Makeup for contact lens wearers

So the delight of switching from spectacles to contact lenses has quickly been replaced with irritation as you realise not all eye makeup is friendly when it comes to being a lens wearer. But just because you wear contact lenses doesn’t mean you have to avoid trying out the latest eye makeup trends or rocking a smoky eye.
Lens wearers can have just as much fun with their eye makeup as everyone else, all you need is the right information before you go beauty shopping. Take note of these tips when you’re choosing makeup for contact lenses…
Mascara
Avoid ‘false lash effect’ and ‘super volumising’ mascaras that coat your lashes with tiny nylon fibres to fatten them up. The tiny fibres can flake out of your lashes and end up on your lenses, which will lead to irritation. Instead, opt for a water-based mascara that is fragrance free, like Physicians Formula 100% Natural Origin Mascara.
Eyeliner
Opt for a water-based eyeliner such as L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner, which is fragrance-free and has been ophthalmologist tested for use by contact lens wearers. When applying, take extreme care not to apply it on the inside of your eyes as this will lead to rubbing against your lens.
Eyeshadow
Stay away from frosted shadows and instead go for pressed powders, like Covergirl’s 4 Kit Eyeshadow. When applying eyeshadow, try to keep it light and avoid layering on multiple coats. The more powder you have sitting on top of your eyelid, the more likelihood there is that it will end up in your eyes.
Taking it all off
Ok, so you got your makeup to hold up without irritating your eyes. Phew! Now it’s time to take it off. Avoid causing yourself unnecessary irritation by removing your contacts before you start taking your makeup off. Opt for a hypoallergenic, non-perfumed eye makeup remover such as Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent and use a makeup pad rather than a cotton wool ball that has tiny fibres that could end up in your eyes.
18 Member Comments
No make up for me
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I dont think it matters as long as you put the contacts in first
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I use tubing mascara and so I know exactly what it means by little particles that can be irritating. However, I find them just as irritating on days I do not wear contact lenses. So I focus on finding a tubing mascara that does not flake, rather than using a water based easy to smudge mascara!!
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I would love an article on contact lenses & coloured contacts - I would also love to be able to review my contact lenses! Hope they get listed one day here on bh! : )
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Yeah it was good to find an article on this! ♥
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I've always wondered about what eye makeup is ok with my lenses! Thanks for this list! :-)
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I think lenses are less susceptible to make-up nowadays - been a lens wearer for 13 years. I don't any make-up affects them now - used to irritate a lot earlier. As long as you remove them before removing make-up.
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I wear contact lenses and find the more eye makeup I wear the more irritated my eyes can become. I might try the Physicians Formula 100% Natural Origin Mascara, it sounds good.
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i wear contact lenses and wear any kind of make up
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I wear contact lenses (of course), and haven't really had any problems. One eyeliner feels weird when I put it on, but it is liquid and I don't think it's a problem!
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I agree that waterproof mascara is a good idea. I've had no problems with any eye products from Artistry - that's the one from Amway.
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I wear my contact lenses all the time, and find that if I wear budgeproof makeup (waterproof mascara is a must) I have no issues. The bonus to waterproof mascara is that I can still use eye drops in the heat without smudging!
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i wear contact lenses almost everyday and wear any kind of makeup
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I used to wear contact lenses a lot, and there is nothing worse than a product dropping particles into your eyes. Having sensitive eyes, I always wore waterproof mascara etc, which I did find was a little hard on the lashes.
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