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Any seasoned glasses wearer will know that applying and readjusting makeup to suit your specs can be tricky. There might be smudged foundation, mascara-covered lenses, and heavy frames casting under-eye shadows – and, of course, the initial struggle of not being able to see well enough to apply makeup in the first place. So, at first glance, it may seem that makeup and glasses simply don’t mix.
However, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to beautifully pair makeup with glasses. You may even find that your specs enhance your look…after all, if eyes are the windows to the soul, think of glasses as their ultimate frame.
To offer some tips, we’ve partnered with Boots Opticians* to create a guide to wearing glasses with makeup.
1. Prep your skin with lightweight, mattifying products
For many of us, achieving a glowy makeup look without too much shine is the ultimate goal. However, this can be tricky – particularly if you have naturally oily skin. Throw a pair of glasses into the mix and things can get even more complicated…finding yourself constantly pushing your glasses up throughout the day as they slide down your nose.
If this sounds familiar, it can be helpful to consider what products you’re prepping your skin with before applying makeup. Oil-balancing skincare is key in preventing glasses from sliding and leaving unwanted dents in makeup. Plus, even without glasses, oily skin is the biggest factor in makeup breaking down.
Generally speaking, it’s best to use lightweight, mattifying products and save richer moisturisers for the evening. These lighter products are more easily absorbed by the skin, helping to keep makeup in place.
Applying facial moisturiser up to your cheekbone, and using a specially formulated eye cream around your eyes can help to prevent excess oil buildup in areas that could cause your glasses to slide.
Once you’ve applied products, it’s important to allow your skin time to absorb them before starting any makeup. Try to picture this process as similar to decorating a cake…doing so too early on an oven-hot cake would cause all the toppings to melt away!
Free NHS eye tests plus 10% off glasses for over 60s
Booking an appointment online has never been easier, and with a range of offers from 10% off if you’re over 60, 2nd pairs half price & a free NHS eye test if eligible, our expert optometrists are here to help you on your journey to clearer vision.
2. Try using less foundation beneath your glasses
One of the most common issues that glasses-wearers face is the dents and smudges left by the nose pads, arms, and bridges of glasses.
Naturally, the more foundation you apply around your eyes and the bridge of your nose, the deeper and more noticeable any indents are likely to be. Plus, deep layers of foundation can make even the best-fitting pair of glasses feel a bit slippy.
Luckily, several can help. If possible, you could try using less foundation under and around your glasses. Or, if this is an area you wish to cover, consider using slightly less foundation than on the rest of your face or using lighter-weight products. Beauty balm (BB) cream, for example, is a fantastic, lightweight alternative to foundation.
Placing a small amount of eyeshadow primer (instead of general face primer) to the sides of your nose before applying makeup can also help to keep glasses in place. This is because eyeshadow primer is specifically designed to prevent sweat and oil coming through the eyelids.
3. Consider the style and colour of your glasses
Wearing a statement pair of glasses can be a fun way to express your personal style and frame your eyes. That said, it’s also true that the style and colour of your glasses can impact the appearance of your makeup.
While everyone’s experience will be different, it’s common for glasses that have large frames or certain colours (often dark, bold colours) to cast dark shadows beneath the eyes. This can make you look tired and draw unwanted attention to fine lines and blemishes.
In contrast, many people find that lighter colours and smaller frames can help to make skin appear healthier and smoother. For example, glasses with a light colour inside the rim can help to reduce the appearance of undereye circles by reflecting light onto your face.
Nevertheless, the right style of glasses for you will depend on a range of factors – from skin tone to face shape. Check out our guide to choosing the right glasses to suit your face for more tips. Boots Opticians also has a range of prescription glasses*, which you can browse on their website.
As well as avoiding glasses that cast dark shadows beneath your eyes, using an under-eye concealer can further brighten the skin. Using a concealer two shades lighter than your natural skin tone can also give an extra glow.
4. Adapt your eyeliner to suit the style of your glasses
It’d be easy to assume that wearing glasses may cause people to pay less attention to their eye makeup. However, rather than covering the eyes, if anything, wearing glasses can help to make them even more of a feature. And so, using products that accentuate the eyes can be fun.
Eyeliner is a fantastic way to make a statement – though, the type and application can largely depend on the style of your glasses.
Wearing thicker eyeliner can work well if you have thicker-framed glasses. Cream-based eyeliners are a good option as they can be easily blended into the corner of your eye to create a slightly softer definition. Eyeshadow can be worn as eyeliner, which can be applied with an angled brush.
