Coloured contact lenses, otherwise known as decorative lenses, can be a great addition to so many Halloween costumes to help complete your look.
They come in all shapes and colours, but here in the UK you need to make sure you buy them from a registered optician to make sure you protect your eyes.
What are decorative lenses?
Decorative lenses are any contacts that do not aid vision - they are purely for cosmetic purposes. Often, people will use them to change the colour of their eye, or give a cats or snake eye effect for Halloween or fancy dress.
Are decorative lenses safe**?**
Specsavers state on their website, "All coloured contact lenses supplied within the UK, including non-prescription lenses, are now classed as medical devices, and should only be supplied or supervised by a registered optician."
This means you should only really trust decorative lenses from registered opticians.
Alistair Bridge, Director of Strategy at the General Optical Council, said, "Cosmetic contact lenses should not be supplied by anyone other than an optician or doctor. Opticians make sure that contact lenses fit properly and that wearers receive expert advice on how to wear and store them safely."
Check out: Halloween make-up essentials
Halloween makeup essentials
1 of 9Fright Fest, Fake Blood, Dark Red
When you think of Halloween make-up you probably straight away think of fake blood so of course we had to include it. This is Amazon's best seller and no wonder, it promises to give you a realistic appearance.
2 of 9Barry M Exclusive Nail Paint - Rare Rubies
We're obsessed with this colour and we absolutely need to put it on our nails this Halloween.
3 of 9Snazaroo Face Paint Palette Kit
OK so technically this is for kids but if it's good enough for them, then it's good enough for us. It's Amazon's choice, it's easy to apply and remove and there's a variety of different colours.
4 of 9Revolution Halloween Skull Highlighter Blood of My Enemies
Want some shimmery highlighter? Well this Halloween inspired one from Revolution will do the trick. You can put it on your body as a highlight or some customers have used it as a lip tint. "This product is amazing as a lip stain and lasts for ages," wrote one customer.
5 of 9Makeup Obsession Creep It Real Shadow Palette
We're loving this warm palette from PLT. It's perfect for any Halloween or autumnal look, tbh.
6 of 9Makeup Obsession Smokin' Eyeshadow Palette
Another eyeshadow palette but this one will be perfect for any spooky looks you plan on rocking this Halloween.
7 of 9The gypsy shrine diamond face stickers
Whether you're dressing up for a Halloween zoom meeting or you're going for socially distanced drinks outside with the girls, you're bound to turn heads with these face gems.
8 of 9NYX Professional Makeup Face & Body Glitter - Gold
You can't go wrong with some glitter and the NYX one actually comes in several different colours so you're bound to find one that'll suit your spooky look.
9 of 9The Gypsy Shrine x Warner Brothers Halloween Batgirl Body All in One Jewel
If you fancy dressing up as Batgirl this Halloween then you're absolutely going to want these bat inspired stickers. You can even colour co-ordinate them with your make-up.
What are the risks with coloured contact lenses?
If you buy contact lenses from just about anyone, you risk corneal ulcers, corneal abrasion, vision impairment and even blindness.
In 2011, Laura Butler purchased decorative lenses without a prescription and within ten hours of wearing them felt "extreme pain in both eyes."
WATCH: The dangers of contact lenses
Just from under a day wearing them, Laura had contracted a severe eye infection, a scar on her cornea and damaged her vision forever.
"Because I had not been properly fitted by an eye care professional, the lenses stuck to my eye like suction cup.
"I was in severe pain and on medication for four weeks and couldn’t see well enough to drive.
"I now live with a corneal scar, vision damage and a drooping eyelid."
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How can I wear coloured lenses safely?
- Enquire around opticians in your local area to have a fitting so that you know your eyes are in safe hands.
- All contact lenses are medical devices, and therefore they should be fitted by a licensed eye care practitioner.
- DO NOT buy them over the counter or off internet sites. It's better to be safe than sorry.