Beauty backlash

November 18, 2018 Siu-Yin Shing

As a glasses-wearer I find I am forever in search of the best solution to wearing fake eyelashes or eyelash extensions with specs. My quest stems from my obsession with long, curled-up lashes because most Asians like myself are not gifted with long eyelashes that curl. Even an eyelash curler doesn’t work!

I have another beauty obsession which is lip colour. This started when I had my bright purple frames and realised they completely clashed with my pink lipstick.I knew I wasn’t the only spectacle-wearer who faced these problems, so I did some research.

I have had eyelash extensions for special occasions because the moment you wake up, your lashes are done, perfect, and you look awake. However, I find long lashes restrict me to wearing certain styles of frame as they can end up knocking against the lenses. This is also a problem for anyone with naturally long eyelashes.

What is the solution? Unfortunately, I have found no permanent fix. I only have eyelash extensions for special occasions so I need to have my glasses adjusted slightly. However, I fully appreciate this is not a practical solution because you will need to get your glasses readjusted when you no longer have the lashes. Most of the time, I just end up wearing contact lenses.

Not many consumers are actually aware of the issue and if your customer is purchasing sunglasses to take on holiday, it may be worth asking if they are planning on having eyelash extensions or wearing fake eyelashes. You will also be able to fit the frames with this in mind. There is nothing more annoying than spending time doing your makeup just to find your glasses don’t fit because your lashes are too long. Trust me, this has happened to me too many times.

The best advice I have with acetate frames is getting an Asian or other alternative nose bridge fitting or buying silicon removable nose pads. With metal frames that come with pads, just pinch them together slightly so they sit higher on your nose. Almost all consumers are not aware of this and it’s down to us to help customers by educating them.

Now, onto the my other beauty obsession. Lip and frame colours. I am quite adventurous when it comes to lip colour and as an optical wearer, I have a real soft spot for red and purple frames, the more vibrant the better!

A red lippy is always a safe bet that will work with almost all frame colours. If your patient prefers muted colour glasses, a brighter lip colour can really make their face glow, and if they want to take their glasses from day to night, the easiest way to change the look immediately is to change to a bolder lip colour.

A bright frame doesn’t mean you have to stay clear of bright lipstick but is more about picking the right colour: however, the clashing look is also a strong trend in fashion as long as you feel comfortable wearing it. As a general rule, lipstick colours such as nude, muted and red go with almost all frame colours, even a red frame with red lipstick works. Vibrant lip colours such as orange work well with blue frames, especially a sky blue - and strangely enough, vibrant pink lips go quite well with green frames.

So, when speaking to your patient it is worth asking about their beauty habits in order to help them to pick the right colour frame. Lip colours may not apply to most gents but long eyelashes do because some men have rather long ones (that I feel envious of, ha). Most of the time, lashes are the last thing most people think of when choosing glasses, but it is actually quite important. Imagine spending ages picking the perfect looking frame then realising your lashes are too long for them! Or worse still, having picked the perfect frame, getting them back with your prescription, taking them home and realising you cannot wear fake eyelashes or eyelash extension with them. Be a savvy optician and ask your patients the right questions.

Siu-Yin Shing also spoke to NZ Optics editor Lesley Springall at SILMO Paris.

About the author

British-based eyewear blogger Siu-Yin Shing founded her blog www.myglassesandme.co.uk seven years ago to cover eyewear, fashion and anything in between that concerns specs wearers. She also writes for one of the largest B2B optical groups, The Eyewear Forum and has worked with many different companies in the optical sector. She is the proud owner of more than 30 pairs of glasses.