Contact Lenses Makeup Tips-20 Dos and Don’ts

Contact lenses are nice because wearing eyeglasses sometimes gets in the way if you’re playing sports for example, plus, with contacts your pretty eyes will show, instead of being hidden behind a pair of eyeglasses. But you do need to be responsible especially when wearing your makeup so that you keep the contacts clean and avoid contracting allergies. 

If you misuse cosmetics when wearing your contact lenses, you may develop allergies, dry eye, injury, infection, or deposits on the lenses. There are a lot of things you can do to safely put on makeup if you wear contacts.

Here are some tips on contact lenses makeup – how to apply makeup safely your eyes, the dos and don’ts, and what to do before and after:

•     Wash your hands prior to putting in each contact, then apply makeup 
•   Don’t expose your eyes to water while wearing contacts 
• Take out the lenses before you remove your makeup. Avoid greasy or oily makeup removers as they may build up on the contact lenses 
• Avoid getting too close to the eye with any type of makeup
• Use makeup that is hypoallergenic to avoid sensitivity. Use only well known trusted brand names
• Use water-soluble makeup
• Don’t use waterproof mascara as it may permanently adhere to the lens. Also avoid mascara that contains volume building fibers
• Avoid eye shadow that is powder. Use only gel, liquid or cream. Never use eye shadow that is frosted or iridescent. These may contain oyster shells or mica.D
• Do not use eyeliner that is directly drawn on the rim of the eye. Keep all eyeliner pencils sharp enough so the wood doesn’t scratch the surface of the eye
• Use pressed powders 
• Don’t use hairspray or other aerosols if you have already put in your lenses. Allow all hairspray to settle before walking into a room that has just been sprayed. Many times hair products can irritate the eyes and they are more susceptible now to problems because you wear contacts.
• Keep all nail polish remover and perfumes away from your contacts.
• Never swap makeup application sponges or brushes with your friends and wash your application brushes frequently 
• Don’t put on makeup if your eyes are already red or swollen, this will only irritate them more 
• Beware of flaking mascara because pieces of nylon can reach the eye and never purchase mascara refills
• Never use saliva or water to thin cosmetics 
• Never swap your contacts with your friends
• Never wear the contacts if they become cracked, chipped or torn
• You may want to use an eye wash to remove any excess oils from makeup residual
• Replace your cosmetics every six months to avoid bacterial growth
• Never apply eye makeup while in a car or worse yet while driving

If you follow a few common sense ways of putting on makeup properly and purchasing the right products, there should be no problems with the contacts, or maintaining eye health and safety.

 Beauty is power; a smile is its sword. ~ John Ray