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7 Best Polarised Sunglasses Brands

Sunglasses transcend mere fashion, serving as a vital protection against ultraviolet radiation for the eyes and the delicate skin of the eyelids, preventing premature ageing. If you find yourself constantly squinting against the relentless sun’s rays, consider embracing polarised sunglasses. These lenses not only shield you from harmful UV radiation but also diminish glare and alleviate eye fatigue. Within this compilation, we present six distinguished brands of polarised eyewear renowned for their effectiveness and reliability.

RAY-BAN: Timeless Elegance and Versatility

A quintessential icon in the realm of stylish eyewear, Ray-Ban remains a timeless choice. The brand features four prominent collections of polarised sunglasses, encompassing aviator, wayfarer, club master, and round styles. Yet, other designs are also at your disposal.

Combine these offerings with a plethora of customisable options, and you’re presented with an almost boundless array of styles that make the task of selecting just one or two an arduous decision. These sunglasses eliminate glare, enhance image clarity, mitigate eye strain, and heighten contrast—a definitive addition that augments their chic allure.

OAKLEY: Performance Meets Style

Speaking of choices, Oakley emerges as a brand that seamlessly marries polarisation’s functionality with performance-oriented design catering to a diverse lifestyle. Arguably the foremost producer of athletic sunglasses, Oakley is equally adept at delivering traditional, contemporary aesthetics.

Their HD polarised lenses, originally crafted for elite athletes seeking respite from glare, bestow the same benefits upon a spectrum ranging from sports enthusiasts to sun-worshippers.

MAUI JIM: Vivid Colours and Enhanced Perception

Inspired by the sun-kissed shores of Maui, which lend the brand its moniker, Maui Jim excels in crafting polarised eyewear that transcends convention through its PolarizedPlus2 technology. This innovation surpasses the role of glare and UV radiation protection, vividly enhancing the world’s true hues in intricate detail, regardless of your location.

The palette of colours is equally enticing. Maui Rose, with its subtle pink tones, proves ideal for high-octane activities, while HCL Bronze stands as an excellent choice for day-to-day wear. Neutral Gray offers peak protection against blazing sunlight, while Maui HT amplifies contrast and colour vibrancy in low-light settings and on the golf course. Furthermore, Maui Jim sunglasses exhibit resilience against scratches, oil, and water, making them a trusty companion for any adventure.

NATIVE EYEWEAR: Unrivalled Clarity and Contrast

Native Eyewear ventures far beyond the ordinary, producing lenses that redefine innovation and sophistication. Among the most advanced polarised options available, these lenses excel in blocking up to four times more infrared light while heightening UV protection.

By meticulously reducing and selectively filtering blue light, they offer unparalleled contrast and optimum visual clarity. Native Eyewear seamlessly combines high-performance styles with contemporary trends, ensuring that no individual perceives the world through ordinary lenses.

SWITCH: Adaptive Versatility and Instant Style

Switch’s interchangeable sunwear introduces a revolution in sunglass versatility. The ingenious magnetic interchange system allows instantaneous lens changes, secured by robust high-energy magnets. Beyond bolstering performance during water sports or snow activities, these polarised lenses afford comprehensive eye protection.

Switch’s diverse collection encompasses full-rim, half-rim, and rimless designs, providing an abundance of incentives to switch up your eyewear.

KAENON: Cutting-Edge Technology and Uncompromised Clarity

Kaenon commands attention for a compelling rationale. The company ingeniously introduced its SR-91 technology, addressing the limitations of existing lens materials. This innovation guarantees clarity, complete UV safeguarding, and impact resistance – all enveloped within an ultra-lightweight, rugged frame that eradicates glare.

Ideal for athletes, professional commitments, and daily life, these sunglasses encompass all your desires while maintaining an elegant simplicity.

COSTA DEL MAR: Coastal Charm and Optical Excellence

Adding to the roster of exceptional brands, Costa Del Mar captures the essence of coastal living in its polarised sunglasses. Renowned for its exceptional optical clarity, Costa’s lenses are designed for adventure and exploration. With a focus on preserving the vibrant colours of the outdoors, Costa Del Mar sunglasses are the perfect companion for fishing, boating, or simply soaking in nature’s beauty. Beyond protection, these sunglasses offer a window into a world where every moment is crystal-clear and vivid.

Explore the World of Polarised Glasses

Polarisation, a captivating natural phenomenon, revolves around the absorption of light waves that bounce off horizontal surfaces. While the sun emits non-polarised rays, their reflection upon such surfaces gives birth to polarised light. This light manifests to the human eye as a shimmering glare that disrupts clarity, obscures visibility, and provokes eye irritation.

