Don’t want glasses getting in the way of your hard work? Or are you not sure if you should wear your makeup or lenses first? Well, we are here to help you apply makeup with contact lenses.
Have you given up trying to wear makeup with contact lenses since it is a pain? Or do you will yourself into walking around with blurry lenses since all those powders end up in your eyes? Well, no more. Let’s go through some handy tips and tricks on how to perfectly apply makeup while wearing lenses.
Makeup tips for contact lens - the basics
Wearing contact lenses makes life so much easier, right? But it also comes with its share of worries, especially if you wear eye makeup. Infections and eye irritations are common concerns, but don’t let them make you go back to your glasses. Here’s how you can sport a full face of makeup with contact lenses without worrying about eye infections.
Tips on how to wear makeup with contact lenses
Wear your lens first
The first rule to wearing eye makeup with contact lenses is to begin by putting on your lens first. You can then move on to applying moisturiser, followed by your makeup. Wearing lenses after applying makeup can easily transfer dirt or product left on your finger to the eyes and cause them to water.
Opt for cream-based products
Opt for cream-based eye shadows to amp up your look and make your eyes feel comfortable. The micro-fine particles of powder eye shadow can easily get into the eyes and cause irritation.
Switch to the Lakme Perfecting Liquid Foundation which is perfect for those with dry skin. It contains vitamin E and moisturises your skin while also being sweatproof in the face of humidity. This full-coverage foundation creates a strong base, keeps your makeup from running off and makes sure that it doesn’t get in your eye.
Use waterproof eye makeup
While buying eyeliners and mascaras choose waterproof versions as they are less likely to smudge and enter the eyes. Keep it waterproof with the Lakme 9 to 5 Black Impact Liner which has an easy grip and dries quickly so that even amateurs can use it.
The Lakme Eyeconic Curling Mascara is waterproof as well. It is also smudge-proof and light so that you don’t have to worry about the mascara getting in your eye. It even has a smart curling brush that naturally curls your lashes and well-defines your eyes, letting your coloured lenses pop out even more.
Apply makeup with a sponge
Using your finger to apply makeup is not only unhygienic but it won’t give you an even finish. Instead, go for a sponge, the softness of the sponge won’t be harsh on your eyes and will also prevent the powder from going into your eyes. Also, avoid applying makeup products on the edges and inner corners of the eyelids. If you must, use a thin and fine brush.
Remove contacts first
Before reaching for that makeup remover and cotton pad, wash your hands and remove your lenses. This will ensure your lenses remain clean and you can then start taking off your eye makeup without any worry. Moreover, once you’re done, don’t forget to rinse your lenses well with fresh solution to ensure that there’s no makeup debris that are caught on to the lenses.
What colour lenses to get?
Say that you are finally confident about wearing makeup with contact lenses. Do you want to experiment a little and get coloured ones? But are you not sure which colour to get? While confidence is the key to sporting any colour you like, let’s see some common colours that people get according to their skin tone.
Fair skin tone
Those with fair skin can pull off almost every coloured contact lens. Especially shades like grey, blue and hazel look stylish and classy at the same time. Opt for turquoise, aqua or purple when you want to make a statement and stand out in the crowd. This will also take your eye makeup up by several notches.
Medium skin tone
Bright coloured contacts look stunning on those with medium skin tone. Shades like honey, grey and dark blue will make your eyes glow without looking unnatural. You can also consider colour-enhancement tints in case you have naturally light eyes. This type of lens simply enhances your natural eye colour – it can lighten or darken the natural colour of your eye.
Deep skin tone
If you have a dusky or deep skin tone, warm colours like hazel, brown or two-toned violet give a naturally sexy and mysterious look. However, if you want to turn heads and get all the right attention go for shades like grey, moss green or earthy browns. We recommend staying away from loud and bright shades such as aqua and pink as they could be too startling.
How to care for lenses
Change contact lens cases every 3 months
Yes, just like your lenses have expiry dates, your contact lens case too can turn old. Using the same case for over three months can easily transfer these germs onto your lenses causing major eye infections. So if you’ve been guilty of using the same lens case for several months, it’s time to do your eyes a favour and replace it, stat.
Sterilise the case
Since your case is a home for your lenses, it is necessary to sterilize the case weekly besides changing the lens solution in it daily. To sterilize, place the lens case in a heat-resistant container. Boil some water and pour it over the lens case kept in the container. Soak for 10 minutes and let it dry completely.
No showering with lenses
You often forget to remove your lenses before a shower but little do you know that this can prove to be hugely disastrous for your eyes. Wondering how? Well, water sources through pools and bathroom sinks contain a microorganism known as acanthamoeba. If this is found in your eye during the shower and you happen to be wearing lenses, the germ gets trapped under the lens and can cause severe infections in your eye.
Never reuse solution
Lazy girls, we know you’re guilty of this one. Say, there’s lens solution in your case and you have to rush to a party so you reuse the solution. This can mean a nasty infection. You have to understand that when you’re resting your lenses in the case all the debris on the lens gets transferred into the solution. Hence, it is highly advisable that you use fresh solution to clean your lenses every single time you wear them.
Avoid lenses if they irritate the eyes
We’re so addicted to our lenses that if on a particular day, they disturb our eyes, we end up wearing them anyway assuming that the problem will settle down. This is a clear indication that your lenses have passed their expiry date or are carrying germs. Wearing lenses despite a feeling of discomfort in your eyes is like upright asking for an infection. So, throw those lenses away and give your eyes a break before you wear your next fresh pair of lenses.
Don’t sleep with lenses on
You might assume that a power nap with lenses on will cause zero harm to your eyes. But this can be the biggest mistake you can ever make. Contact lenses limit the supply of oxygen to your eyes. While you’re asleep, your eyes aren’t blinking, which further limits the amount of oxygen and lubrication your eye needs. Almost every doctor will tell you that sleeping with lenses on can cause irreversible damage to your eyes.
Avoid wearing contacts after applying eye makeup
It happens to the best of us—we forget to wear our lenses and first apply eye makeup. Makeup contains chemicals and when lenses come in contact with it, makeup can damage or even cause eye problems.
FAQs on makeup with contact lenses
How to make it easy to wear contact lenses with makeup?
Always make sure to wash and disinfect your hands before wearing contact lenses. Apply makeup after putting in the lenses. And be gentle with makeup application so that you don’t tug or apply pressure to your eyelids.
Can I apply contact lenses after makeup?
Say that you forgot to wear your lenses and now you are already done with your makeup. While we’d advise against it, if it is an absolute must, be careful. Use a clean tweezer to slip in the contacts and blink to get them in place. If you’re afraid, you can also use your hands. See that your hands are clean and dry so that they don’t mess up your makeup. Only use one finger to firmly hold the skin under your eye to keep it open. Angle the lens slightly downward to avoid your mascara-covered lashes or false eyelashes and slip in the contacts.
Why is my contact lens blurry after makeup?
If you use sprays and loose powders, a thin film can settle on your contact lenses and make them blurry. To avoid it, use oil-free makeup, creamy and liquid eye makeup and keep your eyes firmly closed if you use a setting spray.
Well, what are you waiting for? If you aren’t too happy with glasses hiding your hard work, then don’t compromise. With these easy tips from wearing lenses first to using cream-based formulas, easily wear makeup with contact lenses!
Written by Lopa K on Sep 15, 2022