Coloured contact lenses are designed to imitate the appearance of your iris. Your iris isn't just one block of plain colour, it contains patterns, shapes and speckles so most coloured contacts mimic and enhance these unique features.

In the centre, the lens is transparent so your pupil isn't obstructed and you can see clearly.

Whether you're looking for a natural, everyday look or are seeking a spooky, supernatural style for Halloween, you can achieve it with coloured contact lenses.

Coloured contact lenses are available for short-sightedness (myopia) or far-sightedness (hyperopia) as well as in plano form (without a corrective power) if you just want them for cosmetic purposes.

Coloured contact lenses for astigmatism do exist but aren't common. We don't stock toric coloured contacts and would advise only buying them from a reputable retailer to be certain that you get safe and good quality lenses.

Coloured contacts don't have to completely transform your appearance, they're also great when you want to add depth or intensity to your natural eye colour. Although many people will associate them with fancy dress, you'd be surprised how many people wear coloured contact lenses daily.

Of course, one of the most popular reasons for people to choose coloured contact lenses is for costumes. If you're looking to recreate the style of your favourite film or TV character, then coloured lenses are a good option. They're also great for Halloween, helping you to make monstrous, fantastical looks come to life.

Arguably the most important part of choosing coloured lenses is making sure you pick a pair that'll change your eye colour in the way that you hoped. The trick is to make sure whether the lenses you choose are designed to enhance your natural eye colour or change it significantly.

Once you know what kind of coloured contact lens you need, you should then figure out what shade is going to work well. If you're looking for a complete transformation then you needn't worry too much about which colour will suit your natural look, but if you're looking for something a little subtler then you might want to take this into account.

If your eyes are of a lighter shade and you're looking to add more depth without making a big change, consider your hair colour and skin tone before settling on a shade. Enhancement tinted lenses such as FreshLook Colorblends or SofLens Natural Colors add subtle overtones to your natural hue. If you have pale blue eyes, for example then you should try other blues, greys and even shades of green for a softer, more understated change. If you do want to make a bold statement, look out for opaque contact lenses in shades that contrast with your complexion. For example, you could try a deep brown tint with blonde hair and fair skin.

If you have darker eyes, you can soften their impact by using opaque tinted lenses in light shades of brown. If you want to change your eye colour considerably you should look at using FreshLook Colors, as they come in vibrant and exciting shades, perfect for achieving a striking appearance. Trying a contrasting colour such as violet or vibrant green with dark skin can often lead to a brilliant, eye-catching look.

Whether you're buying coloured contact lenses just for cosmetic purposes or with vision correction, you should visit your optician beforehand. This way they can help you to understand which coloured contact lenses will keep your eyes comfortable so you can pick the best brand for you.

There's no need to worry about the safety of coloured contact lenses if they're manufactured by a reputable brand. At Vision Direct we only stock products from established manufacturers such as Johnson & Johnson and Alcon/Ciba Vision. You should always follow any instructions or guidelines included by the manufacturer, whether you're a first-time wearer or have worn contact lenses for years.

If you're new to wearing contact lenses, then here's some useful advice:

1. Don't share your lenses: If you and some friends are all dressing up for an event, remember not to swap lenses to see how the different colours suit you. It could cause an eye infection and wearing the wrong prescription can cause discomfort and eye strain.

2. Take care of your lenses: If you are wearing daily lenses, always use a fresh pair. Once you get to the end of the day, throw away the ones you've been wearing before going to sleep and use a new set the next day/next time you want to wear them.

3. Stop wearing your lenses if your eyes become irritated: Sore, itchy or red eyes can often be harmless, but they can sometimes point to eye infections. If you experience any discomfort when wearing coloured contact lenses, take them off. Bring a spare pair of glasses with you just in case.

4. Experiment and enjoy different styles: Coloured contacts offer a fantastic opportunity to try new looks, just remember to get a contact lens fitting from your optician before diving in!

There are a variety of different types of coloured contact lenses which have different effects on your eye colour.

Enhancement tinted lenses

These lenses are designed to boost your natural eye colour without transforming your natural shade. Coloured contacts with enhancement tints are ideal for people who have bright eyes who want to add intensity to their typical look. If you're looking for green or blue coloured contact lenses to match your eyes, then you should try enhancement tinted coloured contact lenses. You can also find them in lighter shades of brown and honey too.

Opaque tinted lenses

Opaque tinted coloured contact lenses have a strong and solid tint that can significantly alter the hue of your eyes. If your iris is a darker shade, like a deep brown, then you'll need to use opaque lenses to change the colour.

Usually costume or theatrical contact lenses are opaque tinted lenses so these are what you want for a haunting Halloween look.

Daily coloured contact lenses

FreshLook One Day are daily disposable coloured contact lenses that are ideal for enhancing your natural eye colour with a super convenient and hygienic daily wearing pattern. With FreshLook One Day, you don't need to clean or store your lenses in solution, just throw away your used lenses each night and replace them with a fresh pair the next time you need them.

They're a great option if you just want to wear coloured contacts occasionally as they are designed to be worn just for the days you need them.

Monthly coloured contact lenses

Monthly coloured contact lenses are handy if you wear your lenses regularly and offer good value for money. All you need to do to maintain your contacts is clean and store them in solution each night and they'll last for 30 consecutive days. After this, even if you haven't worn them every day, you should dispose of them. This means that these lenses are better suited if you're going to wear them on most days rather than just for a one-off event.

FreshLook Colorblends

FreshLook Colorblends are designed to enhance your natural eye colour and come in 12 shades ranging from Brown to Honey to Amethyst. As monthly lenses, they can be worn for 30 consecutive days if they are cleaned each night and are designed with a high water content to keep your eyes hydrated and healthy.

Discover our photo gallery to find out how FreshLook Colorblends would look on you.

FreshLook One Day

FreshLook One Day utilise the same technology as Focus Dailies for comfortable, high performing daily contact lenses. They enhance your natural eye colour and come in 4 different shades, offering you the convenience and high hygiene levels of daily lenses. Simply throw them away after wearing them for a day and use a fresh pair next time.

Be inspired by our FreshLook One Day lenses, see how they would look on you.

Air Optix Colors

With 9 different shades to choose from Air Optix Colors are comfortable and vibrant coloured contact lenses. They're monthly lenses so can be worn for up to 30 consecutive days, which is perfect if coloured contacts are a part of your daily look. These breathable lenses allow oxygen to reach your eye easily while locking in moisture to keep your eyes looking and feeling healthy.

FreshLook Colors

FreshLook Colors are monthly coloured contact lenses designed to add depth and vibrancy to your eye colour. These opaque tinted lenses are perfect for a more dramatic change in your look and come in 6 colours to suit both light and dark eyes, such as Misty Grey and Sapphire Blue. With a high water content, these lenses keep your eyes hydrated throughout wear and ensure the utmost comfort while you wear them.