Wearing eye makeup with glasses can feel like an impossible skill to master, so we asked two makeup artists for their best tips for perfecting the look. Read them here.

Forget everything you thought you knew.

Makeup can be a hard skill to master, especially if you didn’t grow up in a household with someone who could teach you the basics. Still, there are some skills that feel objectively harder to nail down than others—and eyeshadow should be at the top of the list. On top of that, figuring out eye makeup when you wear glasses? Forget it. 

Ok, that’s a bit dramatic. But still, when you already struggle with eyeshadow, trying to keep your eye makeup vibrant enough to be seen behind glasses, without overpowering the rest of your face can be extremely frustrating. Good thing creating glasses-friendly looks has long-been perfected by professional artists. “One of the best ways to play with eye makeup for people with glasses is to experiment with liners,” makeup artist, Manuel Espinoza, tells InStyle. “Add a pop of color on the lower lash line or inner corner and consider shades like teal, purple, or bronze. They all contrast beautifully with the glasses and add some fun to the look without being overpowering.” 

Meet the expert

Tamara Boyd is a professional makeup artist and ambassador for Black Radiance. Manuel Espinoza is a professional makeup artist and ambassador for Black Radiance.

Ahead, Espinoza and makeup artist Tamara Boyd explain tips that you should keep in mind on your journey to perfecting eye makeup with glasses. 

Tip #1: Take the Effect of the Lenses Into Account

The types of lenses you wear has an impact on how your eye makeup will be seen. “Nearsighted lenses make the eyes appear smaller, so opt for bright, eye-enlarging shades when doing your eyes,” Boyd says. “On the other hand, farsighted lenses magnify the eyes, so a softer, more subtle look works best for them.” Boyd also recommends choosing makeup that complements or contrasts with your frames, and to always go for smudge-proof formulas. “This ensures that your makeup remains looking clean and polished.”

Tip #2: Define Your Eyebrows

Both Boyd and Espinoza agree: when it comes to eye makeup with glasses, groomed brows are a non-negotiable. “In this instance, eyebrows are a really key factor in nailing eye makeup with glasses,” Espinoza says. “Having nicely shaped brows helps balance the face and draw attention to the eyes.” Boyd adds: “Glasses naturally draw attention to your eyebrows. So keeping them neat allows for a neater look to the eye area overall.”

Tip #3: Curl Your Lashes (and Use a Good Mascara)

If you wear frames, then you know one of the most annoying parts of trying to perfect eye makeup with glasses is the lash situation. Are you doing false lashes? Extensions? Individuals? “It’s best to curl your lashes and use a lengthening mascara,” Boyd says. “It will help to prevent any smudging or your lashes touching the lens.” Espinoza adds: “A nice curl also opens up the eyes and keeps them visible behind the glasses.”

Tip #4: Be Strategic With Powder

If you have oily skin, you’ve likely been told to “bake” your face to prevent said oils from seeping through your makeup throughout the day. When you wear glasses, you have to be a little more strategic with your use of powder. “Applying translucent powder to the bridge of the nose helps prevent smudging or redness from the glasses,” Boyd says. In turn, Espinoza says to be wary of using too much. “Glasses can create shadows on the face, so you want to avoid putting on too much powder that can make things look flat,” he says. “Stick to lighter setting-powder formulas.” 

Tip #5: Be Generous With Setting Spray

There is a difference between fixing sprays and setting sprays. While the former helps makeup to melt into the skin, the latter helps your makeup stay on your face, which is extremely important when you have a physical object rubbing against your full face of makeup at all times. “This is probably one of the best tips I have as glasses can sometimes tend to slide down,”  Espinoza says. “A good setting spray can keep the makeup in place longer.” A good setting spray will also help to keep your eyeshadows vibrant, especially if you use bolder colors that tend to fade throughout the day. 

A few additional tips include highlighting your cheekbones, which Boyd says “adds dimension to the mid-face area,” using a brightening concealer to counteract the shadow-y effects of the glasses under your eyes, and not overdoing it with dark eyeshadow shades that can get lost behind lenses.

Good Luck!

As with any makeup technique, how you choose to do your eye makeup with glasses is a personal decision. Still, with these tips in mind, if you’ve been struggling to figure out the best formula, you will be well on your way to perfecting your routine in no time.