Acuvue 2 Colours is a longstanding brand of colored contacts and the only color line by Acuvue. There are seven opaque colors for dark/light eyes and three translucent colors for light eyes.

They were very easy to insert and I am delighted at how comfortable they are. This color is Deep Blue. Not as bright as Sapphire Blue, but it covers my brown eyes nicely. You can see some brown around the pupil hole but that is to be expected. I don’t consider that a negative.

Up close, you can see only one color in this lens, rather than a blend of colors.

And here it is compared with the electric Aquatic Allure lens by Splash.

Splash lenses have a dark outer ring that works at highlighting the eye (click here for a review) I quite like this feature. However, unlike Splash Colors, Acuvue 2 Colors comes in a wide range of + and – prescription powers, including Plano (0.00).

Click here for the Acuve 2 Colors colorchart

Just when you think there’s nothing more to say about contact lens cases and lens solution (I mean how boring, right?),  we find something kind of cool. The nice folks at AC Lens let me know about these contact lens accessories that are a lens case and lens solution container all in one. They come in two sizes, large and mini. The mini size is airline friendly so you can pop this in your carry on with no worries.

Large Contact Solution Contact Lens Case

Frankly, I think they should come with a catchier name, but at least it describes exactly what it is, a contact lens case and contact solution container all in one.

The lens case stores up to three weeks of your favorite brand solution inside the case and has two built in contact lens compartments. When you need to refresh the solution in the case (like after cleaning), just press the button between the L and R lens caps and the right amount of solution dispenses into each compartment.

Cost: $11.95

More features:

• Comes in four snappy colors
• Specially designed solution cap rinses and cleans lenses.
• Built in mirror
• Leak free, durable construction protects your lenses
• Fixed R and L caps ensure you never mix lenses

Mini Contact Lens Solution Case – Airline Friendly!

Basically a smaller version of the one above. Carries 1.15 oz of solution. This lens case is TSA approved for airline travel in the United Stated and abroad.

Cost: $10.95

If you’re interested, you can get 10% off either of these lens solution cases until the end of February.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Limited Time Offer! Save 10% off when you order a Contact Solution Case. Use code SOLUTIONCASE at checkout. Expires 2/29/2012.

Source: KillerInfographcis

As a follow up to last week’s post about best colored contacts forums, this week I’m posting about a great resource for circle lenses.

Ekiblog.com, the home of Ekimura (Eki), is a great site for fans of Japanese-American  beauty and fashion trends. Eki writes about hair products, skin care, cosmetics, AND colored contacts (yeah!).

Her Product Review section on Circle Lenses has loads of posts. If you’re wondering about GEO Princess Mimi contacts, EOS contacts, or any other Korean circle lens brand, chances are she’s tried them.

What I like about Eki’s reviews:

• Most reviews include a video. See her YouTube channel here:
• Pretty photos of the colored lens in the vial and in the eye
• She tells you what she personally thinks about the lens, the PROs
• She tells you what she doesn’t like, the CONs
• Includes lens details, like diameter and base curve

Here’s more about Eki:

Originally from Tokyo. Japan who lives in US. working as a professional make-up artist for film, print and photo shoots, L.O.V.E kawaii stuff, handmade, hk, make-up, art, photography and anything that is bright and happy also a part time nerd and a otaku on the side.

If you’re looking for places to go and get opinions, see photos, and generally get feedback on colored contacts, here’s a list of the top forums.

Remember, don’t use forums to buy, sell, or trade lenses. This is totally BAD NEWS. You risk serious eye infections and complications from wearing used lenses. Common sense, right?

1. AC Lens Forums

This is my absolute favorite place to go and see what people are saying about different brands and colors. There are loads of posts going back a few years. Search on any brand or even a specific color name and you’ll get hits. By way of full disclosure, I am an affiliate partner of AC Lens. However, that doesn’t change the fact that their forum is awesome. Check it out!

2. Lensaholics

This forum has been around awhile and really caters to the die hard lens collectors out there. My one complaint is that you have to be a member to view (not really a bad thing) but it can be hard to join. While I didn’t have a problem, I’ve read that other people have not been so successful. You also have to post and contribute or your account will be deleted.But, if you want to see photos or get honest reviews of lenses, then check them out.

