10 Eye Makeup Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

When wearing contact lenses, ensure that you do not use overly waxy, oily, or flaky makeup products that may irritate the eye if they get under the lens. As far as possible, use water-based cosmetics as they are less likely to damage your lenses.

From time immemorial, women have used makeup to accentuate and highlight their eyes. As for contact lenses, they are not just used as a means to improve eyesight, but also as a fashion accessory to enhance the overall look.

There are many benefits of wearing contact lenses over regular glasses; however, what interests us here, is that they do not obstruct your look for a special event or your daily routine.

However, getting mascara or eye shadow remnants in the eye while wearing lenses is a far from pleasant experience, this can lead to watery, itchy, and burning eyes.

Being one of the most sensitive organs of the human body, it is imperative that we brace ourselves with the importance of good eye health.

Given below are the ten commandments to bear in mind while applying makeup when wearing contact lenses.

The most important point to remember is to wash hands thoroughly before wearing the lenses. Abstain from using hand lotions, moisturizers, and creams before wearing lenses. Ideally, you should put on your lenses immediately after a shower before you lather up on moisturizers, to avoid the product from adhering to the lenses that may lead to eye irritation.

One of the golden rules is to put on your contact lenses before you begin wearing makeup. Although wearing lenses after makeup is not entirely dismissed, the chances of small particles of makeup obstructing your lenses is relatively high, thus, increasing the risk of discomfort and infection.

To be on the safe side, always wear your contact lenses immediately after you have washed and dried your face with a lint-free towel.

Oil-free shadow, liner, mascara, and foundation should be used to accentuate your eyes. This will ensure oil doesn't get into your eyes and on to your lenses, thus, reducing the possibility of redness and dryness in the eyes.

It is better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to taking care of your eyes when wearing lenses. Ensure the products you use to highlight your eyes are hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive eyes.

Remember your eyes are delicate and sensitive, it makes sense to be gentle and careful while applying eye liners, mascara, and eye shadow. Lens wearers have to be extra careful while applying eye makeup so that they don't end up jostling the lenses or even scratching the lenses.

Care has to be taken so that no particles enter the eye or come in contact with the lenses to avoid soreness and itching of the eye.

Eye liners―water-based or long-lasting―could end up entering the eye and lodging behind the lens, thus, hampering your vision. To avoid this, do not line the inner rim of the lower eyelid. Use eyeliner to highlight the upper lid, and if need be, resort to using eyeliner below the lash line for the lower lid.

Tempting as it may sound to have long lashes, it is best to avoid using lash-building mascaras especially when you plan to wear lenses. Also, remember to sweep the mascara from the middle of the lashes to the tips, avoiding the base of the eyelashes, to prevent particles from getting into your eye.

Do not hold the mascara wand too close to your eyelids as it may end up staining your lenses. Stay away from stick-on lashes when wearing either prescription or fashionable lenses.

At the end of the day, before you hit the bed, do make it a point to take off your lenses. Ensure you do this way before you even remove your makeup, or else, you may end up contaminating or even damaging your lenses. Again, do remember to wash your hands before taking off your lenses.

As mundane as it may seem, products that have expired or thickened are definitely not good for the eyes. It is always better to invest in good quality products every few months to ensure your eyes remain free from infections, redness, and irritation. Do ensure to make a note of the shelf life of the product before investing in it.

One of the major causes for persistent eye irritation and redness is the use of unhygienic brushes while wearing makeup. Make it a habit to wash and sterilize your brushes after every single use. This will ensure there is no bacterial buildup which could result in an eye infection.

No matter how close you are to your best friend, sister, mother or colleague, never ever share your eye makeup products with anyone. One, you could risk catching an eye infection; two, you could pass on an eye infection in case you have caught one; three, the product could not suit you or them.

Last but not the least, remember to invest in a good eye drop to keep your eyes moist at all times. You will benefit from using disposable contact lenses if you are used to wearing eye makeup on a regular basis.