Firmoo Glasses Review

I have been in desperate need of a new pair of glasses for longer than I care to admit so when I was approached by Firmoo to review their glasses and the process of buying glasses online, I jumped at the opportunity. I hate shopping for glasses and finding a good frame shape for my face is always harder than it ought be: those of you that have been following my blog for a long time may remember the "Penfold" episode! I had been dabbling with the idea of going down the online purchasing route for a while, so Firmoo's offer sounded ideal.

Firmoo is an online optical store that ship worldwide. They have a reasonable number of frames to chose from and they are relatively inexpensive as glasses go. They have a first pair free program so if you're completely new to online glasses shopping, as I was, you can order a pair and only pay the shipping costs. The free glasses come with 1.50 index single vision lenses as standard.

The process of browsing and measuring up for buying glasses online made me realise there was an element of truth about what I'd been told at Specsavers. Glasses that are too wide across my face do not sit or look right and as each of glasses thumbnails also gave the recommended pupillary distance range, it was far easier to narrow my options. I found the virtual trying on tool useful too. Although it's not a perfect guide, as you will see for the #CP6061 frames, it definitely gave me a clearer idea of which shape to go for.

Top - #CP6061, Bottom - #CP6096

From the options I was given, I chose the frames #CP6061 ($46/£31.74) and #CP6096 ($39/£26.91). I've always wanted to have a pair of glasses with quite chunky frames but I've never found a shape that I was happy with. This seemed like the ideal opportunity to experiment with something a bit different.

The process of browsing and selecting the glasses was easy, as was inputting my prescription details. As with buying at an opticians, you are given a range of lens options including varying lens thickness and coatings, tints etc. at extra cost. What I did find tricky was measuring pupillary distance or PD. It isn't given as standard on your prescription in the UK and I wouldn't be surprised to find that opticians are reluctant to give you that information. I found a youtube video which I made my husband watch and asked him to measure for me. I did get an unfortunate case of the giggles whilst he was measuring which I'm certain professionals don't ever have to put up with!

The glasses arrived very quickly. Each pair comes in a fairly basic but sturdy case complete with cloth, and there was also a little pouch included with tools for adjustments. I immediately tried both pairs on when they arrived. I really like the shape of #CP6096 and would love a pair like this in lighter coloured frame, possibly tortoiseshell, as I think the black is a little too much on me. The depth of the #CP6061 is greater than I was anticipating from the virtual tool and I have likened myself to Mike Read in this pair! The shape also accentuates the natural wonkiness in my features. This is something I've come across with other frames in the past.

#CP6096

#CP6061 - AKA The 'Mike Read' Specs

Moving away from the frames, I have had some issues with the lenses. For reference, I am shortsighted and I do have to wear glasses all the time. When I put these glasses on, the lenses are absolutely fine for things that are near distance (so I'm generally fine around the house) but the perspective in the far distance is off and also when I look at the ground. I have a suspicion that this problem is a minor error in my PD which I've already mentioned was not measured by an optician. The PD measurements are in mm, and go up in increments of 0.5mm, so you can see how someone that is not professionally trained could easily make such an error.

For me, this has been a really interesting experience. I think if you're a confident about your prescription and PD, this could be a inexpensive way of experimenting with frame shapes or buying a second fun pair. It has given me useful ideas about frame shapes and potential colours but I'm not sure I would go the online route again because of my error with the lenses. I think the first pair free program is certainly an inexpensive way of seeing if online glasses shopping would work for you too.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I received the glasses free of charge in exchange for an honest review of glasses and online shopping process. I have not included affiliate links.

New Glasses and Other Ramblings

I thought I'd share a picture of my new glasses with you. As predicted, I don't love them! I said to the sales assistant that helped me (the one that wanted me to look like Penfold in the teenage specs) that I felt the shaping on the top had a touch of the Dame Edna's. I still think that's the case, I prefer the top of my frames to be a straight rather than curved. However, they are narrower than my other pair and I do like the colour.

In other news, I need to do something with my hair. I coloured it the other day (post to come) and I'm really happy with the colour but I need to make a decision as to whether I'm growing it or whether it needs cutting shorter again. The Keratin treatment is definitely fading now so it looks increasingly messy and needs sharpening up. The post baby re-growth is very untidy around my hairline. I'm very indecisive when it comes to my hair though so don't expect a rapid decision!

Whilst I'm rambling on I thought I would mention some shopping news. Illamasqua now accepts Paypal. Brilliant news in my opinion. I love it when online shops accept Paypal as it means I don't have to use the Credit Card I share with my husband. I'm sure you understand what I'm getting at here! Also, Chanel and MAC launched on Selfridges.com on Friday. I believe they will stock all of MAC's permanent line as well as the collections. This will be really handy if you fancy shopping for a few different brands in the one order.

If you're a fan of Rouge Bunny Rouge products you might like to enter the contest on Zuneta's facebook page. Guess which eleven RBR products were used in the Celestial face chart to be in with a chance to win RBR Mattifying primer and Raven Glaze Lacquer Liner. 

I hope you're all having a good Monday and didn't get too wet on the way in to work.



Jane x

I Hate Picking Glasses!

Yesterday, someone said to me that they thought choosing glasses was worse than finding the right pair of jeans. I would definitely agree with this. It certainly felt like that after my glasses shopping disaster yesterday!

A little while ago I won a voucher for £150 to use at a high street chain of opticians. I was thrilled as I imagined getting a funky new pair of glasses. On the other hand of course this meant shopping for them. I've been putting it off actually as I knew it might be an effort. As time is running out to use the voucher, I popped in to my local branch and had a session of trying on.
 

I should mention that I was there with my three year old and 8 month old. Not ideal I know. An assistant came up a couple of times to ask if she could help. I asked if she could check that I could buy glasses with the voucher and went about my business. I spent quite a while trying various pairs on (the three year old got increasingly bored in this time), I eventually plumped for a pair that are very similar to my current pair. I went along to the assistant who had initially approached me and thought I was all set to order them. She asked me to put them on and then promptly said "These are too wide for you, they don't suit you". Cheers for that. So, after half an hour plus of trying on and trying to pacify two fraught children, she wanted me to go and look for something else!

Feeling quite offended by all of this, I walked out and did what any normal person would do. I phoned my husband for a rant! I calmed down a bit and went to get some chocolate for the three year old to buy me a bit more time! I headed in for a second go.

This time I asked for advice. You'll like this, apparently I needed to look at the teenage range because of my petite face and features. I don't actually have a problem with this but I tried a few on and seriously, I looked like Penfold. That's never going to be a good look for anybody.

A third assistant came along to help, probably sensing my growing frustration. She laughed about the teenage glasses and said no way. Her advice was to look for something that wasn't too wide or too long in the arms. Though, she did say, I should go for what I wanted as it's my choice at the end of the day! I decided to give up at that point.

I have to go back and face the search again of course. This is where you come in, I'd love some advice on what style to go for. What do you think would suit my face shape? I'd love to go for thicker frames but I'm not sure they work with my features. Here's are some mug shots, with and without glasses. What do you think would look good but make a change from my current style?

Let's keep our fingers crossed that I don't get any more rude comments tomorrow about my choice in glasses. The lack of chocolate over the past week has given the rage!