The Zenni Blog

In the Eye of the Beholder: 5 Eye Makeup Safety Tips

Women have been using eye cosmetics for generations and for good reason: A pretty pair of eyes has been known to sweep many a suitor off his (or her) feet. The flip-side of this is that makeup is notorious for causing irritation and infection and there are few things more unattractive than peepers that are red, swollen and oozing green muck.

If you are going to prettify your peepers, put a little thought into the makeup you use and how you use it:

1. Pore Over Packaging

Your eyes are sensitive organs: Easy to irritate and easy to damage. Contaminants in eye makeup, such as bacteria or foreign substances cause a world of pain. Use your common sense when shopping and make sure a product’s packaging is intact and sealed.

(If there is a “sell-by” date on the package read it, abide by it.)

Tip: Be extra cautious while shopping in the “bargain bins” at drug stores and boutiques, as some of the makeup in there can be pretty old, even if well-sealed and in its original packaging. Also, check out the FDA’s Import Alert of contaminated cosmetics.

2. Be Selfish

Never, never share makeup with a friend. No matter how much she begs. No matter how long she pleads.

(Don’t share even if there the cutest guy in the world is at the bar and she really needs an extra coat of mascara.)

Sharing makeup is just asking for trouble. It’s how infections get spread. Don’t do it.

Tip: If you are the “need to be needed” sort, keep a package of unused, trial-size cosmetics in your purse so that you can dole them out to grateful friends and strangers in the ladies’ room. Just keep your own stuff for yourself.

3. Don’t Be a Hoarder

If you love a mascara, set it free after four months.

(You can always buy another.)

Eye makeup doesn’t improve with age, so don’t stockpile or hang onto a product for months or years. Mascara and eyeliner should be dumped 4-6 months after opening. Toss other cosmetics after a year.

Tip: If you hate the idea of tossing a beloved shade because it’s no longer being manufactured, don’t fret. There are companies that will custom blend shades for you. Just send ‘em a sample of what you already have and they’ll match it.

4. Get a Clean Slate

Got an eye infection? Lucky you. Now you get to go shopping for all new eye makeup!

(Yep, that’s ALL new. No time for getting sentimental.)

Never, ever keep eye makeup around after an eye infection. It all needs to head for the trash. If you use it again, you risk reinfecting yourself.

Tip: Shop wisely if you are on a modest budget. Department store brands often feature “gift with purchase” offers that may include generous samples of shadow, liner, mascara, and eye makeup remover. For the price of one or two items, you’ll end up with a nice “starter wardrobe” of eye makeup.

5. Block Those Rays

Don’t forget the importance of protection against UV rays when choosing your eye makeup. Some makeup (such as mineral eye shadow) provides this protection, but some products don’t, so it is up to you to protect your eyes, and the skin around them, from the sun.

How to do it? Look for eye care products (such as moisturizers) that include a sunblock. You should also make sure that your glasses and sunglasses have a UV coating.

Tip: Try layering UV products around your eyes for serious protection: Start with a moisturizer that contains sunscreen, then add mineral eyeshadow. Complete your look with a pair of UV-coated sunglasses or regular specs.

Wednesday, May, 16 2012 by Lainie Petersen

Getting Framed: The Right Glasses for Your Face

A pair of eyeglasses is like jewelry for your face: The frame’s color can enhance your eyes, skin and hair, while its shape can emphasize your best features. The trick to finding the right frames is spending a lot of time trying on different frames until you find one that works, though feedback from a third party can also help. Still, it’s possible to shave some time off the choosing process by knowing a few things about facial shape and eyeglass design.

Frame Shape

It’s your choice: Your eyeglass frames can either accentuate the good, or the not-so-good, aspects of your bone structure, so knowing your facial shape can be a big help. Hairstylists are usually pretty good at analyzing facial shape, but if you’re between trims, here’s a quick guide:

Oval: Considered by many to be the “perfect” facial shape, an oval shaped face is balanced, with a narrow forehead and chin. People with oval faces tend to have the most flexibility in choosing eyeglass frames, so feel free to experiment.
Heart: A heart shaped face has wide cheekbones and a narrow chin (many people think that heart shaped faces are more interesting than oval shapes). Avoid frames that have a thick line across your forehead or cheekbones. Try rimless glasses that don’t accentuate any one aspect of your bone structure.
Square: Square faces are characterized by a strong jawline and square brow. This face shape often benefits from the softening that round-ish frames can offer.
Round: In contrast to the square face type, a round face doesn’t have a lot of well-defined angles. Glass frames with some structure can enhance a round face. Avoid round or oval frames.

