My Colored Contact Review

troy · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 11:17 PM

Hey There,

This is my colored contact review as seen through my eyes. I have worn colored contacts for 18 years now and can live without them. I don't even recognize the person in the mirror when I take them off. I am always in search of a more natural looking lens. Unfortunately I have not found a lens that I think is the perfect colored lens. However here are my opinions on the brands that I own or have owned in the past.

Fresh Looks Color Blends: I have tried gray, green, blue and turquoise. They my least favorite lenses because they do not show up on dark eyes. You have to stand an inch from the mirror to even see the color. Stand back 2 feet and you can not even tell you have on colored lenses. Therefore I think they are only popular because of advertising. They do have happen to be very comfortable because they are very thin and they do make your eyes look bigger. But who can tell unless they are staring in your face.

Bausch & Lomb Soflens: I have only tried amazon green and the color shows up. It is a very dark green but they are not realistic and not the right color for my skin tone.

Expressions Colors: I have tried jade green, gray, blue topaz and turquoise. I don't like the green, blue or turquoise lenses because the colors are not right for me. They are a bit too dark in color and they are not right for my complexion. Thus making them look fake on me. But they might look good on the right skin tone (I have dark eyes and a medium skin tone). The gray lenses are the lenses that I have worn for quite a few years now. They are nice lenses because they mix 3 colors and the color is not so bright. It is a dark gray color and looks natural from a distance. But when you look close up you can definitely tell they are not real. You can see the colored lines of the lens. They do not blend at all. I also do not get any compliments when I wear them. So you can decide what that means. But I will say I consider them my every day lens. Because I don't feel like I am wearing costume lenses. They also are very comfortable.

Solotica: I purchased Hidrocharme Mel, Natural Colors Quartzo and Natural Colors Cristal. The Mel lenses do blend with your eye very well so you can look at your eyes close up and they look the most realistic out of any lens I have seen. This is due to the dot matrix system they use. The dots are small so you don't actually see the dots on the lens. I don't wear them because the color looks dark green on my eyes and they tend to have a glowing effect in certain lights. Dark green does not look good with my skin tone and I also think the dark outer iris ring is too bold. It looks weird on my eye. I also think the pupil hole is too large. They have the right idea with the blended pupil hole but they need to shrink it just a bit because if you have dark eyes it just looks like a very large pupil. If you have light eyes it would look great. But not very many people with light eyes wear colored contacts. So I think they need to adjust to their target customer. The Quartzo lenses are a very pretty color. They are a mint green color with a bit of gray. However not very many people with dark hair have bright mint green eyes (yes they are a bright, bright color). So therefore they do not look realistic. They also have a weird pupil hole. I actually think the pupil hole is too small and defined. They need to feather out the hole a bit. It is a beautiful color but they are not everyday lenses unless you want people to say "Oh what pretty colored contacts you have". I want people to say "OMG you have beautiful eyes." The Quartzo lenses would be great for going out or night time lenses but not for during the day, everyday lenses. The Solotica lenses are thicker than any lens I have worn so they are not as comfortable. Mainly because they dry out quickly. If they are moist, you do not feel them in your eyes. But if they are dry you will definitely feel them and it will not be pleasant. I have to take them out and rinse them or put drops every 2-3 hours. But I can wear them for about 12 hours if I rehydrate them often. I have not received the Cristal lenses yet. So I have my fingers crosses that they will be my everyday favorite lenses.

In conclusion, the most realistic lenses that I have worn are Solotica hands down. I just have not found the right color for me yet. I have ordered them from 3 different companies and all have been great companies. Even though you hear a lot of bad things about ordering from out of the US, I have had not problems. They have been great companies. If the Cristal lenses don't work out for me I will probably try the Hidrocor Ice or Graphite lenses. I may also give the Waicon or Adore lenses a try. I refuse to give up on finding the perfect NATURAL looking colored lens because I feel like I have spent so much money so far that I should not stop now. It would feel like failure. I hope you enjoyed my review and I will update you when my Solotica Cristal lenses come in.

