When you’ve done the perfect face of makeup, it can be incredibly annoying to realize your glasses just don’t suit the look. Frames draw attention to your eyes and change the way light hits your face, and they might even smudge your lashes.
However, with the right techniques, makeup and glasses can work beautifully together. The goal isn’t to hide behind your lenses, but to apply makeup in a way that helps your best feature stand out. Here are six top tips to create stunning looks that flatter both your face and your eyeglasses.
1. Start With the Right Frame Shape
Whether you’re going for a natural vibe or full glam, your makeup will always look better when your frames suit your face and your style. If your glasses aren’t right for your face shape, skin tone, or features, even great makeup won’t be able to bring the look together.
The next time you’re updating your prescription glasses, look for frames that balance your natural coloring. Warm-toned skin looks fantastic with gold, brown, or tortoiseshell frames, while cool undertones tend to pair better with silver, navy, or black. Bold frames often look best with simple makeup. Lighter or rimless frames leave more room to experiment with playful eyeliner or brighter eyeshadows.
2. Brighten Your Eyes
Even if you go for the daintiest glasses, you’ll have subtle shadows under your eyes. If you have thick lenses, they could make your eyes appear smaller, too. The trick is to use light and contrast to open them up.
Begin by contrasting any darkness under your eyes with a creamy concealer. Then, use eyeshadows in reflective tones like champagne, peach, or soft bronze. A small flick of liner at the outer corners adds shape. Finish with a curling mascara that lifts your lashes rather than adding bulk. This also reduces the risk of smudging on your lenses and helps you look more awake, rather than weighing down your lids.
3. Don’t Forget Brows
Glasses naturally frame your eyes, but brows complete the look. Use a brow pencil, pen, gel, or powder one shade lighter than your hair for the most natural result. The aim is to create well-shaped brows that give structure and balance to your face. If your glasses magnify your eyes, you’ll want to keep your brows neat and cleanly defined. If they make your eyes look smaller, slightly thicker brows may be a better option.
4. Balance Lips and Eyes
If you have big or bold glasses, you don’t need heavy eye makeup. Your frames are already making enough of a statement. In that case, a light nude or blush lip keeps your look proportional. On the other end of the scale, if your frames are subtle, this is your chance to get creative with a color palette.
Try a bright red, glowing coral, or fruity berry lip for contrast. This can pull focus to the center of your face. The secret is balance. When your eye makeup is strong, less is more on the lips. If your eyes are neutral, feel free to turn up the lip color. Painting your face is about harmony, not competition.
5. Keep Skin Light and Fresh
Lenses can highlight texture or shine, so to combat that, opt for light and even coverage. Leave the heavy foundation in your makeup bag and instead go for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. If you want to use foundation, choose a breathable formula with a satin finish.
Blend blush or bronzer higher on your cheekbones, closer to your temples than your cheeks. This helps lift the face visually, especially if your frames sit low. Finally, remember to set your makeup properly so you don’t end up with marks where your glasses touch your skin. Use a setting spray, mist, or powder. This will also help keep your glasses from slipping.
6. Match Makeup to Your Frames
The best makeup style for you depends on the frame style you’re wearing. Here’s a basic guide:
- Thick frames: Keep eyes simple with neutral shadows. Leave your frames to lead the look and concentrate on polished skin with a softer lip.
- Thin or rimless: Add more definition to your eyes with liner and mascara so your features don’t disappear behind your glasses.
- Colored frames: Stick with tones that complement the frame color instead of working against it.
- Cat-eye or retro: Play up the vintage aesthetic with winged liner and a matte red lip. It’s timeless, classic, and reliably flattering.
Endnote
Wearing glasses shouldn’t limit your makeup. You may just need to adjust your approach. A big part of it is choosing frames that complement the makeup look you’re going for. Then, you can build a style that highlights your features and makes you feel confident. It’s all about framing your face while choosing the right products and colors. No more hiding behind your glasses: it’s time to show off your personality.
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