One of the problems for those who wear glasses (except that we can’t see anything without them), are the makeup restrictions those spectacles might bring. Ranging from mascara smears to foundation gunk on your frames, the list is endless.

Don’t fear, my makeup tips and I are here!

Base

Using less makeup on the face, means less chance of any slippage. So use a light hand when applying foundation, using even less or none under the glasses area and on your nose. Opt for a concealer for those blemishes that can’t be covered with a thin layer of foundation.

You could also switch to moisturising tints which have a thinner consistency than foundation. Or maybe even a powder foundation, that has no slippage factor at all!

Combating the slip

Here’s where a powder foundation comes in handy too. For those with combination or oily skin, it’s inevitable that our skin will grease up during the day. Primers and powders help keep everything stay put, meaning those glasses will stay in place.

Counteract shadows

Frames create shadows around the eyes, so use a light-reflecting concealer in this area to brighten things up. Try mixing a light-reflecting concealer with a more traditional concealer, so you get a brightening effect and long lasting coverage at the same time.

First things first

It’s safe to say that you need those glasses for a reason. Use a magnifying mirror when applying makeup to your eyes in order to see the application properly. Start with a light hand, then put on your glasses to see if you need any more.

Eyes

Your glasses work differently depending on whether you’re short-sighted or far-sighted, so your eye makeup application should be too.

Short-sighted

Because your lenses tend to magnify every single detail, you’ll have to make sure that everything is blended perfectly.

Your eyes are magnified under these lenses, so use darker shades to define and make your eyes look smaller. Choose smudged out pencil liner instead of a harsh liquid liner as it can be overly stark under thicker lenses.

Go matte as shimmery eyeshadows can look overly glittery under natural light. Also, because every detail is highlighted through these lenses opt for a defining mascara with a plastic comb which will help separate and lengthen each lash. PS: go for waterproof as it will prevent black streaks in your vision.

Far-sighted

In this case your glasses will create an illusion of smaller eyes, meaning that we have to stay away from anything that might shrink them even more.

This means avoiding darker shades and black eyeliner all around as it will emphasise shadows cast by your frames.

Opt for lighter tones, or even some shimmer. While those who are short-sighted have to stay away from shimmery shadows, it’s perfect for the minuses. It will brighten up smaller eyes, and when combined with a nude liner on your waterline, will make them appear even larger.

Use a volumising mascara to curl your lashes as it will open up your eyes. Just as for those who are short-sighted, use a waterproof mascara as this is less likely to leave behind any smudging.

Brows

Chances are that your frames are highlighting your eyebrows– or underlining depending on how you look at it. So keep them as groomed as possible, and keep any stray hairs in check as your glasses will only emphasise them.

Also, if you have thick and dark frames, keep your brows more natural as darker-coloured brows will only compete.

Coloured makeup with coloured frames

Sometimes using the same shadows over and over again might get boring in the long run. You might want to go for some colour on those lookers. However, the colour of your eyeshadow shouldn’t compete with the colour of your glasses.

Cosmopolitan says that “If you want to do the same colour as your frames on the eyelids, try a base hue that’s a shade lighter, and go a few shades darker for the crease colour.”

“A shadow that is lighter and brighter than your frames will help eyes stand out. If you want to experiment with bolder colour, lavender, blue or green shadows can compliment you skin tone but add contrast to your frames for a fun and youthful look. Always finish with black liner and mascara.”

So instead of your glasses holding you back, think of them as a frame that highlight a beautiful painting.

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