Discover coloured contact lenses
How would colour contact lenses look on me? What shade should I go for? How do I wear colour contacts safely? Follow us for the answers to these, and many more questions.
Coloured contact lenses let you alter the appearance of your natural eye colour, either with a subtle enhancement or something more dramatic. They're available with a corrective power or purely for cosmetic use without any correction.
What are coloured contact lenses?
Coloured contact lenses are designed to imitate the appearance of your iris. Your iris isn't just one block of plain colour, it contains patterns, shapes and speckles so most coloured contacts mimic and enhance these unique features.
In the centre, the lens is transparent so your pupil isn't obstructed and you can see clearly.
Whether you're looking for a natural, everyday look or are seeking a spooky, supernatural style for Halloween, you can achieve it with coloured contact lenses.
What vision problems do coloured contacts correct?
Coloured contact lenses are available for short-sightedness (myopia) or far-sightedness (hyperopia) as well as in plano form (without a corrective power) if you just want them for cosmetic purposes.
Coloured contact lenses for astigmatism do exist but aren't common. We don't stock toric coloured contacts and would advise only buying them from a reputable retailer to be certain that you get safe and good quality lenses.
Why choose coloured contact lenses?
Coloured contacts don't have to completely transform your appearance, they're also great when you want to add depth or intensity to your natural eye colour. Although many people will associate them with fancy dress, you'd be surprised how many people wear coloured contact lenses daily.
Of course, one of the most popular reasons for people to choose coloured contact lenses is for costumes. If you're looking to recreate the style of your favourite film or TV character, then coloured lenses are a good option. They're also great for Halloween, helping you to make monstrous, fantastical looks come to life.
Advice on choosing coloured contact lenses
Arguably the most important part of choosing coloured lenses is making sure you pick a pair that'll change your eye colour in the way that you hoped. The trick is to make sure whether the lenses you choose are designed to enhance your natural eye colour or change it significantly.
Once you know what kind of coloured contact lens you need, you should then figure out what shade is going to work well. If you're looking for a complete transformation then you needn't worry too much about which colour will suit your natural look, but if you're looking for something a little subtler then you might want to take this into account.
If your eyes are of a lighter shade and you're looking to add more depth without making a big change, consider your hair colour and skin tone before settling on a shade. If you have pale blue eyes, for example then you should try other blues, greys and even shades of green for a softer, more understated change. If you do want to make a bold statement, look out for opaque lenses in shades that contrast with your complexion. For example, you could try a deep brown tint with blonde hair and fair skin.
If you have darker eyes, you can soften their impact by using opaque tinted lenses in light shades of brown. If you want to change your eye colour considerably. Trying a contrasting colour such as violet or vibrant green with dark skin can often lead to a brilliant, eye-catching look.
Whether you're buying coloured contact lenses just for cosmetic purposes or with vision correction, you should visit your optician beforehand. This way they can help you to understand which coloured contact lenses will keep your eyes comfortable so you can pick the best brand for you.
If you're new to wearing contact lenses, then here's some useful advice:
- Don't share your lenses: If you and some friends are all dressing up for an event, remember not to swap lenses to see how the different colours suit you. It could cause an eye infection and wearing the wrong prescription can cause discomfort and eye strain.
- Take care of your lenses: If you are wearing daily lenses, always use a fresh pair. Once you get to the end of the day, throw away the ones you've been wearing before going to sleep and use a new set the next day/next time you want to wear them.
- Stop wearing your lenses if your eyes become irritated: Sore, itchy or red eyes can often be harmless, but they can sometimes point to eye infections. If you experience any discomfort when wearing coloured contact lenses, take them off. Bring a spare pair of glasses with you just in case.
- Experiment and enjoy different styles: Coloured contacts offer a fantastic opportunity to try new looks, just remember to get a contact lens fitting from your optician before diving in!
