The Best Makeup when You're Wearing Glasses
Growing up, I always wanted to be one of the "lucky" kids who got to wear glasses. And the desire only grew as I got older and saw gorgeous women with serious specs appeal, like Lisa Loeb and Tina Fey. I wanted a pair, and I wanted them bad.
So when my optometrist pronounced I was due for my very own set of reading glasses, I wasn't exactly what you'd call disappointed. In fact, I think I shocked her with my "woo hoo!"
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While I love my new glasses, there's one little problem: My baby blues seem to disappear whenever I wear them, especially when I'm not wearing any makeup. Instead of prettily framing my eyes, my glasses hide them. But instead of swapping my specs for contacts, I looked to the stars for inspiration. The bespectacled stars, that is. Check out how these trendsetters turn their glasses into the hottest accessories around, all with the simplest, most perfect makeup techniques.
Tina Fey and Lucy Liu don't always wear specs, but when they do, they look healthy, sexy, and sophisticated. Why? They're each wearing a full face of simple, neutral tones. To get the look, apply the basics (light foundation, concealer, black eyeliner, and mascara). Finish with a generous dose of peachy blush and sheer pink lip gloss. (Try COVERGIRL and OLAY Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Plush Peach, $10.49, and Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Fortune, $28.)
When you're wearing shades of ombré, like designer Rachel Roy and actress Fivel Stewart, think of the darkest part as a layer of eyeliner and mascara on your top lid. To balance that out, try a dark smoky eye: Apply black eyeliner all the way around your eyes and smudge it outward, which makes your eyes look bigger. Then apply multiple coats of mascara. (Try COVERGIRL Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Black Fire, $8.79, and COVERGIRL LashBlast 24 Hour Mascara, $7.99.) Keep the rest of your makeup soft and neutral. Bonus tip: Smoky eyes are especially great for the nearsighted, whose lenses tend to make their eyes look smaller.
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In general, the thicker your glasses are, the less makeup you need. But when you go geek chic, you have room to make a bold statement -- especially for nights out. Actress Abigail Spencer pulls off a metallic smoky eye and long, lush lashes. Likewise, J.Crew President and Creative Director Jenna Lyons demonstrates how a strong lip can balance out strong frames. (To get the lip, try Nars Lipstick in Jungle Red, $24.) Bonus tip: Make sure that when you play up your lips, you downplay your eye makeup and vice versa.
Meryl Streep's vintage frames sweep upward to highlight her cheekbones and make her look younger, while actress Alice Eve's round "Mad Men"-inspired frames showcase her big blue eyes. But what do these flattering vintage looks have in common? Good use of eyeliner. If you're in Meryl's age group, opt for a soft, smudgy liner around all but the inner corners of your eyes. (Try Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Brown, $25.) To get Alice Eve's look, apply a black liquid liner along your upper lashline. (Try COVERGIRL LineBlast 24 Hour Eyeliner, $7.99.) Draw a thin line if your frames are thin, and a thick line if your frames are thick. Finish with mascara. Bonus tip: Farsighted? Your lenses will magnify your work so be precise and blend your makeup well.
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Sandra Oh and Lisa Loeb like to wear vivid frames in shades of blue and lavender. If you're the same way, you don't need much color on the rest of your face. Just a simple coat of mascara, a tiny bit of liner, and a rosy lipstick will do. Bonus tip: To keep your glasses from sliding off your face or denting your nose, set your foundation with a little powder first. (Try COVERGIRL Clean Pressed Powder, $6.99.)
Both Diane Lane and Kate Beckinsale prefer rimless glasses, which give them plenty of freedom to play up their eyes. But since these glasses don't frame the face as much, defined brows are a must. To get them, fill in your natural arch with a brow pencil that's one or two shades lighter than your current hair color. (Try COVERGIRL Brow & Eyemakers Pencil, $3.49.) Should you need help locating your natural arch, invest in a brow kit or see a seasoned brow pro. (The latter is one of the best things I've ever done for myself.)
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