9 Tips for Long-Lasting, Smudge-Free Makeup That Stands Out Under Your Glasses

Photo: Stocksy / Marc Tran
Applying makeup when you have glasses can be tricky. The nose pads can leave little indents in your foundation, the eye look you spent serious effort creating can seemingly fade away behind your lenses, and your mascaraed lashes might hit the lenses and smudge. But with some finesse, you can apply your makeup so that it really lasts behind your specs.

In a recent TikTok, digital content creator and makeup enthusiast Victoria Lyn shared some of her best tips for wearing makeup under glasses. We ran these tips by makeup artist Emily Amick, who also wears glasses, and got her professional stamp of approval, along with a few other goodies.

@victorialyn Makeup for Glasses‼️??Try these tips! #makeup #beauty #lipstick #glasses ♬ Lo-fi hip hop - NAO-K

Experts In This Article

How to apply makeup under glasses

1. Apply your foundation from the outside of your face

"You can wear whatever foundation you want. The major key to getting it to last is working from the outside in, saving the nose for last," says Lyn. "Just use whatever's left on your brush to keep it light to avoid your glasses sinking in."

Regardless of whether or not you're wearing glasses, you don't need to lay your complexion products on thick all over the face. "I’m a big proponent of using foundation and concealer sparingly and only full coverage where you need it," says Amick.

2. Use powder on your nose pads

Even with a light application on the nose, you can still get those little indents where your nose pads are. To avoid this, Lyn recommends applying loose powder, like the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($24 to $40), both to the pads of your glasses and your nose. If you still notice indents, Amick says to "just gently pat your finger over them and the foundation will blend back in."

3. Apply blush with your glasses on

Put on "blush with your frames on," says Lyn. "This really helps you actually see your blush—it's like a custom placement to your frames."

4. Limit product anywhere your face may touch your lenses

"One problem I have when I wear glasses, since I have such big cheeks, is that when I smile sometimes the makeup on my cheeks transfers to the lenses," says Amick, "so it’s definitely about understanding how an individual's glasses fit their face and trying to limit the amount of product in areas where your glasses come into contact with your skin." Amick also powders her cheeks to prevent makeup from transferring.

5. Balance your eye makeup

"My eyes get a little lost in my big frame so I like to use neutral shades to accentuate my I shape, a wing liner, and a nude liner in the waterline and inner corner because it makes my eyes look bigger," says Lyn. "If your lenses magnify, try the smoky look—it's so pretty."

6. Keep your lashes curled and voluminous

Lyn recommends curling your lashes when you wear your glasses, and Amick agrees. "Some people's lashes are so long they touch the inside of the lenses, so curling is a good idea," says Amick.

Also, "go for volumizing mascara instead of lengthening," says Lyn. "[It] keeps your lashes fluffy and not windshield wiping against your lenses. You can wear [false] lashes, make sure they're short and voluminous."

Sir John, the makeup artist to celebs like Beyoncé and Karlie Kloss, is a major fan of the L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara ($11). "You've got to have a good mascara. I do love the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara ($10)," says Sir John, who serves as the brand's creative director. "It's my favorite mascara."

7. Go bold with your brows

"Brows frame your frames, don't be afraid to do a little fill and fluff them up—the bolder the better," says Lyn.

8. Have fun pairing your makeup with your frames

If you have colored frames, you can coordinate your makeup with the lenses. "The matchy-matchy [look] is my fave," says Lyn. "I love to do a neutral eye so I can add the color to my lips."

9. Carry a lens cloth

Even when you take all the necessary precautions, you may get a bit of makeup on your lenses. "Always have a lens cloth ($6) with you to take care of any smudges on your lenses and frames," says Amick.

Want even more beauty intel from our editors? Follow our Fineprint Instagram account for must-know tips and tricks.

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