3 Ways to Keep Glasses From Sliding Down Your Nose
Tess has worn eyeglasses for over 20 years and has experienced the many frustrations that come with wearing glasses.
The Dreaded Glasses Slip
If you wear glasses, then I'm sure you've experienced that dreaded slip down bridge of your nose. It can be extremely frustrating when you always have to adjust your eyeglasses in order to see through your lenses. Constantly having to push up your glasses is not only annoying, but can also cause friction against the skin, eventually leading to discoloration and irritation.
Why Do My Glasses Slide Down My Nose?
There are many reasons why your glasses might slide down the bridge of your nose. Your frames might be too wide or too heavy, your skin too oily, the arms of the frames might meet your ears at the wrong angle, or the bridge of your nose may be too narrow to hold your glasses up.
If you have an eyeglass toolkit, you might try tightening the screws on your frames or adjusting your nose pads. While this is a great start, this may not always be the solution to preventing glasses from sliding down your nose. Determining the reason why your glasses slip is the first step toward finding the right solution.
Three Solutions to Prevent Your Glasses From Slipping
- Nerdwax
- Silicone nose pads
- Silicone antislip ear hooks
All three of these solutions can be purchased for under $11 and will last for many months.
First, use an eyeglass toolkit screwdriver to tighten the screws and pads. If that doesn't work, here are 3 other options for preventing your glasses from falling down your nose.
Nerdwax
Nerdwax comes in a tube much like chapstick and can be applied by simply rubbing a small portion of the wax directly onto the nose pads of your eyeglasses.
Nerdwax is great for anyone who wants a low-profile product that lets them keep the look of their glasses while still preventing their frames from slipping. If you accidentally get some of the wax on your lenses, simply wipe it away with a microfiber cloth.
It's best to test the wax on a small area of skin first to ensure you do not have an allergic reaction to the product. To do this, simply apply a small amount of wax to a small area of skin such as the back of your hand. Leave the wax on your skin for 30 minutes, observing your skin's reaction. If you notice any irritation, immediately wash the area with mild soap and water and contact your dermatologist.
Pros:
- 100% all natural, cosmetic grade ingredients
- Can be used on any style of eyeglasses
- One tube of Nerdwax can last 6-8 months of daily use
- Easy to clean off of lenses and glasses
- Most of the Nerdwax is dissolved by your facial oils throughout the day
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- May cause irritation to sensitive skin
- If you tend to have very oily skin, you may find yourself needing to reapply often
Silicone Nose Pads
Silicone nose pads can be added to your eyeglasses by sticking the adhesive side down on the bridge of your glasses. These pads will add bridge support and help prevent your glasses from slipping down your nose.
Once applied, these pads are virtually invisible, making them a great choice for any style of glasses. They also come in a pack of 12 pairs, meaning these will last all year long. The nose pads are great to use on their own or in addition to the silicone ear hooks (below) for added stability.
Make sure you clean your glasses' nose pads with a mild soap or rubbing alcohol before trying to apply the silicone nose pads to ensure that they adhere firmly to your glasses.
Pros:
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- Silicone is a better option than wax for those with sensitive skin
- Each pair of pads lasts 1 to 2 months with daily use
- Easy to apply and remove
- Can be used with most eyeglasses
- Safe to use on children's glasses
- Help prevent indentations and dark marks on the bridge of the nose
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Exposure to hot weather will decrease the pads' lifespan
- Reapplying the same nose pads a second time will decrease their stickiness
Silicone Ear Hooks
Silicone ear hooks are my personal favorite solution when it comes to keeping my glasses in place. These ear hooks can be used for many months if properly taken care of and are great for anyone looking to prevent their eyeglasses from sliding down their nose.
Pros:
- Premium grade silicone (excellent for anyone with sensitive skin)
- Easy to apply and remove
- Waterproof
- Durable, flexible, lightweight, and comfortable
- Can last for months or years with proper care
- Fits most frames
Cons:
- Need to keep ear hooks clean from natural skin oils
I've kept the same pair of silicone ear hooks on my glasses for two years now. I've worn them in many situations ranging from hot summer days to longboarding several miles in the city.
These are the silicone hooks I use to keep my glasses from sliding down.
What I Use to Keep My Glasses From Slipping
When I first received my glasses, the frames did not fit tightly. My optometrist informed me that the manufacturer did not offer any sizing options. The frame was made of thick plastic so I could not bend the arms inward.
Every time I looked down, my eyeglasses would fall off of my face. If I turned my head too quickly, my glasses would slide and I would find myself constantly pushing them back up. Eventually, I ended up with dark marks on the bridge of my nose.
I looked online for solutions and decided to go with a combination of the silicone nose pads (to reduce the dark marks) and the silicone ear hooks (to keep the frames on my face). Since using this combination, the dark marks on the bridge of my nose are almost gone and I no longer worry about losing my frames if I look down.
Questions & Answers
Question: What is the price of the silicone ear hooks and where can they be purchased?
Answer: The price of the silicone ear hooks is updated regularly. If you click the silicone ear hook link in this post, it will take you directly to it!
Question: Does the wax product ship to England and how much is it?
Answer: Great question! I can only provide accurate information for those living in the US. I'd recommend checking the Amazon site for your country for accurate info.
Comments
Shaloo Walia from India on September 18, 2019:
I wasn't even aware of these products. Thanks for sharing!
Tess (author) from Hawaii on January 26, 2019:
No problem. I understand the struggle and it's annoying!
DW Davis from Eastern NC on January 26, 2019:
This has never been a problem for me until my most recent pair of glasses, and I've been wearing glasses for 48 years. It is driving me nuts. I will seriously consider buying some ear hooks. Thanks for your great Hub.
