Firmoo Glasses Review

So this is the first time I've done a semi‐sponsored post ‐ I'm not being paid, but did receive a free pair of glasses from Firmoo to review. Apologies if you start seeing similar posts popping up all over your reader ‐ I have rejected a sponsored review offer in the past because I knew you'd get sick of seeing the same thing everywhere, but to be honest free glasses was too good to resist!

I paid for glasses from a similar company called Zenni Optical in the past, and wrote about them here. Back then I bought three pairs with prescription lenses, and one pair is still serving me well as a back up to my usual contact lenses. I decided to choose clear lenses in the pair I accepted from Firmoo ‐ since I do already have an emergency pair for vision, this pair would be more for fashion. I know wearing clear glasses irritates some people, but at least I'm legitimately short sighted, right...?

I ended up choosing this style, in the tortiseshell colour (which appears to be out of stock as I write this, but there are two other colours still available). They are quite a similar shape to my favourite pair of those I got from Zenni, but these ones have thinner frames which I prefer looks‐wise. The hinge is of a much better quality than my pair from Zenni, and I was impressed that Firmoo included spare screws and a small screwdriver tool on a keyring with my glasses.

Shipping was from China, very speedy, and delivered by a courier requiring a signature which is always reassuring. The one thing that did irk me was the marketer's lack of response to my questions after their initial approach ‐ obviously they'll be putting the offer out to screeds of people and firing off copy/paste responses, but that was a little annoying and hopefully not a reflection on their responses to customer service enquiries.

In saying that, I don't think anyone wanting to purchase from Firmoo would have much need to make enquiries ‐ the ordering process is very straight forward, provided you have your prescription details from your optometrist handy. The range is pretty easy to navigate, and I appreciate that Firmoo's website has a sliding measure for selecting your preferred price range. They also offer a try‐on service, where you can look at glasses on models with different face shapes which is fun ‐ you can also upload your own photo to do this, though it requires an email sign up or log‐in with your Facebook account.

From my experience buying from these two companies, I think Firmoo is slightly superior to Zenni due to their packaging quality and delivery (although keep in mind my order from Zenni was several years ago). If you're in the market for some new eyewear, I'd definitely recommend checking out Firmoo at the moment as they have a special offer for anyone who wants to take it up. For a limited time, if you go here you can order a free pair of glasses and pay only the shipping cost (and those of you who are bloggers can have this cost waived in exchange for writing a review, if approved).

Let me know if you check out Firmoo's range, and also if you know of any other bargain eyewear websites!

Attn: Bespectacled

Dear readers, I have a recommendation for you. Before I begin [what is, with hindsight, a rather rambly sort of post] I will just clarify that this is absolutely not a paid promotion (though I'm not opposed to the prospect) but merely a heads up from a satisfied customer [I'd probably have to omit the charming anecdotes found below if this were a paid post. You're welcome].

I went to an optometrist way back in primary school, when it was discovered I couldn't see the whiteboard. I remember being dumbfounded by how clear the world was after we picked up my new metal-framed glasses, which were adorned with a (questionably) subtle leopard print. As fellow vision-impaired readers will know, being a child with glasses means getting a bit of stick from your peers- the term "four eyed beast" still makes my fists clench in anger, and the particular bully who coined that phrase is actually now deceased. I digress.

When I got to around age 15, I was wearing my glasses as little as possible, and learning to recognise uniformed blurs as individual school mates. All was well. Then I finally got contact lenses! I've worn the 30-day contact lenses for the past few years, and found them super comfortable. I was prescribed the ones that you can sleep in due to being extremely lazy and irresponsible. Anyway, despite being 'breathable', leaving the lenses in my eyes so much has made the veins in my eyes grow over the whites a bit more than normal, and one of my irises has actually started to change colour a little. Not good, I know... I will schedule an optometrist appointment one other financial requirements are taken care of...

ANYWAY, a couple of years ago my Mum was recommended a website called Zenni Optical, which ships dirt cheap prescription glasses straight to your door. We bought three pairs, one of which I wore fairly frequently, to give my eyes a rest.

Recently I ran out of my supply of contact lenses, so I have been wearing my glasses all the time. They get a bit uncomfortable at work while wearing headphones over them, so I've just gone back to the Zenni website to have a look at what they have now. And boy, it's had a total makeover since my last visit! You can now upload a photo of yourself, and test out all sorts of both smart-and-sensible and bizarre frames (see above). The best part about doing it on this website is that when you find something you like, you can actually afford to buy it!

Now, I haven't bought anything from there in at least two years, so don't hurt me if you order and something gets messed up. But when I got my pairs, we had super speedy delivery. They are obviously not going to compete with glasses worth several hundy in an optometrist clinic, no. The ones I have purchased are plastic, and have minor (very minor) imperfections. But they give you perfect vision (you will need your prescription details handy when ordering online, but everything is well explained) and are amazing value even to just have as spare pairs, or to match different outfits. Most styles are also available with sunglass-tinted prescription lenses. Go have a look, and let me know if you order anything! I'll definitely be whipping out my debit card and clicking my way to a few new styles soon...