Wearing contact lenses and makeup

It’s easy to wear makeup with your contact lenses when you know the golden beauty rules! Check out our tips on using lenses safely, with the right kind of skincare and makeup products. Get the look you want the first time around.

Hair before contact lenses

Hair dryers, hot brushes, and sprays can make eyes feel dry and damage your contact lenses. Finish doing your hair before you put in your contact lenses and do your makeup last. That way, you won’t risk drying out your contact lenses, and you’ll be able to see properly to apply your makeup.

Contact lenses and party hair

Sticking to the ‘hair first’ rule is especially important if you’re wearing contact lenses for a party and planning a look that involves lots of heat styling and heavy makeup. If you’ve got your contacts in and your eyes start to feel dry after you style your hair, you’ll have to re-wet your contact lenses. And that might mean you smudge the mascara you so carefully applied before doing your hair: not ideal if rushing to get ready for a wedding or other special occasion!

Contact lenses before or after makeup?

Contact lenses before makeup is the most golden of the golden rules. Blending concealer, getting your eyeliner even on both sides - it’s tricky. If you put your contact lenses in first, you get a wider field of view. You’ll be able to see clearly to apply your makeup and get the results you really want.

Sometimes, contact lenses don’t go in first time round

It happens, you drop one, or get distracted and need a couple of attempts to put them in. You’ll need to wet each contact lens with solution before you try again. If you use daily disposable contact lenses, you’ll have to put a dropped lens back in the blister pack to re-wet it. Not ideal if you’ve already applied your eye makeup.

No makeup residue will get onto your lenses

Or into your eyes, making them sting and look red. If makeup does get onto your contact lenses during makeup application, rinse them with a contact lens solution and start again. Or use blister pack solution to re-wet the lens if you wear daily disposable contact lenses.

Use the right makeup for contact lenses

Makeup that’s kind to your skin is best (water-based, hypoallergenic, and oil-free products are all preferable to their oily, powdery counterparts). On the other hand, creamy eyeshadows are less likely to irritate your eyes than powder. If you can’t part with powder, close your eyes to apply it, then carefully brush off the excess before opening them.

Go easy with the eyeliner

When it comes to eye makeup and contact lenses, avoid the area between your lashes and your eye. Makeup like eyeliner can get right onto the lens and into your eye. You might also block the oil glands of your eye, which can cause styes (painful little lumps) to appear. Not a good look!

Never use old mascara

When old mascara starts to dry out, it crumbles easily. The solidified ink can get into your eye, which can be very irritating. According to general makeup hygiene rules, you're supposed to toss out your old mascara after six months.

Remove contact lenses before taking makeup off

The golden rule in reverse! You should always remove your contact lenses before taking your makeup off. Start by washing and drying your hands thoroughly, you don’t want to get dirt in your eyes. Next, remove your contact lenses, taking care not to brush them against your face.

You won’t get makeup on your contact lenses

Products like waterproof eyeliner and foundation can be difficult to remove when you’re cleaning reusable contact lenses. Always use a product that’s specifically designed for the removal of waterproof makeup.

You’re less likely to sleep in your lenses

Remove your contact lenses before your makeup and there’s less chance you’ll forget to take your lenses out! Accidentally sleeping in your lenses can dry out your eyes and cause redness and irritation the next day. If this happens, you should contact your eyecare specialist immediately for advice.

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