How to put in and take out coloured lenses

25 October 2026 · 3 min read

The first try can feel tricky. With a little practice, it becomes part of your routine. Here's how.

Before you start

Your april. lenses are zero power. They change your eye colour, not your vision, so if you need glasses to see clearly, keep wearing them.
Wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them on a clean, lint-free towel.
Keep your nails short, or use only your fingertips.
Sit at a table in front of a mirror, so a dropped lens lands on a clean surface, not the floor or the sink.

Take one lens out of the case with your fingertip and rinse it with lens solution. Never use water.
Place it on the tip of the index finger of the hand you write with.
Check it's the right way round. It should look like a small bowl with edges curving up. If the edges flare out, it's inside out; flip it gently.
With your other hand, hold your upper lid open. Use the middle finger of your lens hand to pull your lower lid down.
Look straight ahead or up, and place the lens gently on your eye.
Close your eye slowly and blink a few times to settle it. If it feels uncomfortable, take it out, rinse it and try again.
Repeat with the other eye. Start with the same eye every time so you never mix up the lenses.

Wash and dry your hands.
Look up and pull your lower lid down with your middle finger.
With your index finger, slide the lens down onto the white of your eye.
Gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger and lift it off.
Rub it in your palm with a few drops of solution for about 30 seconds, rinse, and store it in a clean case filled with fresh solution.

Put your lenses in before eye makeup, and take them out before removing makeup.
If your eyes feel dry, take a short break from lenses rather than pushing through.
Lens moved off-centre? Close your eye and gently massage the lid, or look in the opposite direction and blink.
Lenses should never hurt. Ongoing pain, redness or blurry vision means take them out and see an eye doctor.