Applying makeup can be difficult for many people. However, the process is even more daunting if you wear contact lenses. Don’t worry, though. We are here to help you with that.
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- 1. Wash your hands.
- 2. Put your contact lenses in before applying makeup.
- 3. Take out your contact lenses before removing your makeup.
- 4. Use the right makeup.
- 5. Wear daily disposable contact lenses.
In this post, we’ll discuss five tips that will help make wearing contact lenses and makeup a simple and enjoyable process.
Photo: Pexels
1. Wash your hands.
Wash your hands. This is the first and most important thing you need to remember. The second thing you need to remember is to wash your hands:
- Before you put in your contact lenses and then apply makeup
- Before you take out your contact lenses and then remove your makeup
Here’s how to properly wash your hands:
- Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water.
- Rub your hands together and remove any dirt from your fingernails.
- Rinse.
- Use a fresh paper towel to dry your hands completely.
Don’t forget the last step in this process. Tap water may contain organisms called acanthamoeba, which can cause eye infections.
Following these steps will ensure that your hands are free from any bacteria that could transfer to your eyes and cause potentially serious eye issues.
2. Put your contact lenses in before applying makeup.
Put in your contact lenses first and then apply makeup after. Never deviate from this step under any circumstances.
When you apply makeup, product residue will unavoidably transfer to your fingers. If you apply makeup first, the residue on your fingers will transfer to your contact lenses and get into your eyes. This will irritate your eyes and possibly even cause an eye infection.
3. Take out your contact lenses before removing your makeup.
When removing your makeup, you likely use some sort of makeup remover. This can contain chemicals like alcohol that can damage your contact lenses and irritate your eyes. This is why it’s a must that you take out your contact lenses first and then remove your makeup after.
If you take out your contact lenses first, you eliminate the risk of chemicals getting into your contact lenses. You also make it easier on yourself because you can just remove your makeup and not think about your contact lenses. It’s also better if you use a gentle makeup remover. This way, you protect the skin around your eyes which is very sensitive.
4. Use the right makeup.
If you wear contact lenses, choosing the right kinds of makeup to use is paramount. Doing so will prevent eye irritation and save you from a hard time in case makeup inadvertently gets into your eyes in the middle of the day.
To know which kinds of makeup are perfect for contact lens wearers, keep these tips in mind.
- Oil-free is key.
Using oil-free makeup is best. The oils in some makeup can make their way into your eyes and stain your contact lenses. Not only will it irritate your eyes, but it would also be annoying to have to clean your contact lenses in the event that you were in the middle of an important meeting or a social gathering.
- Opt for cream-based makeup.
If you wear contact lenses, then using cream-based makeup instead of powder-based makeup is ideal. The fine particles in powder-based products can easily get into your eyes and cause pain or irritation.
- Use waterproof makeup.
Using waterproof eye makeup such as eyeliner and mascara is a necessity for contact lens wearers. Waterproof mascara and eyeliner are less likely to smudge, which means they are also less likely to enter your eyes and get into your contact lenses.
- Look for hypoallergenic makeup.
Spend additional time carefully reading labels to find makeup that is hypoallergenic and tested safe for contact lens wearers by ophthalmologists. This kind of makeup is generally more expensive, but it’s a worthy investment if you wear contact lenses. Hypoallergenic makeup is made for sensitive skin and eyes, which means it won’t cause irritation.
5. Wear daily disposable contact lenses.
Daily disposable contact lenses or “dailies” are the best option for anyone who wears contact lenses and makeup every day. With dailies, you prevent makeup from building up on your contact lenses and irritating your eyes.
If you’re currently using extended wear contact lenses, talk to your doctor about changing your prescription to dailies.
Make the switch as soon as possible. You’ll have to wear a fresh pair of lenses every day, but the upside is that you don’t have to worry too much about contact lens cleaning. You’ll also likely end up spending more money on contact lenses, but at least you’ll avoid eye issues like redness, irritation, and infection.
Conclusion:
While wearing makeup if you also wear contact lenses can be a little challenging, it’s not impossible. With practice every day, it will be second nature to you in no time. Furthermore, there are simple things you can do to make the process a whole lot easier. You just need to remember to:
- Wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
- Put in your contact lenses before you apply makeup.
- Take out your contact lenses before you remove your makeup.
- Look for the right makeup.
- Wear “dailies”.
