If you wear glasses, you’re probably familiar with the silly old ‘geek’ stereotype – and, I’m guessing, totally sick of it! But just because you wear frames, doesn’t mean you can’t make your peepers pop (even behind those lenses). Enter these six genius make-up hacks specifically for girls who wear glasses. Get ready, ladies: they’ll give you that sexy librarian look in minutes.
1. DITCH DARK SHADOWS
Glasses have a tendency to cast shadows underneath the eyes. Thankfully, all you need is a good concealer in your make-up arsenal – and of course, the know-how to apply it. Use a brightening eye pen such as Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat or Jane Iredale Active Light Concealer on the inner corners of your eyes and anywhere else your glasses are causing your skin to look shadowy.
2. DON’T OVERDO IT
While concealer is essential, there’s a risk it’ll look cakey when magnified under your lenses. Liquid formulas – such as my go-to, Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Concealer SPF 10 – are ideal. Alternatively, a waterproof concealer such as Australis Cosmetics Concealer is a lot less likely to crease. The no-cake rule applies to your lashes as well. Choose a non-clumping mascara with a smaller brush, like MOMMA Mineral Mascara. Oh, and wait for it to dry before you put your glasses back on to prevent smudges!
3. CURL YOUR LASHES
Your lashes are basically like an awning for your eyes. If you flip them up with a curler such as Manicare – Eyelash Curler, you’ll let more light in on the irises and the whites of your eyes and reduce shadows on your eyeballs (kind of weird, but true). It’ll also keep your lashes from hitting your lenses – straight-lashed glasses wearers know how annoying this is!
4. STICK TO NEUTRALS
While it’s fun to experiment with brighter eyeshadows, satin or pearly ones in natural, neutral colours can actually make your eyes look bigger and brighter. Champagne and rose gold colours will reflect the light and draw attention to your lids behind the lenses. Try Bobbie Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadow in ‘Rose Gold’ or Chi Chi Baked Eyeshadow in ‘Pearl Eggshell’.
5. DEFINE THE LINE
To enhance your eyes even more, use some eyeliner in a soft shade such as bronze, brown or grey (rather than black) for maximum eye-opening effect. Stick to a thin line for a pretty finish. I recommend Avon Glimmerstick Eyeliner in ‘Cosmic Brown’ or Bourjois Khol & Contour Eye Pencils in ‘Bronze Raffine’.
6. PRETTIFY YOUR POUT
Are you sick of people looking at your lenses? No problem – just distract them with a bold lip! For a dramatic effect, go for a matte lipstick such as NYX Cosmetics Matte Lipstick or MAC Lipstick. Just be sure to check out our ‘how to confidently wear a bold lip’ video tutorial before you apply it!
Do you wear glasses? How does it affect how you wear make-up?
Ok so the rules for me are no dark shadows and a lip colour!