NOT only do your charming eyes need protection from the strong summer sunlight, but you've also got to look cool in your sunglasses.

　Echoing the romantic trend that melts into candy colors, lavish embroidery, flowery patterns and fluttery layers in outfits, sunglasses are taking on a more delicate and cutting-edge look that appeals to women.

Light violet, pink, gray, azure, orange or apple green, soft shades freshly pointing to the colors in nature are this year's top picks, especially by fashion designers.

　Big frames, in strong contrast with slim rims, are definitely winning over the dark-colored thick-rimmed sunglasses -- a 1980s' hit revived last year. Whether adopting metal or plastic for the material, slim rims in smooth lines and dashing shapes can often set off your lovely profile and elegant temperament.

　A new revolution is the excessive decorations attributed to the sunglasses. Christian Dior, for instance, has little diamonds set onto the upper outside of the pink lenses in its new design. Like the wings of a flamboyant butterfly, the impression is very sexy.

　Using a pearl on the lower outside of one lens, the Chanel design has a unique appeal as it reminds us of a twinkling teardrop.

On a pair of brown-colored D&G sunglasses, small, shiny, silvery beads line the lens rims. In the shape of blinkers used by a racing motorcyclist, it appeals most to young cosmopolitans with a taste for sci-fi. 

With Celine and Fendi, logos coated onto the lenses will shine at a certain angle, providing some change and motion to the sunglasses and making them a good companion for sports.

'Eye-Q' tips

Blue-blockers block blue light and usually have amber lenses. Researchers are still unsure whether or not blue light is harmful, but these are popular among skiers, hunters, boaters and pilots.

Mirror-coated lenses limit the amount of light entering your eyes, so you're more comfortable.

Gradient lenses are tinted from the top down, so that the top of the lens is darkest. They're good for driving.

Photochromic lenses adjust their level of darkness based on the amount of UV light they're exposed to.

While most people believe that the darkness of the lens is what protects their eyes. The degree of darkness has no effect on UV rays. So, you must buy sunglasses that indicate they absorb UV rays.

Color is a personal choice and doesn't affect how