Myjellybean.com

Dear Jellybean,

I just found out that i need glasses, and i am worried that i will look ugly, or i will look geeky. I have tried glasses on before and people said that i did not look good in them. I am also worried about what eye makeup i should use, because i want people to see my eyes, as they are my favorite feature, and not my glasses! What can i do? Do you have any advice? I am very nervous about having to wear glasses.

-4 eyes?

Dear 4 eyes?,

I know it's freaky to find out you have to wear glasses. But if you think of glasses as just another fashion accessory, you can totally rock the look! Some people, in my opinion, actually look way cuter in glasses. There are tons of people - including lots of guy, let me tell you - who would totally agree with me.

Looking great in glasses is all about three things: The right frames, the right makeup, and the right attitude. I'll walk you through these, one by one, with my best tips on how to make glasses work for your look.

The Right Frames

Choosing the right frames for your face is super-important. Just as you want to wear clothes that suit your body shape, you'll want to find a pair of frames that flatter your face shape. Your optometrist can fit your prescription into any set of frames, so shop around to find the best pair. You'll want to consider both frame shape, and frame color.

For the frame shape, follow a few simple rules. First, the frame shape should contrast with your face shape. So if your face is roundish, look for square or rectangular shaped glasses. If your face is squarish or long and angular, a rounder frame or a "cat's eye" look may suit you best.

Second, the frame size should be in scale with your face size. So for instance, if you have a small face, don't choose an oversized frame, or you'll just look odd. Try to keep your glasses in proportion, size-wise, to your face.

When it comes to frame color, one nice idea is to repeat the color of your eyes. So if your eyes are blue, choose blue frames to bring them out. Same for any other eye color.

Skin tone plays a part in color choice too. Everyone has a complexion that is either "cool" or "warm" in tone. A cool complexion has blue or pink undertones, and a warm complexion has a more peachey or yellow undertone. How to tell which one you are? If you look best in clothes that are white, turquoise, hot pink, burgundy and black, you're a cool. But if you look better wearing ivory, lime, bright orange, coral and dark brown, you're a warm.

Once you have figured out if you're warm or cool, then you can find the eyeglass frame colors that will suit you best. Some examples of great frame colors best for warm coloring are camel, khaki, gold, copper, peach, orange, coral, off-white, fire-engine red, warm blue and blond tortoise. For cool coloring, the best eyeglass frame hues are black, rose-brown, blue-gray, plum, magenta, pink, jade, blue and demi-amber (darker) tortoise.

Do TONS of trying on, at as many stores as you need to, before choosing a frame (they're expensive so you probably will stick with the ones you choose for a long time). Think of them a fashion investment, and really take your time before committing. The right pair should make you feel great, and be a good fit with your overall look and personality. Consider bringing an honest friend with you, to give you feedback while you're trying on pairs.

The Right Makeup

When you wear glasses, your best makeup routine is a simple one that adds polish without competing with your frames. Follow these tips for pretty peepers under your lenses:

Go easy on the eyes. Many girls believe applying extra makeup will help their eyes "show through" the glasses. Not true. Piling on the makeup to make it more visible is a big mistake, because you just end up looking tacky, or clashing your makeup with your frames. Generally, the rule is, the bolder the frame — in color or design — the less eye makeup you need. If your frames are very simple, you can wear more, but don't go crazy.

Start with shadow. With fingertips, apply and blend a neutral cream eye shadow to lids, from the lash line to just under the brow bone. Beige or gold, lavender, or pale grey/silver are all beautiful choices. The point of cream shadow is that it won't flake onto your lenses like powder shadow can. from lid to just shy of the brow bone.

For extra definition and a clean finish, curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler (available at drugstores, follow package instructions) and apply one coat of dark mascara (brown or black). Minimize clumping by wiping the mascara wand with a tissue before applying. Avoid frosted or glittery shadows - they're too flashy and reflective to look good with glasses.

Next, do some work to balance your face. Powder blush is a fabulous weapon! Lightly dust it on the apples of your cheeks, not too close to your nose (grin wide into the mirror to find apples - they're the circles your cheeks make when you smile).

If you're comfy with it, a strong color can do wonders to balance glasses. Try a deep, rich shade of plum, wine, or red lipstick. You can also wear a gloss or stain, to create the same effect in a more subtle way.

You'll also want to keep your eyebrows well groomed. Since most glasses fall just under them, attention is drawn right to stray hairs and straggly brows. Brush them with a clean dry toothbrush and fill in obvious gaps with brow pencil applied in short strokes (to mimic natural brow hairs). Hold them in place all day long with hair gel, or just swipe into place with clear mascara.

The Right Attitude

This is so important. If you avoid eye contact with people, slouch or otherwise send the signal that you don't think you look good, everyone will believe it. So stand up straight, smile and look people in the eyes, and act like you feel great in your new glasses. When people say, "Hey, you got glasses", say, "Yeah, I love them!" Try to keep thinking of your glasses as a cute new accessory, just like a purse or scarf, and rock that look!