ENHANCE YOUR LOOK

Wearing glasses is no reason to hide your eyes behind the lenses, when you can make the glasses work for you in more ways than one. Take advantage of the chance to enhance the natural beauty of your eyes and add to the overall look with well-applied makeup. As a wearer of glasses, applying makeup can be daunting but a few simple guidelines can make it easy and even enjoyable.

The frames you choose will impact on makeup options, with different frames creating different looks. Ensure that the frames complement the shape of your face and highlight your best features. Lighter or rimless frames allow for heavier eye makeup, while heavier darker frames lend themselves to more neutral makeup. With bigger frames, more of the eyes will show so makeup can be more daring.

Different makeup rules apply for different prescriptions. The lenses for people who are shortsighted can make the eyes appear smaller, so they need to use makeup that draws attention to the eyes. Conversely, people who wear glasses for farsightedness generally find that their eyes are magnified by the lenses, taking attention from the rest of the face. In order to reduce this effect, they would need to adopt more low-key makeup.

"Putting on makeup is so time-consuming" complained one woman. "I have to take my glasses on and off all the time." Applying makeup when one is unable to see clearly without glasses can be a challenge, both time-consuming and exhausting. Luckily, there are a number of easier options. To avoid having to be extremely close to the mirror, some people prefer a magnifying mirror, or a small hand mirror. Good lighting makes all the difference. Special glasses are available that make it possible to apply makeup to one eye while being able to see what you are doing with the other. The lens either pivots from one eye to the other or hinged lenses can be flipped down one at a time, allowing you to make up one eye with clear vision in the other. A suggestion is that when you get a new pair of glasses don't get rid of your old ones. Gently loosen the lenses so that you can pop one lens out a time when putting on makeup.

Facial cosmetics like foundation have a tendency to smear against frames and cause glasses to slip and slide down the bridge of the nose. A matte moisturiser on the bridge of the nose helps to prevent this. Once the makeup has been applied, a setting spray will preserve the look and keep glasses in place.

Glasses highlight the brow bone, so keep eyebrows in perfect shape. Sometimes frames create shadows or the illusion of dark circles under the eyes. A yellow-tinted concealer will hide this unwanted effect.

Being too bold with eye shadow can be overwhelming. Choose eye shadow that is simple and bright, using a colour that gives a natural enhancement to the eyes. If the lenses of your glasses make your eyes appear too big, reduce the effect with matte or liquid eye shadows, and avoid glittery eye shadows which tend to make the eyes look larger. Light rather than darker eye shadows will have an enlarging effect on eyes which appear small behind glasses.

If you use eyeliner, try to match the thickness of the liner to the thickness of the frames, so that it is not too overpowering. A cat eye flick at the corner of the eye has become fashionable, and it works well with glasses, accentuating the eyes. Overdoing eyeliner can make the eyes look smaller, particularly if it is a dark colour.

While false eyelashes frame and widen the eyes, they are not advisable for people who wear glasses, as long false lashes can brush against the lenses causing streaking and irritating the eyes. Rather opt for a mascara that emphasises volume and thickness over length, showing off the natural lashes in the best possible way without getting in the way of glasses. Apply mascara more to the roots than the tips of lashes so that they won't smear the lenses of your glasses.

Glasses draw immediate attention to the eye area and upper face. The right choice of lipstick will balance and complete the total look. If you prefer a natural no-makeup look, bright lips will add a splash of colour. A natural colour or even a sheer lip gloss will complement any pair of glasses.

The secret is to create a personal "eyecatching" effect by experimenting with different looks until you find the one that works for you.