Mascara smears. That annoying red mark on the bridge of your nose. Spending an hour perfecting your eye shadow, only to have it be barely visible in the end. Yep, it’s a hard time out there for girls who love makeup but have to wear glasses.
Thankfully, something can be done! With these hacks straight from the beauty pros, you get the best of both worlds: You can wear your favorite makeup and have great vision, too.
Suddenly, everything is looking 20/20.
1. start by changing up your skincare routine
“The pressure of glasses can block pores, so it’s important to use products and makeup that are non-comedogenic,” says Dr. Jenelle Kim, DACM, L.Ac., Founder & formulator for JBK Wellness Labs.
“It can be beneficial to use clay-based cleansers to deeply cleanse and help pull out dirt, excess oil and toxins from the skin,” she says. She also recommends charcoal since it’s another powerful detoxifying ingredient that deep-cleanses the skin.
When cleansing, pay special attention to the areas your glasses touch most, such as your nose and forehead.
2. use a powder foundation to prevent your glasses from slipping
Sick of your glasses constantly slipping down your nose? Try a powder foundation.
“A powder foundation creates a matte effect, which not only helps to create an even complexion but also means that your glasses aren’t constantly slipping down your nose,” says Adina Mahalli, a hair and skincare expert for Maple Holistics.
When applying it, focus on your nose and T-zone since these are the areas your glasses slide around most. Don’t have makeup powder? A Reddit hack found that eyeshadow primer works, too!
3. clean every part of your glasses, not just the lenses
Cleaning your glasses every day isn’t just a great way to see Ryan Reynolds’s abs a little clearer. It’ll benefit your skin, too! “Dirt and bacteria can easily collect on your frames,” says Dr. Kim. If you think that sounds gross, that’s nothing compared to the horror of it clogging up your pores and leading to unnecessary breakouts.
To prevent this, follow this tip: “Simply wiping them with alcohol once a day is an excellent way to remove bacteria and dirt from your frames,” says Dr. Kim.
4. go a little heavier on the mascara
If you really want your peepers to pop, you’ll have to go a little heavier on the mascara, says Mahalli.
Stick to volumizing mascaras, though, since lengthening ones might cause your lashes to brush up against the lenses and smear.
Since you’ll be using more makeup with this hack, make sure you’re removing it all the end of the day. If you’re not sure which makeup remover is best for your skin type, this guide should help.
“Your makeup is heavier and therefore, your skin cleansing routine should be taken more seriously to ensure that your skin isn’t suffering from chemical buildup,” says Mahalli, adding: “The more natural the mascara, the better.”
5. make use of sunscreen
Glasses wearers who have UV protection in their lenses may have a leg-up on SPF protection, but that doesn’t mean you should skip proper skincare.
“You still will want to apply a good sunblock around your eyes and on your eyelids to further interrupt the formation of crows' feet and droopy lids,” says Pamela Schoenfeld, registered dietitian-nutritionist and author of The Collagen Diet: Rejuvenate Skin, Strengthen Joints and Feel Younger by Boosting Collagen Intake and Production.
You can protect your skin in other ways too, such as increasing your daily collagen intake. Schoenfeld recommends deep colored fruits and vegetables for vitamin C and other skin-loving antioxidants. Our Vital Proteins collagen products are also a good addition to your diet. New to collagen powders? Add our Original Collagen Peptides – also containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin C – to your morning smoothie, coffee and more.
6. finally, be picky with your frames
You’re going to be wearing them every day, so you might as well make sure that you love (not just like!) your frames.
“Select a frame that enhances your features, flows with your brow line and comes in a color that complements your complexion and the color of your eyes and hair,” says Schoenfeld. She even recommends taking a video or photo so you can see yourself in the frames as the world sees you.
While you’re at it, check the fit to make sure they’re sitting on your face comfortably, advises Dr. Kim. By making sure your glasses aren’t too tight, they will feel more comfortable and, as a skincare bonus, will help prevent friction against the skin, she adds.