If you wear contact lenses, you know that you have to be super-careful about what kinds of makeup you use. The odd flake of mascara fibre or the wrong eye pencil can make you eyes puff up or feel like they're on fire. As well as being painful, that 100% bloodshot look also won't win you any beauty contests. Here's how to minimize the chances of makeup irritating your eyes when you're wearing your lenses.

Should you insert your lenses before or after applying makeup?

The answer to this question will depend on your lens prescription. If you have a very strong prescription, and simply can't focus without corrective help, you don't have much choice - you'll have to apply your makeup with the lenses in.
If, however, your vision problem is less severe, it's far preferable to apply makeup FIRST and then insert your lenses. This way, any tiny flakes, powder granules or other fallout from your makeup can be dealt with before they fall into your eyes. If you apply your makeup with the lenses already in, you risk having to remove them again, clear your lens of the irritating object, flush your eye with water, and start again.

What kinds of makeup are best for contact lens wearers?

Regardless of whether you apply your makeup before or after you insert your lenses, there are two golden rules you should follow when wearing makeup with contacts. Stop and think about - number one - the consistency, and - number two - the ingredients of a product before you buy it. This rule applies to everything you are going to be putting on your face, and not just around your eyes.

Face powder

Let's start with powder. If you use a large brush or powderpuff to dust loose translucent powder over your face, it's inevitable that many of the powder particles are only loosely attached to your face. This will be most noticable when you first apply it, of course (just think about how your black sweater looks after you apply powder with a brush), but particles will continue to fall off long after you've brushed off that sweater. There is a very good chance that at least one or two will fall into your eyes, and cause them to become irritated and red.

There are two ways to get around this problem. The first is to replace the loose powder with pressed powder. Apply sparingly to the nose, forehead and chin - those areas that are first to show shine - and try to stay away from the eye area. Although you still run some risk with pressed powder, the particles are at least not free-falling, and are pressed rather than brushed onto your skin.

The other option is to use a foundation and powder in one. These products have a moist consistency when you are applying them, and then set into a powdery finish. It's a good idea to experiment with the combination powder/foundation, and see if you like both the finish and levels of coverage. Although some brands of powder/foundation makeup can tend to create a mask-like effect, the better quality ones can solve the problem of powder particles falling into your eyes.

Eye makeup

Waterproof eyeliner and mascara are good, safe options for contact lens wearers. Your eyes may water after you insert your lenses, and you don't want to undo all the good makeup work you've just done. If your eyes dry out during the course of the day or evening, you may need to use a wetting eyedrop product to make the lenses more comfortable to wear. Waterproof eye makeup is the only kind which will stand up to so much liquid in and around the eye.

Your mascara needs to have two magic phrases on its label: "hypo-allergenic" and "safe for use by contact lens wearers". You want to seize every opportunity to minimize the risk of irritation when you're wearing lenses, so don't take a chance on a mascara which may cause an allergic reaction.

Some mascaras can build up the thickness and length of your lashes with silicone and fibers. Save these products for the times when you are not wearing your lenses. If one of these lash-building particles falls into your eyes, you will need to get to a bathroom fast, so that you can get the lens out of your eye and put an end to the intense pain!

Hair products

Many contact lens wearers don't realize that their hair products are the source of their irritated eyes. Pay attention to what kinds of styling aids you're using when you'll be wearing lenses. If your hair is likely to hang around or into your eyes, pull back on the gel-wax or styling spray. It's very easy for these highly perfumed, sticky products to wreak havoc on sensitive eyes.

If you're using hairspray, go into a different room, and make sure your eyes are shut before you depress that nozzle. When you've finished, back away from the cloud of spray, still with your eyes shut, and quickly leave the room. You don't need to experience the stinging agony of a fine spray of hair product settling over your lenses.

There's no denying that wearing contact lenses complicates your choice of makeup products. However, with some inside knowledge, it's not difficult to choose products which minimize the risk of irritation and infection. Now you can not only look your best, but you'll be able to see more than three feet in front of you at the same time!

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Not sure what type of Contact Lenses to choose?
See Choosing the right pair for you... A rough guide.

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