Lenses & Eyecare: How to Not Destroy Your Eyes for Fashion

[Disclaimer]: This post is not sponsored and will be my 100% honest opinion based on personal experience and research which will be credited to cited sources. I am not an eyecare specialist so please be sure to see a professional first before you purchase and use any type of lenses.

Hello angels. Today I am going to talk about some general lens and eyecare. You may recall that I had written a similar post like this in the past, which you can find here. I was going to go back and edit that but I feel like a fresh post might be a more efficient way to go.

We have a lot to cover today so please bear with me. I will try to be as succinct and straightforward as possible! I apologize that there might not be as many images in this post as, understandably, some of the stuff that's going to be covered is pretty gross so I'll leave it up to your imagination lol

Also just in case you missed the disclaimer, I am not an expert or professional on this matter, however I will do my best to cite reputable sources and provide you with quick access to some of the most useful information I can find regarding this topic.

The Anatomy of Your Eyes

I'm going to really quickly tell you a little bit about the anatomy of the eye and how each part works. This will serve as a basis for the discussion going forward when we move on to talk about risks and damage stemming from improper lens/eye care & use. 

I'll also try to use some less realistic images in case some of you are a bit squeamish. Please bear in mind that for the purpose of this post I am going to be as simplistic as possible so that this can be more easily understood by a wider audience.

image source

• Retina: the layer of cells lining the back wall inside the eye. It senses light and sends signals to the brain so that you can see (source)
• Iris: the colored part of your eye; controls the amount of light that enters into your eye (source)
• Pupil: the opening within the iris where light passes through to reach the lens (source)
• Cornea: the clear outer layer at the front of the eye which helps focus light so you can see clearly (source)
• Lens: located in the eye, the lens changes the focal distance of the eye; focuses the light rays that pass through it onto the retina in order to create clear images of objects that are positioned at various distances (source)
• Sclera (not pictured in the diagram): the white part of your eye 
• Conjunctiva (not pictured in the diagram) : the membrane that lines the eyelid and loops back to cover the sclera (source)

How Your Eye Breathes

Now that we understand some of the key parts that make up our eyes, let's talk about how your eye breathes. The cornea does not have any blood vessels (except near the edges) so in order for your eye to "breathe" it needs oxygen from the surrounding air (source). This is important because when you wear contact lenses you are covering your cornea, which limits the airflow your eyes can get and can therefore lead to problems and complications. I'll get to that later.

The takeaway here is that your eyes breathe on their own. In order to do this with a lens on top, it relies on the water content of your lens. The oxygen diffuses through the water in the lens itself so that's why lenses with a high water content are often recommended.

What is Water Content in Lenses?

This basically means how much of the lens is made up of water and it is denoted as a percentage. The higher the water content the more oxygen reaches the cornea while you're wearing the lens so this is why it is a more highly recommended material. 

This concept though is not applied in lenses made with silicone hydrogel materials as lenses made with these materials will let your eyes breathe much more easily regardless of the water content.

Most lenses are made from soft plastics called hydrogels which absorb a large amount of water to keep the lens soft. The absorbing power of the material is also known as water content. (source)

Types of Soft Contact Lens Materials

Soft contacts nowadays are made of 2 types of materials: hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. You can get colored contacts in either of these materials but you will more commonly see circle lenses and cosplay lenses made with hydrogel. (source)

Hydrogel Lenses

The main hydrogel material used for these lenses is usually called "poly-HEMA" (sometimes also called by the generic name polymacon). The amount of oxygen that passes through this type of lens depends on the water content, as mentioned previously. The higher the water content in these types of lenses, the more oxygen your eyes will get.

These are going to be your cheap and vibrant cosplay/circle lenses. You'll get lots of fun and crazy designs but at the cost of breathability and a higher risk for infections.

Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

This material is more breathable and the amount of oxygen that passes through does not depend on the water content of the lens but rather the amount of silicone used in creating the lens.

You can still get colored lenses with this material but they won't be nearly as vibrant or intricate in design as hydrogel lenses. This material offers better durability, better comfort for extended wear and higher breathability. 

