It can be quite difficult to create dramatic eye make-up when you wear glasses.

Not only do the lenses and frames have to be taken into account, but the vision problem you are correcting plays an important role as well. Your eyes may look smaller or larger than normal, and eye make-up may look different behind your glasses.

How can you address these issues?

Carl Zeiss Vision SA, the largest optical retailer in South Africa, which represents top fashion brands, has the following advice:

Suitable make-up

First, use proper foundation. Make sure it’s is wipe- and water-resistant, so unattractive lines don’t form below the glasses and at the sides of the nose.

As frames can cast a shadow across the face, it helps to use a foundation that is a shade lighter than your skin tone in these areas. Apply a thin layer to the lid and beneath the eyes.

If your skin has a tendency to be oily, the use of a light powder will help to reduce shiny areas in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).

Women who wear glasses should pay particular attention to their eye make-up. If your vision is very blurry without glasses, ask your optometrist about “make-up glasses”. These allow you to fold the lenses away individually. As a result, one of your eyes can see very well while you are applying make-up to the other one. Or, you can use a magnifying make-up mirror.

Contact lens users

Always insert contact lenses before applying make-up to prevent make-up particles from getting under the lens, which can cause the eyes to tear up and may make make-up runny.

As powder has a tendency to push itself between the eye and the lens, contact wearers should choose liquid or cream-based eyeshadow.

Use eyeliner on the upper lid and not on the bottom one, because it may get beneath the lens as well. This approach will prevent itchy, teary eyes and irritations.

Farsighted women who wear glasses

Farsighted women who wear plus-power lenses may be familiar with the problem of magnification of the eyes.

To compensate for this, opt for dark, matte eyeshadow (brown, grey or green hues) to achieve a visual minimisation of their eyes.

Creamy or liquid eyeshadow is better for you than powders, because glasses amplify the small loose colour particles that powder contains.

Refrain from using shiny or glittering eyeshadow, as these effects are also emphasised by the lenses.

Apply eyeshadow from the inner corner of the eye to the outside without extending beyond the crease of the eyelid. Emphasise the fringes of the lid using dark eyeliner or a pencil. This will make your eyes look smaller.

Apply everything with great care as the enlargement effect of your lenses will make make-up bloopers more evident.

Don’t apply too much mascara on the top and use no mascara or very little on the bottom.

Nearsighted women who wear glasses

Nearsighted women who wear glasses face the exact opposite problem – glasses make their eyes look smaller.

They should avoid dark eyeshadow and thick eyeliners. Choose bright and shimmering colours such as rose, lavender, beige, light grey or white.

To make eyes look wide open, apply a lighter coloured eyeshadow to the interior corner of the eye and choose a slightly darker hue for the centre of the lid. Extend it all the way out to the exterior corner and allow it to get progressively darker.

Choose white eyeliner for the inner lid of the eye. If you prefer to use a liner pencil, choose a brighter hue such as grey or brown and apply liner only from the last third of the width of the eye to the outer corner.

Apply lots of mascara to further increase the size of your eyes.

General hints

* Polarised lenses and shaded lenses tend to tone down colours, so use your eye make-up more boldly.

* Match eyebrows to the frame of glasses. Pluck excessive hair growth periodically, but don’t go too far – the trend calls for a beautiful natural look. You can also use liner to enhance eyebrows, but don’t pick too dark a colour.

* If you’re wearing a distinct or colourful frame, make sure you use a more subtle lipstick colour or gloss. If your glasses have a more understated classic look, go for a bolder lipstick colour.

l+You can also do something to ensure your lenses are never too thick, says Carl Zeiss Vision SA. Modern high refractive materials allow women who need strong prescription glasses to get thinner fashionable lenses (high-index) and maintain a very natural look. Also, modern aspheric lenses greatly reduce the magnification or minimisation effects of higher lens powers. - The Star

* For more advice, such as on how to choose a frame for your face shape, visit www.better-vision.zeiss.com and select Trends and Advice.

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