Makeup Tips For Girls Who Wear Glasses

A great pair of specs can be an awesome accessory we'll take being called four-eyes any day. But as much as we love their ability to amp up a look, adding some frames to our face sometimes puts a snag in our makeup game. The dilemma? Overdo it and you could end up looking like a sexy librarian gone terribly wrong. Play it too safe and your features disappear. So, to help sharpen up your spec-style, we went straight to renown makeup artist, Bobbi Brown (a glasses-wearer herself), and got her to reveal some fantastically doable tips on how-to don some killer specs and still stay easy on the eyes. Her number one? Eyeliner is essential! Read on for six more of Brown's tips

Stay In Neutral Territory: According to Brown, less is definitely more. "Wearing glasses draws plenty of attention to your eyes, so it’s best to keep your eye makeup simple. Stick to neutral shades on the eyes but remember to blend a darker color into your crease for added definition. Save the bright, bold colors for your lips. Of course, don’t forget corrector and concealer—a must for all women, but especially if you’re wearing glasses."

Don’t Be Afraid of Mascara: "Most of the time I suggest applying 2-3 coats of mascara to really make eyes stand out. Always use black mascara, it makes the biggest difference. (Unless as per the below your prescription makes your eyes look bigger)."

Get In Line: "Adjusting the thickness of your liner is important when you’re wearing glasses," says Brown. "If your frames are thicker, you’ll want to apply a thicker line to the upper lash line so that eyes stand out. If your frames are thinner, a softer liner works."

Take Your Glasses Look From Day To Night: "There are several ways," she says. "First, you can add bold colors to your cheeks and lips. A bright or dark lip color can instantly transform you into ‘party ready’ and a bright shade of pink blush on your cheek will instantly give your face a lift and flush of color. Or, you can add sparkle to your eyes. Use a lighter shimmer or sparkly color on your lower lid. To create a smoky eye for glasses, double line your eye. It instantly makes your eyes stand out without being too much. Just line your eye with a gel or pencil, then take a similar colored powdered eye shadow and using a liner brush, line above the previous line, smudging as you go."

Define Your Brows: "Brows make a huge difference when you wear glasses— the frames draw attention to them. Learning how to shape and color your brows can change the entire frame of your face.

Pay Attention To Your Prescription: "If your prescription makes your eyes look smaller, be sure to line your eyes all the way around. I recommend using a liner that is darker than your natural eye color, since it creates a perfect contrast that defines the eyes. Finish with two to three coats of black mascara on the top lashes only for a refreshed look. If your prescription makes your eyes look bigger, use a light hand when applying your eye makeup and be sure to blend everything carefully. The last thing you want your glasses to do is magnify any mistakes. For shadows, go with light, neutral shades like my Gold Nugget Sparkle eyeshadow. Your eyeliner should be delicate and thin, with only one coat of mascara to open up the eyes."

Prada’s Peaches ‘N' Cream - Makeup trends

The flip-side to all this color is a fresh and dewy mix of more natural, neutral shades that are wearable, modern, and appropriate for all skin tones. This season, there was a resurgence in softer apricot tones, paired with taupes and muted browns for a perfect fall finish that Prada pulled off flawlessly.

How To Pull It Off: The eyes have it with to-the-brow shadow and defined brows—your brows are hugely important in recreating this look as they frame your face and offset that high-flying apricot blush. Touches of color on the lips and cheeks add definition, rather than stealing the show.

Start by filling in your eyebrows with a brow pencil before grabbing your concealer, foundation, and powder, and doing your thing. You’ll also need an apricot-colored blush, soft-brown eyeshadow, and very soft taupey-pink lipstick for later.

Once you’ve set your base and filled in your brows, apply your blush by really working the brush into the area underneath your cheekbones to create definition and contouring. Don’t be afraid to take it high up your cheeks and out toward your hairline. Next, apply white eyeliner to your lower lash-line and gently sweep your eyeshadow across your eyelids, dusting all the way to the brow. Finish with mascara and lipstick

Tom Ford’s Color-Blocking Bonanza - Makeup Trends

Who says color-blocking need only be reserved for your wardrobe? Not us. Or Tom Ford, apparently. Seen here on the almost unrecognizable Candice Swanepoel, this look shimmies us back to the dazzling days of Studio 54 (minus the crazy hair and sequins). Sure, there’s a lot going on, but working bright lips with contoured cheeks, or dark eyes with bright lips, is most definitely doable.

How To Pull It Off: First, decide whether you want to go all-out on the eyes and lips, or lips and cheeks. All three at once will walk you straight into '80s territory (oops, wrong way, go back!).

Once you’ve decided on your look, work with shades that are in the same family, keeping your lipstick and blush in tones that complement, rather than compete. Or, for a bold eye like this, stick to the same rules and think along the lines of blue-based reds on the lips with blue-based shadows on the eyes. Start by prepping your skin with your foundation, concealer, and translucent powder for that matte yet completely flawless finish. Now, apply your blush using a large powder brush, starting in the hollows of your cheeks and running the brush in the space underneath your cheekbones. Contouring is key here. Oh, and blend like your life depends on it.

If you’ve decided to opt for eyeshadow instead, work the shadow around the entire eye, keeping the lines perfectly blended and even. For a more intense look, add black eyeliner to your upper and lower lash-line; and finish off with your favorite black mascara. Don't forget to add a pop of silver in the inner corner of the eyes to help keep things bright. To complete the look, grab a blue-based red lipstick in a high-shine formula and apply to your lips with a lipstick brush. Add a clear high-shine gloss over the top for added punch. Smile, you look amazing!