UPDATE

I received my Solotica Cristal lenses and my Solotica Hidrocor Graphite lenses. The Cristal lenses are a very light ice green color and is way too light for me. The color washes me out and is not flattering at all. The Graphite lenses are suppose to be gray but they actually are very very blue on me (not a chance of gray at all). They remind me of Durasoft lenses and the single tone color doesn't appeal to me. I just ordered the Natural Color Graphite lenses thinking that the dark ring will look better and although I have not received them I should not have placed the order because I am almost 99% sure that they are not going to work for me. After purchasing 5 pair of Solotica lenses and not finding a color that I like, I have decided that Solotica is a lot of hype. They have not made a color that I am impressed with. I think you can find the same thing here in the states. After spending almost $700.00 on Solotica lenses in my quest to find a more natural lens than my Expression Gray lenses, I have decided I should give it one last try. I just ordered the Waicon Trikolor Gray lenses. This will be my last attempt to finding the perfect natural looking lens for me. If this does not work I will live with my Expressions lenses and be content for the moment. I will update everyone once my Grafites and Trikolors come in.

ftngirsh · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

Hey There,

This is my colored contact review as seen through my eyes. I have worn colored contacts for 18 years now and can live without them. I don't even recognize the person in the mirror when I take them off. I am always in search of a more natural looking lens. Unfortunately I have not found a lens that I think is the perfect colored lens. However here are my opinions on the brands that I own or have owned in the past.

Fresh Looks Color Blends: I have tried gray, green, blue and turquoise. They my least favorite lenses because they do not show up on dark eyes. You have to stand an inch from the mirror to even see the color. Stand back 2 feet and you can not even tell you have on colored lenses. Therefore I think they are only popular because of advertising. They do have happen to be very comfortable because they are very thin and they do make your eyes look bigger. But who can tell unless they are staring in your face.

Bausch & Lomb Soflens: I have only tried amazon green and the color shows up. It is a very dark green but they are not realistic and not the right color for my skin tone.

Expressions Colors: I have tried jade green, gray, blue topaz and turquoise. I don't like the green, blue or turquoise lenses because the colors are not right for me. They are a bit too dark in color and they are not right for my complexion. Thus making them look fake on me. But they might look good on the right skin tone (I have dark eyes and a medium skin tone). The gray lenses are the lenses that I have worn for quite a few years now. They are nice lenses because they mix 3 colors and the color is not so bright. It is a dark gray color and looks natural from a distance. But when you look close up you can definitely tell they are not real. You can see the colored lines of the lens. They do not blend at all. I also do not get any compliments when I wear them. So you can decide what that means. But I will say I consider them my every day lens. Because I don't feel like I am wearing costume lenses. They also are very comfortable.

Solotica: I purchased Hidrocharme Mel, Natural Colors Quartzo and Natural Colors Cristal. The Mel lenses do blend with your eye very well so you can look at your eyes close up and they look the most realistic out of any lens I have seen. This is due to the dot matrix system they use. The dots are small so you don't actually see the dots on the lens. I don't wear them because the color looks dark green on my eyes and they tend to have a glowing effect in certain lights. Dark green does not look good with my skin tone and I also think the dark outer iris ring is too bold. It looks weird on my eye. I also think the pupil hole is too large. They have the right idea with the blended pupil hole but they need to shrink it just a bit because if you have dark eyes it just looks like a very large pupil. If you have light eyes it would look great. But not very many people with light eyes wear colored contacts. So I think they need to adjust to their target customer. The Quartzo lenses are a very pretty color. They are a mint green color with a bit of gray. However not very many people with dark hair have bright mint green eyes (yes they are a bright, bright color). So therefore they do not look realistic. They also have a weird pupil hole. I actually think the pupil hole is too small and defined. They need to feather out the hole a bit. It is a beautiful color but they are not everyday lenses unless you want people to say "Oh what pretty colored contacts you have". I want people to say "OMG you have beautiful eyes." The Quartzo lenses would be great for going out or night time lenses but not for during the day, everyday lenses. The Solotica lenses are thicker than any lens I have worn so they are not as comfortable. Mainly because they dry out quickly. If they are moist, you do not feel them in your eyes. But if they are dry you will definitely feel them and it will not be pleasant. I have to take them out and rinse them or put drops every 2-3 hours. But I can wear them for about 12 hours if I rehydrate them often. I have not received the Cristal lenses yet. So I have my fingers crosses that they will be my everyday favorite lenses.