Unlike simple sunlight, glare poses a more intricate predicament, possessing the potential to momentarily blind and discomfort the eyes. This predicament, however, finds its solution in specialised eyewear donning a polarising coating.

Unlocking the Benefits of Polarised Glasses

If you’re still sceptical about the need for polarised eyewear, consider these paramount advantages that underscore their value:

  • Impeccable shield against ultraviolet radiation
  • Visual serenity: alleviation of stress and eye fatigue
  • Crystal-clear vision: enhanced contrast and colour perception
  • Guardian of tender eye surroundings against sun’s perils

Unique Attributes of Polarised Eyewear

Beyond their primary benefits, polarised glasses reveal distinctive qualities you should be aware of:

  • Subtle dimming of LCD screen images: smartphones, tablets, TV
  • Enhanced detail perception: revealing textures like car windshields
  • Elevated investment: reflecting quality and performance
  • Potential challenge in reading traffic signs

Distinguishing Polarisation Authenticity

A straightforward method to assess polarisation involves an LCD-equipped device, such as a smartphone or tablet. Gaze at the device screen through the lens of polarised glasses: a subtle darkening of the display should occur. Upon a 90-degree rotation of the device, the screen should plunge into complete dimness, sealing the authenticity of the polarisation.

Navigating the Selection of Polarised Glasses

Choosing polarised eyewear necessitates a similar approach to that of regular sunglasses. Consider the quality of materials, manufacturer reputation, degree of ocular safeguarding, and stylistic design. Optimal alignment with facial contours enhances the overall look, but remember, personal preference and individual style should remain the guiding forces in this selection.

In Conclusion

In your journey to find the perfect pair of polarised sunglasses, there are many brands offering a unique blend of innovation, style, and functionality, ensuring that your eyes stay protected from the sun’s harsh rays. Whether you’re an athlete seeking peak performance, an adventurer craving vibrant landscapes, or a fashionista looking for a reliable companion for daily journeys, polarised glasses cater to your every need. So, as you sift through designs and features, remember that you’re not just selecting eyewear; you’re investing in a gateway to a world where visual excellence and unmatched comfort converge.

Top 8 Manicure Trends for 2023 and a Sneak Peek into the Next Fashion Season

Nail art, like fashion, follows its own trends, allowing you to effortlessly enhance your nails with intricate patterns, captivating designs, and a mix of colours and techniques. Each year, skilled artisans reveal versatile and flawless designs that perfectly match any outfit, igniting excitement among trend-conscious individuals to proudly display these exquisite nail art creations.

What’s Hot in Manicures in 2023?

The 2023 manicure trends, guided by expert nail artists, encompass both timeless traditions and innovative styles, catering to short nails, subtle designs, and classic shades. Let’s explore the world of manicure fashion designs for this season.

Micro French Manicure

The inception of the French manicure dates back to the 1970s when a prominent Hollywood director sought the expertise of Jeff Pink, the visionary behind ORLY nail polish, in devising a technique to grace actresses’ nails, ensuring compatibility with a myriad of film outfits. This endeavour yielded the inception of the Original French Manicure.

Recently, the French manicure experienced a triumphant resurgence, with the latest iteration sporting an even finer tip strip, exuding an air of subtlety and practicality. Take inspiration from Dior and Simone Rocha runway displays.

Stiletto Nail Design

While the micro French manicure embraces rounded and natural aesthetics, stiletto nails, deriving from the Italian term “stiletto”, meaning “dagger,” counterintuitively feature elongated and pointed shapes. However, this year’s prevailing advice from nail experts leans toward opting for shorter stiletto nail variants, a more pragmatic choice.

Shades of Nude

While attention-grabbing chrome manicures and marbled nail designs dominate social media feeds, the ever-relevant beige hues assert their prominence in 2023. The allure of minimalist design, executed with understated neutral polishes, lies in their innate compatibility with any outfit and their enduring appeal, which surpasses that of vibrant tones.

Emphasis on Nail Accents

Ranging from rhinestones to glitters, matte to glossy finishes, textural accents remain in vogue this year. Of the more unconventional trends, nail piercing and jewellery-like embellishments add a touch of elegance.

Gothic Nail Art

As anticipated, the Gothic wave, propelled by the success of the “Wednesday” series, permeates fashion runways, extending its influence to manicure trends. Celebrities such as Hailey Bieber often opt for bold black hues.

