EVELYSS / Guides / Beauty

Make-up for Glasses Wearers: Eyes, Brows and Keeping Them From Slipping

“Your frames are part of your face, like a fringe or a bold lip. Make-up for glasses isn't about hiding them; it's about making sure your eyes still win the room through them.”Her take

Check which way your lenses change your eyes

Look at your prescription or ask your optician. A minus number (for short sight) usually makes eyes look smaller through the lens, especially with stronger prescriptions. A plus number (for long sight, including most reading glasses) magnifies them. A quick check: hold your glasses a little way from your face and look at text through them. If it looks smaller, your lenses shrink; if bigger, they magnify.

This one fact decides most of your eye make-up choices.

If your lenses make eyes look smaller

Your aim is definition and brightness, so the eyes don't recede behind the lens.

• Curl your lashes and use mascara on top and bottom lashes for an open look.
• Tightline with a dark pencil along the upper waterline to thicken the lash line without heavy liner.
• Use a light, slightly shimmery shade on the centre of the lid to catch the light.
• A soft flick of liner at the outer corner lifts and widens the eye.
• Avoid very dark smoky shades all over the lid, which can make eyes look smaller still.

If your lenses magnify

Magnifying lenses show everything, so neatness matters more than intensity. Blend eyeshadow edges thoroughly with a clean brush, and use matte or satin finishes rather than chunky glitter, which can look like specks. Keep liner fine and close to the lashes. Check under your eyes for flecks of mascara, which magnification makes obvious.

Whatever your prescription, long lashes can brush the lens if your frames sit close to the face. Use a lengthening rather than a very volumising mascara, comb out any clumps, and ask your optician whether the nose pads can be adjusted to move the frames slightly forward.

Brows and frames

Brows and the top of your frame should work together. As a guide, the top of the frame should sit around or just below your brow line rather than cutting through the middle of the brow. Fill in brows enough to be seen above or through the frame: with thick, dark frames you'll want fuller, more defined brows; with fine metal or clear frames, a softer brow.

Brush brows up with a clear or tinted gel so they don't disappear behind the frame top.

Concealer for frame shadows and nose marks

Frames can cast a shadow under the eyes, especially heavier styles. A concealer a shade lighter than your foundation, in a small triangle under the inner corners, brightens that area. Blend it well, especially with magnifying lenses.

Nose pads can leave marks on the bridge of the nose. Dab a little concealer there if needed, and keep foundation thin on that area so the pads don't lift it off.

How to stop glasses sliding down

Oily foundation or moisturiser on the nose helps glasses slip. Keep moisturiser light on the bridge, use a thin layer of foundation there, and press translucent powder onto the bridge and the tops of the cheeks where frames rest. Carry blotting papers for midday.

If they still slide, ask your optician to adjust the arms or nose pads; it's usually a quick job. Clean lenses daily with a lens cloth, as foundation and skincare transfer onto them.

Lips and colour

Bold frames already make a statement, so balance helps. With thick dark frames, a defined lip in a rich shade keeps the face balanced. With fine or clear frames you can wear more eye make-up without it feeling heavy. Echoing a frame colour in a soft blush or a nail colour ties the look together.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Know whether your lenses shrink or magnify, define or neaten to match, keep brows above the frame, and powder the bridge of the nose.

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