I have a small lens cleaning kit in my purse (it came free with my eyeglasses when I ordered from Smart Buy Glasses) and it also has a handy tool attached for tightening the tiny screws. If anything should happen to my lenses while I’m at work I have the tools to fix them and carry on.

Some days, however, I just don’t feel like wearing glasses so I pop in my contacts. Since I have dry eyes, I wear ClearVision contact lenses, which help keep my eyes moist. Even so, I carry a small vile of solution to keep my eyes watery throughout the day, a hard task since looking at a computer screen for hours on end ccan be daunting to eye health.

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Eyewear Solutions for the Working Woman

Designer eyewear – One of the best ways to make your look more youthful is to don a pair of fashionable and youthful eyeglasses. Designers, Hollywood stars and singers all stay youthful with their eyewear, just look at Madonna!

Show some skin – With age, comes the feeling of becoming more conservative. Instead of giving in to this trend, be proud of your body and show a bit of skin. Shorter skirts and more revealing tops can be classy and yet reveal enough to give you a younger, edgier look.

Wear colorful jewelry – Youthful trends to watch include larger jewelry made from non-metal sources like wood, coral, plastics and rope. While these are also cheaper than gold and silver jewelry, they give a vibe that is adventurous, youthful and creative rather than cheap.

Lose the heels – Today’s youth are not interested in high heels, they hurt the back and feet and they make free movement difficult. Instead, sexy and feminine slippers are in style, which allow more mobility, feel more comfortable and look incredibly youthful and sexy.

Shorter hair – Shorter hair gives the impression of youth on nearly every facial type. Hair slightly shorter than shoulder length just has a youthful bounce and wave. You’ll find that cutting your hair to this length, and especially adding bangs, will make you look several years younger than with longer hair (or with shorter, skull-cropped hair).

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Five Ways to Look More Youthful

With the winter season soon approaching, it is time to start thinking about winter fashion, and practical cold-weather needs. While many leave their Oakleys behind in the winter cool, this season remember that cold weather does not mean less dangerous rays!

For winter casual eyewear, we recommend Ray Ban Aviators, which are lightweight and cover a broad area of the face. Larger eyewear is usually in style in the winter, and Ray Bans are a sure way to stay fashionable while protecting your eyes from the winter sun.

For women who want to stay fashionable this winter, remember that fashion is important, but comfort reigns supreme! Plastic frames are naturally better for winter because they do not retain the cold the way metal frames do. Similarly, metal frames are more fragile in the cold than plastic, and the hinges may become stiff as a result. You’ll want to buy lightweight plastic frames for the winter, designs by Prada and Gucci generally do the trick nicely.

For biking or other outdoor activities, Oakley and Nike continue to make some of the best product available for casual sporting and weekend warriors as well as full-fledged professionals. You won’t be disappointed with Oakley’s much-strutted Jawbone model, which Lance Armstrong found fit to endorse for bikers everywhere.

For more serious winter sporting like skiing, snowboarding and other snowy activities, Oakley and Nike make goggles that are anti-fogging, anti-streaking, anti-scratch and water resistant. You’ll love the difference going designer with goggles makes to your athletic performance. Every skier knows fogged up goggles is worse than skiing in a snow storm.

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Winter’s Best Eyewear

In this world of metrosexuality (yes, Colin Farrell and Jonny Depp are male) men’s fashion has become something to be embraced instead of shunned. Gone are the days where a man in designer clothing was mocked, now he is hailed as a man’s man, albeit living inside the realm of fashion. For those of you keen to get your fashion on, here are a few tips for livening up your eyewear collection.

Alexander McQueen, a designer living on the edge of popular chic and daring creativity, is a designer for men to keep an eye on. His eyewear designs are masculine and fashionable, with a touch of class for those of you living in the higher circles of society (or at least wishing you did).

Armani eyewear is always in style, whether you are a professional businessman or an avid outdoorsman. The styles range from classic to creative, but there is always a creative option in black that will leave you looking sexy, fashionable and masculine.

Ray Bans are always a cool option for any sportsmen or outdoorsman, and in Hollywood they are the shade of choice. Ray Ban’s indoor options are also appealing on men, though many men’s designs are also worn by women.

Whether a man’s man or a normal guy-next-door type, embrace men’s fashion sooner rather than later and be all the more interesting for the choice. Spend a few minutes checking out what’s hot and what’s not online before you buy any major clothing items, and check out the designers mentioned above for the best in men’s eyewear designs for 2010.