However, embracing this trend need not entail exclusive adherence to black; inspiration can be drawn from the Versace, and Schiaparelli showcases, offering a broader spectrum of options.

“Rich Girl Manicure”

Jennifer Lopez spearheaded the “rich girl nails” trend, with nail artist Tom Bachik at the helm. Followers of this trend, including Nicola Peltz and Lily Collins, attribute its appeal to skilful shade selection—specifically, creamy tones with a subtle grey undertone.

Barbicore

Hot pink shades, enlivening our wardrobes, now grace the realm of nail beauty trends. Barbicore-style manicures, noted in the displays of Batsheva, Peter Do, and others, epitomise this vibrant hue’s ascent.

Chrome Nails

The legacy of “glazed” nails, initially showcased by Hailey Bieber, Dua Lipa, and Lizzo, continues to resonate. This trend, encompassing a spectrum of silver, bronze, metallic, and milky white hues, sustains its captivating allure.

Manicure Colours for 2023

The array of fashionable manicure colours in 2023 is delightfully diverse, making the task of pinpointing overarching trends a real challenge. Nude tones, captivating greens, various shades of pink, lilac, and blue, along with jewel-like hues, chocolate, coffee, and wine-inspired tones, compose a veritable kaleidoscope of choices. Check out the SIMPLY nail polish collection for inspiration.

The top shades of the season include:

  • Pistachio
  • Lilac
  • Mint
  • Deep emerald
  • Milky white
  • Blue
  • Pale blue
  • Olive
  • Pale yellow

Short Nail Manicures in 2023

As ever, the timeless elegance of the French manicure resonates beautifully with short nails. A contemporary twist for 2023 involves opting for a milky or grey base, although traditional nude shades remain a steadfast choice. Graphic motifs, such as angular “smile” patterns and combinations of glossy and matte textures, inject modernity into this classic style.

Thin lines and abstract marble designs harmonise exquisitely with short nails, embracing minimalism to its fullest. Gradient effects and stamping techniques also maintain their relevance, either in tandem or as standalone elements.

Those seeking the perfect short nail manicure can adopt a “different hands” approach—crafting distinct designs for each hand. With the right choice of shades and designs, you are sure to achieve the most fashionable 2023 manicure.

Manicure Trends for Long Nails in 2023

Long nails offer an expansive canvas for artistic exploration, allowing for a diverse range of designs. Among the captivating novelties of 2023 manicure trends, an alluring trend involves imitating various natural textures—ranging from wood and precious stones to marble and amber—infusing nails with a distinctive look. The opulent charm of rubbed manicures, harnessing metallic, pearly, or mirrored effects through the application of powders, adds an enchanting dimension to this season’s celebration.

For long nails, a refined selection of deep, noble tones and intricate painting techniques is advised, as overly dark or vibrant shades may be better suited for shorter nails. The synergy of gradient effects with stamping or the fusion of rubbing techniques with rhinestone embellishments can yield captivating results. Personal creativity takes centre stage as you amalgamate the myriad of 2023 manicure trends into a uniquely expressive statement.

Top Design Concepts for Fall-Winter 2023-2024

Modern nail art knows no boundaries in terms of combining techniques, emphasising the paramount importance of maintaining a neat and harmonious nail aesthetic. By selecting the ideal manicure, you showcase your appreciation for beauty, fashion, style, and impeccable taste. It is advisable to stay attuned to the latest fashion currents, as this practice consistently contributes to the enhancement of your overall image.

The contemporary landscape of fashion underscores a preference for simplicity and accessibility, allowing beauty enthusiasts of all backgrounds to exude comfort and style. Accordingly, complex nail designs replete with excessive decoration are giving way to more understated and refined aesthetics.

Foremost design concepts this season:

  • Abstraction: Playful patterns such as dotted motifs, artful strokes, seamless gradients, splotches, and randomly placed elements characterise the abstract trend, offering an avant-garde expression.
  • Animal print: From zebra and leopard to tiger, giraffe, turtle, and snake, animal prints elevate autumn-winter manicures to new heights. Contrasting these prints with deep or nude shades enhances their sophistication.
  • Foil embellishments: The prevailing metallic allure of the autumn-winter season welcomes foil accents in gold, silver, and an array of colours. Their integration into complex, multifaceted designs seamlessly transitions from daytime to evening looks.
  • Monochromatic sophistication: A flawlessly executed monochromatic manicure remains timeless and stylish regardless of the season or shifting fashion landscapes.
  • Negative space elegance: Embracing the minimalist spirit of the season, a “naked” manicure boasts a strikingly concise yet chic aesthetic.
  • Timeless French: The enduring classic of a French manicure retains its relevance and allure.
  • Multicolour expressions: Unconventional gradient techniques, applying varied hues to individual nails, harmoniously blend multiple seasonal shades into a cohesive and dynamic ensemble.

