Do you wear glasses? If so, you might have noticed that your glasses can make your eyes appear smaller or bigger depending on the style and prescription. This can affect how you feel about your appearance and how others perceive you. But don’t worry: there are ways to make your eyes look their best behind glasses.
This blog post will explore how glasses affect your eye size and how to choose frames, glasses, and makeup that flatter your eyes. Whether you want to make your eyes look larger, smaller, or more balanced, we have some tips and tricks. Read on to discover how to make your eyes pop with your new glasses!
Why do my glasses make my eyes look smaller?
One of the main reasons why wearing glasses makes your eyes look smaller is because of the magnification effect of your lenses. If you are nearsighted (myopic), your lenses are concave, meaning they curve inward. This makes your eyes appear smaller and farther away behind the lenses. The smaller your eyes, the less visible they are through the glasses.
One way to reduce this effect is to choose thinner lenses made of high-index or polycarbonate material, which will make your lenses less noticeable and distorted.
Another factor that can make your eyes look smaller with glasses is the size and shape of your frames. If your frames are too large or round for your face, they can overwhelm your eyes and make them look smaller compared to your other facial features. Similarly, if your frames are too dark or thick, they can create a harsh contrast with your eyes and draw attention away from them.
The science behind lens types and eye size
The opposite of nearsightedness is farsightedness (hyperopia), which means you have trouble seeing things up close. If you are farsighted, your lenses are convex, meaning they curve outward. This makes your eyes appear bigger and closer behind the lenses.
Another type of lens that can affect your eye size is astigmatism correction. Astigmatism is a condition where your cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) is irregularly shaped, causing blurred vision at any distance. To correct astigmatism, your corrective lenses need to have different powers, which can create a distortion effect on your eyes.
The art of choosing frames that flatter your eyes
The good news is that you can choose frames that flatter your eyes and balance out the effects of your lenses. Here are some trendy frames and some general guidelines to follow so you choose the best frame for your eyes.
- If you have small eyes or concave lenses for nearsightedness, opt for frames that are small to medium in size, oval or round in shape, and light or thin in material and color. These frames will enhance your eye size and shape without overpowering them. The lens shouldn’t extend too far to the sides of your face, as this can make distortion more noticeable to those around you.
- If you have farsighted lenses, opt for frames that are medium to large in size, round or square in shape, and dark or thick in material and color. These frames will complement your eye size and shape without making them look too big. Lenses made out of materials such as polycarbonate are great for farsightedness because the lenses remain small, so they don’t have thick edges that can contribute to distortions. A lightweight frame is also best, so choose one made of metal or plastic.
- If you have a pair of astigmatism correction lenses, opt for symmetrical, flat frames. These frames will minimize the distortion effect on your eyes and create a more harmonious look. You should also ensure that the frames sit properly on your nose, as this gives you greater visual clarity.
The magic of makeup for enhancing your eyes behind glasses
Another way to enhance your eyes behind glasses is to use makeup strategically. Here are some tips and tricks to try:
- Define your eyes with soft eyeliner. Apply a thin line along your upper lash line and smudge it slightly with a brush or a cotton swab. This will create definition and depth without looking too harsh or heavy.
- Apply a white pencil to your waterline (the inner rim of your lower eyelid). This will brighten your eyes and make them look bigger and more awake.
- Curl your lashes and apply mascara. This will lift and open up your eyes and make them stand out behind your glasses. Avoid clumping or flaking mascara that can smudge or scratch your lenses.
- Choose eyeshadow colors that contrast with your frame color. For example, wear warm tones like gold or bronze if you have black frames. Try wearing cool tones like silver or blue if you have brown frames. This will create a pop of color and interest in your eyes.
- Accentuate the inner corners of your eyes with the use of a product such as a shimmery eyeshadow or highlighter. This will add sparkle and dimension to your eyes and make them more radiant.
- Conceal any dark circles under your eyes with a concealer that matches your skin tone. This will even out your complexion and make your eyes look fresher and well-rested.
Out-of-the-box solutions for making your eyes look smaller or bigger
If you are unsatisfied with the size of your eyes, you may be looking for some out-of-the-box solutions to make them look smaller or bigger. Besides using makeup, there are some other options you can try to change the appearance of your eyes. Do they work? Let’s explore some common ones!
