10 Best Mascaras For Contact Lens Wearers’ Eye Comfort
Having eye makeup is no longer a dream with these safe and skin-friendly products for all.
Nyssa Green is an Emmy award winning makeup artist and a trusted beauty and lifestyle expert with over 20 years of experience. Her diverse portfolio of clients includes celebrities from all walks of life, like Alicia Keys, Bono, Jane Fonda, Vickie Winans, Jermaine Dupri, several US Presidents, authors, and politicians.
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Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
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Experience: 7 yearsMadhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease.
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You need to find yourself the best mascara for contact lens wearers if you use contacts and refuse to give up on the holy grail of eye makeup— the mascara. Mascaras can no doubt completely transform your lashes giving them a fuller, curlier, and voluminous look, but they often come loaded with chemicals or harsh ingredients that can irritate sensitive eyes or eyes with contact lenses. But, there’s no need to stop using mascaras; you only need to stop using the wrong ones for you. So how do you find the right one?
First, check the ingredients; you should ideally opt for mascaras with natural and non-toxic ingredients only. Secondly, look at the functionality: ease of application, pigmentation, durability, and more. To make it easier for you to pick one for yourself, we’ve got you a list of the 10 best mascaras suitable for contact lens wearers.
In This Article
10 Best Mascara For Contact Lens Wearers Sensitive Eyes
1. Best In Ophthalmologist Tested: L’oreal Paris Makeup Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara is undoubtedly the best mascara for contact lens wearers. It is ophthalmologist and allergy-tested, which makes it a safe option for sensitive eyes. The product comes with a patented precision brush for leveled-up application. With a few light strokes of this carbon-pigmented mascara, you can get a flawless coat that help you achieve dramatic-looking eyelashes. Reviewers on online forums love the innovative lash volumizing formula that separates every lash, enhances the lash length, and doubles the intensity.
Pros
- Clump-free formula
- Has flexible tapered brush
- Available in 5 shades
- All day wear product
Cons
- Some may find the brush a little flimsy
Quick Tip2. Best Long-Lasting Formula: Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara
A perfect 2-in-1 product that does the job of both a lash primer and volumizing mascara is brought to you by Honesty Beauty. The mascara does a fab job of priming your lashes and enhancing the length in one go. This amazing product ensures a flawless and smooth application, imparting rich, black color to each eyelash. The long-wearing formula is made without paraffin and silicone. This mascara is great for sensitive skin. Honest Beauty’s lash-defining mascara for contact lens wearers helps accentuate your eyes and makes your lashes look fuller and denser. In fact, ethically conscious makeup enthusiasts are obsessed with this clean mascara as it is not tested on innocent animals.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Free from synthetic fragrances
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
Cons
- Has slightly thick consistency
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 2,771 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
3. Best For Thickening The Lashes: Maybelline Full ‘n Soft Washable Mascara
Maybelline Full ‘n Soft mascara is a pocket-friendly makeup product specially designed for people who put on contact lenses. It has a vitamin-E-enriched formula which is considered great for nourishing and thickening lashes. If you are someone who loves fuller, thick eyelashes that remain soft for long hours, you must give this magnifying mascara a chance. This smooth, clump-free formula adds a dramatic look to your eyes without giving you any brittle feel. Its quick dissolve system allows easy mascara removal, which prevents loss of lashes. Many reviews on online forums indicate that you can wear the product all day long as it has a superstay-lasting power.
Pros
- Water-proof
- Flake-free
- Smudge-free
- Available in 3 shades
Cons
- Might not give a natural look
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 9,056 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
L'oreal Paris Makeup Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara Best In Ophthalmologist Tested | Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara Best Long-Lasting Formula | Maybelline Full 'n Soft Washable Mascara Best For Thickening The Lashes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Washable Carbon Black | Black | Washable very black |
| Dimensions | 0.81 x 2.75 x 7.06 inches | 0.8 x 0.8 x 5.6 inches | 0.69 x 2.75 x 5.69 inches |
| Weight | 0.28 Ounces | 0.25 Ounces | 0.32 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 48,372 | 2,771 | 9,056 |
| Price | $9.95 | $19.99 | $6.98 |
4. Best Clump-Free Formula: Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara
Infused with vitamin E, rice protein, and olive oil, this mascara from Neutrogena is high in nourishment value and offers exceptional results. As the name states, it has the power to lengthen your brittle lashes with a super dose of antioxidants. For those who wear contact lenses and face the challenge of cloudy lenses, this mascara can be used on a daily basis which makes it worth buying. It prevents clumps and does not smudge at all. The soft bristles impart color to the lashes from the root to the tip. Available in 3 shades, this mascara for contact wearers has the power to intensify the look of your lashes instantly.
