Sunglasses in the Snow

By Sawyer Matheny

2 min read

The makeup industry is a zillion-dollar franchise that has purchase all over the world. From Ru Paul to Mary Kay, Fashion and the wonders of makeup make-up an enormous part of the entertainment industry.

Dabbling in makeup

I've dabbled. As a stage performer, we were meticulously taught how to put on eye-shadow and eyeliner. How to contour in order to highlight and contrast your features so they’d be seen by the back row! In college, we didn’t get makeup people, so I had to get very intimate with my eyes.

My eyes are sensitive

The idea (eye-dea) of shoving sticks into your eyes brought me true discomfort that I still haven’t gotten contacts. Oh you know, those cool lenses that let your eyes telescope! A crucial part of being a performer, let alone a person.

Driving for work

This fear of getting contacts led me to some very creative solutions whilst driving. As a school photographer on the side, I would have to do a ton of driving for work. I’d have to go all over the state of New York, whether rain or shine. Especially in the snow.

Blinding and reflective snow

As those of you how may have the fortune of not knowing, snow is an AMAZING sun reflector. Seriously, if you were filming a commercial over snow you could leave your bounce at home. Just use the sun’s very powerful blinding rays to evenly light your subject! However, it sucks when you need to look around while driving through it.

Protecting myself from a migraine?

Naturally, I came up with a dorky solution. Why get contacts and face your fears? Instead, just get dollar store sunglasses and put them OVER your prescription glasses! What a life hack! Anytime I would traverse the snowy regions of the state, I would save myself from squinting and protecting myself from migraines with the help of a balancing act.

It didn’t really work

I don’t know why all windows aren’t tinted? Or at least have an anti-migraine-sun-glare-snow-tint function. When I’m driving hours on end, migraines can be a real hurdle for me, and super bright lights are a pretty gnarly trigger.

I did what I had to do

No, I didn’t face my eye-sensitivity issue, but rather I forked out the dough and just got prescription sunglasses. NOW I had a pair of cool WayFarers that made me look like a visually capable rockstar. Did I wear them inside? Yes. Did I wear them in the winter all the time? Also yes.

Sunglasses aren't just for the summer

We, as a society, have attributed sunglasses, almost exclusively, with California summers, when in reality, us cold-cold northerners can get way worse sun, even if we aren’t riding a ‘totally tubular’ wave.

Migraine protection is incredibly important and finding workarounds is key. Yes, I should get contacts and wear store-bought sunglasses to save my wallet in the long run. But, in the meantime, I can drive comfortably and look like the coolest dude in town! A cold and wintery town.

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glassmind Member
Snow is awful for light glare. The years I lived in snow country I drove while wearing ski goggles. Solved the problem. Looked stupid. But worked. And I got them for a few $ at a thrift store. Idk if they can be worn with glasses but worth a try if one can find them on the cheap. I wish you the best with your new tinted prescription.
1. Sawyer Matheny Moderator & Contributor
 Thanks so much for the suggestion and mean, I don't mind looking stupid! Honestly, looking unique is something I enjoy doing. Standing out can be fun! Wishing you a migraine-free day - Sawyer (migraine.com team)
2. glassmind Member
 It was fun. (:
tonytoshiba Member
As you, I wear sunglasses indoors and out. Most of my doctors understand and they will dim the lights. Those that don't, my eyes remain hidden. I use Polaroid as they greatly reduce the glare, and help me to see below the water top, and the freeway. I also fish, hike and track animals as hobbies. I have a cowboy hat, Stetson, expensive, yes. But when they last five years of almost constant use, the price per year is low.
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 It's totally worth it to pay for things that are good quality and going to last you, especially when it helps block out some light! I don't blame you at all, Tony. It sounds like you enjoy spending time outdoors. What kinds of animals do you track? Do you find that getting outside helps with your migraines a bit? Thanks for sharing! -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
2. tonytoshiba Member
 Yes, blocking any light helps. I placed a short high curtain from the kitchen to the living room so the bright lights would be dimmed. Two of our three children are also migrainers. My poor wife lives in a dimly lit cave, her words. Out doors is great. Usually I am not struck while out. Very rarely, but I will either continue, or take a nap. I usually track deer, bear, coyotes, wild pigs, (they are very skittish), and I attempt to see the Big Horn sheep. I have found their tracks, never fresh though, along the migratory path. The I15 running through the path has changed their route. When I go to Arizona mainly I track deer, burros, and wild horses. The wild horses like to race. They will pull alongside when I am driving and just run. When I am walking they will let me get within a a couple hundred feet before they run off a bit.The burros don't move around much. When they notice me, they came over and try to get a handout. They have seen too many people and not worried. My wife and daughter have both become interested in tracking. I bring them along, and we read the stories the tracks tell us. My son, he loves anything daddy does. One good thing about the desert, California and Arizona both, the arthritis stays away.