Guide: Contact Lenses Start to Finish- Everything You Need to Know

Looking for some new contact lenses? 

Whether you’re a first-time lens wearer or a die-hard fan of contacts, the process of choosing, wearing, and re-wearing your lenses can be a little overwhelming. There’s so much to learn about contact lenses; from how to choose them, to how to insert them, to how to style them… Sounding like too much? Don’t panic!

We’ve created this guide so that all information about contact lenses can be found in one handy place. From finding your perfect lens to wearing it again and again, we’ll go over every step of the process.

So, don’t worry; just lean back, relax, and read on. This guide includes everything you need to know about contact lenses- from start to finish!

Finding the Right Contact Lenses

The first step is to find the perfect lenses for you. Sounds simple, right?

All you have to do is decide what you need. If you’re looking for a slight change to your day-to-day style, you’ll probably want to focus on our Natural Lenses. 

But if you want something bolder, for a costume party or cosplay convention, then why not browse our Costume Lens styles?

You might also think about how long you need the lenses for. Our daily lenses are cheap and ideal for a one-time event, but they can’t be used again. If you’re looking to repeat a look, you’re better off opting for our 30-day or 90-day styles.

Our website is set up so that you can find exactly what you need, whether you want to search by style, colour, prescription, or duration. We also have dedicated sections for light eyes or dark eyes, so that you can really customise the shopping experience to your eyes.

Still struggling? Take our Naturals quiz or our Halloween quiz for a little extra help picking out exactly what you want. 

And check out the product page of your chosen lens, for handy graphics showing the transparency of the contacts, and how they’ll look on different eye colours and skin tones.

TOP TIP: Try out our Virtual Mirror Technology to see how a pair of lenses will look on you! That way, you can figure out if you like the contacts without having to spend a penny.

Wearing your Lenses

Now that you’ve found the right lenses for you, you’ll need to make sure you know how to use them. The most important thing to remember is to ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS before handling contact lenses. This avoids getting any dirt or debris on the lens.

1. Before Wear- When you receive your lenses, you’ll want to check them for any damage BEFORE opening the package. All of our boxes come in see-through blisters or vials, so you should be able to see your lenses before breaking the seal. This will make it a lot easier to return the lenses if you notice that they’re the wrong style, or if there’s any dirt or dust inside the package. The next step is to clean them before putting them in your eyes. Wash your hands, take out the lenses, and inspect them for any damage or debris. Next, you’ll need to gently clean the lenses with an eye-care solution. The solution in the lens packages is a stronger saline solution, which means that you risk hurting your eyes if you throw on the lenses straight after receiving them. Instead, drip a little eye-care solution onto each lens, and gently rub for 15-20 seconds. Once you’ve rinsed the lenses off with fresh solution, leave them to soak in the solution for two hours.

TOP TIP: Make sure you’re only ever rinsing your lenses in eye-care solution. Tap water may contain bacteria, which could transfer to the lenses and irritate your eyes.

2. Inserting- We know that inserting your lenses for the first time can be scary, but as long as you follow our handy tips, you’ll have your lenses on in no time! Once the lenses are clean and ready, place one on your CLEAN index finger, facing downwards. The lens should look like a U, with a soft, rounded curve. If it looks more like a V, with a sharp point and a lip at the top, it may be inside out. With your other hand, lower your bottom eyelid. Gently place the lens onto the eye, and allow it to settle into position, doing your best not to blink. If you find inserting your lenses really difficult, take a look at our selection of silicone inserter wands, made to help you with this difficult process.

Contact Lens Inserter Set (Yellow)

The Contact Lens Yellow Handler Set includes tweezers and wand inserter inside a storage box. These accessories will help you to handle and insert your contact lenses.

US$3.59 | Available in offer: Accessory Multibuy

TOP TIP: No matter what lenses you have, only wear them for 8 HOURS MAXIMUM.

3. Removing- Again, make sure that your hands are clean. With one hand, lower your bottom eyelid. With your other index, gently move the lens downwards. As it reaches your eyelid, the lens should bend upwards and be easier to remove. You can try this a few times to get the hang of it.

4. After Wear- Rinse off your lenses again in eye-care solution, and store them in a sterile contact lens case. If your lenses are single-use, you can throw them out, but you’ll need to make sure your monthly pairs are kept clean and safe between uses.

TOP TIP: Make sure to check the EXPIRY DATE on the packaging of your contacts. If the lenses go over this date, no matter what duration they are, you MUST NOT use them again, and must throw them out.

Want to know even more about lens care and why we do it? Browse our selection of Care Guides for articles and guides on every aspect of contact lenses!

Troubleshooting: Lens FAQs

What if my eyes become irritated or red?

First, check the lenses for any dirt, debris, or damage. Even if you do not see any visible sign of damage, DO NOT wear the lenses again. And if your eyes remain irritated, seek help from a medical professional. 

What if my vision is blurry?

If your lenses don’t match your eye measurements or prescription, they might impair your vision. Make sure that you check these with your optician before purchasing our lenses, as you want to make sure that you’re selecting the perfect lenses for you.

Some lens styles, like our Blind Lenses, are going to impair your vision no matter what. These lenses cover your pupil, and therefore you WILL NOT be able to see through them.

If you purchase these lenses, we recommend that you only wear them inside the house.

DO NOT wear any lenses that impair your vision while driving or doing any other activity that requires good visibility.

Are Coloured Contacts safe?

Yes, absolutely! All of our lenses are made with FDA-approved or CE-marked materials, which means that all of them are safe and comfortable. Just make sure to check with your optician that contact lenses are suitable for your eyes, and remember to follow all of our care instructions.

Styling Your Contact Lenses

Congratulations! You’re now an expert on lens wear and lens care. All that remains now is making sure you get the most out of your lenses. Whether you’re rocking some subtle naturals or trying out some bold costume lenses, you can always go that extra mile to style them beautifully. We have plenty of Styling Blogs, if that’s your thing, or check out our Affiliate Gallery, for stunning makeup looks from our talented affiliates. You can browse affiliate looks with the same colour of lens as yours, and get some inspiration from all the fun looks!

So, do you think you’re ready to step out into the world with your new lenses?

You’ve found the perfect ones, cared for them, and styled them up for a gorgeous new look. Everything is perfect! Just remember to follow all of our hints and tips, and you’ll be absolutely fine. And if you post any of your own contact lens looks, tag us @colouredcontacts! We can’t wait to see what you pick!