How to Use Cosplay Contacts: A Comprehensive Guide
Cosplay contacts are a fantastic way to enhance your costume and bring your favorite characters to life. However, using them requires careful consideration and proper handling to ensure safety and comfort. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using cosplay contacts, including tips from reputable sources like CrazeCosplay.com and Rank No.1.
Understanding Cosplay Contacts
Before diving into the practical aspects, it’s essential to understand what cosplay contacts are and why they are used.
Types of Cosplay Contacts:
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Colored Contacts: These change the color of your iris and are available in a wide range of hues, from natural shades to vibrant, unnatural colors.
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Sclera Contacts: These cover the entire sclera (the white part of your eye) and are often used for more dramatic or monstrous looks.
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Patterned Contacts: These have specific designs or patterns, such as cat eyes or spirals, to match particular characters.
Why Use Cosplay Contacts?
Cosplay contacts enhance the authenticity of your costume by ensuring that every detail, including eye color, matches the character you are portraying. They can make your eyes appear larger, more vibrant, or even otherworldly, depending on the character's design.
Choosing the Right Contacts
Selecting the right pair of cosplay contacts is crucial for both aesthetics and safety. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
Consult an Optometrist:
Even if you don't need vision correction, it's essential to consult an optometrist before purchasing cosplay contacts. An eye care professional can:
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Ensure that the lenses fit your eyes properly.
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Check for any underlying eye conditions that might make wearing contacts unsafe.
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Provide a prescription, which is often required to purchase contacts legally.
Buy from Reputable Sellers:
Purchase your cosplay contacts from reputable sources like CrazeCosplay.com, which is known for its wide range of high-quality cosplay accessories. Avoid buying from unverified sources, flea markets, or beauty supply stores, as these lenses may not meet safety standards and can cause serious eye problems.
Consider the Diameter and Base Curve:
Most medical lenses are around the 14.00-14.50mm diameter size, but costume lenses range from 14.00mm to 16.00mm. The larger lenses will make your eyes look bigger and more doll-like, but it’s important to make sure that they sit comfortably on your eyes. Base curves generally range from 8.3-8.7. Only your optometrist can get you properly fitted.
Know Your Prescription:
If you have 20/20 vision and don’t need correction, you’ll be fine with plano lenses that have a -0.00 correction. If you need vision correction, you’ll need to know your prescription. If you already wear lenses for daily use, you can select your current prescription. However, if you only wear glasses, your optometrist will have to determine what strength you need because it won’t be the same as your glasses.
How to Put in Cosplay Contacts
Putting in cosplay contacts can be nerve-wracking for newcomers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
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Wash Your Hands: Always start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Dry them with a lint-free towel.
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Inspect the Lenses: Check the lenses for any dirt, tears, or defects. Ensure they are in the correct orientation.
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Rinse the Lenses: Rinse the lenses with saline solution or a multipurpose solution. Do not use tap water.
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Place the Lens on Your Finger: Place the lens on the tip of your index finger. Ensure it forms a perfect cup shape.
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Hold Your Eyelids: Use your other hand to hold your upper eyelid and the middle finger of the same hand to hold your lower eyelid.
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Insert the Lens: Look straight ahead or slightly upwards and gently place the lens on your eye. Blink slowly to help the lens settle in place.
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Adjust if Necessary: If the lens feels uncomfortable, remove it, rinse it again, and try reinserting it.
Wearing and Caring for Your Lenses
Getting Used to Lenses:
New lens wearers need about a month of regular wear just to get used to the sensation of having foreign objects in the eyes. Even when they’re in properly, you’re still going to notice them. Veteran contact users will feel a difference between costume and corrective lenses right away because costume lenses don’t allow as much oxygen to permeate.
Lubricate Your Lenses:
You will need to lubricate your lenses with contact rewetting drops (NOT solution or regular eye drops) regularly. This helps keep your eyes moist and comfortable.
Limit Wear Time:
Avoid wearing cosplay contacts for extended periods. Most lenses are designed for 6-8 hours of wear. Prolonged use can lead to dryness, irritation, and an increased risk of infection. Once you’re done, remove, clean, and store them properly. Never sleep in your lenses.
Cleaning and Storing Your Lenses
Proper cleaning and storage are crucial to maintaining the hygiene and longevity of your cosplay contacts.
Cleaning:
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Rinse with Solution: Before and after wearing your lenses, rinse them with a multipurpose solution.
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Rub Gently: Place the lens in your palm, add a few drops of solution, and gently rub it with your finger to remove any debris.
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Rinse Again: Rinse the lens again with the solution to ensure it’s clean.
Storing:
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Use a Clean Case: Always store your lenses in a clean contact lens case.
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Fill with Solution: Fill the case with fresh multipurpose solution. Never reuse old solution.
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Replace the Case: Replace your contact lens case every three months to prevent contamination.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Using cosplay contacts safely is paramount to protecting your eye health. Here are some additional safety tips and precautions:
Get a Prescription:
Even if you don't need vision correction, obtaining a prescription ensures that the lenses fit your eyes properly and reduces the risk of complications.
Avoid Over-the-Counter Purchases:
Do not purchase contacts from unverified sources, flea markets, or beauty supply stores. These lenses may not meet safety standards and can cause serious eye problems.
Monitor for Signs of Infection:
Be vigilant for signs of eye infection, such as redness, pain, blurred vision, or discharge. If you experience any of these symptoms, remove the lenses immediately and seek medical attention.
Follow Replacement Schedule:
Adhere to the recommended replacement schedule for your lenses. Some lenses are designed for daily, bi-weekly, or monthly use. Dispose of damaged lenses immediately and replace them with new ones.
Conclusion
Cosplay contacts are a fantastic way to enhance your costume and bring your favorite characters to life. By following the steps and guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can safely and effectively put in your cosplay contacts and enjoy a comfortable, immersive cosplay experience.
Remember to always prioritize your eye health by consulting an optometrist, purchasing from reputable sellers like CrazeCosplay.com, and adhering to proper care and hygiene practices. With the right preparation and attention to detail, your cosplay contacts can elevate your costume to new heights, creating stunning and memorable character portrayals that will impress fellow fans and photographers alike.
