These Sunglasses Look Good *and* Do Good

SOJOS Retro Oval Sunglasses

These shades are a #1 best seller right now! You have so many different lenses to choose from to match any occasion. Besides their cute style, they have a UV 400 protection to keep your eyes safe. And seriously, you can't go wrong with these $16 shades that fit any face shape.

GUVIVI Trendy Oval Sunglasses

I LOVE the vintage 90s look you can achieve with oval sunglasses like these. They can dress up any outfit or be worn casually for a day at the beach. You can shop them in many colors, but I personally would opt for a black or brown so you can wear them with anything. These shades are sturdy, durable and only $14.

Mosanana Trendy Rectangle Sunglasses

Any outfit with a statement piece is right up my ally. Why not add a pair of chunky shades to your repertoire. I find the thicker the glasses the more comfortable they sit on your face, and they are good for any occasion. These $14 glasses are available in both neutrals and fun colors for a pop.

SOJOS Classic Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

Aviator sunglasses will NEVER fail you. I promise. This shape is timeless and won't go out of style. (at least over my dead body) This pair on Amazon is only $15 and comes with polarized lenses for long term eye protection.

WearMe Pro Reflective Lens Round Trendy Sunglasses

Though I cannot personally rock this shape, I have seen countless people around me wearing these glasses. These round sunnies are the perfect Ray Band dupe that won't harm your wallet, but the quality and comfort is still there. WearMe Pro is a small family owned business, so you know that your glasses are made with care. Get yourself a pair for only $14.

Colrea Trendy Cat Eye Sunglasses

A cat eye glasses shape is so effortlessly chic. Plus, who doesn't love a big lens? They look amazing on literally any face shape. These Colrea glasses are made with care and quality and are perfect for an elevated look. There are many lens color options, but I would personally stick to a simple black lens for a timless look. And only for $15!

AIEYEZO Retro Square Sunglasses

We are going back in time with these retro 70s aviator glasses. The vintage look is always trending, and these sunnies are no exception. The double bridge style is unique but manages to suit everyone. Bonus, these $13 glasses are unisex so literally anyone can rock these bad boys.

Dollger Square Oversized Sunglasses

Kim Kardashian called, she wants her sunglasses back. I am obsessed with shades that make you look like an off duty celebrity, just like these. They provide style, but also great eye protection. This shape is lightweight and comfortable but can always dress up an outfit to make you feel like serious business for only $14.

SOJOS Classic Square Oversized Sunglasses

Another timeless sunglass shape that gives chic energy. I find this shape flattering on anyone of any age. The nose bridge detailing is super cute and makes these shades unique. This $16 classic square sunnies are dainty yet durable.

FEISEDY Classic Women Sunglasses

The best way to incorporate some color into a bland outfit is with some colorful sunnies. The rectangle shape with pointed edges is chic and unique. These sunnies look high end and are sustainable for any activity, You can find these in pink, blue, champagne, and more for only $16.

The first point I should make about these glasses — I opted for the Wayfarer shiny brown pair with brown lenses — is that they need to be charged for optimal use. If the battery isn't already at 100%, it takes about 30 minutes to charge them enough for use. The glasses will inform you of the battery percentage through a voice speaker (Tony Stark style) if they're low on battery, but my mistake is that I assumed they would be fully charged after the 30 minutes. They were unfortunately only at 26%, so they died halfway through my first hike (hence me trekking through an early morning hike again the next day).

Alongside charging the sunglasses, you also have to download the “View' app, where the accessory downloads your captured photos, handles settings, and even creates a video montage of your creations. The app provides step-by-step instructions, so I would say anyone who's used any technology ever is able to wear the sunglasses easily. Once I was fully equipped with the app, I set off for my hike.

Like most hikes, the views aren’t stunning until you arrive at the top, so I refrained from taking any photos or videos until the real view set in. Instead, I called my grandma to wish her a happy birthday (and of course, see how the microphone works paired with my iPhone 14 pro). My grandma claims that the audio was clear as day on her end, and I had no issues hearing her either over some very loud LA traffic. After, I played my favorite podcast and songs on Spotify — I'm definitely not used to listening to music so clearly without having Airpods in, so I was a bit taken back by it.

Here’s the one caveat I have with the sound: if you play the audio loud enough, people around you are able to hear it as well. But you can change the volume if you just slide your finger on the right leg of the sunglasses. And when you push your hair back with the sunglasses, which most of us girlies just love to do, the sound continues but you have trouble hearing it. I would classify those pitfalls as pretty minor, but that obviously depends on the preferences of the individual user.

Unfortunately, my sunglasses died at the exact moment I made it to the top of the mountain on the first hike, so the built-in camera feature didn’t get the attention it deserved. However, the second hike lent itself some beautiful photos. And the quality was OUTSTANDING. I say that keeping in mind that these are still sunglasses, but the scenery was videoed and photographed at my eye level, which is a really cool perspective that you wouldn’t get from your phone. Just check out some photos and videos I took below to make the determination for yourself.

With the overall capabilities, I think the price point is worth the splurge — especially if you are sick of earbuds and describe yourself as a more tech-driven individual. I honestly was pleasantly surprised that the set price of the glasses are $299. While that definitely is a good chunk of money, the glasses are a technological investment similar to your computer or phone, so it’s really up to you to determine what you're willing to spend your hard earned cash on. I will say though — they look super cute with any outfit! 😎

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!