Glasses can complete your look, but they can also leave behind unwanted souvenirs like foundation on your nose pads, smudged concealer and mascara marks around your eyes, which can spoil an otherwise great look. Luckily, you can choose stylish frames without compromising that flawless finish. The following tweaks can keep you looking fresh throughout the day.
1. Perfect Your Skin Prep
Your makeup starts with your skincare, so getting this step right can help prevent slipping and smudging later. The main thing here is to keep it light and let each layer fully absorb before adding the next. If you have dry skin, look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which helps your skin retain moisture and stay supple. On the other hand, oily skin may benefit from a lightweight, oil-controlling moisturizer to help prevent excess slip.
While sunscreen can sometimes make applying your complexion products tricky, you should never avoid the protective layer during the day. While some makeup can protect your skin from sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer, the best option is to use full-spectrum sunscreen as well. To avoid smudging, give the lotion time to settle before applying makeup.
2. Use a Grip Primer on Your Nose
A gripping primer can give your makeup more staying power in areas where your glasses make regular contact. Apply a small amount across the bridge and sides of your nose, where your frames tend to sit.
Avoid covering your entire face in primer. Focusing on high-contact areas can help you avoid adding unnecessary layers that can make your makeup look cakey while still ensuring it stays put. Let the primer set before applying foundation or concealer.
3. Keep Your Glasses Clean
Your glasses can collect skin oil, makeup and everyday grime during daily wear. When that buildup sits against your skin, it can trap bacteria and allergens around your nose and potentially contribute to irritation. Keeping your frames and nose pads clean helps avoid bacterial buildup, so your skin stays happier, and your makeup has a cleaner surface to sit on. Use an eyewear-safe cleaner with a soft microfiber cloth and avoid using your T-shirt, tissues or anything rough that could damage the lenses.
4. Apply Less Product on High Contact Areas
More makeup doesn’t necessarily mean better coverage, especially around your glasses. Thick layers of foundation and concealer create more product deposits that can transfer onto your frames. That’s why it’s best to apply foundation lightly around your nose and blend it well. You can add a little concealer only where you need extra coverage. Keeping these areas lightweight makes it easier for your makeup to stay in place when your frames move against your skin.
5. Set Your Makeup Properly
Once your base is blended, give it a little insurance against your glasses. Press a small amount of translucent powder onto the bridge and sides of your nose, where your frames are most likely to create friction. Pressing works better than aggressively sweeping, which can disturb your foundation.
As soon as you finish your application, mist with a setting spray to seal everything behind a light film that helps hold your makeup together. Depending on the formula, setting spray can also add hydration and ensure your skin looks less cakey. It’s like the final coat of perfection for your makeup.
6. Adjust How Your Glasses Fit
Your frames should remain in position and not slide down your nose or press heavily against your skin. A poor fit can create more friction, which makes makeup transfer harder to avoid. If your glasses feel loose, crooked or unusually tight, have them adjusted by an optician. Small changes to the fit can make them more comfortable and reduce unnecessary movement throughout the day.
7. Fix Slips with a Quick Touch-Up Kit
Even the best makeup routine isn’t entirely smudge-proof. Keeping a few essentials in your bag means you can fix the problem throughout the day. Pack blotting papers, a small powder product and maybe a little concealer for quick corrections. You may also want to include a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses.
Before touching up your face, remove any makeup from the parts of your frames that touch your skin while you wear them. That way, you avoid simply putting fresh makeup that will touch a dirty surface.
Frame Your Look Strategically
Wearing glasses and makeup needn’t compete for attention. A lighter base around your nose, properly set makeup, clean frames and a comfortable fit can all help keep smudging under control.
