How To Remove Your Colour Contact Lenses

Changing your eye colour for the day is a fun and simple way to give your look that extra oomph. Many people don’t realise that colour contacts aren’t just for Halloween; there are actually hundreds of colours and styles to try.

For those that love to wear coloured contact lenses for Halloween and cosplay, it may be your first time wearing lenses or you may only wear them a couple of times a year. Learning how to remove your lenses or giving yourself a refresher is always a good idea so that you don’t forget any important steps such as pre-preparing your contact lens case and washing your hands before you touch your lenses.

If you’re new to wearing non-prescription colour contact lenses, then putting them in and taking them out can be a daunting process. Even for people who wear contact lenses frequently, removing them can seem fiddly. Here’s our guide on how to successfully remove contact lenses once you’ve finished wearing them and remember; practice makes perfect so the more you wear your lenses the easier it will get.

How To Remove Contact Lenses Easily

What you’ll need:

• A Mirror
• Lens Solution
• Lens Case

• Step 1: Before you remove your contact lenses, remember to wash your hands with water and unscented antibacterial soap. It’s extremely important to make sure your hands are clean before handling your lenses and this applies to both putting them in and taking them out. 
• Extra Step: If you have reusable contact lenses that need storing, prepare your contact lens case by rinsing it out and then filling it up with fresh lens solution.
• Step 2: If you find it helpful, make sure you have a well-lit mirror to look into while you take your lenses out. Bathroom mirrors are great, but pocket mirrors or beauty mirrors work too.
• Step 3: Standing or sitting in front of your mirror, look upwards and tilt your head back slightly.
• Step 4: With your non-dominant hand (so left hand, if you’re right handed - right hand, if you’re left handed) use your index finger to pull your upper eyelid up.
• Step 5: Now comes the balancing act! Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to hold your lower eyelid down.
• Step 6: Hovering over your eye, pinch your dominant hand’s index finger and thumb and gently squeeze the lens so that you can simply lift it out of your eye. This part might take you a couple of times if it is your first try removing lenses - but don’t panic! Just try again and you’ll soon get the hang of it.
• Step 7: If your lenses have a lifespan of a month, 90 days or a year then you'll want to keep them safe and clean for the next time you use them. Clean your lens with fresh contact lens solution before placing it into more fresh contact lens solution in your colour contact lens case and screwing on the cap.
• Step 8: Now repeat for the other eye!

What happens if you can’t remove your contact lenses?

If you’re new to removing contact lenses and are having trouble taking them out then the important thing is not to panic. Here’s some tips on how to get them out a little easier:

• Tip 1: Try sliding the lens to the white part of your eye and repeat the step-by-step process with it on this part of your eye.
• Tip 2: Try to pull the lens towards your lower eyelid. This can help to lift it off the surface of your eye if it’s getting a little stuck.
• Tip 3: Sometimes eyes can be dry and this causes contact lenses to want to stay put. Using eye drops can make it easier to lift the lens from your eye.
• Tip 4: Get some lens tools to help. You can purchase tools such as lens tweezers and inserter wands which can help make inserting, removing, and handling your coloured contacts much easier and smoother. Make sure to only use accessories that are made specifically for handling lenses and sanitise them with contact lens solution before and in between uses.

Colour Contact Tips to Remember:

Never sleep in your contacts and always take them out before you go to bed. You could risk getting an eye infection if you leave your colour contacts in overnight or even while you nap.

If you’re worried about putting lenses in then we recommend visiting your optician. They can show you how to put your lenses in and take them out as well as advise about proper care for your colour contact lenses.

If you are storing your contact lenses for more than 7 days, make sure to refresh your multipurpose lens solution. Regularly check your lenses to ensure they remain in usable condition and keep the solution topped up to prevent them from drying out. If your contact lenses do dry out, do not attempt to re-wet them. Ensuring the air tight contact lens lid is properly screwed onto the case will help to keep your contact lenses in good condition and prevent them from drying out. Always inspect the lenses for any signs of damage before re-inserting them. Make sure to put the lenses straight into your contact lens case after you have removed and rinsed them. Never rinse your contact lenses or contact lens equipment in water or with saliva.

As well as replacing your contact lenses after they have expired or reached their full duration of use, you also need to check the expiration of your contact lens solution and replace your contact lens case about every 3 months. Always rinse your contact lens case in lens solution between uses to keep it free from bacteria.

With these helpful tips and steps on how to remove contact lenses for the first time and store your contact lenses, you will soon be ready for the Halloween season. Make sure to check out our range of spooky contact lenses in scary shades such as red, white, black, orange and green. Our safe Halloween contact lenses are easy to use when you know how and can elevate your fancy dress costume for your party.