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Contact lenses and make-up: Which goes first?

For people with eye problems, contact lenses can be just another cosmetic accessory. Although many people wear them for comfort, others, who are also keen on glasses, choose contact lenses as an option to shake up their look. Many of us could say that, in a way, contact lenses are just another step in our make-up routine.

For many women (and more and more men), make-up is part of our daily routine. The eyes are one of the areas where most make-up is used, whether to cover small imperfections such as dark circles under the eyes or to highlight the eyes. Yet one has to be careful, as the eyes are one of the most sensitive areas on the human body. If you are also a contact lens wearer, you need to pay extra attention to your eye make-up so as not to get your lenses dirty and get an infection.

Make-up and contact lenses

If you're a contact lens wearer and make-up lover, the best solution to take your mind off any worries is daily contact lenses. Wearing disposable contact lenses allows you to guarantee maximum hygiene for your eyes. You'll be sure that when you take them out and put them in before and after make-up, they won't have been contaminated. Our team of opticians recommends the use of everclear ELITE daily contact lenses. In this blog, you can also find answers to the most frequently asked questions when it comes to combining make-up and contact lenses.

Contact lenses before or after make-up?

For those who suffer from astigmatism or myopia, contact lenses can be a lifesaver. However, when it comes to activities with contact lenses, a thousand questions arise. One key question is: which comes first, make-up or contact lenses? Although it may seem logical, many people forget that the first thing they have to do is put in their contact lenses. If you've already applied your eye make-up, then there is a good chance that you will contaminate your contact lenses when you come to put them in, resulting in a possible eye infection. Remember to wash your hands and dry them thoroughly before handling contact lenses.

Choose the right products

If you wear contact lenses, it's important to consider the type of make-up you use. It's best to use a liquid or cream foundation rather than a powder foundation, as these are more likely to come into contact with the contact lens because they are volatile. Also remember to use hypoallergenic make-up to avoid possible allergies.

With regard to eye make-up, our recommendations are as follows:

• Cream eye shadows are safer to keep your contact lenses safe.
• Applying eyeliner can be the trickiest part of a make-up routine as it can be tricky to get both eyes perfect without smudging the eyes. To avoid any of these situations affecting your contact lenses, we recommend using an eyeliner pencil instead of liquid eyeliner.
• Last but not least: mascara. To avoid any accidents with your make-up and contact lenses, look downward as you apply your mascara. This technique will prevent your contact lenses from being affected. Don't use water, let alone saliva, to moisten cosmetics. Water can contain bacteria that, when in contact with your eyes, can cause irritation, or worse, serious infection.

Apply (and remove) make-up carefully

Apply your make-up with your eyes closed to avoid getting any particles in your eyes. It is preferable that you do not paint the lower waterline, as this can contaminate the contact lens. Ensure that you are always stationary when applying make-up and do not apply it in the car or on public transport, especially when it is moving, as you could damage your eye.

When it's time to remove your make-up, again, the first thing to do is to wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Then carefully remove your contact lenses, trying not to get them in contact with your make-up. If you wear daily contact lenses, dispose of them; if you wear monthly lenses, remember to clean them thoroughly with a contact lens-friendly solution. Once you have removed your contact lenses, use a specific eye make-up remover to remove make-up.

It is important to treat the eye area with care, so we recommend using soft materials such as cotton when removing make-up. Reusable make-up pads are a great way to cleanse your face after a long day as they are cost-effective, gentle against the contour of your face, and much more sustainable than disposable ones.

Try everclear ELITE

Available exclusively from Vision Direct, everclear ELITE daily contact lenses are comfortable, convenient and specially designed to retain all of the eye's moisture. They are made of silicone hydrogel, a soft, flexible, state-of-the-art material that allows more oxygen to pass through, allowing you to wear them for up to 12 hours. They also include protection against the sun's ultraviolet rays. These lenses are the best option for those wanting to wear make-up with lenses while ensuring the utmost hygiene and comfort.

Discover everclear ELITE

Don't share make-up

It is very common to do so, especially among young girls. But for reasons of hygiene and to preserve your eye health, you should not share your cosmetics, as they can become contaminated. If you want to try make-up in a shop, use a disposable applicator.

Beware of allergies and infections

If a product causes any kind of irritation, redness, stinging or allergic reaction, it is best to remove your make-up in a hurry and discard it. In these cases, it is best to see a specialist to treat the allergy. If you have an eye infection, don't apply make-up and throw away the products you were using when the infection started, in case they have become contaminated, so that you don't get infected again. If the infection worsens, it is important to see an ophthalmologist for an eye check-up.

Pay attention to the expiry date

Remember that make-up expires (just as contact lenses expire). It is important to renew your cosmetics regularly, every 3 to 6 months, even if you use them infrequently. And be careful where you leave your cosmetics. Excessive heat or cold can alter their formula and the effectiveness of the preservatives they contain.

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Contact lenses and make-up: Which goes first?

Make-up and contact lenses

Contact lenses before or after make-up?

Choose the right products

Apply (and remove) make-up carefully

Try everclear ELITE

Keep your make-up clean

Don't share make-up

Beware of allergies and infections

Pay attention to the expiry date

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