Makeup Tips for Glasses Wearers

Look Bright-Eyed & Confident Behind Your Frames

Wearing glasses doesn’t necessarily mean hiding your beauty—it gives you a new way to frame it. Whether you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or rocking frames for fashion, glasses add personality and style. But they do bring unique challenges when it comes to makeup.1

From sliding foundations to smudged mascara, many glasses wearers struggle to keep their look fresh and flattering. The good news? With the right techniques, your makeup can complement your frames, not compete with them.

Here are our top makeup tips to help you — glasses wearers — feel confident, stylish, and camera-ready—all day long.

1.  Start with a Bright, Matte Base

Your frames rest on your face all day, which can smudge or remove foundation—especially around the nose. Combat this by using a lightweight, long-wearing foundation that resists transfer and doesn’t feel cakey.

Apply a mattifying primer to your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and finish with setting powder—especially around the bridge of your nose where glasses rest. This combo helps reduce slipping and shine.

*Pro tip: Use a beauty sponge to press powder into your skin instead of dusting it on. This gives a longer-lasting hold.

2.  Conceal & Brighten the Eyes

Glasses can create shadows under the eyes, which may make you look tired—even when you're not.

Use a brightening concealer to lift and awaken your under-eye area. Choose a shade slightly lighter than your foundation, and blend it in a triangle shape beneath the eyes.

Stick with lightweight formulas to avoid creasing under magnifying lenses. If your prescription makes your eyes look smaller or larger, this technique can help restore balance.

*Extra tip: Set your concealer with translucent powder to avoid smudging your lenses.

3.  Define Your Brows—Your Frame Within a Frame

Glasses naturally draw attention to your upper face—especially your brows. A defined brow can sharpen your look and anchor your glasses. Even if you prefer natural makeup, don’t skip the brows!

Use a pencil or brow pomade to shape and fill in any sparse areas, then brush with a spoolie to soften the edges. Finish with a clear or tinted gel to keep everything in place.

For bolder frames, go for more structured brows. For rimless or clear frames, keep brows soft and natural.

4.  Curl Your Lashes, Skip the Clumps

Nothing ruins a fresh look faster than mascara marks on your lenses. Curling your lashes helps lift them away from the glass and opens up the eyes. Then, apply lengthening mascara—not volumizing—since thick formulas are more likely to clump or smear.

Opt for waterproof or smudge-proof mascaras that stay put through long days. If you have very long lashes, try applying mascara just to the roots for lift without smudge.

Want even more definition? Try tightlining your upper lash line with a waterproof pencil.

5.  Eyeshadow That Enhances, Not Overpowers

Depending on your prescription, your lenses might make your eyes appear smaller or larger. Your eyeshadow can help offset this effect.

● For smaller-looking eyes (from minus lenses): Use light, shimmery shades to open up the eyes.

● For larger-looking eyes (from plus lenses): Matte neutrals help soften and balance.

Stick to crease-resistant formulas, and always use a primer. This helps shadow stay in place without gathering behind your lenses.

Want to make your look pop? Add shimmer to the inner corners or center of the lid.

6.  Adjust Eyeliner Based on Your Frames

Eyeliner is your best friend when wearing glasses—but the style you choose should complement your frames, not compete with them.

● If you're wearing bold frames, stick with thinner, tightlined liner.

● If you’re wearing light or rimless frames, go bolder with a winged or smudged line.

To make your eyes look bigger, line only the outer two-thirds of your upper lash line. And don’t forget to highlight your waterline with a nude pencil—it helps eyes look wide-awake and fresh.

7.  Add Blush & Bronzer for Balance

Frames can sometimes cast shadows on your face, especially under the cheeks or along the temples. Use blush and bronzer to bring back warmth and dimension.

Cream blushes are especially flattering—they blend into the skin seamlessly and last longer under glasses. Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, then sweep bronzer lightly along your cheekbones, hairline, and jaw.

Choose tones that complement your frame color—rosy hues for cool tones, peach or coral for warm tones.

8.  Go Bold on the Lips

If you’re keeping your eyes minimal, balance your face with a bold lip. Glasses frame the eyes—let your lips take center stage for a glamorous finish.

● Red lips for black frames = timeless elegance

● Coral lips with clear frames = fresh and trendy

● Plum lips with tortoiseshell frames = cozy and confident

Matte or satin lipsticks stay in place better than glossy finishes, especially if your hair tends to stick to your lips and lenses.

9.  Lock It In With Setting Spray

After perfecting your look, the final step is to lock it in. Setting spray prevents makeup from melting where your glasses touch your skin and keeps oil at bay.

Choose a formula that suits your skin type:

● Matte finish: Ideal for oily or combination skin

● Dewy finish: Perfect for dry skin and natural glow

With a good setting spray, your makeup will hold up through work, errands, and happy hour—glasses and all.

Bonus: Match Makeup to Your Frame Style

Your glasses say a lot about you—your makeup should say the same! Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

*Want to experiment? Try Lensmart’s Virtual Try-On Tool to see how different styles match your look!

Makeup + Glasses = Power Combo

Makeup shouldn’t be complicated just because you wear glasses. With a few smart adjustments, you can highlight your favorite features, avoid smudges, and feel confident all day long.

Whether you’re dressing up for a date, heading to the office, or hopping on a video call, these tips will help you shine — frame and face in harmony.

Style Meets Function at Lensmart

Need a new pair to complement your makeup style? Explore affordable, fashion-forward glasses at Lensmart — with hundreds of shapes, colors, and finishes to match your beauty routine.