Before You Start — What You Need
Colored contact lenses are FDA-regulated Class II medical devices. Before you touch a single lens, make sure you have a valid prescription from an eye doctor — even for plano lenses with zero correction. This is not just a legal requirement. It is how you know the lens actually fits your eye.
What you need before your first attempt:
- A well-lit mirror — daylight is ideal
- Fresh multipurpose contact lens solution — never water, never saline
- A clean lens case
- Lint-free towel or paper towels
- Antibacterial soap
- About 20 minutes of uninterrupted time
How to Insert Contact Lenses — Step by Step
The first time I tried putting in a contact lens, I stood at the bathroom mirror for 45 minutes. My eye snapped shut every time my finger got close. I blinked the lens onto the floor twice and wondered if my eyes were somehow not built for contacts. They were. I just needed to stop hesitating.
Step 1: Wash and Dry Your Hands
Antibacterial soap, warm water, at least 20 seconds. Scrub between fingers and under nails. Dry completely with a lint-free towel. Even one tiny fiber on your fingertip will feel like sandpaper on your eye.
Step 2: Get the Lens Onto Your Finger
Open the blister pack carefully. Lift the lens out with the pad of your fingertip — never your fingernail. Place it on the tip of your index finger.
How to Check If Your Lens Is Inside Out
A correct lens looks like a bowl — edges curve evenly upward. An inside-out lens looks like a saucer — edges flare outward. Yilala lenses have a subtle edge tint to make this easier to spot. If inside out, flip it.
Step 3: Hold Your Eye Open the Right Way
This is the trick that changes everything. Use your non-dominant hand to reach over your head and pull your upper eyelid upward from the lash line. Upper lashes trigger the blink reflex — this gets them out of the way. Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull your lower eyelid down. Your index finger stays free with the lens.
Step 4: Place the Lens Without Blinking
Look straight into the mirror — not at your approaching finger. Pick a fixed point. Bring the lens toward your eye in one slow, steady motion. Do not pause halfway. That hesitation window is when your brain slams your eyelid shut. Gently touch the lens to your eye. If it stings, the lens is probably inside out or has debris — remove, rinse, try again. Once on, look down, release eyelids, blink. The lens settles on its own.
Step 5: Make Sure It Is Seated
Close your eye, gently massage through the eyelid. Open and blink. If vision is clear and you cannot feel the lens moving, done. If it feels off-center, look opposite the stuck direction and blink — it slides back.
How to Remove Colored Contacts Safely
- Wash your hands again.
- Look straight up toward the ceiling.
- Slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye (sclera) with your index finger.
- Lightly pinch the lens off with thumb and index finger. Light pinch — do not grab.
- If it feels stuck, add a drop of rewetting solution, blink, try again. Dry lenses stick — that is normal.
Common First-Time Mistakes and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Lens will not stay on finger | Finger is wet or lens too dry | Dry fingertip; add a drop of solution to lens |
| Lens keeps folding | Too much solution on finger | Shake off excess before placing |
| Burning or stinging | Lens inside out or has debris | Remove, check orientation, rinse with solution |
| Blinking before lens touches | Looking at your finger, not mirror | Focus on fixed point in mirror |
| Lens will not center | Eyelid released too quickly | Close eye, massage gently, blink slowly |
| Cannot find lens in eye | Folded under upper eyelid | Pull lid up, look down — edge becomes visible |
When to See an Eye Doctor — Warning Signs
Remove lenses immediately and call an eye doctor if you experience: eye pain that does not go away after removal, redness lasting more than a few hours, blurred vision that does not clear, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing or discharge, or the feeling that something is still in your eye. A scratched cornea needs professional treatment — do not tough it out.
Ready to Try? Shop FDA-Registered Colored Contacts
Now that you know how to put them in and take them out safely, you are ready to find your perfect color. All Yilala colored contact lenses are FDA-registered, made from HEMA+NVP material with 38% water content for all-day comfort, and available in prescription strengths from 0.00 to -4.50.
Browse all Yilala colored contact lenses →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn?
Most people get comfortable within 3 to 5 attempts. First try may take 20-30 minutes. By your third or fourth time, expect about 2 minutes total for both eyes.
Can I use eyedrops to make insertion easier?
Use rewetting drops made for contact lenses — not regular eye drops. Put a drop in the lens before inserting. Never use redness-relief drops with contacts in.
Why do colored contacts feel different from clear contacts?
Colored lenses are slightly thicker due to the pigment layer. Yilala uses HEMA+NVP to maximize oxygen permeability. The difference is subtle — if it hurts, check orientation, debris, or fit.