The Complete Coloured Contact Lenses Buying Guide 2024

1. What Are Coloured Contact Lenses?

Coloured lenses are the same as regular contact lenses except they have a coloured film added to the inner area of the lens to change the colour of the eye. The very centre is left clear so you can see through them. Even if you have perfect vision, you can still enjoy changing your eye colour with these lenses by choosing the 0 power option. If you need a prescription, most coloured lenses can be bought for short-sightedness or long-sightedness. It is not common to find toric coloured lenses for astigmatism or multifocal lenses for those who have presbyopia.

It is possible to buy coloured contact lenses for both prescription and cosmetic purposes:

• Prescription formats: If you have myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) or astigmatism you can buy prescription lenses that change the appearance of your eye colour (not available from Vision Direct), so that you can wear these for cosmetic purposes as well as for vision defects. It is worth noting that if you have astigmatism it is much harder to find toric coloured lenses, although they are available, this is only in a limited range of prescriptions. We recommend speaking to your optician if you want to find out about toric coloured contact lenses.

• Plano formats: If you do not require prescription lenses but still want to benefit from the cosmetic effects of coloured contact lenses, plano lenses (or power: 0.00) are specially designed for this purpose, featuring no vision correction.

2. Is a Prescription Required for Coloured Lenses？

If you want to wear coloured contact lenses, you need a valid prescription. Even if you are not wearing coloured contacts for any visual correction, only for cosmetic purposes (plano lenses), you must still obtain a prescription from an optician.

Coloured contact lenses cannot be sold without a prescription for health and safety reasons. 

3. Are Colored Contacts Safe?

Colored contacts are safe. The only reason they wouldn’t be safe for you is if you did not care for them properly or use them as prescribed. 

Whether the colored contacts are prescription or not, it does not matter! The lenses themselves are going to be safe for you to wear as long as you use them as they are meant to be used.

In order to make sure that your lenses are safe for you, they need to be properly fitted by an eye doctor. They will help you determine if the color contacts are safe and comfortable, but also can help you find the type of look you want.

Getting regular eye exams is very important, but its especially true if you’re interested in contact lenses of any kind.

Similar to regular contact lenses, color contacts are not bad for you! You just have to follow the doctor’s orders and instructions. Remember how long you should be wearing your contacts and when you need to replace your lenses.

4. What Types of Coloured Lenses Are There?

Most colored contact lenses are designed to mimic the natural look of the colored part of the eye, called the iris.

Since this area is made up of colorful shapes and lines, some color contacts feature a series of tiny colored dots and radially arranged colored lines and shapes to help the lenses look more natural on the eye.

The center of the lens, the part that lies over your pupil, is clear so you can see.

Color contacts come in three kinds of tints:

1. Visibility Tint

The most common contact lens coloring has nothing to do with cosmetics. The visibility tint helps the wearer see their lenses when they're in the case, hands, or on the sink. It appears light blue or green and makes it easier to insert your lenses or find them if one hits the floor.

These tints look faint, so they have no cosmetic impact on your eye color. They provide extra convenience for wearers.

2. Enhancement Tint

Enhancement tints contain a translucent hue which is a bit darker than a visibility tint. They enhance your natural eye color and are great for people with light-colored eyes.

Most people use them to intensify the color they already have rather than for a dramatic change. For example, they're great for exaggerating sage-colored eyes to emerald. Or, turn baby blues to periwinkle. If you want to channel Elizabeth Taylor, you can buy lavender or violet contact lenses.

3. Opaque Tint

This is a non-transparent tint that can change your eye color completely. If you have dark eyes, you'll need this type of color contact lens to change your eye color.

Color contacts with opaque tints come in a wide variety of colors, including hazel, green, blue, violet, amethyst, brown and gray.

Costume or theatrical contact lenses also fall into the category of opaque color tints. Long used in the movies, these special-effect contact lenses are now widely available for novelty use. You can temporarily transform yourself into an alien, goth or vampire, to name a few.

5. How to Choose the Right Colored Contacts for You?

When determining the best colored contact lenses, many factors need consideration. Some questions to ask yourself include:

• Do I want my colored contacts to look natural?

• Do I want to enhance the color I already have?

• Do I want to change my eye color completely?

• Do I want to go for shock factor with these contacts?

1. Lighter Eyes

If you're going for a natural look and have light eyes, choose an enhancement tint that makes the edges of each iris stand out. Or, look for a pair that deepens your natural eye color. If you have gray eyes, try violet or blue, for a change.

FreshLook Colorblends or SofLens Natural Colors are are a great way to add a subtle overtone to your existing eye colour.

However, you can still experiment while playing safe, with different coloured lenses that match your skin tone. If your eye colour is naturally a light blue, try green or grey opaque lenses to give your eyes a subtle new effect.

But if you'd rather go for a striking new look, opt for opaque lenses in shades that are not naturally suited to your complexion, such as brown shades for pale skin and blonde hair.

2. Darker Eyes

If you have dark eyes, using enhancement lenses will only make them stronger, so to soften their effect try lighter shades of brown or a greenish-brown shade such as hazel in opaque tinted lenses.

