Last year, optical glasses unexpectedly became the newest accessory to be embraced by the fashion world, largely propelled by Gen Z’s fascination with Y2K culture. After glasses were featured in a variety of runway shows and were seen on the likes of Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid, fashion company Lyst reported that searches for optical glasses increased by 30% in the third quarter of 2023.
Fashion houses and optical retailers alike were quick to catch on, as there is now a huge range of eyeglasses online. For example, Prada was swift to make spectacles featured in a recent runway collection available on their website. Meanwhile, fashionistas on a budget can run to top optical retailer Eyebuydirect, which carries numerous trendy styles. Available with prescription and nonprescription lenses, affordable frames include the tortoiseshell Romy frames and the minimalist St Michel model, reminiscent of a pair Ratajkowski’s been spotted in.
However, as any specs-wearers will know, embracing this optical trend will require some makeup adjustments. So, here are a few expert makeup and beauty tips tailored for glasses-wearers.
Don’t Wear Too Much Foundation
A common complaint glasses-wearers have is the red indentation marks that nose pads and the bridge of glasses leave behind, which can be pretty annoying in full glam. The best way to keep your glasses from messing up your foundation is to apply minimal product to the nose area. When applying your base, leave the nose area last and use the product left over on your brush or blending sponge to keep the coverage light. If you have blemishes that need extra coverage, spot conceal with a precise concealer brush. Importantly, makeup artist Brooke Simons recommends finishing your base with a dusting of setting powder to keep makeup in place and reduce movement or creasing. For those with drier skin types, a spritz of setting spray helps lock your makeup in place and leaves a dewier, more skin-like finish.
Define Your Eyes
At the Miu Miu runway show for Paris Fashion Week, YouTube sensation Emma Chamberlain turned heads with her ‘dark academia‘ outfit that featured round, tortoiseshell eyeglasses. To make her blue eyes pop behind her spectacles, Emma took care to define her eyes. Cop her makeup look by applying dark, waterproof eyeliner to your upper and lower lash lines. Then, use a lengthening mascara like the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara to give you the look of false lashes. This formulation, called a tubing mascara, is ideal for glasses-wearers as it doesn’t clump, smudge, or flake. When applying, wiggle the mascara wand from root to tip to encourage the bristles to separate and define each lash. A mascara primer such as Clinique’s Lash Building Primer applied before mascara can give your lashes extra length if needed.
Stick to Lighter Eyeshadow
Glasses, especially oversized frames, tend to create shadows in the eye area, so it’s best to stick to lighter neutrals and shimmery eyeshadows, says Illamasqua Director of Artistry Pablo Rodriguez. MAC‘s newest collection of sparkly eyeshadows is perfect for the job. The limited edition Bizarre Blizzard Bash line is comprised of shadows that come in a cream-like texture for smooth application, and its glistening finish adds the perfect touch to makeup looks under eyeglasses. For an everyday makeup look, another way to enhance your features is by applying a neutral gold shimmer to your eye’s inner corners to subtly brighten your eyes and add dimension.
With these tips, glasses-wearers won’t have to sacrifice their vision for a glamorous makeup look. Instead, you can now go out into the world with stylish specs and a feature-enhancing makeup look to match!
