The Makeup Rules Every Girl with Glasses Needs to Know
It's hard to create "rules" when it comes to beauty—in fact, much of what we now practice and preach breaks the guidelines set before us. (For example, what would many an old-school dermatologist say about our penchant for facial oils? Not good things, we imagine.) But if there were any woman we could enlist with the mighty, epic task of creating the Commandments of Makeup, it would be the inimitable Bobbi Brown.
Chances are your shelf is already stocked with at least one of her best-selling tomes filled with indispensable knowledge like how to actually apply foundation, the difference between corrector and concealer, and even how to do makeup for braces. But Ms. Brown's new book, Everything Eyes, is a stellar addition to her roster of big hits. Every flip of the page goes in-depth on the eyes, from brush bristles to pulling off sparkle without looking like you're ready for a dance competition.
But the best part of the new book is Brown's chapter on glasses, a concept that is all-too-familiar for the makeup artist, who's rarely spotted without a pair adorning her perfectly-complected face. In fact, her passion for the subject recently landed her an entire eyewear collection that's designed based on her knowledge of face shapes and skin tones. Sure, glasses can do a lot for their wearer—they're an expression of style, after all—but makeup can only enhance their appeal.
Brown insists there's an entire methodology to applying liner, mascara, and shadow when a pair of frames are involved. Click through for an exciting excerpt from her new book and find out everything you never knew you needed to know about wearing glasses. (And please, inform your ophthalmologists.)
Photos: Courtesy of All About Eyes by Bobbi Brown (Chronicle Books)1/5Courtesy of the (glasses-wearing) queen of cosmetics herself, Ms. Bobbi Brown.
Photo: Courtesy of All About Eyes by Bobbi Brown (Chronicle Books)2/5The 8 Essential Tips for Girls Who Rock Glasses
1. Eyeliner is key. It really adds definition from behind your lenses. Try gel liner on the top, and a thin stroke of powder liner on the bottom.
2. Always define your brows with a shadow the same shade as your hair color. This will ensure that your glasses don't overpower your face.
3. Corrector and concealer underneath the eye and in the creases is essential. The glass in your frames can highlight undereye discoloration and darkness.
4. Waterproof mascara won't smudge on your lenses. Apply two coats.
5. If you have strong frames, you can get away with stronger makeup.
6. Don't let your makeup overpower your frames if they're delicate or nude. Choose softer colors for shadow and create definition with a dark liner and mascara.
7. The color of your eye shadow shouldn't compete with the color of your glasses. If you want to do the same color as your frames on your eyelids, try a base hue that's a shade lighter, and go a few shades darker for the crease color. Finish with black liner and mascara.
8. For an easy look, go with a bold color on your lips and just corrector, concealer, and mascara for your eyes. Put on your glasses and you're done.
Photo: Courtesy of All About Eyes by Bobbi Brown (Chronicle Books)3/5Play with Color
An eyeshadow color that's lighter and brighter than your frames will stand out instead of competing with your glasses. This fun lavender shadow complements model Cristina Renee's blue eyes and contrasts beautifully with her frames, creating a look that's polished but totally modern. (Bonus: Tortoiseshell glasses are great for redheads!)
Photo: Courtesy of All About Eyes by Bobbi Brown (Chronicle Books)4/5Make 'Em Pop
Bold liner with minimal shadow looks amazing with thick, oversize frames. Model Sarmishta wears strong winged liner in intense black, which makes her eyes pop beneath her glasses. When you find a style that you love, get it in several colors. White frames, for example, highlight both your eye and makeup colors, making them a great choice to pair with statement liner.
Photo: Courtesy of All About Eyes by Bobbi Brown (Chronicle Books)5/5Mix and Match
When you have a mix of confident colors on your hair, lips, and frames, keep your eye makeup simple and clean with only a little liner and mascara. Sabornée rocks burgundy hair, a super-bright pink lip, and thin navy top frames, so shadow isn't necessary.
