Glasses, or eyeglasses and specs as some call them, change how your eyes look: lenses for short-sightedness make them look smaller, lenses for long-sightedness make them look bigger. Here is how spectacle wearers can adapt their eye makeup, what to watch for with brows, eyeliner, mascara and concealer, and how frames and makeup work together.
Key points at a glance
- Lenses for short-sightedness make eyes look smaller, lenses for long-sightedness make them look bigger. The stronger the lenses, the clearer the effect.
- For short-sightedness, light, shimmery shades and a light waterline suit you. For long-sightedness, choose matte, darker shades and thin eyeliner.
- The frame draws attention to your eyes: shape your brows, match the eyeliner to the thickness of the rim and let mascara dry before you put your glasses on.
- Always check your makeup with your glasses on and in daylight.
Makeup with glasses: what lenses do to your eyes
Lenses bend light so that the image lands sharply on the retina. They also change how the eyes behind them look. With short-sightedness the lenses spread the light and your eyes look smaller. With long-sightedness they gather it and your eyes look bigger.
| Vision | Effect of the lenses | Makeup idea |
|---|---|---|
| Short-sightedness | Eyes look smaller | Light, shimmery eyeshadow, emphasise the upper lashes, light waterline |
| Long-sightedness | Eyes look bigger | Matte, darker shades, thin eyeliner, natural lower lashes |
These are styling ideas, not fixed rules. The strength of your lenses decides how strong the effect is. With varifocals it depends on whether you are mostly short- or long-sighted.
Eye makeup with glasses if you are short-sighted: bigger-looking eyes
- Eyeshadow: light, pastel or shimmery shades make the eye look more open. This works well with glasses.
- Waterline: a white or beige pencil (only products meant for the waterline) looks more open than dark kohl all around the eye.
- Lashes: apply mascara generously to the upper lashes and lightly to the lower ones. That way they also touch the lens less often.
- Eyeliner: fine rather than thick.
Eye makeup with glasses if you are long-sighted
- Eyeshadow: matte, darker shades such as grey, brown, blue or green calm eyes that look bigger behind the lenses. Classics like black, a rich brown, dark green or deep navy also work well.
- Eyeliner: apply it thinly.
- Lashes: mascara on the upper lashes, and leave the lower ones natural.
Putting on makeup with varifocals or without glasses
When you do your makeup, glasses are often in the way. Many people take them off and then cannot see well up close. Do your makeup in daylight, use a magnifying mirror and check the result at the end with your glasses on, from a normal distance. If a mirror is not enough, ask your optician about glasses for close work. If doing makeup without glasses is getting harder or your glasses no longer fit well, have your eyes checked by an eye doctor or optician.
Brows and glasses: shape, colour and position
Glasses draw attention to the eyes, so your brows should be groomed and well defined. Plucking and shaping regularly are part of the routine. Fill in thin or sparse areas with a brow pencil or a thin brow brush, using fine strokes in the direction of hair growth.
- Position: your brows should stay visible above the frame. As a rule of thumb, the top edge of the frame follows the brow line and does not cover it.
- Colour: frames and brows look balanced when the frame is about as dark as your brows or a shade darker.
- Strength: with a bold frame the brows can be stronger, with a slim frame rather softer.
Eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara with glasses
Gel eyeliner with glasses
Wondering how to apply gel eyeliner if you wear glasses? It works as it does without them, with one tweak: if your frame has a thick rim, the line can be a little wider. With a thin rim, draw it narrower so the proportions work.
Eyeshadow with glasses and large frames
A large, eye-catching frame already draws plenty of attention. Keep eyeshadow muted and put colour on your lips instead. Make sure your lipstick and frame go well together.
Mascara and glasses
Lashes that touch the lenses leave marks quickly. Let mascara dry completely before you put your glasses on, and go easy on the lower lashes.
Concealer and the shadow under your glasses
The frame casts an extra shadow on your face, especially under the eyes. A concealer that is a touch lighter than your skin tone brightens such shadows. Apply it in a fan shape under the eye and blend it a little further down than usual. Applied thinly, it settles less into fine lines. Where dark circles come from and what the skin around your eyes likes is covered in our eye skin care routine tips for dark circles and wrinkles.
The spots where your glasses rest, such as the bridge of the nose, also pick up makeup. Clean the lenses and nose pads regularly with a lens cloth.
Frames and makeup: what goes together?
Frames and makeup work best when only one of them sets the tone. A large frame in a strong colour can take understated eye makeup, a slim or transparent frame leaves more room for colour. If you are unsure which glasses suit you, read Which glasses suit me? In our shop you will find women’s glasses from brands including Miu Miu, Ray-Ban and Prada.
Miu Miu MU 01XV VAU1O1£134.56Miu Miu MU 09XV VAU1O1£134.56Miu Miu MU 04UV 1AB1O1£134.56Miu Miu MU 01XV 19P1O1£134.24Ray-Ban ALAIN (RX7239 2001)£60.29Miu Miu MU 09XV 16K1O1£135.40Miu Miu MU 01XV 26E1O1£134.56Ray-Ban RX5698 2012£73.55Simple eye makeup with glasses in four steps
- Apply concealer under the eye and blend it.
- Shape the brows with a pencil or brush.
- Choose eyeshadow and eyeliner to suit your vision and your frame.
- Apply mascara and let it dry, then put your glasses on and check the result in daylight.
Frequently asked questions about makeup with glasses
Does white eyeliner make eyes look bigger?
It can: a light pencil on the waterline looks more open than dark kohl all around the eye. The effect depends on the product and your eye shape, so test it with your glasses on.
How do I avoid makeup marks on my lenses?
Let mascara and eyeshadow dry well, put your glasses on last and clean the lenses regularly with a lens cloth.
Should I wear more makeup with glasses?
Not necessarily. Because glasses draw the eye to your face, groomed brows, an eyeliner that suits the frame and a well-chosen colour often work better than a lot of makeup. How much you wear is a matter of taste.
This article does not replace medical advice.