The downside is that some older lenses made with this material may be stiffer and less flexible than hydrogel lenses. You are also at higher risk for giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), which is an allergic reaction in the inner part of the eyelid, though this is not a concern in newer silicone hydrogel lenses that come in monthly or daily disposables. These are also usually a bit pricier than hydrogel lenses.

The Risks

Alright so without going into horrific detail about how many things can go wrong, I'm just going to list some possible things that could happen to you and what they are. Again I won't include pics cause some of this stuff is really gross but you'll get the idea from reading about them.

Hypoxia

Occurs when the cornea doesn't get enough oxygen. Happens most commonly when you wear contacts for a long time. It causes your cornea to swell which causes hazy or blurred vision and can lead to other more serious complications over time. (source)

Infection

The good ol' burning, itching, redness, irritation, sensitivity and pain combo. This can lead to corneal ulcers, and if serious enough you may need surgery or just lose your whole eye. Happens when wearing dirty lenses for a long time. (source)

Superficial Keratitis

This is the irritation of the outermost layer of the cornea which can be caused by mechanical irritation, infection, allergies, lens care solutions, or a combination of these. You'll often get pain, scratchiness or the feeling of something being in your eye. This is often caused by lenses that don't fit properly but can be caused by other factors as well like duration of wear. (source)

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)

This one is really gross and was mentioned in my previous post. Essentially the inside of your eyelid gets swollen and irritated and develops bumps that could grow to the size of a pimple. It'll feel like something is stuck in your eye, and you'll have red painful & itchy eyes. It will also feel like your contact lens is moving up your eyeball when you blink and it causes your eye to produce excess mucus which makes your vision blur.

It is caused by either an allergy to your lens material or the lens solution you are using. It is also caused by the lens rubbing up against the eyelid constantly and the deposits of proteins/other substances on the lenses. 

This one if left untreated/gets severe enough, could cause you to be unable to wear any type of lens ever again. (source)

How Can I Safely Get Into Wearing Lenses?

Now that we've covered all of the grossness and the science, let's get to the part that you really want to know. This is in order of what you should do by the way.

1. ⚠ GO SEE AN EYECARE PROFESSIONAL ⚠

This is not a request, literally all of your problems can be solved by seeing a professional. Step one (1) of getting into anything is to get professional input. In this case you want a full eye exam and lens fitting. Even if you do not require a prescription, you still need to get a professional fitting because not all eyes are created the same (ex: some eyes are more curved than others). 

Improper fitting lenses can cause scratches, discomfort, some of the disgusting things I listed in the risks section above, etc.

2. Know the difference between a contact solution and saline solution

Your eye doctor can tell you this when you go to see them, but I'll just note down some key differences here for you. (source)

Contact solution: commercially prepared chemical solution for cleaning and disinfecting your lenses. These will remove buildup on your lenses without scratching them and will keep them moist. You can store your lenses in this when you are not using them to keep them sterile and hydrated.

Saline solution: a pH-balanced saltwater solution that can be used to rinse off your lenses before wearing them. This does not have any cleaning agents so it will not clean or disinfect your lenses.

Nowadays you don't need to own both of these, there are multipurpose solutions you can buy, however this may not be the best approach for all lens users. Please consult your eyecare professional about the best setup for your eyes.

Remember to always throw out your old solution and never reuse (aka don't take your lenses out of the case and leave the solution in there for later, seriously why would you do this?) 🤡

3. Research Your Lenses Before Buying

Go and read the description of the lens you are trying to buy and make sure that all the specifications suit your needs (material, water content, base curve, diameter, etc).

4. Clean Your Lenses Before Wearing

Please do not wear the lenses straight out of the packaging. Yes they're stored in a sterile solution but the reality is that you don't really know what it is. The best practice here is to clean them first/give them a rinse in saline before putting them into your eye to prevent infection, etc just in case. You should do this for dailies just to be safe.