Pros
- No animal testing
- No parabens
- No phthalates
- Dermatologist-tested
- Ophthalmologist tested
- Recyclable packaging
Cons
- Might not hold the curl of the lashes
Quick TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 740 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
5. Best Lash Lengthening Mascara: Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mascara
Composed with 100% natural origin formula of jojoba oil and glycerin, this is one of the most nourishing lash mascara. Burt’s Bees mascara comes with an effective brush that is gentle yet applies mascara evenly over the lashes. This nourishing formula beautifully defines the upper and lower lashes and makes your eyes look astonishingly beautiful. With no use of parabens, phthalates, SLS, petrolatum, or synthetic fragrances, it is a gentle mascara safe for sensitive eye and contact lens wearers who are more likely to face eye irritations. If you wish to strengthen and condition your lashes all at once, give this natural lengthening mascara for contact lens wearers a try. The product does not undergo animal testing, which makes it ideal for people seeking cruelty-free makeup choices.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Sulfate-free
- Water-resistant
- Gentle formula
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Slightly low staying power
Quick Tip6. Best Water-Resistant Formula: Blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara
For those who feel mascara is not made for them, trying out Blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara can be great. This is because Blinc tubing mascara is pretty different from the usual ones. It forms water-resistant tubes around the lashes, which, unlike colored pigments, doesn’t run or flake. Whether you have sensitive eyes, use contact lenses, or plan to hit the gym with mascara on, this is the ideal choice for you. Nyssa Green, Emmy Award winning makeup artist, says, “This is by far, one of my favorite mascaras!” Reviewers on several online forums have noted that the formula stays for long hours and is suitable for women on the go.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Oil-free
- Sweat-proof
- Doesn’t penetrate the skin
Cons
- Slightly expensive
7. Best Vegan: Endlessly Beautiful All-natural Mascara
When looking for a lightweight, organic mascara that makes your lashes look flawlessly beautiful, it is time to give this statement-making mascara from Endlessly Beautiful a try. Loaded with natural ingredients like chamomile, vitamin E, and coffee powder, this mascara is sure to surprise you with amazing results. It effectively adds color and volume to your eyes. With a few light strokes of this perfect mascara, you get fuller, voluminous, and clump-free lashes, making it seem as though you just got yourself a lash extension. If you wear contact lenses or have allergies, adding this mascara to your makeup kit is always a good idea. Prime features of this mascara include its wonderful water-resistant quality, gentle effect, and smudge-free excellence.
Pros
- Soy-free
- Vegan-friendly
- Moisturizing formula
- Gluten and paraben-free
Cons
- Might not give enough length to lashes
8. Best Cruelty-Free Formula: Wet N Wild Mega Length Mascara
A super pigmented formula that adds flawless definition to your eyes and upgrades the look to show stop level is everyone’s top need. One such mascara is this one from the celebrity-endorsed brand Wet n Wild. It defines your eyes and adds color to your lashes without making them all flaky. Just apply it with its precision brush that helps enhance the lash length and takes the product evenly from root to tip. Enriched with vitamin E, this mascara is a perfect choice for nourishing your lashes without having to irritate your eyes.
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- No clumping
- Super pigmented
Cons
- Slightly small brush
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 5,878 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
9. Best Hypoallergenic Formula: Fifth & Skin Naturlash Mineral Mascara
For longer, thicker lashes that look natural and beautiful, this Naturlash mascara from Fifth & Skin has to be your first choice. While some might consider this a slightly expensive mascara, its premium quality makes it a must-have. Not only is it easy to apply, but it is also easy to remove. It works perfectly well with a one-time application but makes your eyes look bold and beautiful with another swipe. This mascara is totally natural, which means it is super safe and does not irritate your eyes and delicate eyelid skin. It can even be used for people with eye conditions like dry eyes or for those who wear contact lenses. Reviewers have praised this product as one of the best natural mascaras for thicker, longer lashes.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Water-resistant
- Mercury-free
- Lead-free
- Non-GMO
- Dye-free
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Available in 2 colors
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Almost 781 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.
10. Best Flake-Free Formula: Secret Xpress Control 4D Silk Fiber Eyelash Mascara
The Secret Xpress Control 4D Silk Fiber Eyelash Mascara is a waterproof and smudge-proof formula suitable for all skin types. It is a lengthening and volumizing formula that makes your lashes look fuller and denser. The hypoallergenic fiber mascara is safe for contact lens wearers as it is made with non-irritating ingredients. It doesn’t flake or smudge and stays on well. Moreover, this smudge-proof mascara for contact lens wearers is also easy to remove with a facial cleanser or warm water.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Smudge-proof
- Flake-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- May not add length to the lashes
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 560 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
The brands mentioned here are reliable and enhance your lashes easily. But before investing in a mascara, just go through the points given below. for enhanced beauty results. These points might be helpful in choosing the right mascara for your eyes.
