Wearing contact lenses with makeup: the dos and don’ts

Wearing contact lenses is something more and more people are opting for, either as an alternative to glasses or in combination with traditional spectacles. They give you a more natural look and lots of people like to wear them for special occasions or for work. But if you’re the type of person who likes to wear makeup, it can mean needing to take more things into consideration when wearing your contacts. There are a few factors to consider when wearing makeup and contact lenses. Read on to learn more about it.

Should you put in contact lenses before or after makeup?

It’s always best to put your contact lenses in before you apply your makeup. This will stop debris, like glitter from eyeshadow, dust, and bacteria from getting into your eye, which can cause irritation or infection. It will also help to prevent creams and oils from your hands from getting into your eyes, which can sting or cause temporary blurry vision. Making sure you apply your lenses before makeup will also mean you can more clearly see what you’re doing as an added benefit.

When you go to remove your makeup, always remove your contact lenses first to help avoid irritation or contamination.

Infographic illustrating a woman applying contact lenses before makeup.

What to do if you get makeup in your eye with contact lenses in

If you get makeup in your eyes when you wear contact lenses, remove the lenses immediately to avoid irritation as much as possible. Clean your lenses with a cleaning solution. If your makeup is still in your eyes, or if they’re still irritated, you may need to rinse them with an eye wash or eye drops.

How to clean contact lenses if they have makeup on them

If your lenses still have makeup on them after you remove them, you will need to clean them again before re-inserting. Simply follow your usual cleaning routine (especially if you used a peroxide-based cleaning solution) or rinse with a multipurpose solution. You should also make sure to clean and store your contact lenses properly between wears (unless you wear daily lenses, which you replace every day).

Makeup products that are safest for contact lens wearers

The best type of makeup to use when wearing contact lenses include types that are kind to your skin and contain natural ingredients. Think water-based, hypoallergenic, and oil-free products, and avoid waterproof products where possible. That being said, cream eyeshadows are better than powder ones – although if you can’t give up the powders, simply apply with your eyes closed and gently brush away any fall-out or excess before opening your eyes again.

What to avoid when wearing contact lenses and makeup

Apply makeup safely, such as using clean brushes, not using expired makeup, and never sharing makeup someone else has used.

  • Keep your makeup and applicators clean to avoid contamination and bacteria getting into your eyes.
  • Never use expired makeup – makeup can harbour bacteria, which can cause irritation and infections. Throw out old makeup like mascara and eyeliner and replace them regularly according to the expiry dates.
  • Don’t share makeup – bacteria and viruses can live on sponges and brushes and can be transmitted to you from others.
  • Always be sure to keep false eyelashes clean. Not only can the adhesives from permanent false lashes cause irritation, but skin and sebum build-up at the base of the lashes themselves can affect your contacts. Always make sure to keep your false lashes clean to maintain good eyelid health and comfort.

Contact lenses which are best for makeup wearers

Daily contact lenses are ideal for those who wear makeup on a regular basis. They’re specially designed to moisturise your eyes really well and can be removed and thrown away rather than needing to be cleaned between wears. Additionally, if you get makeup in your eye throughout the day, you don’t have to carry cleaning solution and case with you, simply remove and dispose of them instead.

When to replace your contact lenses if they get contaminated

If you get makeup on your lenses, you should always remove them and rinse them with an appropriate contact solution before putting them back in. However, sometimes, they will still have residue or debris that sticks. If you notice any signs of irritation, discomfort, blurry vision, or anything out of the ordinary, it’s best to dispose of your contact lenses and put in a fresh pair instead to avoid potential eye issues.

Attending regular eye check-ups is also essential to maintaining good eye health and lens prescriptions. Book an eye test with Leightons for expert advice on contact lens care.

If makeup gets on your contact lenses, you should replace them immediately if you notice any signs of irritation, discomfort, blurry vision, or significant residue on the lens, even after rinsing with contact lens solution; in most cases, it's best to simply discard the lens and put in a fresh one to avoid potential eye problems.

Takeaway

Whether you prefer a subtle ‘no makeup’ look or love to go bold with bright eyeshadow, you can still enjoy wearing makeup if you wear contact lenses as long as you follow some simple safety steps. Always apply your lenses before your makeup (and remove them before removing makeup), clean or replace your lenses if you get makeup in your eyes, make sure you’re using gentle cosmetics to avoid irritation, and never share or use expired makeup.

If you have any concerns or questions about your lenses, always see a professional for advice.

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Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
While both glasses and contact lenses do the same job in correcting your eyesight, there are some obvious differences in how each is worn. Glasses rest on the nose and are positioned away from the eyes, whereas contact lenses are in direct contact with your eyeball. These differences are the fundamental reasons why contact lenses and glasses prescriptions are absolutely not the same. In this article, we’ll explain why in more detail. Contact lens vs glasses prescription – what’s the difference? Quite simply, the lenses in your glasses will be very different to your contact lenses. That’s because each type of lens refracts light differently and therefore during an eye test, different measurements have to be made. The measurements from one eye test are not compatible with the other. So, is the prescription for contacts the same as glasses? The answer is NO because you need to have 2 separate eye tests, which will result in 2 different prescriptions. Contact lens prescription A contact lens prescription comprises a set of measurements relating to the curvature, size and power of the contact lens along with other relevant information. These measurements are carried out by an optometrist, also known as an ophthalmic optician. Glasses prescription An optometrist or ophthalmic optician is also responsible for carrying out the actual eye tests for glasses and lenses. The tests are to determine the strength of the lenses you require, along with other factors such as eye dominance, pupillary distance and axis number. All this information will be included in your glasses prescription. Learn how to read your glasses prescription How to read your contact lens prescription Have you ever wondered what all the abbreviations and letters on your contact lens prescription mean? Read on to find out. What does Base Curve (BC) mean? Base Curve (BC) refers to the specific curve with which a contact lens is made. Different corneal curves will need different base curve lenses, although with modern more flexible contact lens materials, there is some lea way in this. What does Diameter (DIA) mean? This measurement refers to the Diameter (DIA) of the contact lens itself and corresponds with the size of your cornea. It is the measurement from one edge of the lens to the other and is measured in millimetres. What does Power/Sphere (PWR/SPH) mean? The term Power (PWR) together with Sphere (SPH) refers to the strength of the lens. For long-sightedness this figure will show a plus sign (+) and for short-sightedness, it will begin with a minus sign (-). Other contact lens prescription figures People who have an eye defect such as astigmatism, will need to wear toric lenses and therefore will see additional words or abbreviations on their prescription. The same applies to people who might have presbyopia or short-sightedness, and have a prescription for varifocal or multifocal contact lenses. 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After your initial assessment and test, you will then need to have a contact lens fitting. Your optician will demonstrate how to safely insert and remove your lenses and how to care for them. Finally, you will receive your free written contact lens prescription. You can buy your contact lenses from the optician that carried out your eye test or you can buy them from another optician or an online supplier. Contact lenses need to be reviewed more frequently You should be aware that your eyesight can change over time so it’s important you get your eyes retested at least every 2 years. If you notice any changes in your vision at any time before that period then contact your optician for a check-up. Book a contact lens consultation today.
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