Make-up tips for eyeglass wearers and contact lenses wearers

Many women who wear glasses and contact lenses are familiar with the problem: It can be quite difficult to create dramatic eye make-up when you wear vision aids. Not only do the lenses and eyeglass frames have to be taken into account; the type of vision problem you are correcting also plays an important role. Your eyes may look too small or too large, the eye make-up may interfere or imprints in the make-up can be seen on your skin through the glasses. How can you address these issues?

Actually, a pair of glasses may be a beautiful fashion accessory. However, especially women who need strong lenses, in particular, find it a challenge to pair their glasses with make-up. Here are some hints for women who have this problem.

The first thing you need to be mindful of is the use of the proper foundation for your face. Make sure your make-up is wipe-proof and water resistant, to avoid unattractive lines below the glasses and at the sides of the nose. Given that eyeglass frames of glasses frequently cast a shadow across the face, it helps to use a foundation that is one shade lighter than your natural skin tone in these areas. Apply a thin layer to the lid and beneath the eyes. If your skin has a tendency to be oily, the use of a light powder will help to reduce shiny areas in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). 

Women who wear glasses should pay particular attention to their eye make-up. If your vision is very blurry without your glasses, ask your eye care professional about so-called make-up glasses. These glasses allow you to fold the lenses away individually. As a result, one of your eyes can see very well while you are applying make-up to the other one. Of course you can also use a make-up mirror with a zoom effect. It’s another way to simplify the application of eye make-up and one that is great for travel as well.

Women who are extremely far-sighted are particularly familiar with the problem of substantially enlarged eyes. To compensate for this effect, use a smart make-up technique. Far-sighted women who wear glasses should opt for dark, matte eye shadow (brown, grey or green hues) to achieve a visual minimisation of their eyes. Eye shadow that is liquid or creamy in consistency is a better product for you than powder-based alternatives, because the glasses amplify the small loose colour particles powder contains. Refrain from using shiny or glittering eyeshadow, given that these effects are also emphasised by the lenses.

Apply the eyeshadow from the inner corner of the eye to the outside without extending beyond the crease of the eyelid. Emphasise the edges of the lid using dark eyeliner or a pencil. This will make your eyes look smaller. Apply everything with great care as the enlargement effect of your lenses will make mistakes more evident. Do not apply too much mascara on the top and use no mascara or very little on the bottom lashes.

Near-sighted women who wear glasses face the exact opposite problem. Unfortunately, their glasses make their eyes look smaller. Consequently, near-sighted women should avoid dark eyeshadow and thick eyeliners. Choose bright and shimmering colours such as rose, lavender, beige, light grey or white.

To open up your eyes, you can apply a lighter coloured eye shadow to the inside corner of the eye and choose a slightly darker hue as of the centre of the lid. Extend it all the way out to the outside corner and allow it to get progressively darker.

Choose white eyeliner for the inner lid of the eye. If you prefer to use a liner pencil, make sure you select a brighter hue such as grey or brown and apply liner only from the last third of the width of the eye to the outer corner. Apply lots of mascara to further increase the size of your eyes.

Polarised lenses and shaded lenses tend to tone down colours; so use your eye make-up more boldly.

Make sure you match your eyebrows to the frame of your glasses. Pluck excessive hair growth periodically, but do not go too far – the current trend calls for a beautiful natural look. You can also use liner to enhance your eyebrows. However, make sure that the colour you choose is not too dark.

Contact lens users should always insert their lenses before they apply make-up. This prevents make-up particles from getting under the lens, which can cause the eyes to tear up and may make your make-up runny. Given that powder has a tendency to push itself between the eye and the lens, contact lens wearers should definitely choose liquid or cream-based eye shadow. Use eyeliners preferably on the upper lid and not on the bottom one, because it may get beneath the lens as well. This will prevent itchy, teary eyes and irritations.

A few hints for your lip make-up: If you are wearing a distinct or colourful frame, make sure you use a more subtle lipstick colour or gloss. If your glasses have a more understated classic look, you should definitely choose a bolder lipstick colour.

Of course you can also do something to ensure your lenses are never too thick. Modern, high refractive materials allow women who need strong prescription glasses to get thinner fashionable lenses (high index) and maintain a very natural look.