When I was younger, braces (and paper-clip retainers) were way cooler than glasses. Now I can’t get enough of them—the bigger and nerdier the better. I am definitely not cool enough for the Vesper from Lookmatic but after trying them on virtually using Lookmatic’s nifty preview tool, it was all over. Now I’m experimenting with how to wear them while gussied up up for holiday parties. The thing about glasses like these is that they can take over your face if you don’t accentuate it with the right makeup. In the case of the Vesper, more is definitely more:

 For office parties, the theater and black-tie affairs I’m partial to a classic red-lip look. Throw out the rule about focusing on just one feature and play up your eyes, too, so they don’t disappear. 

1. My go-to retro red, MAC Ruby Woo, balances out the bold frames beautifully.  2. Don’t underestimate the power of false lashes. The pre-glued full fringes from Eyelure are a cinch (Full discloser: I have lash extensions, which give the same effect.)  3. A wash of pale shimmery shadow across the lid will make eyes pop, especially when you dot some in the inner corners, too. Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten is a classic.  4. Line the top lid with a stay-put black liner like Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner.  5. The next step is key: Dot the lower lid with Stila Kajal eyeliner in Tiger Eye, a soft brown pencil. Makeup artists swear by this trick because it creates a natural-looking line that really opens up eyes.  6. Finish with a pop of color on the cheeks. Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Dollface is the perfect rosy red.
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For a softer yet equally glamourous look, nothing beats a warm smoky eye and nude lip. It’s especially easy if you’re going from day to night—just add the darker shadow and layer on more blush. 

1. Start with falsies.  2. Prime lids with Benefit Stay Don’t Stray to to keep shadow in place. For a less harsh, more user-friendly smoky eye, try plums or browns.  3. Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra in Prelude has everything you’ll need. Swipe lids with the bone shade, followed by the silvery taupe. 4. Line top and bottom rims with your soft brown pencil. Apply the dark brown shadow into lash line, outer corners and crease of lid. Smudge the same shadow to line lower lid to complete the smokiness. 5. Fake a winter flush with Bobbi Brown blush in Nectar, a coral-pink blush. 6. Finish with a creamy, peachy-nude lipstick like Ilia Nobody’s Baby—anything paler will wash you out. And we can’t have that during the most wonderful time of the year . . .

Any other makeup tricks for glasses wearers? Now through Dec. 31, treat yourself to 20% OFF a new pair of specs at Lookmatic.com! Enter beautybets20 at checkout. 

Happy holidays to all the beauty nerds out there!
Bets

Filed Under: benefit stay don't stray primer, Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner, chanel les 4 ombres shadow prelude, eye makeup for glasses, eyelash extensions, eyelure false lashes, ilia lipstick nobody's baby, lookmatic vesper, stila eye shadow kitten, stila kajal, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hr Blush in Dollface