5. Clean & Change Your Lens Cases Often

You are going to want to disinfect your lens cases often, especially if you are reusing them for other lenses. There are a number of ways to do this, I've seen people straight up boil their lens cases. How you choose to do this is up to you, just use google.

It is recommended that you change your storage cases once every 1-3 months. (source)

6. Do Not Wear The Same Pair of Lens for a Year

You are probably going to see some lenses with an annual/yearly disposable on them. Please don't wear them for a year straight. This is actually not regulated properly and no eyecare professional would recommend you do this even with proper cleaning/care. If you do happen to get these types of lenses, probably don't wear them more than 3-6 months tops. When in doubt, throw it out. Don't risk your eye health over $15 lenses.

I hope this was helpful and informative. Again, I am not a professional so if you have any question or concerns please go see your eye doctor and ask the directly. You can also look up all the things I mentioned here in detail on google or go to the source pages that I linked.

Please share this and keep your eyes healthy. Remember it is never worth it to risk your eye health for fashion. You only get one set of eyes and vision is so precious.

See you next time! 💖

♡≋ My Skincare Routine ≋♡ (Lots of Products w/ Mini Reviews + Links)

Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well. Today I'm going to share my current skincare routine with you, as well as give you some mini reviews on the products I'm using. Just a disclaimer that I am not a dermatologist or professional skincare expert. Your experience with these products may vary from mine.  I will also be mentioning a lot of different products because I'm a bit of a skincare junky. I don't want you to feel like you need to use all of them or just as many as me to get the results you want if you're reading this while trying to build up or refine your own routine.

If you're interested in a full review of these products, please leave me a comment and let me know! The main reason I go through a lot of different products is because my skin needs/concerns change often and usually with the seasons. I won't be fully reviewing every product mentioned in this post BUT I do plan to do full reviews of favorites/holy grail items eventually. For now I'll keep my thoughts on each of these as brief as I can since this will be a lengthy post as is. 

Disclaimer #2: While I'll include links with the items from where I purchase them (mostly Olive Young or Yesstyle) this is not a sponsored post. Everything has been purchased with my own money and I will only receive discounts, commission, or credits if you use my coupon and/or referral codes. Images from google unless otherwise specified. Prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).

Yesstyle discount code: NASSST or referral link 

Olive Young Global referral sign up link here 

For your reference, my skin type is oily/combo and my main concerns are mild acne, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture. In the winter my skin tends to be more dry and dull.

The Routine

The general routine, no matter how many steps you insert is always going to be:

1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Treat
4. Moisturize

Below are the products that I use for all of these steps. The amount of steps will vary by person and by skin needs so some people may only need those 4 steps, while others may need more. Speak with a skincare professional or experiment on your own to find what works best for you!

Cleansers

I try to wash my face at least twice a day; once in the morning when I shower and once at night before bed. Though with covid lockdown life, I find that I've reversed my shower time now that I don't need to have fresh hair to go outside lol 

I've used a lot of different cleanser textures/types but I find that gel and foam ones do a lot more for me than oil or cream. I would only use oil or cream cleansers as part of a double cleanse process as I feel like they're really heavy duty and I often don't need that much cleaning power even if I've worn makeup since I use micellar water.

Morning Cleansers

$16.74 on Yesstyle

I like to use the CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. It feels very light and gentle on my skin. I get a good clean without my skin feeling tight or stripped afterwards. It's a pretty accessible product that you can find on Amazon/Yesstyle/etc. I like to get mine from YS for the points lol. I think this would work for most skin types as it's super gentle!

$14 from Sephora

A comparable cleanser that I've grown to really love is the Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel - Cleanse + Tone. I feel like this is a more luxurious version of the CosRX one. It does the exact same thing but my skin feels more moisturized after in a way that's like I already put on my toner. Both really solid cleansers that I have repurchased multiple times over. Would recommend this for anyone as well.