However, you can also experiment with vibrant colours (FreshLook Colors are ideal for this), such as violet or amethyst, blue and green. For those with an olive or dark skin tone, a lighter eye colour can have a striking effect for a cool and sparkling look that will help you stand out.

6. Where to Buy Colored Contacts?

Here we collected the best places to buy contact lenses online, including prescription contacts and colored contacts online, for fuss-free shopping at home.

1. 1800 Contacts

• 15% off first order

• Fast & free shipping 

As the world's largest contact lens store, 1-800 CONTACTS is dedicated to providing you with a simple, hassle-free way to replace your contact lenses. At1-800 CONTACTS, you will receive the exact same contact lenses your doctor prescribed, delivered to your door, at a great price. And with an inventory of millions of contacts, they are more likely to have your prescription in stock than anyone else, which means you'll receive your contacts fast.

How to save more money when you make a purchase on 1-800 CONTACTS?

When you buy contact lens on 1-800 CONTACTS, and don't forget to sign up at Extrabux (What is Extrabux?), then you can get up to 14% super cashback from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus!

2. Walgreens

• First-time contacts customer can get 30% off all contact lenses

• FREE standard shipping on Contact Lens Orders

Walgreens.com - America's online pharmacy serving your needs for prescriptions, health & wellness products, health information and photo services.

How to save more money when you make a purchase on Walgreens?

You can go Walgreens through Extrabux, then you can get up to 6% super cashback.

3. Lens.com

Lens.com has a wide selection of the best contact lenses including: disposable, colored, vial, bifocal, monthly, gas permeable, toric and novelty brands. Their products come from top manufacturers such as: Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision, Johnson & Johnson and much more. With savings up to 70% off, a low price guarantee and quality name brand products.

How to save more money when you make a purchase on Lens.com?

You can go Lens.com through Extrabux, then you can get 8% super cashback.

4. AC Lens

• 20% off for new customers

• Free shipping over $99

AC Lens carries all major brands of contact lenses including Acuvue, Biomedics, Focus, Freshlook, Soflens, Purevision, and more. With over one million lenses in stock, AC Lens has the contact lenses you need.

How to save more money when you make a purchase on AC Lens?

You can go AC Lens through Extrabux, then you can get 10% super cashback.

5. Contacts Direct

• 20% off sitewide with CODE: BF2024

• Safe and free shipping, expedited also available

ContactsDirect.com sells contact lenses direct to consumers with low prices, AND allows you to use eligible vision insurance on your order. They have the best brands - Acuvue, FreshLook, Air Optix, and Biofinity.

How to save more money when you make a purchase on Contacts Direct?

You can go Contacts Directthrough Extrabux, then you can get 5% super cashback.

6. Discount Contact Lenses

• 20% off for new customers

• Free shipping over $99

Discount Contact Lenses is a full-service direct delivery contact lens supply company. Their company is one of the fastest growing optical suppliers in the world. They have achieved this status by combining the lowest prices available with dedicated, personalized customer service. They currently ship lenses to all 50 US states as well as to Europe, South America and the Far East. 

How to save more money when you make a purchase on Discount Contact Lenses?

You can go Discount Contact Lensesthrough Extrabux, then you can get 10% super cashback.

7. Contacts America

Contacts America is one of the fastest growing direct-to-consumer contact lenses suppliers online today. They know that the advantages of wearing contact lenses can be overshadowed by the cost and inconvenience of needing to refill your prescription.

• Lenses at up to 70% below Retail

• Lenses delivered right to your door

• Reminders when it is time to refill your prescription

• Dedicated and personalized customer service

• Largest selection of brand name contact lenses online

How to save more money when you make a purchase on Contacts America?

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7. Caring for Your Colored Contacts Properly

• Colored contact lenses need to get cleaned and disinfected regularly. They should also be stored using the correct products and procedures. This helps avoid any type of contamination.

• You’ll most likely need a multi-purpose, no-rub solution for disinfecting purposes. You’ll also need a case for storing them overnight or when you’re not wearing them.

• Always wash your hands before cleaning or handling your lenses. Avoid using water to wash them, as tap and even bottled water may contain bacteria.

• Another important thing to remember is that you’ll need to replace your contacts when necessary. Your eye doctor should be able to tell you when your colored contacts need to be thrown out and replaced with new ones.

• Aside from following all care instructions just like you would with regular contacts, it’s important you go back for follow-up exams. If you feel any discomfort or think the fit might be off, stop using them and schedule an exam.

8. Advice for Wearing Coloured Lenses

• Wash and dry your hands before handling your lenses.

• Remove, clean and store monthly contact lenses at the end of each day. To clean your lenses, place the lens in the palm of your hand, add a few drops of contact lens solution and rub gently with your index finger. Store in the contact lens case filled with fresh solution, and repeat all steps on the other lens. If you wear daily disposables, it’s even easier — just recycle or throw away after use. 

• Never share your contacts with others.

• Insert your lenses before applying makeup.

• Only use your lenses for the length of time recommended by your optician.

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