In conclusion, the most realistic lenses that I have worn are Solotica hands down. I just have not found the right color for me yet. I have ordered them from 3 different companies and all have been great companies. Even though you hear a lot of bad things about ordering from out of the US, I have had not problems. They have been great companies. If the Cristal lenses don't work out for me I will probably try the Hidrocor Ice or Graphite lenses. I may also give the Waicon or Adore lenses a try. I refuse to give up on finding the perfect NATURAL looking colored lens because I feel like I have spent so much money so far that I should not stop now. It would feel like failure. I hope you enjoyed my review and I will update you when my Solotica Cristal lenses come in.

Hi troy,

That's a great post, thanks for taking the time to write all that up. To me this is what Lens 101 is for, to do just what you did and say "I tried X brand of contact lenses and here's what I thought of them."
So if there are any others of you out there reading this, and you wear any kind of contact lenses, sign in here and tell us about them. Tell us what you think of their color (if applicable), their comfort, their price, anything you think other members might ask you if they had the chance.

yournamehere · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

Hey There,

This is my colored contact review as seen through my eyes. I have worn colored contacts for 18 years now and can live without them. I don't even recognize the person in the mirror when I take them off. I am always in search of a more natural looking lens. Unfortunately I have not found a lens that I think is the perfect colored lens. However here are my opinions on the brands that I own or have owned in the past.

Fresh Looks Color Blends: I have tried gray, green, blue and turquoise. They my least favorite lenses because they do not show up on dark eyes. You have to stand an inch from the mirror to even see the color. Stand back 2 feet and you can not even tell you have on colored lenses. Therefore I think they are only popular because of advertising. They do have happen to be very comfortable because they are very thin and they do make your eyes look bigger. But who can tell unless they are staring in your face.

Bausch & Lomb Soflens: I have only tried amazon green and the color shows up. It is a very dark green but they are not realistic and not the right color for my skin tone.

Expressions Colors: I have tried jade green, gray, blue topaz and turquoise. I don't like the green, blue or turquoise lenses because the colors are not right for me. They are a bit too dark in color and they are not right for my complexion. Thus making them look fake on me. But they might look good on the right skin tone (I have dark eyes and a medium skin tone). The gray lenses are the lenses that I have worn for quite a few years now. They are nice lenses because they mix 3 colors and the color is not so bright. It is a dark gray color and looks natural from a distance. But when you look close up you can definitely tell they are not real. You can see the colored lines of the lens. They do not blend at all. I also do not get any compliments when I wear them. So you can decide what that means. But I will say I consider them my every day lens. Because I don't feel like I am wearing costume lenses. They also are very comfortable.

Solotica: I purchased Hidrocharme Mel, Natural Colors Quartzo and Natural Colors Cristal. The Mel lenses do blend with your eye very well so you can look at your eyes close up and they look the most realistic out of any lens I have seen. This is due to the dot matrix system they use. The dots are small so you don't actually see the dots on the lens. I don't wear them because the color looks dark green on my eyes and they tend to have a glowing effect in certain lights. Dark green does not look good with my skin tone and I also think the dark outer iris ring is too bold. It looks weird on my eye. I also think the pupil hole is too large. They have the right idea with the blended pupil hole but they need to shrink it just a bit because if you have dark eyes it just looks like a very large pupil. If you have light eyes it would look great. But not very many people with light eyes wear colored contacts. So I think they need to adjust to their target customer. The Quartzo lenses are a very pretty color. They are a mint green color with a bit of gray. However not very many people with dark hair have bright mint green eyes (yes they are a bright, bright color). So therefore they do not look realistic. They also have a weird pupil hole. I actually think the pupil hole is too small and defined. They need to feather out the hole a bit. It is a beautiful color but they are not everyday lenses unless you want people to say "Oh what pretty colored contacts you have". I want people to say "OMG you have beautiful eyes." The Quartzo lenses would be great for going out or night time lenses but not for during the day, everyday lenses. The Solotica lenses are thicker than any lens I have worn so they are not as comfortable. Mainly because they dry out quickly. If they are moist, you do not feel them in your eyes. But if they are dry you will definitely feel them and it will not be pleasant. I have to take them out and rinse them or put drops every 2-3 hours. But I can wear them for about 12 hours if I rehydrate them often. I have not received the Cristal lenses yet. So I have my fingers crosses that they will be my everyday favorite lenses.

