Makeup Tips for Glasses Wearers: Enhancing Your Features

As a makeup artist, I’ve worked with clients of all kinds, but one group that often comes with unique challenges and opportunities is glasses wearers. Whether you’re sporting sleek, modern frames or oversized, bold spectacles, wearing glasses can sometimes feel like an extra layer between your makeup and the world. But with the right techniques, your glasses can actually enhance your makeup look, rather than hide it.

In this blog, I’ll share some essential makeup tips for glasses wearers to help you enhance your features, brighten your eyes, and create a look that’s as stylish as it is functional. Let’s dive into how to master your makeup while wearing glasses.

1. Accentuate Your Eyes

One of the first things people notice when they wear glasses is how their eyes are framed. But if your glasses are large or heavy, they can sometimes obscure your eyes or make them look smaller. Fortunately, there are several ways to enhance your eye makeup so that it pops without overwhelming your glasses.

Play with Eyebrows: Define and Lift

Your eyebrows play a crucial role in framing your face, especially when you’re wearing glasses. Well-groomed, defined brows can help balance your glasses and make your eyes appear more open and lifted.

- **Fill in your brows** using a pencil or powder that matches your natural brow color. Focus on creating definition at the arch and tail to add shape.
- Consider **brow gel** to set your brows in place, especially if you have unruly or thin brows.
- A slight **brow lift** will give the illusion of more open eyes, especially when paired with the right eye makeup.

Go Bold with Mascara

Glasses can often overshadow your lashes, so it's essential to add volume and length to really make your eyes stand out.

- **Use a lengthening or volumizing mascara** that lifts your lashes. Be sure to curl your lashes before applying mascara to avoid them touching the lenses.
- If you’re wearing glasses with larger frames, **apply two coats of mascara** for an extra bold effect. This helps balance out the weight of the frames and makes your eyes appear more defined.
- For a more dramatic effect, **tightline** your upper waterline with a dark eyeliner pencil, as this helps define the eyes even more without being too obvious.

 Eyeshadow Tips for Glasses Wearers

Choosing the right eyeshadow can also make a big difference. With glasses, you want to avoid eyeshadow shades that are too light or too dark, as they can make your eyes appear smaller or create harsh contrasts.

- **Go for neutral tones** with a touch of shimmer. Soft browns, taupes, and golds work well to bring attention to the eyes without clashing with your frames.
- If you want to create depth, apply a slightly darker shade in the crease and outer corner to lift the eyes.
- **Avoid overly dark shadows** that could make your eyes appear too closed off. Lighter shades with a bit of shimmer will help your eyes pop.

 2. Opt for a Soft, Flattering Lip

Wearing glasses often draws attention to the upper part of your face, so balancing your makeup with a subtle lip is key. You don’t want your lips to compete with your glasses, but you still want them to stand out.

- **Choose a lip color that complements your frames**. If you have bold, colorful glasses, opt for a more neutral lip. If you’re wearing minimalist frames, a bolder lip can add a fun contrast.
- **Matte lipsticks** are great because they won’t transfer onto your glasses, but they can sometimes feel drying. Try using a **satin or creamy finish** if you want something more moisturizing and comfortable.
- **Lip liners** can help define the lip shape without making it too heavy. A soft, natural lip color can balance out the boldness of your frames.

3. Avoid Glasses Marks and Smudges

One challenge many glasses wearers face is dealing with the annoying marks that frames leave on the nose, or the dreaded makeup smudges on the lenses. Here’s how to avoid these issues:

Use a Lightweight Foundation

Heavy foundations can easily transfer onto your glasses, leading to smudges or marks. Instead, opt for a **lightweight, buildable foundation** or a **BB cream** that provides coverage without feeling too heavy on the skin.

- **Use a mattifying primer** to reduce shine and help your makeup stay in place, especially if your glasses rest on your nose.
- If you need a little extra coverage, **conceal blemishes** or redness with a full-coverage concealer, but keep the rest of the face light and breathable.

Set Your Makeup

Setting your makeup is crucial for preventing transfer, especially around the areas where your glasses sit. After applying your foundation and concealer, dust a light layer of **setting powder** over your T-zone and the bridge of your nose. This helps prevent your makeup from shifting throughout the day, reducing the chance of smudging onto your lenses.

- If you don’t want to risk powder, you can also use a **setting spray** to lock everything in place without adding texture or weight.

4. Mind the Shape of Your Glasses

Different glasses shapes and sizes require different makeup approaches. The key is to tailor your makeup to enhance the overall look of your frames.

- **Large frames** (like bold, oversized glasses) tend to overwhelm the face, so you want to balance them with makeup that’s soft but defined. Opt for subtle eyeshadows, defined brows, and a neutral lip.
- **Thin or wire frames** can make your face appear more delicate, so you can afford to go a little bolder with your makeup. Try a more dramatic eyeliner or a pop of color on the lips.
- **Cat-eye or angular frames** add a lot of sharpness to the face, so complement them with rounded, soft makeup. A slightly winged eyeliner and soft eyeshadow can balance the angularity of the frames.

 5. Avoid Overcomplicating the Look

When it comes to makeup for glasses, sometimes less is more. Glasses can add a bold statement on their own, so you don’t need to pile on heavy makeup to look polished.

- Focus on **accentuating one feature**—either the eyes, lips, or cheeks—but don’t try to do it all. Glasses naturally draw attention to your eyes, so you might want to keep the lips more neutral and focus on defining your lashes and brows.
- **Keep the overall makeup fresh and light** to allow your glasses to shine. You don’t want your makeup to feel too heavy or compete with the frames for attention.

Final Thoughts

Wearing glasses doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your makeup routine. In fact, glasses can be a fantastic accessory to your overall look. By enhancing your eyes with defined brows, bold lashes, and soft eyeshadows, you can make your eyes pop even behind the lenses. Pair that with a soft lip and a lightweight foundation, and you'll have a balanced, flattering makeup look that complements your glasses.

Remember, makeup is all about experimenting and finding what works best for you. So don’t be afraid to play around with different techniques until you find your perfect glasses-wearing beauty routine!

Happy makeup-ing!