How To Choose The Best Mascara For Contact Lens Wearers?
- Use non-allergenic mascara
Invest in a mascara that has the words, “ophthalmologist tested”, “dermatologically tested” or “hypoallergenic”. Such products are tested for allergies and are considered good for people who use contact lenses or have sensitive eyes. Usually, products that are phthalates, paraben, SLS, or dye free are also non-allergenic. Opting for such products is surely a good idea.
- Water-resistance
A water-proof formula works great when you have watery eyes that can mess up your mascara. A mascara that has water-resistance is suitable for contact lens wearers as it does not come off with tears or lens solution.
- Long Stay
The ideal mascara has long-stay power, which means your mascara won’t come off easily. The fear of getting the product smeared all over your face is a lot. Investing in a product that stays for around 12 hours protects you from smudging of the product.
- Quality
A good quality mascara is one that lengthens your lashes, nourishes them, adds healthy volume to them, and dries quickly. Products with ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E or olive oil do a better job at keeping your lash game strong. Look for such ingredients before investing in a mascara.
How To Wear Mascara With Contact Lenses?
- Always wear contact lenses before applying mascara
- Use high-quality mascara that dries up quickly
- Apply the mascara lightly on the lashes
- Apply the mascara in layers
- Start the application from the center of your lashes
- Skip using the mascara on the bottom lashes
Things To Avoid When Applying Mascara With Contact Lenses
Avoid these things when applying mascara while wearing contact lenses-
- Use of mascara with fibers
- Movement of mascara wand too close to the eyes
- Applying mascara with strong strokes
- Using oil-based mascara
Infographic: Ingredients To Look For In A Contact Lens-Friendly Mascara
People who wear contact lenses must be extra careful while picking mascaras. Choosing a formula infused with the right ingredients prevents eye irritation and reduces the chances of damaging or staining the lens. Check out the infographic below to know what ingredients to look for when buying mascaras for contact lens wearers. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Mascara is a versatile eye makeup product that can help you create different eye looks. Nowadays, various mascaras are available in the market for different purposes. Figuring out the best mascaras can be tough, especially if you are a contact lens wearer. In that case, you need hypoallergenic formulas devoid of synthetic chemicals. The reviewed options are safe to use, have a buildable formula, are supremely pigmented, and are long-lasting. They also help in lengthening and volumizing your natural lashes. Opt for mascaras that are natural, non-toxic, and water-resistant. Also, look for ease of application and durability of the product. If you want a long-wearing mascara that does not clump, use the L’oreal Paris Makeup Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, or you can use the Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara to achieve amazing volume on short lashes. You can also try the Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara which does not smudge but removes easily. We recommend you skip using the mascara on the bottom lashes if you are a contact lens wearer. However, if you have sensitive eyes that are prone to allergies, make sure to test out your preferred product before committing to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use mascara with contact lenses?
Yes, it is safe to use mascara with contact lenses only if it is gentle on the eyes and doesn’t cause any allergies.
Is waterproof mascara good for contact lens wearers?
A good quality waterproof mascara is good for contact lens wearers.
Which is the right time to wear contact lenses, before or after applying mascara?
The right time to wear contact lenses is before applying mascara.
How do I get mascara off my contacts?
If you accidentally get mascara on your contacts, remove them immediately, flush them in the solution and gently rub them to get off the mascara.
What type of mascara should contact lens wearers use?
Contact lens wearers should ideally opt for oil-free, waterproof, ophthalmologist-tested mascaras that are safe for them.
What are some pro tips for contact-lens wearers who want to apply mascara?
Put on your contacts before you start your makeup. Opt for waterproof, flake-free mascaras made for contact lens wearers. Start applying from the middle of the lashes to the tips in light, even strokes. Avoid caking the lashes to prevent further rubbing and reapplication and absolutely avoid wearing false eyelashes with contacts.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Srijani Roy Chowdhury, is an ardent makeup lover and spends most of her time trying out new arrivals on the market. She carefully reviewed user feedback to compile the best mascaras for contact lens wearers. She considered staying power, hypoallergenic properties, and waterproof formulas to shortlist these products for her readers.
Read full bio of Nyssa Green
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Read full bio of Madhumati Chowdhury
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