Perfect Eye Makeup in 4 Steps

Because she wears specs, Nicolette Cothron, 39, took a why-bother attitude toward eye makeup. How shortsighted! With the right products and techniques, Nicolette's eyes can have a stunning impact—even under glass. Makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo showed her exactly how.

Curl your lashes. Upturned lashes make your eyes look wide and bright. For the most noticeable curl, squeeze the curler as close to the root of your lashes as possible, holding it for a few seconds. If you have long lashes, pump once more at the tips.

Trace eyeliner along your upper lashline and your waterline, the inner rim of your lower lashes. (If your eyes are small, line only the outer third of your waterline.) Dark gray and brown flatter every eye color and look less harsh than black. Skip eyeshadow—it won't show under glasses unless you pile it on.

Apply two coats of volumizing mascara to your top lashes. First, get the full length of the brush as close as possible to your lashline and wiggle it back and forth, moving up to the tips of your lashes. For the second coat, use only the tip of the brush to separate.

Eyeglass frames can cast shadows around your eyes, so minimize natural darkness with concealer. (As a final step, it also helps clean up makeup smudges.) Use your ring finger to tap the concealer gently under your eyes, going all the way from the inner to outer corners if necessary.

Nicolette's final look really wows, even through her frames.

Next: 6 makeup ideas to make you look more awake