To get through a full night in costume lenses comfortably: put them in with clean hands before you do your makeup, carry rewetting drops and a small bottle of solution, take the lenses out the moment you get home, and never push past about 8 hours. Here is how to keep your eyes happy from the first photo to the last, and what to do if something goes wrong mid-night. Before you head out Insert your lenses before your makeup, not after, so you are working with clean fingers and you do not smudge your look. Wash and dry your hands first. Once both lenses are in, blink a few times and give them a minute to settle. They should feel comfortable and your vision should be clear. If one feels gritty or scratchy, take it out, rinse it with solution and try again rather than pushing through. Staying comfortable through the night Costume lenses, especially bold opaque and sclera styles, can feel drier than everyday lenses over a long night. A few simple habits keep them comfortable: Carry rewetting drops and use them when your eyes feel dry. Blink fully and often, which people forget to do in photos. Do not rub your eyes, as it shifts the lens and can scratch the surface. Step out of smoke and away from fans or air-conditioning vents when you can. Stick to the 8 hour limit. Put them close to when you leave, not hours early. Troubleshooting mid-night Most problems have a simple fix if you do not panic: The lens folds or wrinkles going in: take it out, rinse it with solution, make sure it is the right way out (a clean bowl shape, not a flared rim), and try again. It suddenly feels dry or scratchy: add rewetting drops and blink. If that does not settle it, take it out, rinse it and reinsert. (if problems persist discard the lenses and contact your optometrist.) The lens shifts off-centre: close your eye, gently massage the lid, and look in the opposite direction to slide it back. Never dig at it with a dry finger. Makeup gets behind the lens: remove the lens, rinse it thoroughly with solution, and clean your hands before putting it back. Do not reinsert a lens with debris on it. It pops out: do not put a dropped lens straight back. Rinse it well with solution first, and bin it if it touches the floor. If a lens gets uncomfortable Mild dryness is normal and drops will fix it. Sharp pain, redness or a lens that keeps irritating you is your eye telling you to stop. Take the lens out, rinse it with fresh solution, never water, and only put it back if it feels completely normal. If it does not, leave it out and enjoy the rest of your night without it. No costume is worth an eye injury. Taking them out at the end of the night However late it is, take your lenses out before you sleep. Never sleep in them, even for a quick nap, as that is when most serious problems happen. Wash your hands, remove each lens, then either bin it if it is a daily, or clean and store it if it is reusable. In the future, you will thank me in the morning. What to pack A tiny kit saves the night. Bring a small bottle of lens solution and a spare case, your rewetting drops, a compact mirror, and clean tissues. If you find lenses fiddly to handle, a tweezer and suction kit makes insertion and removal far easier, especially with larger sclera lenses. Keeping a spare daily lens on hand is also smart, in case one tears or drops. On-the-night FAQ Can I drink alcohol while wearing contact lenses? Yes, though alcohol can dehydrate you and make your eyes feel drier, so use your rewetting drops and keep some water handy. What if I fall asleep in them by accident? Take them out as soon as you wake, use rewetting drops, and let your eyes rest. If they stay red or sore, see an optometrist. Can I reuse the lenses after one night? Only if they are reusable lenses, cleaned and stored properly. Dailies go in the bin after one wear. You also need to make sure to keep the lenses in solution. Wash and rinse them with lens solution before and after every wear. The short version Clean hands, lenses in before makeup, drops on hand, no rubbing, out before bed, 8 hours maximum. Get those right and your eyes will last the night as well as your costume. Browse our range of halloween contact lenses to get ready.
