Should I wear eyeliner with glasses?

Yes. With lenses that shrink the eyes, liner adds definition that still shows through the glass. With magnifying lenses, keep it thin and neat, or tightline the upper waterline so there is no line to smudge.

What lipstick goes with bold or dark frames?

Strong frames can take a strong lip, like a true red or a deep berry, which puts colour lower on the face too. With thin or clear frames, a softer rose or mauve matches their weight.

Can I see a look on someone with glasses before I try it?

Yes. Every picture on this page shows a look on a woman who wears glasses. Each look's own page shows it on several more faces and lists its shades, and you can try it on your own selfie in about 20 seconds.

Makeup for your features

Makeup with glasses

Glasses change how your eye makeup looks to everyone else. Lenses for nearsightedness make the eyes look smaller behind them, so you need more definition. Reading glasses and other lenses for farsightedness magnify the eyes, so every smudge and clump shows. Frames also draw a line across your face, and your brows and lip shade need to work with it.

The pictures show our looks on two women in glasses, one in her late 50s and one in her 60s. Wedding Guest Makeup keeps the liner thin, with individual lashes at the outer corners. Old Hollywood Glam pairs a thick black wing with a cherry-red lip. Pick the one nearest your frames and try it on your selfie.

Looks with glasses

11 looks

Tips for makeup with glasses

If you're nearsighted, your lenses make your eyes look smaller. Tightline the upper waterline, draw a slightly thicker liner and curl your lashes so the eye still shows through the glass.
If you wear reading glasses or are farsighted, your lenses magnify your eyes. Blend every shadow edge, keep liner neat and comb out mascara clumps, since each detail looks bigger.
Fill your brows so they show above the top of your frames. Thick, dark frames call for a fuller, more defined brow, and thin metal or rimless frames go with a softer one.
Frames cast a shadow under the eyes. A thin layer of concealer one shade lighter than your skin brightens that area.
Set the bridge of your nose and the tops of your cheeks with powder. Nose pads and the bottom of the frame rub foundation off there during the day.
Choose lengthening mascara or a few individual lashes over long strip lashes, which can brush against the lenses and smudge them.

Questions

Should I wear eyeliner with glasses?: Yes. With lenses that shrink the eyes, liner adds definition that still shows through the glass. With magnifying lenses, keep it thin and neat, or tightline the upper waterline so there is no line to smudge.
What lipstick goes with bold or dark frames?: Strong frames can take a strong lip, like a true red or a deep berry, which puts colour lower on the face too. With thin or clear frames, a softer rose or mauve matches their weight.
Can I see a look on someone with glasses before I try it?: Yes. Every picture on this page shows a look on a woman who wears glasses. Each look's own page shows it on several more faces and lists its shades, and you can try it on your own selfie in about 20 seconds.