In your pursuit of the ultimate manicure, you not only express your affinity for beauty and style but also celebrate the dynamic realm of contemporary fashion. By staying attuned to the nuances of these trends, you ensure that your image, appearance, and nails consistently reflect your inherent elegance and sophistication.

Raymond Weil Launch Freelancer Diver 2775 Collection

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Raymond Weil has launched the freelancer Diver 2775 collection. Taking inspiration from the world of Wing Foil. Raymond Weil has partnered with Titouan Galea, a three-time Wing Foil world champion, to celebrate this new launch. Through this collaboration, the brand has explored the champion’s world, remarkable skills, and the mindset that propelled him to success.

All four versions of the watch offer improved underwater visibility with a gradient dial transitioning from a darker hue at 6 o’clock to a lighter tone above. The full steel version of the freelancer diver 2775 is available with a 5-row stainless steel bracelet or a pierced rubber strap, while the two-tone models exclusively offer a 5-row stainless steel bracelet.

The freelancer Diver 2775 is available now and ranges from £1,995 to £2,195.

Mitski Releases New Songs ‘Star’ and ‘Heaven’

Mitski has shared two new songs ‘Star’ and ‘Heaven’, which are lifted from her forthcoming album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We. They follow lead single ‘Bug Like an Angel’, which we named one of our songs of the week. Mitski worked with arranger and conductor Drew Erickson and a full orchestra at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles to bring the new songs to life. Take a listen below.

The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, the follow-up to 2022’s Laurel Hell, is due to arrive September 15 via Dead Oceans. Mitski has today announced a string of European and UK acoustic performances titled Amateur Mistake; find those dates below, too.

Sat Oct 7 – Edinburgh, UK – Queens Hall
Mon Oct 9 – Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
Wed Oct 11 – London, UK – Union Chapel
Sat Oct 14 – Berlin, DE – Babylon
Mon Oct 16 – Utrecht, NL – Tivoli / Vredenburg
Fri Oct 20 – Paris, FR – Le Trianon

Mr Jones Watches Presents a “Ferris Wheel” Watch

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Mr Jones Watches, the brand known for some quirky and fun timepieces, has launched another superb watch to their growing watch collection titled Enjoy the ride. The watch is the fourth collaboration between MJW and Kristof Devos, an artist out of Belgium who also designed A perfectly useless afternoonA perfectly useless morning, and A perfectly useless evening—all popular pieces by Mr Jones Watches.

The idea behind the watch focuses on the concept of the ferris wheel spinning, which displays the time passing and acts “as a reminder to live in the moment.” The seconds are represented by the ferris wheel carts, so it’s constantly in motion.

The watch is priced at £545 and is available to buy today.

Album Review: Jon Batiste, ‘World Music Radio’

In some ways, World Music Radio feels like a natural step forward for Jon Batiste. After ending his tenure as music director and bandleader of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last year, he became the first Black artist to win Album of the Year at the 2022 Grammys for his album We Are, which didn’t get reviewed enough to even get its own Metacritic profile yet beat out records by Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift. World Music Radio clearly expands on that album’s gleeful positivity, capitalizing on its success by bringing in a wider pool of collaborators. On the other hand, Batiste, who has been releasing albums since he was 17, seems wary of being defined by the retro-soul sound he explored on his most celebrated LP, even if it was still rooted in the intersection of jazz, funk, and hip-hop. Reaching beyond what was already a wide-ranging sonic approach, his attempt to take an ambitious leap on World Music Radio is admirable, but it lacks the imagination and specificity that would render it a profound cultural statement.

If World Music Radio sounds like an obvious title for a concept album about universal music, the songs themselves do little to provide a more enticing and distinct character. The premise – an interstellar radio show hosted and curated by Billy Bob that broadcasts sounds from around the world – is predictably shallow and unoriginal, a framing device he could have a lot more fun with if he wasn’t as concerned with tying it all together. The styles explored on World Music Radio – from improvisational jazz to modern pop to reggaeton – are finely executed and impressively varied, but in ways so effortless and generic it forgets to remind us of music as a unique expression of our flawed humanity, no matter where it comes from. Instead of transcending genre barriers, the album more often scans as a reflection of an era where different sounds already co-exist in the US charts.