In conclusion, the most realistic lenses that I have worn are Solotica hands down. I just have not found the right color for me yet. I have ordered them from 3 different companies and all have been great companies. Even though you hear a lot of bad things about ordering from out of the US, I have had not problems. They have been great companies. If the Cristal lenses don't work out for me I will probably try the Hidrocor Ice or Graphite lenses. I may also give the Waicon or Adore lenses a try. I refuse to give up on finding the perfect NATURAL looking colored lens because I feel like I have spent so much money so far that I should not stop now. It would feel like failure. I hope you enjoyed my review and I will update you when my Solotica Cristal lenses come in.

Great review, troy. Very well-written. Do you have any other contacts you can review? How about sunglasses for the other section here on Lens 101?

One more question: In your opening statement you wrote "This is my colored contact review as seen through my eyes. I have worn colored contacts for 18 years now and can live without them." Then you go on to write "I don't even recognize the person in the mirror when I take them off." So does this mean you can't live without them?

troy · #4 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 09:21 PM

Oh I'm sorry, I meant to say that "I CAN'T live without colored contacts".

HVAC · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

Oh I'm sorry, I meant to say that "I CAN'T live without colored contacts".

You know, I read my posts over three times before I click "Submit Reply" and I still do things like that. I'll chalk it up to your being so happy with your Solotica contacts that you didn't think about that small typo. Carry on, and let us know if you've got any other items to review. As yournamehere mentioned, there are sections on this site about sunglasses and eyeglasses if you want to tell us what you think about anything in that area.

http://www.lens101.com/eyewear-eyeglasses-sunglasses.html

troy · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 09:40 PM

Since my last post I have also ordered Solotica's Hidrocor Grafite. So at this point I am still waiting on the Cristal Icemint lenses and the Grafite. Once I get them (hopefully this week) I will post my update.

SunKissedSarah · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 09:56 PM

PLEASE post pics of your Crystal/Icemint and graphite lenses when you receive them. I am considering Solotica Crystal and would love to see how they look on a real person. Thank you in advance

troy · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 10:52 PM

I have taken some pictures of a few of the lenses that I own. These are the most recent ones that I have purchased. As I looked through the pictures I realized how fake they all look. However I do wear the Expressions gray everyday and if you are not so close up they do not look so fake. I love the Solotica lenses but as I mentioned I have not found the right color for me. However I have my finger crossed on the 2 pair I'm waiting on. The pictures are in the following order:

Expressions Gray
Expressions Jade Green
Expressions Blue Topaz
Soflens Amazon Green
Solotica NC Quartzo
Solotica Hidrocharme Mel
Natural Eye Color

colortime · #9 (**permalink**) 06-15-2010, 12:12 AM

Troy do you think the Colorblends would fair better on lighter eyes, like blue and green? I like the big eye thing that you stated there...Thanks for the review.

Hottchick · #10 (**permalink**) 06-15-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

I have taken some pictures of a few of the lenses that I own. These are the most recent ones that I have purchased. As I looked through the pictures I realized how fake they all look. However I do wear the Expressions gray everyday and if you are not so close up they do not look so fake. I love the Solotica lenses but as I mentioned I have not found the right color for me. However I have my finger crossed on the 2 pair I'm waiting on. The pictures are in the following order:

Expressions Gray
Expressions Jade Green
Expressions Blue Topaz
Soflens Amazon Green
Solotica NC Quartzo
Solotica Hidrocharme Mel
Natural Eye Color

You're right. These do have those strange patterns on them. I don't know why they do that. One look at a real human eye will show you that the irises are pretty much just one color.

