Woman fixing eye makeup in mirror

6 Tips for Wearing Makeup With Eyeglasses

If you wear glasses and enjoy some glam, you likely have problems wearing makeup with eyeglasses. Glasses and makeup can have trouble coexisting with the friction between your glasses and face rubbing off foundation or dulling the look of your perfect smokey eye.

It doesn’t have to be like this! The days of sacrificing style for function are over. With our pro tips, you can easily wear makeup with eyeglasses, sunglasses, blue light glasses, or any other eyewear you choose.

  • Dial Back the Foundation

Foundation can pose a problem when wearing makeup with eyeglasses. The best way to fix this issue is to reevaluate how much foundation you’re wearing. Spoiler: it may be too much! Too much foundation can make your glasses slip off your nose and the more you have on, the more noticeable it will be if it gets rubbed off. Try applying your full face, doing your nose last, leaving a smaller amount on the areas that touch your glasses like your upper cheeks and temples. Aim to have just enough to blend in but not too much that it will be noticeable if it gets rubbed off.

  • Try a New Concealer

If you wear glasses regularly, you know the frames can cast shadows on your under-eye area. If you already struggle with dark circles, this can only make them worse. Don’t worry, we won’t tell you the answer is not wearing makeup with glasses. The solution is to find the right kind of makeup. Look for light-reflecting concealer to lighten up your under-eye area and counteract any discoloration. Again, add it slowly and lightly to ensure you’re not caking on too much. 

  • Create Balance with Eye Makeup

One of the biggest headaches of makeup with eyeglasses is often eye makeup. The best advice is to use contrast to create balance. If your glasses tend to make your eyes look bigger, you can play them down with thinner lines and a dark eyeliner to define your eye shape. If you feel your glasses are hiding your eyes, play them up with bright eye shadows and try out bolder looks like a cat eye. 

  • Switch Up Your Lashes

Another way glasses and makeup can mix poorly is with lashes and mascara. False lashes can be a tricky accessory with glasses due to their length. If your false lashes are too long, they will keep bumping up against your glasses causing both to shift. You can start by shortening the lashes, but that may not give you the volume you’d like. Try curling longer lashes to allow for both volume and length to coincide. 

Another lash issue while wearing makeup with glasses is mascara. Too often, mascara can brush off on your frames, causing smudging. To prevent this, you can dial back on your mascara, opting for a darker shade and using less. You can also switch to waterproof mascara as it’s designed for longer wear and less likely to smudge off throughout the day. 

  • Pay Attention to Your Brows

While this doesn’t technically relate to makeup with eyeglasses, brow grooming does play a big part in perfecting your glasses look. Just like with eye makeup, what you do depends on the type of glasses you own. If you have rimless frames, your brows will stand out more, so you need to pay attention to their shape. Keep those lines sharp and the length on point! However, if you have thick frames, your eyebrows won’t be as noticeable so you don’t need to spend as much time on them thanks to your bold glasses

  • Get it Set!

The last tip for glasses and makeup is simple: use a setting spray or powder to keep everything in place. This is the best way to keep makeup with eyeglasses looking great. While many people who wear glasses opt for a spray to avoid errant flecks when putting their glasses on, a high-quality setting powder should work just as well. 

Woman wearing oversized sunglasses

Bonus: Keep Your Lenses Clean When Wearing Makeup with Glasses

Whether or not you’re wearing makeup with eyeglasses, smudging or streaking is bound to happen. When it does, you need to know how to clean sunglasses and eyeglasses correctly, keeping your lenses streak and scratch-free. 

Start by using the right cloth. Only use microfiber cloths to wipe your lenses to save them from microscopic scratches or streaking. Next, use mild detergent or specific glasses cleaners to clean off tough spots. Water alone leaves streaks while things like glass cleaner or alcohol can remove protective coatings. Just a small dab will do! Wipe with your microfiber cloth and you’re good as new. 

Show Off Your Glasses and Makeup with Privado

When you wear makeup with eyeglasses and want people to look, you need a pair of Privados. All of our glasses are designed to bring function and fashion together with dozens of stylish, affordable sunglasses. Our blue light glasses will also help you protect your eyes and skin while upgrading your look. Our flexible frames and scratch-resistant lenses are also hypoallergenic to keep your skin comfortable and protected. Plus, each comes with its own leather pouch and microfiber cloth to help you keep your lenses clean and scratch-free. Shop our sunglasses online today to show off your style.

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Author Bio

Laura spent nine years as a police detective before she decided to leave the force and follow her dreams of starting her own eyewear business. Privado Eyewear was founded in 2020 and specializes in providing masterfully crafted luxury eyewear designs at affordable prices. Laura’s commitment to gender-neutral styles and quality craftsmanship ensures that Privado consistently delivers top-quality products everyone will love.