Summer Sun

Summer’s arrived and we’re so ready to soak up that glorious summer sun. Staying home and hitting the garden is now a national pastime, so it’s pretty important to stay safe while having fun in the sun this summer.

le sun tan

Tanning became chic when Coco Chanel accidentally caught too much sun on a cruise in Cannes in the 1920s - or so the story goes. Before this having a tan was deeply unfashionable. Ladies went to unfathomable lengths applying lead based products and carrying parasols to stay chalky white.

But by the 1960s air travel was happening and the glamour of holidaying in the Mediterranean was irresistible. The main focus of the holiday to return with a deep tan with which to wow the neighbours.

Tanning got seriously fashionable - self-tanning products, around since the 1950s, were thrown around in abandon and then sunbeds were thrust upon us in the late 70s to keep us fully bronzed. As much as we love the feel of sun on our skin, these days I think we’ll all take healthy skin over tanned any day of the week.

summer sun and health

sarah o'shea

Summer in the sun… BBQs, lazy hazy afternoons, getting green fingered in the garden - there are lots of benefits to getting outside in the summer sun. A daily dose of vitamin D strengthens bones, while sunlight improves sleep quality by resetting our circadian rhythm. Sunlight reduces blood pressure - mine drops as soon as I hit the garden with a glass of something fruity.

Sunlight also improves mood - when light enters the eye, it stimulates neurons in the hypothalamus, a mood influencing part of the brain. These nerve impulses travel to the pineal gland, which regulates serotonin, the feel-good hormone linked to mood, the natural light boosting our mood and giving us all the good vibes.

how to stay safe in the sun

seeking shade - Tony Ross

Staying safe in the sun is essential to avoid sun damage and skin cancer (not to mention skin ageing). Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer and skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK. It’s on the rise again and 100,000 new cases are now diagnosed each year, while 9 in 10 cases of melanoma could have been prevented by enjoying the sun safely.

The sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 11am and 4pm from early April to late September. This is the time where the sun can cause damage, so we need to show it some respect.

One of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun's rays is to spend some time in the shade. Shade and clothing are more effective than sunscreen and more natural and eco friendly to boot. Take a break under trees, parasols, canopies or our personal fave - head indoors for a lazy long luncheon.

Rays reflect off pavements and burn through sheer fabrics, so choose loose-fitting pieces with a close weave material. If you can see through, UV radiation can penetrate the fabric and reach your skin. Unbleached cotton contains natural agents that absorb UV. Hats are your friend - I don’t leave home without my trusty cap.

SCREEN YOUR SKIN

Morgan Alley

Too much sun causes sunburn and can trigger early signs of ageing - the wrinkles, pigmentation and sagging skin we all want to avoid - so sun care is a must. It’s time to take a fresh look at our sunscreen. Wearing formulas that protect from both UVA and UVB rays are crucial in protecting our skin and slowing down the ageing process.

It will also prevent skin issues such as rosacea, acne and eczema from flaring up.  Whatever we put on our skin is absorbed into our skin, so it’s important to look at ingredients and go for more natural products that are kinder and show our skin some love.

It’s good to consider environmental credentials too when choosing a sunscreen. How ocean safe is it? Chemicals contained in suncreams are thought to be damaging to marine life and coral reefs alike.

Chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate can seep into the water, where they're being absorbed by corals, algae, sea urchins, fish and mammals. Look for sunscreens with natural mineral ingredients aka titanium oxide and zinc oxide.

Choose a broad spectrum, high protection SPF with UVA 4* or 5* protection. Pop it on half an hour before you go in the sun. Apply liberally and reapply every 2 hours. Don't leave it in the sun - it stops working when stored above 25°C . And yes, it has a shelf life - once expired it's not effective... so bin it and recycle that tube.

protect your peepers

It’s National Sunglasses Day on 27 June and keeping your eyes protected from the sun is essential in summer. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light and UV radiation is linked to some serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn) and research has found that 5-10% of skin cancers occur on the eyelid… eek!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that filter out both UVA and UVB radiation. Over 90% of UV light can pass through even light cloud - so don't leave home without them.

It's not the colour of your lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that matters, so you can go for that dreamy pale tint as long as you go for 100% UV protection. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off pavements and pools.

UV damage is cumulative, occurring over a lifetime of exposure. Children are especially vulnerable, so get them in good habits of throwing on their sunnies when you do and stay sun safe this summer.

Check out our range of 100% UV protected sunnies or customise your own adding in tints and graduations from our frame only range.

