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Please share your tips for hair and make-up with glasses

33 replies

SomewhereNow · 24/02/2017 07:53

I'm going back to wearing glasses after many years as contacts no longer suit me unfortunately. Thing is I'm really short-sighted so glasses make my eyes look tiny and piggy and I feel really self-conscious.

I've splashed out on the nicest glasses I can although a lot of trendier frames weren't suitable for my stupid milk bottle lenses Confused. I've also paid extra to have them thinned but doubt it will make a massive difference.

Is there anything I can do to either make my eyes look better or distract from them? I know I can't expect miracles but any ideas would be welcome :).

OP posts:
Fabellini · 24/02/2017 07:59

Ah, you have the opposite problem to me...my glasses magnify my eyes a bit and I need to be careful that eyeshadow doesn't crease, or mascara look clumpy...because it's really obvious.
Have you thought about a make up lesson at one of the department store counters? Because really, you just need eye make up to make them look a little bigger...I'd suggest a lash primer under mascara because that makes lashes look longer - maybe use (carefully!) eyelash curlers to "open" your eyes up a bit?
I like my glasses, and I spent the most I could afford on frames, getting lenses thinned...was really expensive, but I figure I wear them all day, every day, so they need to look as good as possible.

TisapityshesaGeordie · 24/02/2017 07:59

I don't wear a lot of eye make up with my glasses - personal choice, I just think it looks odd. I am also v v short-sighted so what I do do is focused on "opening up" my eyes as much as possible.

So if you don't already get your eyebrows done professionally, then add some pencil or powder to enhance the shape. Curl your lashes, add a lengthening mascara in whatever colour suits you best. Add some highlighter under your brow arch, in the inner corners of your eyes and just underneath. Rest of make up as normal. I'm not a lipstick person but I guess a bright lip would draw attention downwards away from your eyes too.

Floisme · 24/02/2017 08:41

I was in the same situation 15 years ago but I can honestly say I love my specs now. What helped me the most was changing my attitude. Yes, they do alter my whole face and make my eyes look smaller (although I'd forgotten about that!) but they're also distinctive and I guess I've just learned to embrace that and build my style around them.

In terms of more practical tips: I'm an absolute pain in the arse about choosing frames. I look everywhere and it takes me months. Luckily I have a very patient optician (independent).
I don't wear much eye make up - just eye shadow, no mascara or eye liner. But I do wear lipstick to compensate.
I also ditched the earrings, which upset me a bit at the time as I had a big collection but I have a small face and there was way too much going on.

MissisBoote · 24/02/2017 08:46

Lisa Eldridge has a tutorial for glasses wearers - I need to rewatch it :o

SomewhereNow · 24/02/2017 08:52

Thank you, this is making me feel a bit more positive. Really like the idea of 'building my style around them'. I've got cropped dark hair, usually with bright red streaks, and a recently acquired nose stud - I love both so maybe my glasses can work with them. Like the thought of lipstick as a distraction but not sure I suit it - I have a rare day to myself today though so am going to investigate the make-up counters.

I think my self consciousness stems from wearing glasses as a kid then finally getting lenses when I was 16. It coincided with me being ill so losing a lot of weight and was a real Plain Jane Superbrain transforms herself moment for me. I'm fatter again now Confused and I don't want to go back to being that frumpy four eyed kid again :(.

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PinkSquash · 24/02/2017 08:58

I hated wearing glasses so wore contacts for years but I had eye complications which meant I had to go back to glasses. I have really thick lenses so they do magnify my eyes and the frames are thin and back, but I make them a feature- they are now as much part of my face as my eyes/nose are.

I use lashings of eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara. My eyes are my 'signature' look as lipsticks don't really suit me.

Just find what you feel comfortable with and experiment until you're happy.

Floisme · 24/02/2017 09:00

Oh god, I thought my life was over when I first had to wear them! I was 11 and the only frames on offer were the old NHS frames: blue or pink plastic (which I bet would look really cool now in an ironic way).

From what you've said about your style, I think glasses would really well.

ZacharyQuack · 24/02/2017 09:01

I'm shortsighted to my glasses make my eyes look smaller. I think the main things to emphasise are eyebrows, concealer to brighten under eyes.and nice bright lipstick. The brows and lips balance out the frames, I also like eyeliner and mascara on my top lashes, but nothing under my eyes.

Deathraystare · 24/02/2017 09:14

I read somewhere that the thicker your lenses then the thicker your eyeliner. By that I mean if you have bold frames/thich lenses - your liner should be thicker. I tend not to put mascara on my lower lashes - I find it too much faff and it shows up too much. I also try to make up more lightly under my eyes anyway (though my watery eyes tensd to wash off anything anyway!

OCSockOrphanage · 24/02/2017 09:25

Flo's advice about earrings and glasses is, as usual, completely accurate. There is too much going on if you wear anything even slightly fussy and the result is a bit Dame Edna, and very ageing.

An acquaintance reckoned that laser correction was better once her contacts were no longer comfortable, rather than spending £££ on specs every couple of years, and appealed more to her sense of personal style.

SomewhereNow · 24/02/2017 12:47

I'm not really an earrings person anyway, only wear them occasionally as they feel a bit fussy especially with a nose stud as well.

I'd definitely consider laser surgery but a) I'm a bit scared and b) It's not a priority for spending at the moment unfortunately.