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Designer eyewear for men, Yes it’s okay!

Anyone who is anyone knows who Danny Gokey is, but for those of you living under a rock, he was the eyewear king of season 8 of American Idol who appeared on stage in a different pair of designer eyewear every episode (until voted off as 2nd runner up). Since leaving the show, Danny’s life has not become less busy or complicated, with constant interviews amid trying to launch his own singing career, Danny is constantly hounded by media and fashion fanatics about his eyewear. USA TODAY (above image) even did an article about Danny’s fashionable (and expensive) eyewear, questioning how the young man was able to afford such luxury.

 Despite his funding regime (buying on sites like smartbuyglasses.com, for one) Danny has proven he is a stylish cat, making the need to wear prescription glasses also his defining characteristic while on stage. His favorite brand of eyewear- D&G, because of the modern, clean lines that make this country boy look city good.

Since Sarah Plain, no one has raised such interest on the internet about eyewear as Danny, whose image has become synonymous with designer brands. According to Danny, he had additional pairs of designer glasses he wanted to wear while performing, but they were not okayed because they gave unfair advertising to companies who had not provided ad revenue to the show. A particular pair of D&G glasses with the logo boldly painted on the side were rejected by producers as overt product placement. With all the product placements from apple, ford, at&t and coke, what is one more brand, and a designer one at that! Whatever the issues, we hope Danny will continue to be an eyewear king!

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Dan Gokey’s Eyewear

For the American businessperson, first impressions mean everything and lasting charm the edge that helps you get ahead. A thousand dollar suit and Armani eyewear may impress initially, but can hardly be expected to have lasting implications for your career. People want to do business with someone they trust, but just as importantly, they want to like that person. Find a charming way to stay professional and fashionable while staying true to your personality and industry. If you are a baseball fan, for example, don’t be too shy to let that passion shine through. Wear a baseball cap when outdoors or keep your Bear’s wallet instead of a shiny leather Versace. While high fashion and the business world go hand in hand, so too does character—let yours shine through accessories that are all-American and as bold and fresh as you are.

For the all-American businessman the best eyewear for the big leagues is undoubtedly Ray Ban. This all-American design exudes the American dream, as well as confidence and calculated charm. Even the president has a pair of Ray Bans, and every celebrity in Hollywood has a pair of Aviators of Wayfarers on hand.

Tom Ford sunglasses are another all-American brand. These were wildly popular in the 80s with the “Whose that behind those Tom Fords?” campaign that had every celebrity in California itching to participate. For the executive, these may offer a more professional-looking design than Ray Bans, which are often casual and a bit laid back for business.

For indoor eyewear, Ralph Lauren is tops because of its non-pretentious designs and its highly respected name in American fashion. With clean lines, clear frames and cutting-edge fashion, these affordable frames are a great way to stay fashion forward in the workplace.

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The Best Eyewear for the All-American Businessman

For the serious working professional, high-quality eyewear is a must. Not only should you look the part with frames from a design house like Ralph Lauren, but designer frames are durable and reliable and will protect your eyes from the harsh light of the computer screen.

Ralph Lauren frames are a catchy and well-known brand that have a sound reputation for creating fresh new designs that are in-line with modern trends. For the working professional, they are the perfect brand.

Hugo Boss eyewear has come a long way, and many of their more recent designs exude modern fashion and professionalism. For frameless eyewear, Hugo Boss has several modern, light-weight options that are professional and innovative. Meanwhile, Hugo Boss eyewear is well-known and respected in the fashion industry, but more importantly it is widely used in the professional arena.

Nike eyewear, though synonymous with sporting, has a stellar line of professional eyewear that should not go unnoticed. Their sleek lines and bold colors accent silver and black temple bars that are perfect for the working professional seeking something fresh, clean and modern. Nike’s rimless frames are renowned in the fashion industry, and yet remain affordable and classy.

Armani eyewear, though a bit more expensive, is perhaps the best choice for professional, modern eyewear. You’ll be wearing your glasses every day, so the cost is not as important when spread out over the years of use you’ll get from these classy frames. Wearing Armani also shows your commitments to your job, where you give 100% to look and act the part of the professional you are.