Frame Color

Frame color can make a big difference too. Basic black frames, for example, are indeed versatile, but can look harsh on a delicate complexion. Brown, tortoise shell or metallic frames are typically a better choice if you are looking for neutral frame color. If you do choose a metallic frame, you’ll have to coordinate your jewelry with your glasses, so decide whether you are a “silver” or a “gold” person before ordering your frames.

Another option is to choose colored frames: Try a color that compliments or contrasts with your eyes. As with metallic frames, however, colored frames can clash with what you are wearing. You might want to keep a second pair of glasses in a neutral frame on hand in case you run into a wardrobe conflict.

Zenni Frame Fit

If you’re concerned about selecting eyeglass frames online, don’t be. Zenni’s Frame Fit service lets you upload a photograph of yourself to Zenni’s site and then “try out” different frames to see how they’ll look on you. This allows you to take some time evaluating how you look: The system even has a “compare’ feature that allows you to view, side by side, your face in up to four different styles.

(Need a second opinion? Post your Frame Fit photo on Facebook and ask your friends for feedback!)

More Than One Pair

While some people treat their (usually very distinctive) eyeglasses as a wardrobe “signature,” others prefer to own more than one pair so that they can switch out different frames to go with different outfits. This is a really good idea if you routinely need to change your style for different occasions: For example, you normally wear business casual clothes at the office, but must also frequently attend black tie dinners. Owning pairs suitable for both types of clothing can help you stay looking pulled-together.

(Plus, having an extra pair or two keeps you covered in case one gets lost or broken.)

Monday, May, 14 2012 by Lainie Petersen

Glasses For Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day — first officially celebrated within the U.S. in 1913 — is a holiday that gives us an opportunity to celebrate our mothers andall they’ve done for us.

If you’re at a loss for a special gift to show your mother how much you care, why not consider diversifying her glasses wardrobe. Make it part of the day’s celebrations, or surprise her with ones you personally picked out with care. Even if she doesn’t need prescription glasses, sunglasses or plain-glass ones are still a way to add an extra touch to an outfit or outfits.

To make a selection of frames that will highlight your mother’s best attributes or even transmute hidden ones, consider the following guidelines. Select frames that compliment the shape of her eyes as well as the rest of her face. As for the color palette of the frames, pick shades of colors that compliment your mother’s skin tone, hair color, and/or enhances the color of her eyes. Also keep in mind what she will be wearing with each pair (including any jewelry), the makeup she wears and where she will be seen wearing them.

Whatever you do this Mother’s Day, take the time to make your mother feel beautiful. As President Obama stated in the presidential proclamation issued on May 11, 2012: “Mothers are cornerstones of our families and our communities. On Mother’s Day, we honor the remarkable women who strive and sacrifice every day to ensure their children have every opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

Saturday, May, 12 2012 by Kim Hunter

What Can I Say? I Get all the Looks”

What can I say? I get all the looks. but best of all I get all the “Wow That Much!” too. I think we all as glasses users share one thing in common; we all hate getting new glasses. I hate the fact that it literally takes a whole day just to get a new pair. We run from place to place because we are never satisfied with what the stores have to offer. Once we find that perfect pair, they always seem to be out of them, or on some kind of trip that will take a few weeks. Not at Zenni. I go get my eye exam in the morning, go home to order them online, and then it’s off to work. It really is that simple. I think I waited 2 weeks but maybe less for them to get to MY DOORSTEP. I did not have to worry about more traveling around from store to store… nope! Delivered right to the front door. Now that we have more online options and direct to our front steps delivery, life is getting rich.

Norberto Saldana

Saturday, May, 12 2012 by Author

“Frame Friday” Round Up: Something Special For Mothers Day

For this edition of “Friday Frame” Round Up, Zenni wants to remind everyone about the importance of eye care. Life can get pretty hectic and most days it seems like we’re just running from place to place. But don’t forget to take the time to go for your yearly eye checkup. This is especially true for all you parents out there. All of you – moms especially – do such an incredible job of caring for your children’s health and well being, but please don’t forget about your own. Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Honor your eyes by keeping them nice and healthy.

Why not also treat yourself to a new pair of glasses? Are you interested in keeping up with the latest trends? Full-framed glasses seem to be pretty trendy these days. These large frames can be found in all sorts of colors, but even standard colors like black and brown seem to be pretty popular. But the latest trend shouldn’t have to break the bank. Be sure to check out Zenni’s selection of full-rimmed glasses, all of which are offered at affordable prices.