Makeup for Glasses: How to Pair Eye Makeup With Spectacles

December 04, 2011 by Makeup Artist

Katy Perry showed the world just how chic glasses can be when she stepped out in a crystal-embellished cat eye pair by DSquared2 at London's Heathrow International Airport over the weekend

While the star kept it casual in a comfy gray knit top and black leggings, her choice of false lashes, cat eyeliner, and a pop of fuchsia lipstick, added glamour to the '50s era shades.

Yet, many be-spectacled women find the art of mastering eye makeup for glasses a challenge.

So how did Perry pull it off with such finesse?

Los Angeles makeup artist Riku Campo says it starts with choosing the right frames.

"The design of the frames is very important; they must sit perfectly on your face. And the style, material and color of the frames will give you an idea of what kind of makeup you want to use."

Perry kept her eye colors neutral and accentuated her look with a dramatic winged eyeliner that followed the uplifted shape of her eyeglasses.

Neutral albeit dazzling frames like Perry's gives you the freedom to experiment with the full rainbow of colors.

If you go with colored frames, you'll want to keep the color to your glasses, and lightly define eyes with liner and neutral creams and taupes. And if you choose black frames, stay away from a strong smoky eye, or risk looking too "crowded" in the eye area, advises Campo.

Strong vision eyeglass wearers will have eyes that appear larger. To balance out the size of your peepers, apply a deep black khol eyeliner to the inside rim, or blend light smoky eye makeup for the same minimizing effect.

But if you wear negative lenses eyeglasses, your eyes will look smaller. Go with a white eyeliner on the inside rim of lashes and add a touch of deeper shadow on the upper lashline and the outter one-third corner of your bottom lashline to create the illusion of bigger eyes. A bit of ivory shimmer on the inner corners will also reflect light and magnify eyes, says Capo.

And don't feel like you need to pile on the makeup for it to show up behind glasses.

"Keep it simple. Otherwise you will start reminding us of the fabulous Dame Edna in all her glory," says Campo of the bright blue eyeshadow-wielding drag queen.

There is also one feature you can't forget when it comes to perfecting your makeup look while wearing glasses.

"Don't forget your brows! Glasses frame your face, and brows frame your eyes. Fill in with a powder pencil for subtle definition," says New York makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor.

And if you want your lashes to flutter Katy Perry-style, try individual lashes instead of a strip for a softer and less contrived look.

"I love the new Sweet Individual Lashes by KreAt Beauty. They have this unique "V" design that makes your eyes look sweet and wide-eyed and are great for an extra boost," says Sotomayor.

For a step-by-step tutorial on makeup for glasses, check out YouTube star and Lancôme video makeup artist Michelle Phan's fun video below.