Contact lenses should be one of the most appreciated inventions ever. They don’t just give us the convenience of going spectacles-free when we play sports, they also help many of us look better, especially when there are options these days that also enhance the look of our irises.
But did you know our makeup can interfere with our eyes especially when we have contact lenses on? Since we can’t live without our contact lenses, then we guess the next best thing is to pick up tips that can help ensure we won’t irritate our eyes with the makeup we apply.
Switch to dailies if you can
General rule: dailies are better than monthlies, as far as hygiene is concerned. If you’re able to limit the number of days you put on your contact lenses (perhaps only on those days you have important events, meetings, or are engaging in physical activities), dailies might be a good option to switch to.
While dailies are definitely more expensive than monthlies (or biweeklies), switching to them means that you get to wear fresh, residue-free contact lenses each time. This will certainly reduce your chances of infection.
However, if you intend to stick to monthlies, then remember to spend time cleansing your lenses thoroughly every day. Use an appropriate solution, rub your lenses with it for at least 15 seconds to dissolve all grime and impurities on them. Then, put them in a clean case, storing them with fresh solution. Remember to clean your case daily and change them every month, to make sure that they are clean.
Apart from these cleansing tips, here are other tips that contact lens wearers should take note of:
1. Put on your lenses first before you apply makeup
Applying your makeup before lenses can sometimes encourage you to put on your lenses with dirty hands. After all, your hands may have been dirtied from the makeup you applied and you’ll need to spend extra time to get every makeup remnants off your fingers. Also, our lenses may sometimes touch our lash lines, lashes, or even face while we put them on, picking up makeup that has already been applied.
Of course, remember to always wash your hands (with soap) before you put on your contact lenses.
2. Use oil-free products
Your lenses are inclined to attract oil and interfere with your vision. While it may not cause any damage or pain, the oil from your products may cloud your lenses, making it harder to see. As such, as far as you can, try to stick to oil-free products or water-based products, especially if they are going around your eyes.
3. Avoid the parts of your lids that touch your eyeballs
There are oil glands along your lash line that can be blocked by your makeup, leading to infection and dry eyes. What this means is that while it’s okay to go ahead with your smoky eyes look on the eyelids, you may want to avoid tight-lining if you could help it.
4. Invest in good mascaras
We may sometimes live with mascaras that smudge slightly or are a little clumpy as long as they could deliver volume and length. However, clumps may fall and get into eyes, and be trapped under contact lenses. If you want to make sure that your mascara won’t interfere with your contact lenses leading to eye health issues, invest in good mascaras and avoid those with fibre particles. Also, don’t forget to change your mascaras every three months.
5. Pay extra attention to makeup removal
Finally, make sure you remove your makeup well so it won’t affect your eyes and lashes. Use a makeup remover that’s designed for the eye area so it won’t irritate. Another good habit to have is to remove your lenses first before you clean off your makeup. The cleansing process may sometimes cause a lot of fallout that can get into your eyes, and you wouldn’t want the particles to get onto your contact lenses, because this means you’ll have to give them an even more thorough cleaning later on.