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The Best Eyeglasses for Working Professionals

Working at Mode, the leading fashion magazine sponsored by the greats of fashion like Versace, does not mean Miss Betty Swarez, the main character in “Ugly Betty” has to change her look. Throughout the series, Betty wears bold fuchsia frames with sharp angles and thick framing that is overly small for her large eyes. Here is why those frames, albeit adorable, do not work for Miss Swarez. Perhaps these tips will help you pick out the perfect glasses for you.

For starters, her glasses are the wrong color for her skin tone. Rich-toned women should wear natural shades that enhance the beauty of their skin rather than pull attention away from it. With Betty’s beautiful skin and dark hair the best glasses for her would have been simple gold frames to bring out the copper tones in her skin and highlight the richness of her black hair.

Startlingly, they are also the wrong shape for her face. With a prominent jaw, plump nose and narrow, tiny forehead, Betty should be using her eyewear to widen and enlarge the top half of her head to gain proportional balance. She should have chosen glasses that have minimal weight, perhaps thin metal frames, but with an intricate design, perhaps Dior, on the front frame to draw attention upward.

A third problem with Betty’s eyewear is that they are the wrong size. They are too small for her head and the frames around the lenses are so tiny that you cannot see her whole eye through the frame. Betty has large beautiful eyes, and should not hide them behind tiny frames.

Finally, the eyewear Betty wears has all the wrong angles. Notice how they shoot up on the outer edges and have sharp angular lines near her nose? These detract from the natural softness of Betty’s face and also from the gentle curves of her jaw line that could serve to give her a shockingly pretty face.

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Eyewear in Ugly Betty

Three of the top celebrity choices in eyewear forkeeping under the radar are Ray Bans, Dior and Prada, which all provide maximum coverage and ultimate fashion.

Edgy stars, like star couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, not only look amazing in Ray Bans, but they exude the confidence stars need to stay on top. Angelina, who cherishes her time alone with her children and likes to stay as anonymous as possible, wears Ray Ban Aviators with a large hat while out with her children. Her hubbyBrad Pitt does likewise, though with his tale-tell posture and iconic laugh it is quite easy to spot him, despite his Ray Bans.

Christian Dior, another celebrity favorite, has been keeping high-profile celebrities and politicians incognito for ages. With the large frames and dark lenses they are perfect for hiding a large portion of the upper face. The lightweight metal frames make it possible to wear the sunglasses for a length of time without causing discomfort. Meanwhile, the dark or gradient tinting offers maximum coverage. Dior is, also, especially popular with the singing community, namely rap and countrystars.

Prada, ever a favorite among celebrities, fashion icons, artists and singers, has been a favorite for remaining out of sight and under the radar. Where high fashion meets convenience, stars are on board. Prada, with her dark frames, dark lenses and lightweight plastic frames, are ideal for staying hidden. Likewise, since the release of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ the glasses have skyrocketed past popular and into the must-have category of the fashion world.

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The Best Eyewear to Stay Anonymous

As someone with frequent migraines, I was a bit shocked to discover that the tiniest flaw in your eyewear, or low-quality eyewear, can cause irreparable damage not only to your eyes, but to your brain as well. Having switched from my high quality Ralph Lauren eyewear to a generic set, I soon learned the repercussions.

Small cracks in your lenses barely visible to the naked eye can cause seizures, migraines or, more commonly, constant headaches. Cracks can form in the lens from extreme exposure to hot and cold temperatures or from blunt trauma. High-quality lenses, as from designer eyewear companies, have scratch resistant coatings and are designed out of more durable and sound materials. Like cracks, smudges and smears can cause your eye to focus, like a camera attempts to do, on either the foreground or background. Your brain is trying to focus on something in the distance while your eye is focusing on the smudge, thus causing strain which induces pain in your frontal cortex.

Likewise, if your prescription is more than a year old you need a checkup. Walking around with an out of date prescription can cause headaches as well as cornea damage. You eye is part of a living, adapting, changing being and it is not stagnate. Your prescription will change yearly, and if not then all you have lost is the cost of the exam to ensure you are not damaging your eyes.

Low-quality exams and cheap glasses are the number one culprit for ongoing headaches in most out-patient cases. The cheaper the glasses, the likelihood that the materials used are less reliable and the construction less professional. With your health you should go the extra mile to ensure you have the best in the business. Designer eyewear may look cool, but the more important feature is that it is a brand that can be trusted with warrantees not to be ignored. With designer eyewear you also have the chance to add anti-scratch and anti-smear coatings, which are highly recommended for anyone with constant headaches.

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Migraines, Headaches and Eyewear