Contact Lenses And Make-Up: The Basics

For people who love make-up, wearing contact lenses need not be a problem as long as they are careful. It means following certain procedures during the application and removal of make-up but nothing that should present a problem. Here are some simple dos and don'ts, courtesy of the American Optometric Association (AOA), to ensure that you can look your best, wearing contacts and cosmetics safely and comfortably together.

If you wear soft contact lenses you need to put them on before you start applying make-up. In the case of rigid gas-permeable lenses, they should go in after you are done with your make-up. At the end of the day, in both cases, the contacts should be removed before the make-up.

It is not a good idea to use lash-extending mascara because it contains fibres that can cause eye irritation. The same goes for waterproof mascara, where the problem lies in its difficult removal with water. As a result, soft contact lenses could end up with stains.

When it comes to moisturisers, the right choice is an oil-free one. You should also steer clear of using hand creams or lotions before you touch the contact lenses or you risk making their surface filmy. The same could happen if you use cream make-up rather than water-based, hypo-allergenic liquid foundations.

Caution should also be exercised when applying hairspray, which should be done before you put your contacts on. If you happen to be wearing them (which would be the case if you are at the hairdresser's), make sure you shut your eyes tightly during application of the hairspray and keep them closed for several seconds afterwards.