Figuring out the best way to flatter our facial features with makeup is already tricky, but how about when we add glasses?

You might need to adapt your makeup strategy a little to be as effective as you want with glasses on, particularly if your prescription is strong enough to make your eyes appear unusually small or large. There’s the option to switch to contact lenses, but those come with their own makeup-related challenges.

Pro-Glasses Makeup Tips

Whether you prefer bold looks or natural ones, here are a few general principles to keep in mind while applying makeup:

• A great way to balance out a pair of dark or thick frames is by wearing bright or bold lipstick. Shadows cast by your frames can create the illusion of dark circles. Concealer can help!
• A dab of primer on the bridge of your nose can keep your glasses from slipping down. (This one is great for guys too!)
• Bold eyeshadow can be a bit much when paired with thick or dark-framed glasses. Aim for something neutral or bright to help your eyes pop.
• Avoid mascara streaks on your glasses by applying it less on the tips of the lashes and more on the roots. Also, curl them upward so they won’t stick out as far.

Match Your Makeup Style With Your Frames Style

If the look you’ve created for yourself relies heavily on makeup, it might be better to pick thin frames or even rimless glasses. The opposite is true for those who prefer neutral makeup — use glasses to add some flair! Try out different combinations until you discover the frames you want, and wear the makeup you like while you try on glasses!

Size is another factor to keep in mind. Larger frames give you more room to use dramatic makeup without it being too much, whereas smaller frames don’t compete as much with your eyebrows. What are your makeup goals, and which tradeoffs do you think are worth it?

Balance Prescription Strength With Makeup

We mentioned above that the strength of your prescription affects the appearance of your eyes, and you can offset that with makeup. Use matte and liquid eyeshadow to help make your eyes appear smaller if your glasses make them look larger, or use mascara with lighter eyeshadows and liners if your glasses make them look smaller.

What About Contacts-Wearers?

If you wear contacts, you won’t have to worry about them not matching your makeup (unless you like unusual color contacts), but you will need to consider makeup eye safety with them. Here are a few tips to follow to reduce the risk of eye injuries or infections:

• Contacts should always go in BEFORE the makeup goes on, and they should come out BEFORE the makeup comes off.
• Always wash your hands before handling your contacts, whether putting them in or taking them out.
• Stick to non-allergenic makeup to be on the safe side.
• Use water-based, cream eyeshadow instead of oil-based or powder eyeshadow.
• Don’t put eyeliner on the waterline! (We would discourage this for anyone, but especially contacts-wearers.)
• Don’t use expired eye makeup!
• NEVER use someone else’s eye makeup, as this is a great way to share germs.

Incorporate Your Frames Into Your Sense of Style

If you already know exactly how you like your makeup, then all you need is to find the right frames to fit the look. We can help! Give us a call or come by our office to have a look at our selection of frames. We’d be happy to offer suggestions to help you find the perfect ones.

We love helping our patients look and see their best!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.