$18.97 on Amazon/$18.73 on Yesstyle

I also like to rotate and use the Hada Labo Gojujyun Hyaluronic Acid Foam Cleanser if I'm feeling like my skin is a bit sensitive for a gel cleanser (usually when I'm like, super breaking out). It leaves my skin feeling soft, supple, and fresh for makeup application. I actually like to use this in the shower sometimes as a body wash since it's so gentle! I would especially recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin but it's a good cleanser for anyone imo.

Makeup Removers

I take my makeup off in 2 steps. I like to use an eye/lip remover then a micellar water all over so I don't need to work too hard with my cleansers: 

• Etude House Curl Fix Mascara Remover
• Really great for waterproof makeup and honestly a great sub for Lancome's Bi-Facil which is what I used previously. Only con is that it's a tiny bottle.
• Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water (for oily skin - green cap)
• I like this but it doesn't take everything off. It takes a lot off so that my cleanser afterwards can get the rest but not good if you're a full face, full coverage all the time type person imo. Does nothing to waterproof mascara btw.
• Ariul Stress Relieving Micellar Lip & Eye Remover
• In love with this rn, has the removal power of the EH curl fix but feels gentle and not greasy like the Garnier micellar water.

$11.17 on Yesstyle

$6.99 on Amazon

$12 USD on Olive Young Global

The Ariul micellar water is actually a new addition to my routine since I got it on sale in my last skincare haul and I had run out of the Garnier one. It's a happy medium and mix of both the Garnier micellar water and Etude House remover so I'll be replacing both of those products with just this one. I do like and recommend all of them though!

Night Cleansers

Right now I have 2 cleansers on rotation. I like to use these with a little facial cleansing pad for some gentle exfoliation and to make sure I get off any stubborn makeup I might've missed. These are a life changer if you want to find a way to get some physical exfoliation into your skincare routine.

You can get these at Amazon/Daiso/etc for like $2-5?

The cleansers I have on rotation right now are:

• Shiseido Senka Perfect Whip Cleanser
• Rich and luxurious; a little goes a long way. Takes EVERYTHING off.
• ROUNDA'ROUND Green Tea Pure Cleansing Foam
• Lighter, gel-like texture in comparison to the Shiseido one. Slightly acidic and mild/hypoallergenic formula. Great for acne or irritated skin as it contains 7% green tea water.

$15 on Amazon

$20 USD on Olive Young Global

Both of these do a good job of cleaning up any remaining makeup without stripping my skin of its moisture or making it feel tight. I find myself gravitating towards the green tea cleanser these days as the foam one feels a lot more heavy duty (as in it takes a long time to wash it all off) and I generally don't need that much cleansing power unless my whole face was covered in waterproof makeup that day. I would highly recommend it if you want a cheap, effective, no frills cleanser!

Toners

I used to use a lot of drugstore toners that felt pretty much like tap water on my face. I didn't understand the role of this step in the skincare routine so I basically neglected to find a quality toner for years. After discovering the Korean x-step* skincare regime I've come to really appreciate this step in my routine a lot more.

*(the amount of steps in your routine may vary so I put an x instead of a defined number, but you can find info on this if you put 7 or 10-step as that is a common number of steps people usually use)

Morning Toners

After cleansing, I reach for the CosRX One Step Original Clear Pad. This product is a container of pre-soaked toner cotton pads that you can just grab and use which is super handy for if you are traveling or in a hurry. It does a good job of hydrating my skin while also getting rid of any leftover cleanser/dead skin/etc that may be left on my face.

$17.21 USD on Olive Young Global / $29.04 on Yesstyle

Night Toners

I've been really liking the CosRX Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner. This toner is a tiny bit more viscous than others that I've used, which usually feel more like water. This one feels very rich and sumptuous on my skin and it leaves me feeling fresh and glowy! Fair warning will leave a bit of a tacky feel on your skin after it sinks in so I don't recommend it if you're not a fan of that.

$23.20 USD on Olive Young Global

If I have a bit of uneven texture going on I will use the CosRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid first. This is a chemical exfoliant which will remove the dead skin cells on my face and reveal a more even and pore-less complexion in the morning. Be careful not to use this on broken skin or it will burn like the white hot intensity of a thousand suns and please make sure you use sunscreen the next day or you'll risk skin damage.