The album’s pop-minded focus and bland messaging don’t make for a great combination.  A song that unites JID, Camilo, and NewJeans should be exciting enough on a musical level to excuse any lyrical shortcomings, but its corniness might actually dissuade listeners from finding out who the guest stars are – or forget they were here by the time this hour-long journey’s over. It’s no surprise that one of the album’s most intimate moments is also one of its biggest highlights: ‘My Heart’, a collaboration with Catalan singer Rita Payés, is a lovely torch song that proves you don’t have to shoot for the moon – or even tread unfamiliar territory – to make an impact. “I guess the moral of the story is… you know, you can feel it,” Batiste’s alter ego announces near the end of the album, but the feeling is constantly undermined by its own expansive scope.

Though it showcases his rich musical versatility, background, and vision, World Music Radio‘s clunky philosophical musings distract from the heart and soul Batiste has clearly poured into the project. It just barely offers a glimpse into his own personality or engages with his increased stature in any significant way. Though he doesn’t need to flirt with self-mythology the way Lana Del Rey, who guests on closer ‘Life Lesson’ and recruited him for this year’s Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, so often does, there’s a reason her songs have a strange, haunting resonance even this album’s more stately offerings merely hint at. Paying tribute to his heroes by sampling the likes of Duke Ellington, Wayne Shorter, and Quincy Jones, ‘MOVEMENT 18’ even has echoes of Del Rey’s ‘Judah Smith Interlude’, but it shares none of that track’s mysterious intimacy. Yet with imaginary listeners tuning out after ‘Goodbye, Billy Bob’, Batiste delivers some of his most earnest and affecting tunes at the very end of the album. It’s then, no longer bound by the concept of people connecting through music, that you can actually feel its power.

Anjimile Unveils New Single ‘Animal’

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Anjimile has released a new single, ‘Animal’, lifted from his upcoming full-length The King.  Following the previously unveiled title track and ‘Father’, the track was written in the summer of 2020 and references the death of George Floyd. It’s accompanied by a video from director Robby Operman, which you can check out below.

The King is set to arrive September 8 via 4AD.

Shabazz Palaces Announces New Project ‘Robed in Rareness’, Releases Song

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Shabazz Palaces has announced the follow-up to 2020’s The Don of Diamond Dreams. Out October 27 on Sub Pop, Ishmael Butler’s new mini-album includes collaborations with Porter Ray, O Finess, Lavarr The Starr, Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede, and Butler’s son Lil Tracy. Lead single ‘Binoculars’, featuring Seattle rapper Royce the Choice, is out today. Check it out via the Jacob Kasar-directed visual below.

Robed in Rareness Tracklist:

1. Binoculars [feat. Royce The Choice]
2. Woke Up In A Dream [feat. Lil Tracy]
3. P Kicking G feat. Porter Ray
4. Cinnamon Bun [feat. Lavarr the Starr]
5. Scarface Mace [feat. O Finess]
6. Gel Bait [feat. Geechi Suede]
7. Hustle Crossers

Soccer Mommy Covers Taylor Swift’s ‘I’m Only Me When I’m With You’

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Soccer Mommy announced a new covers EP, Karaoke Night, which is out September 22 via Loma Vista. Along with her previously released version of Sheryl Crow’s ‘Soak Up the Sun’, it features takes on songs by Pavement, Slowdive, R.E.M., and Taylor Swift. Listen to Sophie Allison’s newly unveiled rendition of Taylor Swift’s ‘I’m Only Me When I’m With You’ below.

“I really wanted to cover this song because it’s one of my favorites from Taylor’s first album,” Allison said in a statement. “I listened to that record so much when I was a kid and I think it had a lot of influence on me then.”

Soccer Mommy’s most recent album was last year’s Sometimes, Forever.

Oneohtrix Point Never Announces New Album ‘Again’

Daniel Lopatin has announced a new Oneohtrix Point Never album: Again is set for release on September 29 via Warp. Check out a trailer for the LP below.

Following 2020’s Magic Oneohtrix Point Never, the new album is described by a press release as “speculative autobiography” and “‘an illogical period piece’ where memory and fantasy converge to form something entirely new.” Its cover artwork is a sculpture created by Matias Faldbakken, conceptualized with Lopatin, and photographed by Vegard Kleven.

Lopatin served as executive producer of the Weeknd’s 2022 album Dawn FM. He also produced Soccer Mommy’s 2022 record Sometimes, Forever and worked with Weyes Blood on her latest full-length, And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow.

Again Cover Artwork: