I’ve never had a problem with my eyes, even if I never had the stunning green orbs that Y/N had in every One Direction fanfiction from the 2010s or the ocean-blue eyes of the pretty girls in my classes. They’re the kind of dark brown that looks almost black, but I think that brown eyes are just as pretty as any other color.
Colored lenses are not a new fashion item—they’ve been around forever. Whether people use gigantic black sclera lenses for SFX makeup, yellow cat-eye lenses for a quirky feline look, or big sparkly anime lenses for cosplay, colored lenses are a big part of some people’s lives. When I got into kpop, I quickly realized that colored lenses are a need for idol-style makeup. Colors range from icy blues and greens paired with heavy eyeshadow for stage performances to a slightly lighter brown for a natural, fresh look in photoshoots. With the recent rise in popularity of the Douyin and k-idol makeup looks on TikTok, I took it upon myself to try out colored lenses and see what the hype was once and for all.
I played it safe with my first order, trying out a natural brown, a hazel, and a slightly more adventurous gray with brown undertones. I also chose to get the size 13 to make my irises look larger overall, though there are multiple sizes available for different sized eyes! There is also the option to get them to actually help your eyesight like prescription contacts do, but I chose to not use this option as I did not need it.
My natural eyes, as previously stated, are a really dark brown. The sheer darkness of my eyes honestly put me off of trying colored lenses for a long time, even if I was curious about it. I knew that most colored lenses were made for people with lighter eyes, just like how most hair dyes won’t work on me unless I bleach my hair first for a lighter base. That was why Hapa Kristin was my choice—all of the models used have eyes like mine.
All of the lenses I ordered are able to be used for one month. I tried the hazel lenses first since they were in the same style as the gray ones, and I immediately noticed a difference, even before I completed my makeup. In the bright lighting of my mirror, it was very obvious that I was wearing colored contacts, but in normal lighting, the difference is much more subtle.
I was a really big fan of this specific color and style. It was subtle enough that I didn’t look crazy, but there was a big enough difference from my natural eye color that I felt it was worth it to spend time and money on them.
Once again, in super bright lighting, it is very obvious that I am wearing colored contacts, even more so since these were gray. I liked the brown tones that were mixed in because it, again, made it feel much more natural. Though I do enjoy the more colorful contacts on idols, I wasn’t quite sure I wanted bright blue eyes for an everyday look. However, once I tried the gray and saw how subtle it was, I thought about branching out more for my next order.
Though I still had one more to try (the brown ones), it’s been less than two months since I’ve ordered, and I am still wearing my gray ones. I placed another order, however, with four more colors, including green and blue, which I am excited to try. I also ordered some of Wonyoung’s favorites, which was exciting!
All in all, I am really glad that I chose to try colored lenses. I feel like they enhance my makeup and everyday look, but I have no problem going without them, either. Plus, Hapa Kristin specifically has great prices and wonderful little gift offers every so often. Even though they ship from South Korea, the shipping price isn’t insanely high either! And the most important part—the lenses are great quality and are extremely comfortable. Even after an entire 31 days of use, in which I wore them all day, the contacts never became cloudy or tore. They looked as clear and bright as the day I first opened them! I also took a nap in them once, which is unhealthy but speaks volumes for how comfortable they really are.
If you’re curious, I highly recommend trying colored lenses. Whether you want to start incorporating them into your everyday look like I have, or just use them for special occasions, it’s a harmless but fun addition to your life.
And clearly, I recommend Hapa Kristin’s lenses specifically.