They’re the quintessential accessory for poolside lounging, sunny vacations and summer days.

The perfect pair of sunglasses, even as they look flawless on a person’s face, have a lot of elements working together to make them the right pair.

“It’s a little art and a little science, when you get down to it,” says Arlington Optical owner Tim McNemar. “When you develop a pair of sunglasses to fit the face correctly, you have to add all the components that will make them best fit a person’s lifestyle.”

If you’re in the market for a new set of shades, here are some tips on the gotta-have-it brands, how to find the perfect fit and what styles won’t ever let you down.

Hot Brands
Kaenon: Worn by the likes of IndyCar racing celebrity Danica Patrick and several professional baseball teams, Kaenon sunglasses have superior lenses and customizable frames.
Tag Heuer: Quality frames, state-of-the-art materials and versatile styles come included in this brand’s price tag.
Prada: Long a favorite, Prada’s fashion frames (and popularity) have yet to fade away.
Fendi: Like Prada, Fendi features quality fashionable frames with a glam factor that’s hard to ignore.
Coach: You know their purses are hot, but did you know Coach makes sunglasses? Like Fendi and Prada, Coach frames play with embellishments, but also feature fun colors and patterns.
Serengeti: Sporty, sturdy, classic styles and colors are major players in this brand’s collections.
Bolle: Also a sporty brand, Bolle sunglasses cater to athletes and active lifestyles.
Skagen: Skagen does sunglasses like it does watches: classy and eye-catching, with cool embellishments such as leather, silver and textured metals.

Lens Options
There are several types of lenses to choose from when searching for the perfect pair of sunglasses, including:
Gradient: Lenses that fade from a dark to lighter color. These lenses have less glare protection, but are good for everyday use, such as driving and shopping.
Polarized: Polarized lenses are a solid color and give the wearer the best protection while minimizing glare. They are better for outdoor or sporting use.

Finding the Perfect Fit
If you’ve exhausted the selections at your favorite department store, you know finding the perfect pair isn’t nearly as easy as it looks. Sunglasses should complement the shape of your face. Check out these tips:
Oval face: You lucky devil. Just about any style, from aviators to wraparounds, will look good on your lovely countenance. Experiment with a hot trend or embrace a classic. For a surefire hit, select a frame with gently-rounded edges and higher temples.
Round face: Your goal should be to elongate your face, providing a little bit of balance and making your face look longer and thinner. To do that, find frames as wide as or wider than the broadest part of your face. Avoid soft curves and instead aim for angular or rectangular styles.
Diamond face: Your wide cheekbones and narrow chin and forehead need balance. To create a balance, find frames with oval lenses, which will soften your face’s contours. Square frames will look nice, too. Whatever your selection, make sure the frames are no wider than the top of your cheekbones.
Square face: You have a strong jaw line, a broad forehead and wide cheekbones. Soften up a little bit with curvy shapes in your sunglasses, such as oval and round shapes or a cat's-eye frame.
Oblong face: Not quite an oval, not quite a circle, you should be in the market for round or square frame shapes. Also, stick with styles that do not extend past the widest part of your face. If you want width, think decoration: decorative embellishments or contrasting temples will widen your face.
Triangle face: You have a narrow jaw and a broad forehead. The sunglasses solution? Accentuate the eyes (it will soften your jaw line). Cat's-eye frames will look fun and funky. Just be sure they angle outward at the top corner and they’re wide enough to balance your jaw line. Metal frames with a rimless bottom will also look très chic.

Classic Styles
Looking for a pair of sunglasses that never goes out of style? The following stylistic elements maintain their desirable status year after year:
The wayfarer: Celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Bob Dylan, James Dean, Jack Nicholson and the fictional Blues Brothers have popularized these frames throughout the years.
The aviator: Popular with pilots and non-pilots alike, the large and reflective lenses have a retro feel, but gel well with modern styles.
Tortoise shell patterns: The mottled brown-and-black glossy pattern looks luxurious and classy with practically any outfit. The demand for this trendy look is always high due to celebrity endorsement.
Big lenses: Large lenses have been in demand for several years now, and they show no sign of disappearing. In addition to style, they also have the benefit of providing more protection from the sun.

Brow Business
With a great pair of sunglasses comes the responsibility of a little eyebrow maintenance. For some Eyebrows 101, CityScene consulted Christine Chamness, owner of the salon Waldo’s on High, for some tips ...

CityScene: Why should someone consider waxing his/her eyebrows?
Christine Chamness: Most people, male or female, could benefit from eyebrow waxing. Having a well-groomed brow can make a difference in opening the eye area and lifting the face. Also, bushy brows can have a negative appearance as if the eye were frowning, whereas a well-groomed brow is more inviting. When the eyebrow is groomed, it makes the perfect complement to a pair of glasses, whether prescription or fashion.

CS: What methods are available for someone who wants well-groomed eyebrows but doesn’t want to pluck?
CC: The most popular methods of hair removal are waxing, sugaring and threading. Threading is typically the least painful. All three methods take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes and are usually in the $15 range. More permanent methods are available via laser; however, they are very painful and are often (cost approximately) $100 per area.

CS: How often must a person visit a salon to maintain his/her eyebrows?
CC: Every 4 to 6 weeks is the general recommendation. This can vary according to the density and color of the brow. Darker hair types notice stray hairs sooner than blondes.

CS: Are there certain skin types that shouldn’t wax?
CC: Wax comes in many varieties, including those for sensitive skin. Unless someone has an allergy to an ingredient in the wax, it is an option for all skin types.

CS: How do you know what shape your eyebrows should be?
CC: The best way to determine brow shape is to follow the natural grow and clean up the areas that are not as dense. The eyebrow will usually show you where and how big the arch should be. There is such a thing as a “trendy” eyebrow, and like most trends it is ever-changing. A few years ago, the thin eyebrow was in. Now you are seeing a stronger, fuller brow.

CS: Are the rules different for women versus men?
CC: Generally, men do not want to look like they had waxing done, so it is important the brow maintains a masculine feel. The rule should always be the same: follow the natural shape of the brow.

CS: In your experience, are more men accepting the idea of “man-scaping,” particularly in the brow area?
CC: Over the past few years, we have noticed men are definitely becoming more comfortable with the idea.

CS: Is it wise to try at-home waxing kits?
CC: I do not recommend at-home waxing simply because the temperature of the wax can vary greatly, leaving burn marks if too hot or pulling skin off if not hot enough. Neither is pretty. Let’s not forget also (that a) drop of wax in the wrong place can lead to an entire brow wax!

Kate Lohnes is assistant editor of CityScene.