Pic credit: Nikki Roberts
If you wear glasses and struggle with makeup dilemmas, embrace some of these makeup techniques for seamless application. Glasses frame the eye area and can elevate your overall look, making a chic fashion statement.
Tip # 1 - Use a magnifying mirror
Practically speaking, makeup is applied without wearing glasses, so by using a magnifying mirror it will improve focus and precision. Ideally, positioned in the best natural light as possible.
Tip # 2 – Prescription rules
Depending on whether your prescription is near or far-sighted, tweaks need to be made. If your lenses are near-sighted, eyes look smaller behind glasses. Switch to a sheen, shimmer or satin eye shadow shade to draw attention to your eyes. Define eyes more using a liquid liner and apply a white eye liner to the waterline to brighten the eyes. On the flip side, if you wear a far-sighted lens, eyes are magnified behind glasses. Opt for a more matte eye shadow and softer eye liner, like a soft khol, that can be refined and smudged.
Video credit: French Beauty Co
Tip # 3 – Prevent the slip
Glasses are prone to movement through the day as oil and sweat builds up on the nose area. Prime the nose with a matifying moisturizer before makeup application, finish with a light dab of powder and keep oil blotting sheets to hand for touch ups through the day. Opt for waterproof formulas that last the distance during the day.
Pic credit: Erin Pastore
Tip # 4 – Exercise restraint
Follow these rules to keep your overall fashion look in balance. If eyes are a feature, keep lips neutral. Conversely, minimalist eyes need to be balanced by a bold lip, which also harmonises against a bold frame. Another trick is to match the thickness of eye liner with the thickness of glasses frame to maintain symmetry. Bold frames, heavy makeup and overkill with accessories equals a recipe for a style disaster, so exercise restraint.
Tip # 5 - Brow defining action
If your glasses are thin-rimmed, round and delicate, brows need to be well-defined and expertly groomed. On the other hand, thick, oversized and darker glasses will allow you to get away with a less groomed eyebrow. If your glasses magnify your eyes, keep tweezers handy to pluck away any wandering hairs.
Tip # 5 - Curl your lashes
Defining lashes is important but prioritise curl over length, to avoid lashes brushing the lens when you blink. Use a gentle eyelash curler. Use a waterproof mascara to avoid any smearing through the day. Remember to replace your mascara every 3 months to avoid dry product build up (extra flaking on application) and irritation caused by a build up of bacteria.
Tip # 6 – Camouflage & Prime
Even out skin tone and dark circles with a long-wearing concealer that is also light-reflecting to brighten the area. Frames can also cause shadows around the eyes, another reason to cover up. Avoid heavy products that build up in the character lines around the eyes. Use a primer both over the eyelid and under the eyes to keep the makeup in place and prevent smudging, especially if you have oily eyelids.
Tip # 7 - Eye care
If you wear glasses only use eye products that have been ophthalmologically tested. Remove eye makeup with a gentle remover that minimises the need for rubbing or irritating the delicate eye contour zone.