Get ready to turn up the heat.

Jo

Easy on the Eye

Photo by Max-Jakob Beer

It's National Eye Health Week (24-30 September) and if you haven't had your eyes tested recently, Autumn's the perfect time to do it. Two million people in the UK are living with sight loss, and half this sight loss is avoidable. A report this year from the British Journal of Ophthalmology revealed eyelid cancer is on the up. Let’s get those peepers tip top in time for party season.

SIGHT TESTS

Not just to check your vision and see if you need glasses, sight tests are an important MOT for your eyes, detecting serious eye conditions, some of which scarily show no symptoms.

A sight test can also detect other health conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes. To keep your eyes healthy in between seeing your optician, here's some remedies to everyday eye ailments...

blink of an eye

Sore, dry and irritated eyes could be a touch of Screen Dry Eye. If you use a screen for long periods minimise the symptoms of Screen Dry Eye by practising the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds, to give your eyes a break. Warm compresses are soothing and don’t forget to blink!

dry your eyes

Constantly watering eyes or super dry eyes that worsen throughout the day could spell Dry Eye. Environment can be a cause from changes in temperature or humidity to brightness. Heating, air conditioning, computer work and hours spent on social media can all cause Dry Eye as they disrupt the eye’s lipid layer.

Sunlight can also have a drying effect on the eyes and my own personal nemesis Autumnal winds! Cover up with sunglasses, which along with UV protection, will prevent gales and dust hitting your eyes. Help yourself by upping your Omega 3 fatty acids while artificial tears and eye ointments can soothe and lubricate the eye.

Photo by Pedro Mamoré on Unsplash

Red eye

Lack of sleep, swimming, pollution and time spent in dark smoky bars bring about bloodshot eyes.

Artificial tears, eye ointments or refreshing eye drops can help to soothe the eye - stay away from brightening drops as they use vasoconstrictors to narrow the blood vessels in the eye and this won't help.

Gritty and Sticky

Eyes can mean conjunctivitis – an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the thin, transparent layer that lines the inner eyelid). Your immune system can usually handle this however, over-the-counter remedies can speed up recovery. Warm compresses are your friends.

Blepha what Now

Irritated red eyelids, itching, burning, sticky eyelids or a sensitivity to light, may be a sign of Blepharitis. People who suffer from dry skin conditions seem prone. Good eye care is essential to prevent recurrence. To ease, gently cleanse the eye. In severe cases, an antibiotic ointment or eye drops may save the day.

make hay

Itchy, swollen and watery eyes - you could have an allergy or hay fever. Start by reducing exposure to the triggers. If you’re allergic to pollen - keep house and car windows closed, wear wrap-around sunglasses and avoid cutting grass.

Tea bags (cooled in the fridge) used as a cold compress help reduce swelling and bring relief. Help yourself by popping in the shower to remove any pollen. Antihistamines are effective at treating allergy symptoms, especially if taken early.

If in doubt make an appointment with your optician.

An Apple a day

Photo by Kira Kira on Unsplash

Healthy eyes need a good lifestyle - poor diet, smoking and alcohol abuse can lead to optic atrophy which can cause problems with vision and damage to optic nerve cells.

A balanced diet is key. Plenty of leafy green veg, Omega 3 and zinc are your eye health go-to’s.

Then there’s the sun protection and that’s where we come in. Don’t be fooled by an overcast sky, Autumn and Winter UV radiation can make eyes more prone to degenerative eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, periocular skin cancer and macular degeneration.

Check out our range of Vintage Sunglasses or create your own from our Frame Only range and stay eye healthy.

Jo

The history of sunglasses

It's International Sunglasses day and we think that's a day worth celebrating. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses…

Ocean vintage sunnies

Sunglasses or 'suncheaters' have a colourful history, from the Roman Emperor Nero who viewed gladiator matches through an emerald, to the Inuits ingenious snow goggles design, featuring small slits to limit the suns access and prevent snow blindness. 

Inuit wooden snow goggles

The Chinese were known to use pieces of smoky quartz as vision aids. Known as Ai Tai, meaning ‘dark clouds covering the sun’, the scrolls say they were worn in court to conceal their facial expressions during trials - handy!

The first tinted sunnies 'Goldoni Glasses' appeared in Venice, Italy in the late 18th century. Named after the famous playwright Carlo Goldoni, they were worn by gondoliers on the sunny canals of Venice. At the same time 'eye preservers' were popular in Britain with peeps that suffered from light sensitivity.

In the 1920s sunglasses were sold off the Atlantic City boardwalk by Sam Foster and became a fashion staple amongst the rich and famous. Actors and actresses loved them as they shielded their eyes from the blinding movie set lights. Off screen sunglasses were perfect for remaining incognito. 

During World War II, the military designed spectacles for pilots that would enhance vision and reduce glare at altitude. The US Army Air Corps enlisted the help of eyeglasses maker Bausch & Lomb, who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in 1939. They went on to use ground breaking plastic molding technology in the 50’s and the Wayfarer was born.

In the 60s and 70s everything got supersized and we have Jackie O to thank for making oversized sunglasses a thing - and the rest as they say is history (of sunglasses).

Photo by Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Sunglasses are so important for blocking the sun's ultraviolet light. Exposure to light and UV radiation is linked to serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and cancerous growths of the eye... ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. Go for 100% every time. Although tiny 90s glasses are enjoying a revival, it's oversized or wraparound sunglasses that block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

Stay safe and celebrate those sunnies!

Check out our latest summer styles here.

Jo
 

Spring (sunglasses) have Sprung

Blooms by Veri Ivanova on Unsplash

It's official! Throw off your cardigans and throw open the windows. Blooms are abundant and so it's time to move things alfresco.

Spring is the season to start afresh. Get outside and get amongst nature; the extra daylight gives our senses a natural boost and the blue skies and warm air are sure to put a spring in our step.

It's also the perfect time to make changes and shake things up wardrobe wise. We've gone dotty about spots, flora + fauna and upcycling denim wherever we can.

Photo by Sarandy Westfall on Unsplash

We'll also be taking extra care of our skin with the help of BADs Sun Awareness Week  raising awareness of skin cancer from sun damage with their 'Don't Bake' Bake campaign. Scarily skin cancer is the UKs most common form of cancer and worryingly 1 in 3 of us are still getting burnt by the sun! 

Rates of melanoma in the UK have quadrupled since the 1970s. Over 15,000 new cases occur every year in the UK. So slap on the sunscreen peeps, pop on your sunnies and stay safe in the sun.

Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash

We can bespoke any of our vintage eyewear into sunnies, just in time for the next heatwave...

Metallics are having a moment for Spring/Summer, we're loving the recent influx of delicate metal frames in every shade of spring - think cornflower blues and mint greens. 

Frames with botanical inspired patterns are also topping our lust list.

Ivy

For more inspiration check out our Spring/Summer lookbook.

Stay safe, stay beautiful!

Jo 

Coming Clean

Photo by Philipe Cavalcante on Unsplash

You've spent time selecting the perfect pair, agonising over shape and colour. Help your glasses last by looking after them and treat these babies well. Here's some hints and tips to help...

Store it

Store in the case baby - it's their natural habitat and not only keeps dust and dirt away, stops them becoming bent or broken. Protect from handbag hazards and stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they can't take the heat.

Photo by Vishal Banik on Unsplash

Always place your precious eyewear lens up - otherwise it's just asking for trouble. 

Clean up your act

The cleaner you keep your glasses, the less your eyes will strain to see through dust and dirt.

Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash

Clean with the cloth people - only the cloth.

NEVER dry your lenses with paper towels, tissues, napkins or the end of your top - you know who you are! These materials have a textured surface which can scratch the lenses.

You can keep your frames and lenses looking good by regular cleaning with simple warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.  Avoid scented soaps or ones containing dyes. After rinsing dry your frame thoroughly with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us.

You can use lens cleaners, which work well, but make sure they're suitable for coated lenses before using.

Be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners on your frames or lenses! 

Damage control

Photo by Fabian Møller on Unsplash

If your frames do suffer some scratching don't panic, we offer a polishing service for acetate/optyl frames to remove scratches and restore lustre.  

If your frame or lenses have sustained serious trauma or if you just fancy a different tint or prescription, get in touch, we're here to help.

Sign up to our newsletter and look out for our new frame saving accessories coming soon.

Jo

Eyes wide shut - healthy eyes

It's National Eye Health Week and Self-Care September peeps - we need to open our eyes and read the writing on the wall. I'm talking about the Optician's wall and why we all need to start staring at it.

We all go regularly to the dentist for check ups (yawn) otherwise we'd lose our pearly whites. So why aren't we applying the same self-care to our eyes and getting our peepers checked? 

sight tests

It's not just to check your vision and see if you need glasses or contact lenses. A sight test is a vital check on the health of the eyes and can detect eye conditions, some of which show no symptoms, avoiding sight loss.

A sight test can also detect other health conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes. It's once every 2 years people - let's get to it.

diet

What we eat affects our vision and studies have shown antioxidants can help to prevent retinal damage. One hugely beneficial antioxidant we need in our lives is lutein, found in...

Broad leaf greens such as kale and spinach
Brightly coloured fruit and veg such as corn, carrots, orange sweet peppers and oranges
Oily fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel
Broccoli
Eggs

Eat your greens

smoking

After ageing, smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing macular degeneration. It also increases your risk of developing cataracts - toss those ciggies in the bin - it's no longer the 80s!

The sun

Never look directly at the sun. You need to protect your eyes, all year round, by choosing sunglasses with 100% UV protection (UV400). Cumulative UV exposure can increase your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Protecting your peepers never looked so good.

Jo
 

Summertime Shine

Summertime and we're all livin easy; whether exploring our beautiful Isles or jetting off to far flung shores. But it's not all palm trees and pineapples - we're talking sun protection and here's the lowdown from Peep before you go...

Use your threads

We're big fans of the straw hat, the bigger the better. They do a great job protecting our vulnerable areas; face, neck and ears.  Steer clear of wet t-shirt competitions - they offer nothing in the way of protection or a place in modern society.  

Loosely woven fabrics and light colours also offer little protection, so pass the sunscreen!

Eye Eye

In our glorious summer months, radiation is three times greater than in winter. The sun's ultraviolet light and exposure to UV radiation is linked to some serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and growths on the eye... ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. Over 90% of UV can pass through even light cloud - so don't leave home without them.

It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that matters. Go for 100% every time. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

Save Face

OK here's the science...

The two types of ultraviolet we know so well, UVA and UVB, both cause misery - UVA skin ageing and UVB causes sunburn and skin cancer. Mother nature takes care of UVC for us. UVA rays damage DNA and cause skin ageing  - wrinkles, collagen damage and liver spots... say what?

There's also the new kid on the block. IRA rays. These InfraRed rays may penetrate skin more deeply generating free radicals and causing mayhem... still with me?

Solution: choose a broad spectrum, high protection SPF with UVA 4* or 5* protection, one with antioxidants if you're feeling fancy. Apply liberally 15-30 mins before venturing out and reapply every 2 hours, especially after hitting the pool.

Don't leave your suncream baking in the sun - it stops working when stored above 25°C .  And yes, it has a shelf life - once expired it's not effective... so bin it... now. 

Don't panic! You'll still tan with SPF 30+ product. Yes it takes longer, but bonus, your tan lasts longer and you'll be saving your skin.  

Never let your skin burn - it's not the 80s - we all know better. Everyone's skin offers different levels of protection from the sun - if you're pale skinned you're more at risk.  Out with the baby oil and in with factor 50!

Seek out shade

Step out of the sun before you start to lobster - turning palest pink is a warning. Eleven until three pm is the danger zone when the sun is strongest - we recommend long lazy lunches under canopy.

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate

Keep well hydrated, as the temperature soars, it's easy to dehydrate and be left a little limp. Up the anti and add cucumber, mint, citrus and fruity ice cubes to water, or snack on strawberries, cucumber and melon to keep cool.

All Peep sunglasses give 100% UVA & UVB protection enhancing sun protection and reducing glare, to make the most of our beloved summer days.

School's out for summer kids... Enjoy!

Jo

Go big or go home

We can thank the fabulous Jackie O for putting oversized sunglasses on the fashion map and we can't get enough.

Thing is, they do a pretty perfect job of keeping the sun's rays out of our peepers due to their glorious size - we love a multi-tasker... make a statement and shield our eyes, what's not to love?

All things 70s are firmly back in favour and it's got our vote - from Biba to Halston to the sublime Bianca Jagger, incorporating hippy chic to glam rock and disco. Translation for 2017 means modern metallics, high waists, pattern mania, fringing and of course our beloved bell bottoms... you know you want to.

Our version takes inspiration from two of our favourite Carries - Bradshaw and Fisher, strong independant women, 'carrie-ing' off a strong statement eye, 70s style, take a peep below.

Up the volume with original vintage 70s oversize sunglasses by Polaroid, a french made acetate frame with smokey grey and blush tones. We've added sparkly new, grey blue graduated tinted lenses, with anti reflection coating for a little added UV protection.

So if you're looking for a little drama, in your closet not your life, you came to the right place.

Shop Carrie here

Jo