On the other hand, when wearing smaller-framed glasses, a brighter shade of eyeliner can work well. Try applying the product to your lash line, inner corner, and waterline to achieve instant brightness and a wide-eyed look. Light brown is a great colour option for this. Or, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, why not try a blue, purple, or cool charcoal?
Free NHS eye tests plus 10% off glasses for over 60s
Booking an appointment online has never been easier, and with a range of offers from 10% off if you’re over 60, 2nd pairs half price & a free NHS eye test if eligible, our expert optometrists are here to help you on your journey to clearer vision.
5. Invest in a magnifying mirror
When applying makeup, you’ll inevitably need to remove your glasses at some point. For the short-sighted among us, squinting in the mirror and trying to apply makeup to a blurry reflection can be a daily struggle.
Luckily, one of the best solutions for this is to invest in a magnifying mirror, which you can use in place of your glasses when you’re forced to take them off.
6. Prioritise lighter eyeshadow shade
If you’re not a fan of the smoky eye look, you’ll be pleased to know that lighter eyeshadows are your best friend when wearing makeup with glasses.
Light-reflective colours, such as shades of satin and pale pink, can help to keep eyes looking open, radiant, and glowy. The light-scattering effect of these products can also help blur the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. For added drama, consider using an eyeshadow with a bit of shimmer.
Alternatively, for an everyday look, neutral shades can help make sure your eye makeup doesn’t clash with the colour of your frames. Generally speaking, cream-based eyeshadows are likely to be more forgiving and seamless on mature skin than powdery options. Plus, they can require less precision and detail to apply, too, which can be useful for the short-sighted among us.
7. Curl your lashes
Mascara-smudged lenses are one of the most common makeup-related woes for people who wear glasses – particularly if you’re blessed with naturally long lashes! However, the good news is that there are ways to apply mascara and achieve a voluminous look without product ending up on your lenses.
The secret here is to use an eyelash curler, which will not only lift your lashes out of the way of your lenses, but make them appear longer, thicker, more defined. The difference can be particularly noticeable if your eyelashes are naturally short or straight.
Wearing a waterproof mascara can also help to avoid smudges.
Top tip: Curling your eyelashes before applying mascara can help to prevent clumping!
8. Keep eyebrows softer
Eyebrows are the natural frames of our face, but if you wear glasses, it’s easy for your specs to quickly take over. The key here is to not have your brows and glasses fighting for centre stage, as this can result in an overly harsh look.
So, while it’s still worth keeping your brows well-groomed and defined, it’s likely you won’t need to go too heavy when applying makeup.
Using light products that match the natural shade of your brows will allow your glasses to sit comfortably on your face without causing excess depth. For example, you could use a brow pencil* or powder to fill in any sparse areas in your brows before brushing them through with a brow gel* to blend and shape.
9. Test some new makeup tools
If you’re used to applying makeup with your fingertips, you may find that your hands often block your eye line – forcing you to rely on the unsteady vision of just one eye.
Luckily, there are a range of sleek and nimble makeup tools available that can help to keep your line of vision clear. Makeup brushes with shorter handles, held at a sideways angle can be particularly helpful, as they still allow you to get up close and personal with your magnifying mirror. The same goes for beauty blenders, which can be particularly useful for applying under-eye concealer.
Plus, even better news is that tools often achieve a more seamless finish than fingertips – allowing you to blend more precisely and apply to tricky-to-reach areas. They’re significantly more hygienic, too, and can help to prevent the spread of germs to your face.
Free NHS eye tests plus 10% off glasses for over 60s
Booking an appointment online has never been easier, and with a range of offers from 10% off if you’re over 60, 2nd pairs half price & a free NHS eye test if eligible, our expert optometrists are here to help you on your journey to clearer vision.
Final thoughts…
At first glance, it might seem like makeup and glasses don’t go together. However, from creating a mattified base to curling your eyelashes and investing in helpful tools, there are plenty of ways to enjoy wearing makeup with glasses.
Head over to the Boots Opticians website to browse their range of prescription glasses* or book an eye test.
For further reading, head over to the fashion and beauty or vision and eye health sections of our website. Here, you’ll find more makeup tips and information on everything from short-sightedness to eye problems linked with menopause.
What are your top tips for wearing makeup with glasses? Are you going to try anything new after reading our article? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.