Welcome to another installment of “Things We’re Loving.” As we’ve mentioned before, we’re not being paid to talk about these products. They just happen to be things we’re using and loving lately.
First on this month’s list is a pair of sunglasses I told myself I would never even consider buying. For as long as I’ve been alive, I’ve been a “10-dollar sunglasses” kind of girl. I’d buy the cheap sunglasses because I didn’t want to worry about accidentally losing an expensive pair.
But here’s the thing. I wear sunglasses almost all the time when I’m outside my house. 
My eyes are pretty sensitive, and I just can’t drive without sunglasses on. And it gives me a headache to walk around in bright light outdoors.
But I still didn’t consider buying high-quality sunglasses until my daughter’s doctor told me how photo-sensitive her eyes are. For medical reasons, she truly needs the best sunglasses we could afford to get for her. So… I read a bunch of reviews and found out what qualities the best sunglasses should have. I even asked my eye doctor during my last exam about it.
My doctor said that POLARIZED sunglasses are a must. Polarized lenses are supposed to block 99 percent of reflected glare. (My doctor recommended gray polarized glasses as the best color lens base.) She is also said sunglasses should have UVA and UVC protection. For my 14-year-old daughter’s medical needs, I also wanted glasses that are good for bright light situations and don’t allow too much light transmission.
So I finally bit the bullet and bought a pair of Oakley sunglasses I found on Amazon, partly because they only allow about 12 percent light transmission. (The specific name is Oakley Women’s Feedback Metal Polarized Aviator Sunglasses.) My daughter liked them so much that I tried driving in them one day when she wasn’t with me. That’s when I realized maybe there really is a difference between my 10-dollar pair and these new ones. I fell in love so much that I eventually ordered my own pair so I wouldn’t have to keep wishing I could wear the good ones that my kid had on.
I really love these sunglasses when I’m driving. Not only am I not squinting, the colors I see through these glasses are so much more vivid. I keep saying “Look how green the trees are!” “Those flowers are so gorgeous!” These glasses somehow turn up the contrast level I’m seeing now. I also bought this particular pair because reviewers said that they don’t pull at your hair if you have a habit of putting them on top of your head when you’re inside. (I do that a lot, so that was a real selling point for me.)
I’m linking to the specific pair of glasses I got (pictured above), but just be aware that the price on these fluctuates quite a bit. I bought them for well under $200, but I’ve seen the price go as high as $225. So if you like these, just wait and watch for the price to change.
But if this style is not your thing, just look for sunglasses with the following list of qualifications:
- polarized lenses (gray lens base is best)
- UVA protection
- UVC protection
Needless to say, I’m totally paranoid now about protecting my new favorite sunglasses. I pay attention to where I put them down, and I always put them back in the protective case to guard against scratches. It’s a hassle, yes, but it’s worth it so far.
It’s definitely the season to protect your eyes, mamas! And we all know that driving while squinting into the bright sun can be dangerous. Hope this recommendation helps you find a pair you love.