$15.75 USD on Olive Young Global / $25.19 on Yesstyle

Serums, Ampoules & Essences

I rotate between a few different products here depending on my skin's needs so I will list them by the purpose I use them for. I don't use them all at once but sometimes I will use a combination of these and they all play nice with each other in my experience.

Fading Acne Scars

I don't get a lot of acne (or scarring as a result) these days because I no longer have massive breakouts and therefore I'm not constantly picking at my face. For the occasional angry zit here and there I like to use the isoi Bulgarian Rose Bleish Care Serum II to help fade the spot after the spot dissipates (with the help of pimple patches). This has a rose fragrance so I don't recommend it if you are sensitive to things like that.

*As of writing this post the price went up a little bit on this product. It comes in a 2 pack that I usually get for like ~$50 USD but now it's $71 USD and I'm Crying.

$71 USD on Olive Young Global for 2 pack

Brightening & Uneven Skin Texture

A powerhouse favorite product of mine that does a great job of brightening and exfoliating my skin is the dear, klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. I use this once a day in my nighttime routine. Same rules as the AHA toner above - use sunscreen the next day please. Also please store away from direct sunlight and use quickly (within 6 months of opening) as oxidization will cause the product to lose effectiveness over time.

$24.29 on Yesstyle / $23 USD on Wishtrend

Uneven Skin Texture

An alternative to the dear, klairs serum that I usually reach for (especially in the winter) is The Ordinary's 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. It's really moisturizing and good for anti-aging, reducing and reversing sun damage, reducing wrinkles, and treating mild to moderate acne. This might be a bit too much for people with sensitive skin.

$9.90 at Sephora & The Ordinary/Deciem

Hydration Boost

For a refreshing hydration boost I like to use both the Torriden Dive-In Serum and the Torriden Dive-In Skin Booster. These have low molecular hyaluronic acide and D-panthenol, ceramide and malachite extract which are all good ingredients for soothing, refreshing, and hydrating your skin. I recommend this for all skin types!

$24 USD on Olive Young Global (available in value packs)

$17.10 USD on Olive Young Global

Moisturizers

Unfortunately my HG day moisturizer has been discontinued so I'm on the hunt for a new one rn 😭 I have a few backups that I'm working through and a couple of new creams I stocked up on that I'll try when I finish up the ones I currently have open so I apologize I don't have any good recs for this category.

For night time, especially wintertime, I really like using the Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream. It's super rich and hydrating but doesn't make you feel greasy. The consistency is definitely a bit thicker so I would recommend this for fall/winter. It's suitable for all skin types!

$29.41 on Yesstyle

For an extra hydration boost I sometimes like to layer the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Lotion in between my serum steps (or use it as my main moisturizer on hot days). It's a gentle and lightweight moisturizer that's great for sensitive and oily skin as it contains awesome ingredients like:

• hyaluronic acid
• centella asiatica extract
• chamomile flower extract
• squalane

$23 USD on Olive Young Global

Sunscreen

I'm still experimenting in this category to find the best product for me so I don't feel too comfortable about listing any products here just yet. They're good but I'm not in love with them!

If I had to pick a favorite so far it would be the Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV Protector SPF 50 PA+++ but it seems to be out of stock everywhere I look or really overpriced so I'm just slowly working through my backups 😭

Was $9.95 on Yesstyle

That's it! Thank you so much for reading. I hope this was helpful for you and that you discovered some new items to pad your cart with the next time you're shopping for skincare 🥰

｡◕ ‿ ◕｡ Circle Lenses & You ｡◕ ‿ ◕｡

Hi hi~! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week. This post is going to be about circle lenses (shortened to CL for this post)! I went to the optometrist a few weeks ago and I received some shocking news.

I learned a lot about circle lenses and just eye care in general. I think a lot of people are unaware of the risks with circle lenses so I'm going to share some of that information with you today, as well as provide you with some alternatives.

