Your cart
There are no more items in your cart
Halloween – don’t leave it to the last minute
A fancy dress costume lasts just one evening, but your eyes don’t: colour, application, hygiene and how long you wear them should all be considered before 31 October.
A completely black iris, a feline look, an impossible colour: at Halloween, decorative contact lenses can transform a character more than any make-up. But the fun side shouldn’t make us forget the practical side. Even when they don’t correct your vision, they still wear contact lenses and are worn on a very delicate area.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up on wearing make-up. It means avoiding last-minute purchases, borrowing a lens from a friend, and trying to apply it for the first time in front of the mirror once the party has already started.
‘Non-graded’ does not mean ‘universal’
Two people can have perfect vision whilst their eyes have different characteristics. The diameter, curvature, material and behaviour of the lens affect its stability, comfort and movement on the surface of the eye. Colour is merely what you see from the outside; the fit comes first.
A lens that shifts, feels tight or is constantly noticeable does not become suitable simply because it will only be worn for a few hours. That is why it is advisable to choose your lenses in advance and to receive advice that is tailored to the product and your specific use.
The first test isn’t held on the afternoon of Halloween
Inserting and removing a contact lens involves simple steps, but these must be learnt correctly so that they become second nature. Practising beforehand helps you to understand how to handle, position and remove the lens without rushing, as well as to check how long it is advisable to wear it for and how it feels on your eye.
The effect may be playful; contact lenses are not a game. Clean, thoroughly dry hands; nails that won’t damage the lens; a suitable case and solution; and gentle movements: these are practical precautions that ensure comfort and minimise handling errors.
At Isolani Opticians, we don’t just hand over a box or read out the instructions: We teach you how to insert and remove your contact lenses, let’s go through the steps calmly and explain how to use them, hygiene and how to switch between them and the glasses. The times specified by the manufacturer are maximum limits, not a goal to be achieved at any cost.
Please do not share them
You don’t swap lenses just to try out a different colour, just as you wouldn’t share an item intended for personal use.
No water or saliva
Water should only be used to wash your hands, which must then be dried thoroughly. It must never be used to clean or rinse contact lenses, nor to rinse your eyes whilst wearing them. Only the solutions specified for that particular product should be used on contact lenses.
Clean, dry hands
Hands must be washed and dried thoroughly before touching contact lenses, the lens case or the surface of the eye.
Don’t lose sleep over it
The evening may go on late; however, you must remove your contact lenses in accordance with the instructions provided before going to sleep.
How to put them on and take them off: just a few simple steps, done properly
- Wash your hands thoroughly Wash them with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly with a clean, lint-free cloth. Make sure no water gets onto the lens.
- Check the lens: It must be intact, clean and correctly positioned before bringing it close to the eye.
- Insert it gently, following the movements you learnt during the trial, without straining if you feel any discomfort.
- Before taking it off, wash and dry your hands again; remove it gently, without using your fingernails or any objects.
- If it’s a daily pad, throw it away straight after use. If the product is reusable, it must be cleaned and stored in strict accordance with the instructions provided, using a suitable solution and container.
A contact lens should never be shared between people, nor should it be stored in a handkerchief, in water or left to dry: under such conditions, it must not be put back in the eye. These are essential guidelines, but they are no substitute for practical experience. In the Isolani Opticians We can walk you through each step and check together that the insertion, removal and handling are carried out correctly.
Make-up and contact lenses: the order matters too
Elaborate make-up increases the number of products and particles near the eyes. Contact lenses, make-up and make-up removal must therefore be carried out in the order explained during application. Here too, improvisation is the real problem: it is not the colour of the contact lens that makes it safe or unsafe, but the combination of the product, how it is applied and how it is handled.
A little help to keep to hand
After several hours, particularly towards the end of the evening, the lens may become drier and stick more firmly. You must never try to lift it or ‘scratch’ it with your fingernails. A moisturising solution or artificial tears specifically designed for use with contact lenses may help: apply the recommended number of drops, blink a few times, wait a moment, and then try to remove the lens gently using clean, dry fingertips.
Not all eye drops are suitable for use whilst wearing contact lenses: it is best to choose the right product first in consultation with your contact lens specialist. If the lens does not move, if removing it causes pain, or if you experience severe redness or a deterioration in your vision, you should stop immediately without forcing the issue and seek assistance; if the problem persists, you should consult an ophthalmologist.
If something goes wrong, you take the lens out
Increasing discomfort, pain, marked redness, discharge, unusual sensitivity to light or a loss of vision should not be ignored just to ‘save your holiday’. The lens must be removed. If the discomfort does not subside quickly, or if there is pain, discharge or reduced vision, you must consult an ophthalmologist without delay.
Halloween could be the perfect opportunity to get off to a good start
Anyone who has never worn contact lenses can take this opportunity to learn how to use them properly, without treating them as a disposable accessory bought alongside a swimsuit. In the Isolani Opticians specialising in contact lenses We can guide you through the app and explain how to use it safely.
For further information, you can also read our A guide to buying contact lenses online or find the Isolani Opticians – more convenient.
Frequently asked questions about coloured contact lenses for Halloween
Do non-prescription coloured lenses still require care?
Yes. Even without a corrective power, they are still contact lenses: their shape, material, fitting, hygiene and duration of use must be suitable for the individual and the product.
Can I try on a friend’s coloured contact lenses?
No. Contact lenses are for personal use only and must not be shared, not even for a few minutes or just to check their colour.
Can I use water to rinse my contact lenses or my eyes?
No. Water must not be used to clean, rinse or store contact lenses, nor to rinse your eyes whilst wearing them. Water is for washing your hands, which must be dried thoroughly before touching the lenses. Only the solutions specified for that product should be used when handling the lenses.
After Halloween, can I store my contact lenses in a handkerchief?
No. Daily disposable lenses must be discarded after use. Any reusable lenses may only be cleaned and stored using the solution, case and instructions specified for that product: never in a tissue, in water or by leaving them to dry out.
When is the best time to try them for the first time?
Well in advance of the event. This way, you can practise inserting and removing the lens, receive the correct instructions and check how the lens behaves without being in a rush.
If I’ve never worn contact lenses before, will you show me how to put them in and take them out?
Yes. At Centri Ottici Isolani, we demonstrate the correct techniques for inserting, removing and handling contact lenses, and we let customers practise them at their own pace, whilst also providing guidance on hygiene, storage and how long they can be worn.
What should I do if, at the end of the evening, the lens seems to be stuck to my eye?
Never use your fingernails and do not use excessive force. A lubricating solution specifically designed for contact lenses may help: apply it as instructed, blink, wait a moment and try to remove the lens gently with clean, dry fingertips. If it won’t budge or you feel any pain, stop and seek assistance.
What should I do if I feel pain or my eyesight gets worse?
Remove the lens immediately. If the pain does not subside quickly, or if you experience discharge, severe redness, sensitivity to light or blurred vision, consult an ophthalmologist without delay.
Sources of information: FDA, Decorative Contact Lenses for Halloween and More; CDC, About Decorative Contact Lenses. Accessed on 17 September 2026.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes only and relates to the field of optics and optometry. It does not constitute a diagnosis and is not a substitute for the advice of an ophthalmologist.