Eye Health Central

A Guide To Wearing Makeup With Glasses

Makeup tips whilst wearing glasses

Glasses are now no longer considered an unfashionable inconvenience you have to wear them in order to see… you should never have to compromise looking the way you want to just to be able to see in your day-to-day life. If you really hate wearing glasses because it affects the way your makeup sits on your face, or you struggle to even apply the makeup in the first place because of poor vision… then you can opt for contact lenses. However, it's understandable if this isn’t something you are not ready to try. Here’s a guide on how to apply makeup when only working with glasses to aid in your vision!


How to Apply Make Up for Glasses Wearers

  1. Prep and Prime: Start with a clean and moisturised face. Glasses can sometimes magnify imperfections, so it's essential to create a smooth canvas. Apply a lightweight, hydrating primer to ensure your makeup lasts all day and doesn't smudge against your frames.
  2. Focus on the Eyes: Since glasses draw attention to your eyes, make them the focal point of your makeup. Opt for eyeshadows that enhance your eye colour and define your crease. Neutral tones or soft smoky looks work well. Avoid overly bold colours that might clash with your frames.
  3. Eyebrows Matter: Well-groomed eyebrows frame your face and can balance the look of glasses. Fill in your brows with a natural-looking pencil or powder to define their shape. Keep them neat and polished to avoid overpowering your frames.
  4. Eyeliner Tips: When applying eyeliner, choose a thin, precise line for a subtle look, or opt for a slightly thicker line to balance bolder frames. A winged eyeliner can elongate your eyes, complementing the angles of your glasses.
  5. Mascara Magic: Curled lashes combined with a lengthening mascara can prevent your lashes from touching your lenses. This will also help your eyes appear more open and awake behind the glasses.

    Make up glasses
  6. Conceal with Care: Glasses can cast shadows under your eyes, making dark circles more noticeable. Apply a creamy concealer that matches your skin tone and blends well to achieve a seamless finish.
  7. Foundation and Powder: Use a lightweight foundation to even out your skin tone but be mindful to avoid heavy coverage that can cake up against your frames. Set your makeup with a translucent powder to prevent excess shine.
  8. Blush and Contour: Add a touch of blush to the apples of your cheeks for a healthy flush of colour. Keep it subtle, as your glasses already draw attention to your face. When contouring, focus on softly defining your features rather than going for strong, dramatic lines.
  9. Lipstick Selection: Your lipstick choice should complement your overall look without clashing with your frames. A nude, pink, or classic red lip can work well. Consider your frames' colour and thickness when choosing your lip colour.
  10. Glasses-Friendly Products: Opt for long-wearing and smudge-proof makeup products to minimise the chances of your makeup transferring onto your glasses. Waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and setting sprays can be your best friends.
  11. Frame Selection: When choosing your glasses frames, consider the overall style you want to achieve. Clear or thin frames can be paired with bolder makeup looks, while thicker frames might work better with more subdued makeup choices.
  12. Adjust Lighting: Check your makeup in different lighting conditions to ensure it looks great both with and without your glasses. Glasses can cast shadows, so make sure your makeup appears well-balanced in various settings.
  13. Try using Make-up Glasses: These glasses allow you to see through one lens whilst flipping up the other lens to apply eye make-up - these can be particularly helpful if you have a strong prescription

When wearing makeup with glasses, the key is to not apply it too heavily otherwise you'll find the frame of your glasses can become imprinted into your makeup… enhance your natural features with makeup that suits your complexion and face structure! Sometimes it's trial and error with different kinds of the same products, for example, a liquid vs powder blush or opting for a BB cream for coverage rather than a heavy foundation, find what works for you to make application easier, look for products that can withstand your glasses having contact with your face and maybe products that don’t require too much precision without having to use your glasses (e.g. intricate eyeliner… unless you’re brave enough to just wing it!)

You should feel fabulous every day… glasses or no glasses! 


Author: John Dreyer Optometrist Bsc(Hons), MCOPTOM, DipCLP
Created: 23 Aug 2023, Last modified: 20 May 2024