Emphasizing your features without overdoing it: this can be tricky when you wear glasses! As veritable fashion accessories, our frames deserve makeup that enhances them while balancing our face. Here are a few tips to meet the challenge brilliantly and harmonize your makeup with your glasses.
1
Pay special attention to concealer and luminous foundation
Since eyeglass frames accentuate the shadows under the eyes, start by reducing the appearance of dark circles. Choose a fluid, moisturizing product that will blend well with your skin and preserve its natural texture. Make sure you moisturize the area around your eyes (and let the product absorb properly!) before applying concealer. Then add a touch of luminous foundation to create a radiant effect under the frame. Take the time to set the formula with translucent powder, especially in areas where your glasses touch your skin, to prevent your makeup from smudging.
Points to remember:
- Moisturize the eye contour area before applying makeup
- Choose light shades that reflect the light
- Check the effect in daylight for a natural result
Lancôme - Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer, 13.5 ml
Maybelline New York - Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer, 6 ml
Rimmel London - Multi-Tasker Concealer, 10 ml
How to make makeup hold when wearing glasses?
To prevent your glasses from smudging your makeup, apply a thin layer of setting powder to the areas that come into contact with the frames, particularly the bridge of your nose and cheekbones. Finish with a setting spray applied from a distance, which will preserve your eyeliner and protect your lashes from rubbing against the lenses.
2
Illuminate eyes with eyeshadow and eyeliner
Your eyes may be obscured behind your glasses. Add luminosity by applying a touch of light blush to the inner corner of the eye and opposite the iris, top and bottom, to create an opening effect. Remember to use a light touch with eyeliner, otherwise you risk weighing down the upper eyelid: a thin line inside the eye, on the upper mucous membrane, is enough.
Tip: It is best to avoid applying heavy makeup to the lower eyelid, as it can easily overshadow this area. Choose lighter shades that open up the eyes.
Recommended shades for people wearing glasses:
- Neutral tones (beige, champagne) for a natural, everyday effect
- Copper tones to warm the eyes behind the lenses
- Soft grey for a subtle intensity that doesn't compete with the frame
When it comes to mascara, choose a volumizing, waterproof formula: you don't want your lashes rubbing against your lenses or smudging them.
Attitude - Oceanly Highlighter Stick
Pupa Milano - Vamp! Ready-to-Shadow Eyeshadow Pencil
L'Oréal Paris - Telescopic Lift Mascara
Which makeup looks best with glasses?
Makeup that emphasizes luminosity and opens up the eyes works particularly well with glasses. Choose iridescent, but not glittery shadows, a thin line of eyeliner and a lengthening mascara.
For the complexion, focus on radiance with a light illuminator on the cheekbones. Always match the intensity of your makeup to your frames: the more dramatic they are, the more subtle your makeup should be.
3
Groomed eyebrows and a touch of blush
With or without eyeglasses, well-shaped eyebrows balance your makeup. The key is to emphasize them without over-emphasizing them, and to harmonize their line with that of your frames. Remove any unwanted hairs below their natural line, then fill them in (without pressing too hard) using a pencil or powder close to their natural shade.
Playing with the volume can counterbalance the weight that the glasses put on the upper part of the face. Simply apply most of the colour to the side of the cheek, then blend slightly upwards toward the temple. For a harmonious effect, choose neutral tones and avoid dark colours, especially if your frames are already thick or coloured.
Face shape tip: For an oval face, apply blush in a 'C' shape toward the temple. If you have a square face, apply blush higher up on your cheekbones to soften the angles.
NYX Professional Makeup - Micro Brow Pencil
4
Enhance the lips with the right lipstick
Once your eyes are done, finish your makeup by paying special attention to your lips. When you wear glasses, lipstick becomes a valuable ally in balancing your face.
Choose the shade
To create perfect harmony, match your lipstick shade to your frames. Neutral tones and light shades are best for heavy or colourful glasses, as they add softness without being overpowering. Conversely, with a thin or discreet frame, you can dare to wear a brighter red for an elegant contrast effect.
Application and hold
Start by thoroughly moisturizing your lips to prevent lipstick from settling into fine lines. For perfect definition and longer hold, first trace the outline with a pencil in the same shade as your lipstick or slightly darker.
5
Match your makeup to the shape and colour of your frames
Eyewear is much more than a corrective accessory, it is a fashion statement that gives structure to your face. Adapting your makeup to their shape and colour helps harmonize the overall look and enhance your eyes.
◆︎ Thin and thick frames
Thin metal frames call for more assertive makeup to balance their discretion. Conversely, thick frames require more subtle makeup look to avoid an overloaded effect. Play with contrasts to create the perfect harmony.
Recommended frames and makeup:
- Fine metal: Strong eyeliner, luminous eyeshadow
- Thick black: Light makeup, neutral shades
- Brightly coloured: Neutral tones, accent on lips
- Transparent: Iridescent shadows, volume-boosting mascara
◆︎ Butterfly glasses and original shapes
Butterfly glasses visually stretch the top of the face. Make sure that the line of your eyebrows harmoniously matches that of the frame. For large or geometric shapes, lighten the eye makeup while structuring the eyebrows to maintain balance.
◆︎ Metallic or bright colours
For frames in metallic shades (gold, silver, bronze), pearlescent eyeshadows that catch the light are preferred. With brightly coloured frames, it is best to choose a makeup colour that contrasts with the frame; classic black eyeliner works perfectly with red or electric blue glasses.
The shape of your eyes also plays a big role in your choice of glasses, as well as in how best to apply makeup. See our article How to apply makeup according to the shape of your eyes for all the tips.
What is the best makeup routine for myopia and hyperopia?
The appearance of your eyes changes with the type of corrective lenses you wear. For makeup that suits your vision, adjust your techniques according to the optical effect created by your glasses.
Tips for smaller eyes (myopia)
If you are nearsighted, your glasses make your eyes look smaller. Eyeliner is then used to enlarge the eyes: a thin line stretched outwards creates an opening effect. As for the eyelashes, apply mascara generously to add volume and intensify the eyes despite the narrowing effect of the lenses.
Tips for enlarged eyes (hyperopia)
If you are farsighted or hyperopic, your lenses create a magnifying effect that enlarges your eyes. Choose matte eyeshadows in neutral shades (grey, brown) to reduce this magnifying effect. For eyeliner, the right choice is a very fine line, or even none at all. Use mascara sparingly to prevent your eyelashes from looking oversized behind your glasses.
Makeup should also be chosen according to the events you attend! So check out our article for the best tips on how to apply makeup for a virtual meeting or for a weekend at the cottage.
How do you apply makeup when you can't see without glasses?
Professional makeup artists recommend using special makeup glasses. These innovative frames are equipped with a flip-up magnifying lens, so you can apply your makeup precisely while maintaining clear vision—ideal for women who need their glasses every day.
INCLUDE A LINK TO THE SPECIAL GLASSES ON THE PJC SITE IF AVAILABLE.
How to wear makeup and glasses at 60?
Neutral tones such as brown, taupe or grey are preferred for a natural, elegant effect. The aim is to bring light to the eyes without overloading them. For people aged 60 and over, light makeup that matches the frames of their glasses remains the best choice.
