With Halloween quickly approaching, you’re probably starting to plan all the details of your costume — what you’ll wear, what your makeup and nail art will look like (need some inspo? Check out our Halloween makeup guide) and any accessories you’ll need. If you want to take your costume to a whole new level, colored contacts can be a fun way to enhance your completed look when used safely. We chatted with Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, a New Jersey-based Ophthalmologist, to learn how colored contacts differentiate from traditional lenses, how to select colored contacts to fit your needs and all the risks involved. Regular Contacts Vs. Colored ContactsAside from the addition of color and the fact that colored contacts don’t actually help you see better, there’s not much difference between colored contact lenses and regular contacts. “They’re pretty much the same,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. “The addition of color can make the lens a little thicker (and maybe a little harder to put in) but otherwise, you can expect the same experience.”How to Choose Colored ContactsBefore you decide to enhance your Halloween costume with colored contacts, you need to consider the safest options and consult your eye doctor. It’s extremely important that you never buy contacts from just any vendor. “Colored contacts are only safe if they have been prescribed to you by an eye care professional after being examined and fitted,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. According to the FDA and the FTC, it is actually illegal to sell contact lenses that have not been prescribed by a doctor.Dr. Hilal-Campo strongly advises never to buy contact lenses from an unlicensed vendor. “Not only do you not know if they’ll fit your eye  — poorly-sized contact lenses can cause abrasions and infections — you don’t actually know what the product is because it’s unregulated, making it a huge safety and health risk for you,” she explains.There are a few types of colored contacts that Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends to her patients including the Alcon FreshLook Colorblends. “These are designed to actually change your eye color, such as from brown to blue,” she explains. “It has 3-in-1 color technology to help blend the natural eye color and it comes in 12 color choices.” She also recommends the Alcon Air Optix Colors because they are silicone hydrogel lenses that have a high oxygen permeability making them more comfortable to wear. Consult with your doctor for colored contact recommendations that best suit your needs. 