Have you tried any of the Durasoft color contact lenses? If not, you may want to ask your eye doctor about them. Here are the different kinds: http://www.lens.com/view/Durasoft.asp

Blue Cat · #11 (**permalink**) 06-24-2010, 08:04 PM

Ooh--I love the Solotica NC Quartzo (third picture from the bottom).

bettydaviseyes · #12 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

I have taken some pictures of a few of the lenses that I own. These are the most recent ones that I have purchased. As I looked through the pictures I realized how fake they all look. However I do wear the Expressions gray everyday and if you are not so close up they do not look so fake. I love the Solotica lenses but as I mentioned I have not found the right color for me. However I have my finger crossed on the 2 pair I'm waiting on. The pictures are in the following order:

Expressions Gray
Expressions Jade Green
Expressions Blue Topaz
Soflens Amazon Green
Solotica NC Quartzo
Solotica Hidrocharme Mel
Natural Eye Color

I'm guessing you listed these names going from top to bottom and left to right. So the second picture from the top on the right side would be the "Soflens Amazon Green"? That's the one I like best.
When I checked Lens.com, I didn't see any contact lenses with the color "Amazon Green." Are you sure they're SofLens?

troy · #13 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 10:03 AM

Yes they are called Amazon Green by Soflens. I had to purchase them from outside the U.S. as with all my Solotica and Waicon lenses. Personally I think that the Expressions Green lenses are better than the Soflens but green doesn't work well for me so I do not wear any of them.

P.S. The colors are listed in order from top to bottom.

troy · #14 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 10:05 AM

Colortyme,

Freshlooks might work better for light eyes because they are more translucent. This means that they do not work well for dark eyes because to much of your natural eye color shows through and you don't see much color. Although they do make your eyes bigger so if I were you I would try the Freshlooks for light eye (i don't know the name for them) first and then if you don't like them you can try the color blends.

UNIT · #15 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

Colortyme,

Freshlooks might work better for light eyes because they are more translucent. This means that they do not work well for dark eyes because to much of your natural eye color shows through and you don't see much color. Although they do make your eyes bigger so if I were you I would try the Freshlooks for light eye (i don't know the name for them) first and then if you don't like them you can try the color blends.

Do you mean the Acuvue 2 Colours - Enhancers? Those are colored contacts that are kind of see-through so that they complement rather than cover your natural eye color.
I don't know of any FreshLook contact lenses like that.

troy · #16 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 12:35 PM

I looked them up online they are called FreshLook Dimensions for light eyes. They are enhancer lenses for light colored eyes and come in three colors.

Superschwin · #17 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

I looked them up online they are called Freshlook Dimensions for light eyes. They are enhancer lenses for light colored eyes and come in three colors.

Looks like you were able to find the name of these lenses all on your own. Nice job, troy.

oferta · #18 (**permalink**) 06-25-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

UPDATE

I received my Solotica Cristal lenses and my Solotica Hidrocor Graphite lenses. The Cristal lenses are a very light ice green color and is way too light for me. The color washes me out and is not flattering at all.

First post here.

Bad for you, that the Cristal lenses don't work out. I am very interested in them, ever since I saw the oficial picture of it. I have light eyes, do you think those Cristla ones would have that effect of making my eyes light green ?

My eye color,

timetraveler · #19 (**permalink**) 06-28-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oferta

First post here.

Bad for you, that the Cristal lenses don't work out. I am very interested in them, ever since I saw the oficial picture of it. I have light eyes, do you think those Cristla ones would have that effect of making my eyes light green ?