In no way am I bashing CL's, in fact I am a CL wearer myself. I think you just have to be smart about what lenses you choose. Remember that your eyesight is precious and your health should always be a priority over vanity.

F.A.Q
1. What are Circle Lenses? (shortened to CL for this post)
Circle lenses are special contact lenses that can alter the appearance of your eyes. They can give your eyes an "enlarging" effect, (usually these have a thick black ring around the outside). CL's also come in a variety of  sizes, colors and designs.

A popular CL series designed by Tsubasa Masuwaka herself.
I have used both of the bottom ones.

2. What's the difference between CL's and regular contacts?
CL's provide enlargement and better color/designs than regular colored lenses as regular lenses act to only enhance your natural eyes. You care for them the same way you would regular lenses. They are cheaper than regular lenses but they will put your eyes at risk to certain health concerns that I will explain later.

3. Can I get CL's with a prescription?
Yes. They are also available without a prescription.

4. How long can I wear CL's for?
I would say that you shouldn't wear them as long as regular lenses. Absolutely no more than 6 hours tops as the likelihood of your eyes becoming very dry and irritated increases the longer you have them in.

If there's anything else I need to cover, please let me know. I'm going to leave this FAQ open.

The Concerns

As many of you may (or may not) be aware, CL's can pose some pretty serious health concerns. Most CL's are made in Asia where the materials used to make the lenses are not approved by major health administrations (FDA, etc). In fact the Princess Mimi lenses I showed above are an example of lenses made with a material called "Phema". The use of this material is illegal here in Canada, and I believe in the US as well because of the health risks. 

To put it simply, it's a type of plastic-like material which limits the oxygen flow in your eyes. Our eyes don't have blood to supply oxygen so it absorbs it from around you. By placing a lens made of this material, it inhibits your eyes' ability to diffuse in oxygen which can cause Corneal Neovascularization. This is where the blood vessels in your eye grow into the cornea (ew.), which leads to vision problems later.

Another condition you could get is Giant Papilary Conjunctivitis I'll let you read the wiki because it's too gross for me to describe. I will say though, the shocking news I received is related to this. If you develop a severe enough case of GPC, you will never be able to wear contacts for the rest of your life.

These are just a few of the serious health concerns related to CL's. This is mostly due to the lack of quality in the materials they are made of. Hopefully in the future someone will be able to make CL's that are safer so that we don't have to risk our health for looks. If you ever want to know more, don't hesitate to contact your local eye care professionals.

My prescription lenses~

The Alternatives

Of course, the best alternative is to stick with normal transparent lenses. However I understand the need for color and enlargement, especially if you're into styles like Gyaru. There are brands like FreshKon and FreshLook that make lenses similar to CL's. The enlargement is obviously incomparable, but some of the colors actually look pretty similar! I was surprised when I tried a sample grey lens. It looked almost exactly like the Princess Mimi lenses in Sesame Grey. I'll have to make another post later to compare the colors because I haven't ordered them from my optometrist yet.

Another thing you can do if you choose to wear CL's is to replace them often and wear them less often. What I mean is, although CL's are disposable yearly (which my optometrist told me is also illegal/not done anymore) you should change them perhaps every 3 months. You should also only wear them when you really have to, maybe once or twice a week, as opposed to wearing them daily.

Conclusion

Circle lenses are pretty and fun but you should always remember your health comes first. Along with the alternative options, regular checkups with your eye care professional will help ensure your eyes last for the rest of your life. I understand that it will be hard to part with all the designs and colors. Even I won't be able to stop wearing them completely. I believe that everything in moderation is a really good rule of life, which is not limited to things such as alcohol or sweets. So if you use CL's in moderation, you'll be able to doll yourself up as well as save your eyes from a lot of potential damage!

I hope you found this post helpful and informative. I didn't mean to scare you off from CL's at all. I felt that after receiving such valuable information I was obligated to share it with everyone out there.

If there's anything that I should add or change about this post, please let me know! Don't hesitate to share it with fellow circle lens users. You could help save someone's eyes!

Until my next post. Take care everyone!