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ChocolateSherberts2017 · 24/02/2017 13:31

Don't have any tips as I wear very little makeup with my high prescription lenses. Just pale eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara makes my eyes look bigger.

I found out that Asda do lense thinning for free so I was able to buy a second pair for a lot less than my first pair.

Chipsandonionrings · 24/02/2017 17:02

A couple of years ago I started wearing glasses and hated them. I now wear them all the time and they are part of my style. I feel odd without them now and I like being able to see clearly.

I had to give up wearing earrings and I now wear lipstick to balance out my face.

I bought some very expensive frames, had them thinned etc. I figured if I was going to wear them everyday it was worth spending some cash on them. I have also bought 2 more on trend pairs which have a stronger frame - they are not as comfortable or light but they are funky. I bought some from glasses direct and they were super cheap, so I can update my look as fashions change.

Auldspinster · 24/02/2017 17:31

I always line my eyes even if I'm not wearing any other make up. Here's a few speccy pics of me.

Please share your tips for hair and make-up with glasses
Please share your tips for hair and make-up with glasses
Please share your tips for hair and make-up with glasses
Crunchyside · 24/02/2017 21:30

I used to think there's no point wearing eye makeup with glasses but I've totally changed my mind. After years of wearing no eye makeup, when I started wearing it I'd find myself catching my own eye in mirrors I walked past like "woah she looks different!" I realised it does make a noticeable difference (in a good way).

glasses make my eyes look tiny and piggy and I feel really self-conscious It's funny that you should say this because I think most people who wear glasses look better with their glasses when you're used to them wearing them. I have a friend who has worn glasses her entire life and recently got laser eye surgery. I am not used to seeing her without glasses and I secretly think she looked better with glasses...

Crunchyside · 24/02/2017 21:30

Someone posted this silly meme on Facebook the other day and it confirms my suspicion that people with glasses do look better with their glasses on!

Please share your tips for hair and make-up with glasses
SomewhereNow · 24/02/2017 21:36

Haha love that Grin.

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Littlebigcat · 24/02/2017 23:21

It's so strange reading this as I've recently had to switch to my glasses most if the time. Not sure yet if that will be a long term thing, my optician can't see a problem. I'm using a liquid liner on my top lash line and a bit of eyeshadow on the bottom. I'm struggling with the fact I can't see properly to apply it. How are you finding this?

I'd also come to the lipstick to balance out conclusion but I'm quite lazy with lipstick. I just don't feel totally me in glasses (or lipstick)

AngelicCurls · 24/02/2017 23:39

I'm the same, just started wearing glasses again after years of contacts. I've worn them for the last month or so and now I feel too self conscious to go back to lenses, as it's now normal for people to see me in them. I chose a thicker pair to make more of a statement with them, as opposed to trying to minimise them like I've always done previously. I really like a strong lipstick with them to balance things out, and mascara to stop my eyes disappearing. I do forget about wearing them tho, then catch sight of myself in the mirror and its a surprise to see myself wearing glassesHmm

Thegiantofillinois · 24/02/2017 23:43

On the plus side, when I'm having a can't be arsed but want to look groomed day, I find doing eyebrows and red lippie is enough, cos glasses take the place of 'eyes'. Otherwise I tend to do darker eyes than without contacts.

I don't like wearing my glasses with curly hair or floaty clothes.

user1471545174 · 25/02/2017 07:53

Glasses are face furniture so you need to be careful about overload when it comes to hair, jewellery etc.

SomewhereNow · 25/02/2017 08:29

I definitely think I'll need to wear more make-up which is fine most of the time as I like make-up but not so great for 'can't be arsed' days!

Littlebigcat I do struggle to put make-up on because I can't see! If I get closer to the mirror it's too close to use brushes, pencils etc without poking myself in the eye Confused. I try and do eyebrows with my glasses on but it's tricky. Need to find a way round this, going to Google for inspiration.

OP posts:

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FrogTime · 25/02/2017 08:40

I wear make up similar to auld, face is primer from benefit, maybelline superstay foundation and benefit powder. Eyes are a slick of urban decay 24/7 glide on eye pencil in 'perversion' and some black mascara (either urban decay or benefit). Then if I'm feeling good I'll go for some red lippy (currently one from illamasqua).
I try to keep it quite simple. Eyeshadow or contouring or anything fancies just doesn't match my face with glasses.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 25/02/2017 08:47

I'm all for the best glasses you can afford. Don't stop at your own optician's choice. Don't blink at buying frames elsewhere and taking to your own optician that knows your eyes for glazing.

What is all this about short sightedness and piggy eyes? Modern lenses don't do this like they used to and I don't notice it even with very strong prescription. If you want the least distortion of your eyes get aspheric lenses.

I don't want to out myself but I have quite distinctive glasses, a fringe, and sometimes quite bright hair. I also wear earrings too now after 15 years of not wearing them. Life is really too short IMO even though I can't bear to wear contact lenses. I promise you o don't look like Dame Edna, and I do get compliments on the glasses too.

Eyebrows and eyeliner I say!

Girlwhowearsglasses · 25/02/2017 08:50

Re: actually applying the stuff: cut off the stem of brushes and cut off eyeliner pencils so you can get to the mirror- also I have a mirror with decent lighting that is on a cupboard so I can get right up to it - even getting up to a wall mirror isn't as close because your feet push you back - if that makes sense Confused

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