3. Lenses101

This active forum is sponsored by Lens.com. I also like the fact that they have a celebrity contact lens forum. Colored lenses are conveniently organized  by brand, like Freshlook, Acuvue 2 Colors, and so on. Celebrity Colored Contacts and Halloween Contacts are filed under Other Contact Lenses.

4. Soompi – Circle Lens Thread

I just found this one fairly recently. It’s great if you are interested in circle lenses. Loads of posts and comments on Korean and Japanese brand colored contacts.

5. Cosplay.com – Makeup and Eye Contacts Forum

Cosplay.com is a major cosplay forum, covering everything about costume construction to photos, and specific character discussions. The Makeup and Colored Contacts forum has lots of recommendations for getting the look you want for specific characters.

Have I missed any? Let me know!

This is a great video that shows three Acuvue 2 Colors. Most color contact videos only feature one shade, so I was happy to find this recent post from itslilybabyy. I also like the fact that Lily’s eyes are a dark brown so you can see how much the contact lenses affect the color change. I have the Acuvue blue and will be posting my own review soon.

Here are some snips of the three colors:

Do you have a comment to share about Acuvue 2 Colours? Let us know.

By now, most people into colored contacts have heard of Circle Lenses, the oversize or made-to-look-oversize lenses from Japan and Korea. There’s also another alternative to circle lenses and it’s a product called Allure (also branded Equinox in some places).

Allure contact lenses are essentially a clear lenses with a dark outer, or limbal, ring. This dark outline highlights your natural eye color, making the whites of your eyes seem whiter and your eye color seem darker.

Based on online feedback, the best eye color for these lenses are medium to dark (including medium/dark blue). Very very light eyes may find that the dark outline looks too unusual.

Coastal.com offers Allure lenses for about $20/vial (one lens) and the lenses are good for three to six months of wear. Click here to visit Coastal.com

People who purchased Allure LOVED them. They found the lenses comfortable to wear, didn’t impede vision at all, and especially made brown eyes look larger and more defined. People also received loads of compliments while wearing Allure, probably because these lenses don’t tinker with your natural eye color, they just enhance.

Credit: ACLens Forum

Credit: ACLens Forum

Here’s some places to find more feedback on Allure:

http://www.aclens.com/forums/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=1&tid=18014

http://www.aclens.com/forums/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=1&tid=16268&page=1

http://www.contactlensesprice.com/Allure_667_feedback.html

Do you have any experience with this lens? If so we’d love to hear about it and see your pics! Leave a comment below.

Colored contacts are safe to wear under the supervision of your eye doctor

As long as you wear color contacts under the supervision of an eye care professional, even colored contact lenses, are safe to wear. Follow the lens care guidelines from your doctor, keeping lenses clean and stored correctly. If you are using disposables, stick to the recommended wear schedule and throw lenses out when you are supposed to.

Color contacts are comfortable

Your eye doctor can recommend the best colored contacts for your eyes. Color alone is not the only thing you have to consider. The shape of your eye, the vision  correction you need (if any), plus diameter and shape of the contact lens itself and the material the lens is made of all play a role in comfort.

Contact lenses work great for sports and exercising

One of the most popular reasons for teens to want contacts in the first place, is the convenience and flexibility of doing without glasses, especially during sports and other activities. Contact lenses won’t break, fall out, fog up. And unlike glasses, contact lenses also give you clear peripheral vision.

You can wear makeup with color contacts

Yes! You can dress up your eyes with makeup if you wear color contacts. The most important tip to remember is to put your contact lenses in first and then apply your makeup, and always always with clean hands. Avoid using masscara with lash lengthening fibres, or lining your inner lid (also called waterline) as this can irritae your eyes and make wearing contacts difficult. Shimmery eyeshadow can also flake and get into your eyes. Your contacts won’t like that and either will you. Always remove contacts first (with clean hands) and then remove your makeup. Here’s a great video from Acuvue with tips for wearing contacts with makeup

If you have asatigmatism, you can still wear color contacts

Disposable toric colored contacts are available if you have astigmatism. Ask your eye doctor about Freshlook Colorblends Toric.