Eye exercises
Some people claim that doing eye exercises can help improve the shape and size of your eyes by strengthening the muscles around them. For example, you can try blinking rapidly, rolling your eyes in different directions, or focusing alternately on near and far objects. However, no scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of eye exercises for changing your eye size.
Eye tape
Eye tape is a cosmetic product that creates a double eyelid or a crease on the upper eyelid. Some people use eye tape to make their eyes look bigger and more open, especially if they have monolid or hooded eyes. Eye tape can be applied with a special applicator, with your fingers, worn under eye makeup, or alone. However, eye tape can cause irritation, infection, or allergic reactions.
Eye surgery
Eye surgery is a medical procedure that can permanently alter the shape and size of your eyes. There are different types of eye surgery, such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), epicanthoplasty (inner corner surgery), lateral canthoplasty (outer corner surgery), or ptosis correction (droopy eyelid surgery). Eye surgery can make your eyes appear smaller or bigger depending on your desired outcome and eye condition. However, eye surgery can also have risks and complications, such as scarring, infection, bleeding, dry eyes, or vision loss.
These are some out-of-the-box solutions for making your eyes look smaller or bigger. However, before trying any of them, you should consult your doctor or an eye specialist to ensure they are safe and suitable for you. You should also be aware of each option’s possible side effects and costs. Remember that your eyes are unique and beautiful, and you don’t need to change them to fit any standard of beauty.
Contact lenses: goodbye, small eyes!
If you want to stop wearing glasses and make your eyes appear bigger and more natural, you can try wearing contact lenses instead. Contact lenses are thin, transparent discs that fit over your cornea and correct your vision without affecting your eye size.
Contact lenses come in different types, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly disposable products. They also come in different colors, such as clear, tinted, or colored. Contact lenses can be worn to correct astigmatism and other vision problems.
How to choose the right lens color to enhance your eyes
If you want to enhance your eye color and look more vibrant behind your glasses, you can choose lens colors that complement or contrast your natural eye color. Lens colors can also affect how your eyes look in different lighting conditions. Here are some examples of lens colors and how they can affect the appearance of your eyes.
| Brown lenses | Blue lenses are calm and soothing, making your eyes look more serene and peaceful. They can also brighten your eyes and make them look more sparkling and captivating. Blue lenses suit any eye color, especially blue or green eyes. |
| Gray lenses | Gray lenses are cool and sleek, making your eyes look sharper and more sophisticated. They can also reduce glare and enhance contrast in bright or cloudy environments. Gray lenses suit any eye color, especially brown or hazel eyes. |
| Green lenses | Green lenses are fresh and lively, making your eyes look more radiant and energetic. They can also enhance color perception and clarity in natural or artificial light. Green lenses suit any eye color, especially brown or hazel eyes. |
| Blue lenses | Blue lenses are calm and soothing and can make your eyes look more serene and peaceful. They can also brighten your eyes and make them look more sparkling and captivating. Blue lenses suit any eye color, especially blue or green eyes. |
What prescription glasses make your eyes look bigger?
If you want or need to keep wearing glasses but you also want to make your eyes look bigger, you can try wearing magnifying lenses that enlarge your eyes. These glasses are specially designed to enlarge your eyes without compromising your vision quality, but they cannot correct vision conditions such as myopia or hyperopia. Note that as the curvature of your magnifying lenses increases, this increases the lens thickness.
Prescription lenses for treating farsightedness can make your eyes look bigger. The higher the lens power, the more magnifying its effects. So, to reduce this effect, you should follow tips such as these:
- Choose frames that are light or thin in material and color. These frames will enhance your eye size and shape without overpowering them.
- Choose high-index or polycarbonate lenses, which are thinner and lighter than regular lenses. These lenses will reduce your lenses’ edge thickness and distortion, making them less noticeable.
- Choose an anti-reflective coating for your lenses, which will eliminate glare and reflections on your lenses. This will make your eyes more visible and less obscured by your glasses.
- Choose thick frames with a low bridge (the part resting on your nose) to position your glasses closer to your eyes. This will reduce the gap between your eyes and lenses, making them look more aligned and natural. By preventing your glasses from slipping down your nose, a low bridge prevents your lenses from being further away from your eyes, which makes your eyes look smaller.
As you can see, glasses can significantly impact how your eyes look, but you don’t have to let them limit your style or personality. By choosing the right frames, lenses, makeup, and other solutions, you can make the most of your glasses and enhance your eye size and beauty.