My eye color,

Welcome to Lens 101, oferta. Nice to have you here. I don't know very much about Cristal contact lenses, unfortunately, but I'm sure there are lots of others here on this site that can be of more help to you. There are some very helpful people here.

troy · #20 (**permalink**) 06-28-2010, 09:05 PM

Yes I think the Cristal lenses would give you the light green look that you are looking for. I do have an update to my original post. I had to send back my Cristal lenses because they were defective, the color was not correct. I am suppose to be getting new lenses and hopefully they will work for me. My biggest issue with them is that I have such dark hair and they are such a light color that I didn't want people staring at me as if I was a freak. I figured that I would attract the "IS HE SERIOUS" look from people. Maybe it was just because I am so use to wearing dark gray lenses. I will repeat that the Cristal Ice-mint lenses are definitely a beautiful color. As of today I am still waiting on my Cristal lenses, Natural Color Grafite and Waicon Trikolors in Gray. Since they all come from out of the country it takes approx. 2-4 weeks for them to come in. Even with express delivery.

troy · #21 (**permalink**) 06-28-2010, 09:28 PM

I received these lenses and spoke about them in my original post on this thread. However I had to send them back because the color was not correct. It was as if they were printed on the wrong side of the lens. Here are the pictures of them. So since they are defective I don't want to make my final decision on the lenses until I receive the new pair. I will make my update once they arrive. However this will give you a general idea of what the color looks like on dark eyes.

The first picture is with my lenses in backwards. The second picture is with my lenses in correctly. You are suppose to see an outside ring when the lenses are in the correctly and since you did not on my pair I had to send them back. Although I have not received the new lenses, Wrlens has been very helpful in resolving the issue.

Update: The lenses look light gray in the pictures but on my dark eyes they actually looked a very light mint green. Only from very far away did they look light gray.

Ragnarox · #22 (**permalink**) 06-29-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

I received these lenses and spoke about them in my original post on this thread. However I had to send them back because the color was not correct. It was as if they were printed on the wrong side of the lens. Here are the pictures of them. So since they are defective I don't want to make my final decision on the lenses until I receive the new pair. I will make my update once they arrive. However this will give you a general idea of what the color looks like on dark eyes.

The first picture is with my lenses in backwards. The second picture is with my lenses in correctly. You are suppose to see an outside ring when the lenses are in the correctly and since you did not on my pair I had to send them back. Although I have not received the new lenses, Wrlens has been very helpful in resolving the issue.

Update: The lenses look light gray in the pictures but on my dark eyes they actually looked a very light mint green. Only from very far away did they look light gray.

How long did it take you to get these, troy, from the time you placed the order to the time they showed up at your door?

oferta · #23 (**permalink**) 06-29-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

Yes I think the Cristal lenses would give you the light green look that you are looking for. I do have an update to my original post. I had to send back my Cristal lenses because they were defective, the color was not correct. I am suppose to be getting new lenses and hopefully they will work for me. My biggest issue with them is that I have such dark hair and they are such a light color that I didn't want people staring at me as if I was a freak. I figured that I would attract the "IS HE SERIOUS" look from people. Maybe it was just because I am so use to wearing dark gray lenses. I will repeat that the Cristal Ice-mint lenses are definitely a beautiful color. As of today I am still waiting on my Cristal lenses, Natural Color Grafite and Waicon Trikolors in Gray. Since they all come from out of the country it takes approx. 2-4 weeks for them to come in. Even with express delivery.

Thanks.

In your photos they don't look green at all. Maybe you have made a pictures of the lenses alone ?

troy · #24 (**permalink**) 06-29-2010, 09:28 PM

I took about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks for me to receive them and that is with me paying for express delivery. They do not ship out right away. It takes them about 5-10 days to get the lens in and then they ship it out. However being that it is coming from Brazil, I don't think the timing is that bad (it does have to go through Customs and that takes time as well).

Bessie · #25 (**permalink**) 06-30-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

I took about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks for me to receive them and that is with me paying for express delivery. They do not ship out right away. It takes them about 5-10 days to get the lens in and then they ship it out. However being that it is coming from Brazil, I don't think the timing is that bad (it does have to go through Customs and that takes time as well).

So it can take as long as three weeks to get the contact lenses. That seems like a very long time when you can get lenses from your local eye doctor or even order them from Lens.com, which is conveniently located right here in the States. They can probably get your contacts to you in a few days, maybe a week at the most.