Color contact lenses correct vision just like regular clear contacts

Colored contacts come in both vision correcting prescriptions and zero power prescriptions. The range of correction varies between brands however. Your eye doctor can recommend the best brand for you.

Cosmetic color contacts are not “cosmetics”

All colored contact brands, like Freshlook, come in a 0.00 prescription. This type of lens is often called Plano and it means the lenses have zero power, or no vision correction. Some people like to call these lenses “cosmetic” color contacts. Don’t be fooled! Color contacts are not like eye shadow or earings or any other fun accessory you may share with friends. Contact lenses, even colored ones that have no vision-correcting prescription, are still medical devices and should be worn under the supervision of an eye doctor. Never share colored contacts with friends, even for a minute. Serious eye damage can occur from wearing dirty, contaminated, or scratched lenses.

Every December and January, there’s a flurry of activity around using FSA money for various eligible expenses. In December, you’re using up any leftover FSA funds; in January you get to take advantage of a replenished supply of funds.

An FSA, or Flexible Spending Account, is an account that allows you to set aside a portion of earnings before tax for eligible expenses, like  medical expenses, dependent care, and so on. Money deducted from your paycheck that goes into an FSA is not subject to taxes which means you save come tax time.

The good news is, vision care expenses such as prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are FSA eligible and are one of the most popular uses of FSA funds. As long as you have a valid prescription from your eye doctor, you can submit these claims during the plan year. “Use it or Lose it” is the name of the game here. FSA funds don’t roll over into the next year, although there is a 2 1/2 year grace period after December 31st for you to get your claims in for the previous year.

Eligible vision care expenses include:

• prescription contact lenses, including prescription colored lenses

• saline solution
• enzyme cleaner
• lens storage cases
• prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses
• eye surgery

More resources:

Flexible Spending Account – Wikipedia

FlexibleSpendingAccountsOnline.com  – third party site on FSAs and HSAs

IRS Site on Eligible Medical Expenses – government site

Do you look like a bad Halloween mistake whenever you wear eyeliner? You’re not alone. Every time I try the stuff, I look like I’ve been punched in the eye. Eyeliner is supposed to open up and brighten our eyes, so why and where does all this go terribly wrong?

Eyeliner comes in three basic varieties: liquid liner, pencil or stick, and gel liner. For beginners, definitely the pencil/stick variety is the easiest to apply. You may have to try a few brands to find one that you like. Look for one with a creamy consistency—one that will  glide easily over your lash line. Liquid liner is the most difficult to apply and takes the most practice. Use it if you want a daring and dramatic look. Likewise with gel liners.

Like anything else, practice makes perfect, so here are some much needed eyeliner tips for beginners.

• Apply eyeliner after you’ve applied eye shadow and before applying mascara.

• Smudging is key! For a basic line on your upper lash line. Close eye and starting in the outer corner, apply short strokes to the lash line, gradually working your way, from outer to inner corner. Then use a stiff chisled or angled brush to smudge the line. This way you don’t have to worry about drawing a straight line. Go back and forth over the original line with the brush to smooth and smudge.

• Use beige colored liner (or smoky gray) for day time looks, and save black liner for night time looks.

• To line the rim (or waterline) of your lower lashes gently pull down your lower lash line. In the mirror look up slightly, and starting in the outer corner, gently draw the color on waterline, using short strokes again, working your way towards the inner corner. Do not use liquid liner for this.
• Define upper waterline with black liner and short strokes.  To do this, gently lift the lid up, and and apply the liner in short strokes.
• To brighten and open tired eyes during the day, line the waterline of your lower lashes with beige colored liner.

• Dark lines and smudges draw focus. Small eyes should avoid dark lines or smudges near the inner corner because these make eyes appear closer together.
• Use liquid liner only on the upper eye.
• If you have small eyes, don’t line your eyes all the way to the inner corner. Line only from half way or two thirds point to the outer corner

For more great resources on applying eyeliner, check out:

Video tutorial on applying eyeliner – MakeupGeek

How to Apply Eyeliner – TotalBeauty.com

How to Apply Eyeliner (with pics) - WikiHow

I’d like to do a product roundup of everyone’s favorite beginner, or easy to use, eyeliner products. Leave a comment and let us know!