Primer: Remember to always wash your hands first. Insert your contact lenses BEFORE applying any makeup or moisturizer.

Eye Shadow: Opt for cream shadows over powder ones, as they are less likely to get into your eyes. Please keep in mind that cream based shadows can irritate your eyes more IF they do get into your eyes, so please choose water based rather than oil based creams.

Eyeliner: It’s a common practice to use eyeliner on the waterline under the lashes. This is not a great idea for contact lens wearers as it puts product right on the lens and eye itself, as well as blocking the oil glands of the eyelids. Pencils are recommended over gel or cream liners, which can dry then flake. Stay away from Kohl pencils, however, as they consist of heavy metals such as lead and are unapproved for cosmetic use by the FDA.

Mascara: Avoid fiber mascaras or “lash-extending” mascaras as they can produce micro-flakes that can get into your eyes. Also, stay away from waterproof mascaras as well since they cannot be rinsed out with water and can stain soft contact lenses. Look for hypo-allergenic oil- and fragrance-free formulas instead. When applying, don’t brush on all the way to the root of your lashes to keep the product from touching your eyes and don’t leave any clumps, which can flake off into your eyes. Thinking of ditching the mascara and just having your lashes dyed? Think again as permanent eyelash dyes have been known to cause serious eye injuries and many are not approved by the FDA.

Always insert and/or remove the contact lens in the same order every time. If you’re right handed, always insert the contact lens in the right eye first, and then always remove the contact lens in the right eye first.

This will avoid any possibilities of mixing up the lenses between the right and left eye.

The trick is to place the lens on the tip of your finger, so that a “cup” is formed. Then hold the lens up directly in front of your eyes, so you’re looking at the side of the cup.

At first, the differences are very subtle, but before inserting a contact lens, please try to make sure that the contact lens looks like half of a ball, and not a soup bowl with a rim.