Vikram Valluri/Short StudiosKatie Jane Hughes is known for many things: her work as a celebrity makeup artist, the insider tips and tricks she shares on social media, and her impressive collections of frames.
For that reason, the KJH.brand founder is the perfect person to answer the question all glasses girlies ask: what is the best way to do my makeup and make my eyes pop behind lenses?
Katie exclusively spilled to E! her go-to eye look when rocking frames and the ones you should avoid.
What eye makeup looks best with glasses?
- A minimal eye look consisting of mascara and a thin liner provides definition without visually weighing down the eye area.
- Avoid dark or blown out smokey eyes and heavy lashes when wearing glasses as they can make shadows appear muddy.
- Katie Jane Hughes says a simple, neutral eye look paired with a bold lip is the high-impact, low-effort look she gravitates to when rocking a pair of frames.
“It’s very easy and very quick to lose definition in the eye when you go too smokey with shadows and powders,” explains Katie. “I think the trick is not to go too dark and heavy and too smoky, but instead to enhance with detailing,” she continues.
Think neutral and monochromatic looks paired with mascaras that lengthen and separate and add a bit of eyeliner for some depth and definition.
Another rule of thumb she swears by when it comes to eyeshadow? “Don’t go bigger than the perimeter of your frames.” The bigger the frames, the higher you can blend eyeshadow. Skinny styles pair best with narrower
When all else fails, Katie’s go-to look consisting of a bold lip and minimal eye look always looks good, no matter what frames you’re wearing. The look makes a statement while being quick and easy to accomplish.
Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer
Katie views fun frames as the ultimate eye makeup, so she likes to pair a simple eye look with a bold lip to make a statement and “get you out the door in 5 minutes.” This longwear lip from Haus Labs is a great option. It has a transfer-proof yet high-shine finish that stays put for hours.
KJH.brand Soft Smudge Lip & Cheek Cream Blush Multistick
Sometimes less is more, especially if you’re wearing glasses. A neutral monochromatic look feels visually balanced without overpowering your frames. This cream-to-powder multi-stick from Katie’s brand can be used on both lip, cheek and eyes. She recommends the shade Soft Raisin.
KJH.brand Microscara Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara
A few coats of mascara is the easiest way to accentuate eyes and make them pop behind lenses. Katie recommends this one, which boasts a smudge-proof tubing formula that lengthens and defines without feeling heavy. The micro-wand grabs every lash, allowing for ultimate precision.
How can I make my eyes stand out behind glasses?
- According to Katie, liner is the most effective way to make eyes pop behind lenses since it adds definition.
- Pair glasses featuring thick frames and heavy bridges with light, bright shadows to make eyes appear larger.
- Avoid extra long, thick fake lashes. Opt for shorter, wispier styles instead.
“Liners are where I would play if anybody’s ever worried about feeling like everything just gets muddy and heavy and dark,” suggests Katie. Whether liquid or pencil, colorful or classic black, a precise, strategically placed liner helps to define and accentuate the eye without looking too heavy.
When wearing glasses with thick frames or heavy bridges, Kate recommends popping a bright, light shadow on the lids or inner corners to visually open up the eye area.
When it comes to fake lashes, the sensation of lashes brushing against lenses is annoying, so Katie recommends choosing short and wispy styles. Think bottom lash length, she says.
KJH.brand Precision Sculpture Stylo Contour Stick
Katie uses this micro multi-purpose sculpting stick to contour the eyes and bring depth and definition. She loves the shade Etch.
Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Eyeliner
“Liners are where I would play if anybody’s ever worried about feeling like everything just gets muddy and heavy and dark,” says Katie. For a colorful contrast, opt for a trending burgundy or plum liner instead of basic brown or black.
ILIA Eye Stylus Shadow Stick
When rocking glasses with thick frames or heavy bridges, Katie likes to go in with a bright, light shadow to open up the eye area. This easy-to-apply shadow stick is waterproof, crease-resistant, and comes in tons of pretty shades.
How do I keep my foundation from getting dry and flaky in the winter?
- Katie’s hack to smooth, flake-free skin in the winter is using a wash cloth to cleanse your face to provide mild exfoliation.
- Use an emollient-rich moisturizer overnight to prep skin. Katie recommends Dieux’s Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer.
- In the winter, opt for hydrating skin tints and foundations over matte formulas.
If you’ve ever scrolled through Katie Jane Hughes’ Instagram, one thing is clear: her base is always flawless. But dry winter skin can make it hard to achieve.
For Katie, flake-free foundation starts with a smooth base, which she achieves using a simple hack. “Get yourself a good cleanser and a cloth. That little bit of abrasion from the towel is enough exfoliation, in my opinion.”
After applying an emollient, rich moisturizer, you need to choose the right foundation. While we’ve been convinced to use matte, dry products in the winter and liquid, hydrating skin tints in the summer, Katie believes the opposite should be true.
“In summer, when it’s hot, you want your makeup to maybe last a bit longer, so then you need to go drier and thicker and more full coverage.” She continues,“But in the winter, when we are a bit more parched, I think those tinted moisturizer-like products are better,” she says.
DUA by Augustinus Bader Balancing Cream Cleanser
A good cleanser and wash cloth is the duo Katie swears by for gentle exfoliation and a smooth canvas. She called out this DUA by AB cleanser that effortlessly breaks down makeup, SPF, and oil to cleanse without stripping.
Sofie Pavitt Clean Clean Gentle Gel Foaming Cleanser
Another Katie recc: this Sofie Pavitt foaming facial cleanser is oil and fragrance-free, making it a great choice for acne-prone sensitive skin. Allantoin, panthenol, and glycerin provide added hydration and maintain moisture levels.
Prequel Skin Cleansing Oil
For those who love a rich oil that melts away makeup, SPF, and dirt, Katie praises this Prequel cleansing oil for doing just that. The surfactants-rich formula provides the cleanser a unique oil-to-milk consistency that’s packed with essential moisture and nutrients.
Dieux Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer
Katie recommends this viral Dieux moisturizer to combat flaky foundation in the winter. She calls out its emollient-rich texture and barrier-protecting formula: “layer it on at night so the next day your skin feels hydrated.”
Tower 28 SunnyDays Skin Tint
Contrary to what most advise, Katie says “those tinted moisturizer-like products are better” used in winter than summer. She recommends Tower 28’s skin tint with a fluid consistency, light-to-medium buildable coverage, and a natural finish.
