How Do You Wear Eye Makeup Safely With Contact Lenses?

This article was provided as a paid guest post.

Eye makeup and contact lenses go together for millions of people, but they do not always get along. A flake of mascara under a lens, a smudge of liner on the rim of the lid or a shimmery shadow that drifts into the eye can turn a good makeup day into a sore, watery one.

The good news is that a few small habits make a big difference. This guide covers the order to put things on, which products and techniques to be careful with, how to remove everything properly, and what to know if you want to add colour with your lenses as well.

lenses first, makeup second

The simplest rule is the most useful: put your lenses in before you apply makeup, and take them out before you remove it. Putting lenses in first means you are handling them with clean hands, not fingers coated in foundation or powder. Taking them out first means you are not rubbing makeup remover around an eye with a lens still on it.

A few habits go with this:

1. Wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses.
2. Insert your lenses, then check they feel comfortable.
3. Apply your skincare and base, then eye makeup last.
4. Wash your hands again before you take your lenses out at the end of the day.

If you wear lenses and glasses on different days, give each routine the same care. Switching to glasses on a day when your eyes feel tired is always better than pushing through.

which eye products to be careful with

You do not have to give up your favourite products, but some need more care than others when you wear lenses.

• Mascara: fibre or tubing formulas can flake. Water-resistant formulas may be harder to remove, so allow more time. Avoid pumping the wand in and out, which pushes air in and dries the product out.
• Eyeliner on the waterline: the inner rim of the lid sits right next to the lens, so product here can migrate onto it. Many wearers keep liner to the outer lash line.
• Glitter and loose shimmer: specks can fall into the eye and scratch the surface. Use cosmetic-grade products made for use around the eyes, and avoid craft glitter.
• Cream and gel shadows: these can transfer to the lens if you rub your eyes, so use light touches.
• Lash glue and false lashes: use glue made for the purpose, give it time to set, and keep it away from the lid edge.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has advice on eye makeup and contact lenses, which is worth reading if you are new to lenses or you have a new makeup routine.

adding colour to the look

Some people like to go one step further and change their eye colour as part of a makeup look. If that appeals, there are contact lenses in different colours to choose from, from subtle enhancement tints to bolder colour changes. A few points are worth knowing before you try them.

• They are medical devices. In the UK, even lenses worn only for looks need a proper fitting and a valid prescription.
• Colour lenses can be corrective or plano. Plano lenses change your eye colour with no vision correction. If you already wear glasses or clear contacts, prescription coloured contact lenses, also called coloured prescription contacts or corrective colored contacts, combine colour and correction in one lens. You may also see these listed as prescription colored contacts, or by the shorthand colored rx contacts, but they are the same product.
• Natural eye colour affects the result. Lighter eyes show a colour change more easily, and darker eyes usually need a more opaque design.
• Wear schedule matters. Daily coloured contact lenses are worn once and thrown away, so there is no cleaning routine, which many first-time wearers like. Monthly options need regular care.
• Plan ahead. If you are planning a look for a specific event, check coloured contact lenses next day delivery options early, though stock and cut-off times vary, so ordering a few days ahead is safer.

If you are searching for colour contacts, look at coloured contacts UK retailers stock, and check that they ask for your prescription details. Different retailers show contact lenses coloured in different ways, so compare shades, and wear any new lenses at home first, for a few hours, before wearing them for a full day.

check your products are right for you

If your values matter to you when you shop for makeup, it helps to know what labels mean. Terms like “cruelty-free” are not all regulated in the same way, so recognised certifications are more reliable than a simple claim. Programmes such as Leaping Bunny certify cosmetics and household products as cruelty-free, and you can search their list before you buy.

Eye makeup also expires. Mascara and liquid liner are usually best replaced every few months, since they come into close contact with the eye and can harbour bacteria over time. If your eyes feel irritated after switching to a new product, stop using it, and speak to your optician if the problem continues.

removing eye makeup properly

Removing makeup well matters as much as applying it.

• Take your lenses out first, with clean hands.
• Use a gentle eye makeup remover and be patient with waterproof formulas.
• Be careful with oil-based removers. Some leave a film that can cling to lenses and blur your vision, so wait until your lenses are out.
• Avoid dragging or rubbing the lid, which can irritate the skin and the eye.
• Remove every trace of glitter, lashes and glue before bed.

Never sleep in your lenses or your makeup. Sleeping in lenses raises the risk of irritation and infection unless your optician has said your lenses are designed for it.

looking after your lenses

Good lens hygiene is part of any makeup routine. The College of Optometrists’ public site, Look After Your Eyes, has guidance on contact lens wear and care.

• Follow the replacement schedule your optician gave you.
• Never share lenses, or makeup and applicators.
• Keep a pair of glasses with you in case a lens becomes uncomfortable.
• Replace your lens case as directed, if you wear reusable lenses.

when to take your lenses out

Comfort is a good guide. If your eyes feel sore, gritty, red or blurry, take your lenses out and wear your glasses. If something is in your eye, do not rub it. Wash your hands, remove the lens, and rinse the eye with sterile saline or lens solution. If symptoms such as pain, redness, light sensitivity or blurred vision continue, speak to an optician straight away.

frequently asked questions

Should I put my lenses in before or after my makeup?
 Before, so you are handling lenses with clean hands. Take them out before you remove your makeup.

Can I wear eyeliner on my waterline with contact lenses?
 Many wearers avoid it, because product can migrate onto the lens. If you do use it, choose products made for the purpose and take extra care.

Do I need a prescription for coloured contact lenses?
 Yes. Even zero-power coloured lenses need a fitting and a valid prescription in the UK.

Are daily lenses better with makeup?
 Many people like them, because you start with a fresh lens each day and there is no cleaning routine. Your optician can advise which suits you.

Is it safe to sleep in lenses with makeup on?
 No. Remove your lenses and your makeup before bed.

makeup and lenses that work together

Eye makeup and contact lenses can work well together with a little care: lenses in first and out first, careful choices around the waterline, glitter and lashes, products that suit your values, and thorough removal at the end of the day. If you want to try colour, get a proper fitting and give yourself time to try new lenses at home. Keep your glasses nearby, look after your lenses, and see an optician if your eyes ever feel different.