Those Solotica lenses must really be something if people are willing to pay all that money and then wait weeks to get them.

midpom · #26 (**permalink**) 07-02-2010, 06:32 PM

Troy, I really like the 2nd pic of the Solotica Cristal. I even prefer it to the grey Expressions, the Cristal looks more natural. Jmo.

OV-102 · #27 (**permalink**) 07-07-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bessie

So it can take as long as three weeks to get the contact lenses. That seems like a very long time when you can get lenses from your local eye doctor or even order them from Lens.com, which is conveniently located right here in the States. They can probably get your contacts to you in a few days, maybe a week at the most.

Those Solotica lenses must really be something if people are willing to pay all that money and then wait weeks to get them.

I don't know if I would be so willing to wait three weeks for my lenses. I'm too impatient. I'd rather get my contacts that may be an 8 or a 9 on a scale of 1-10 right away, than get some that are ten, but then wait and wait for them. To me it's just not worth it.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get Color Contact Lenses from Lens.com?

ftngirsh · #28 (**permalink**) 07-21-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OV-102

I don't know if I would be so willing to wait three weeks for my lenses. I'm too impatient. I'd rather get my contacts that may be an 8 or a 9 on a scale of 1-10 right away, than get some that are ten, but then wait and wait for them. To me it's just not worth it.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get color contact lenses from Lens.com?

That's a good question, OV-102. Here's the information I found in the site itself:

How long after I order my contact lenses can I expect to receive my order?

Because of the volume we ship we are able to stock 90% of all popular contact lens prescriptions. If your lenses fall into these common parameters we will process your order the day we receive it and ship it the following day. If your order is an uncommon prescription it may take slightly longer to process, specifically Toric lenses often have to be special ordered, this can take up to additional 5 business days to process, so please be patient. Orders received between 6:00 PM (CST) on Friday and 12:00 PM (CST) Sunday will be processed Monday.

Remember, all orders go through a process of Prescription Verification. This process can take up to one full business day in addition to the times listed below.

Destination: United States & Territories
Shipping Method: Expedited Shipping
Shipping Time* 5-7 Business Days

Shipping Method: Fed Ex 2nd Day**
Shipping Time: 2-3 Business Days

Shipping Method: FedEx Next Day**
Shipping Time: 1-2 Business Days

Destination: Canada
Shipping Method: USPS Global Priority Mail
Shipping Time: 5-7 Business Days

Destination: International
Shipping Method: USPS Global Priority Mail
Shipping Time: 7-15 Business Days***

If you are wondering the status of your order we offer an online service allowing you to check your Order Status. For more information about this, refer to the Order Status question.

* Shipping Time displayed above represents the number of business days after dispatch from our shipping facility as advertised by USPS and FedEx. (Please note: Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays observed by the Post Office.)

** FedEx Delivery options are only available for the contiguous 48 states. Orders for Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, and APO/FPO addresses are shipped using USPS Priority Mail.

*** International shipping times do not include any unforeseen customs delays. Customers are encouraged to contact their local customs bureau for information on customs duties and/or limitations. Lens.com is NOT responsible for any sales taxes, duties or any other fees applied by the customs service in your country.

For a nice, neat grid of all of that Shipping Method and Shipping Time information, go to http://www.lens.com/common/faq/whenreceive.asp

Any questions?

Rosie · #29 (**permalink**) 11-21-2010, 12:27 PM

Solotica looks amazing and super natural ,wish 2 have them

Shade Maiden · #30 (**permalink**) 11-22-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosie

Solotica looks amazing and super natural ,wish 2 have them

Solotica lenses are beautiful, but I heard something about them, like they don't ship to the United States or something. Has anyone else heard anything like this?

legacy · #31 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 05:56 AM

nice post

)

RacerX · #32 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legacy

nice post

)

Which of the previous 30 posts are you referring to?

ftngirsh · #33 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shade Maiden

Solotica lenses are beautiful, but I heard something about them, like they don't ship to the United States or something. Has anyone else heard anything like this?

If I remember correctly, Solotica lenses are made in Brazil, and if I remember correctly, for some reason they won't sell them to customers in the U.S. Some kind of customs thing.

Can anyone help out with this?

Deevine1217 · #34 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 12:45 PM

I really wish Solotica had colored toric lenses.
Troy, would you be able to show us some pictures of you wearing your contacts but at a distance? Thanks!

eyecaramba · #35 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deevine1217

I really wish Solotica had colored toric lenses.
Troy, would you be able to show us some pictures of you wearing your contacts but at a distance? Thanks!

Check Lens.com. They've got a few brands of colored toric lenses. They may not look as good as some of the Solotica lenses, but you may be able to find that colored toric combination you're looking for.

I did a quick search and I found that Durasoft has some options for color contacts and there's also FreshLook ColorBlends Toric.

http://www.lens.com/view/color-toric.asp

Deevine1217 · #36 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyecaramba

Check Lens.com. They've got a few brands of colored toric lenses. They may not look as good as some of the Solotica lenses, but you may be able to find that colored toric combination you're looking for.

I did a quick search and I found that Durasoft has some options for color contacts and there's also FreshLook ColorBlends Toric.

I ordered some Waicon trikolor toric lenses. I wanted specifically Solotica, thanks for the link though.

eyecaramba · #37 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deevine1217

I ordered some Waicon trikolor toric lenses. I wanted specifically Solotica, thanks for the link though.

You're welcome, and I hope you enjoy the Waicon lenses.

RacerX · #38 (**permalink**) 01-13-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ftngirsh

If I remember correctly, Solotica lenses are made in Brazil, and if I remember correctly, for some reason they won't sell them to customers in the U.S. Some kind of customs thing.

Can anyone help out with this?

I did a bit of on-line research and I found out that there are a few sites that sell Solotica lenses to customers in the US.

ftngirsh · #39 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX

I did a bit of on-line research and I found out that there are a few sites that sell Solotica lenses to customers in the US.

Good work RacerX, but since none of those sites are Lens.com, keep it "under your hat" as they say.

RacerX · #40 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ftngirsh

Good work RacerX, but since none of those sites are Lens.com, keep it "under your hat" as they say.

I understand. There's no sense in adverting for the sponsor's competition.

timetraveler · #41 (**permalink**) 03-04-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deevine1217

I ordered some Waicon trikolor toric lenses. I wanted specifically Solotica, thanks for the link though.

Did you get your contacts yet, Deevine1217?

coolmama · #42 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy

hey there,

this is my colored contact review as seen through my eyes. I have worn colored contacts for 18 years now and can live without them. I don't even recognize the person in the mirror when i take them off. I am always in search of a more natural looking lens. Unfortunately i have not found a lens that i think is the perfect colored lens. However here are my opinions on the brands that i own or have owned in the past.

fresh looks color blends: I have tried gray, green, blue and turquoise. They my least favorite lenses because they do not show up on dark eyes. You have to stand an inch from the mirror to even see the color. Stand back 2 feet and you can not even tell you have on colored lenses. Therefore i think they are only popular because of advertising. They do have happen to be very comfortable because they are very thin and they do make your eyes look bigger. But who can tell unless they are staring in your face.

bausch & lomb soflens: I have only tried amazon green and the color shows up. It is a very dark green but they are not realistic and not the right color for my skin tone.

expressions colors: I have tried jade green, gray, blue topaz and turquoise. I don't like the green, blue or turquoise lenses because the colors are not right for me. They are a bit too dark in color and they are not right for my complexion. Thus making them look fake on me. But they might look good on the right skin tone (i have dark eyes and a medium skin tone). The gray lenses are the lenses that i have worn for quite a few years now. They are nice lenses because they mix 3 colors and the color is not so bright. It is a dark gray color and looks natural from a distance. But when you look close up you can definitely tell they are not real. You can see the colored lines of the lens. They do not blend at all. I also do not get any compliments when i wear them. So you can decide what that means. But i will say i consider them my every day lens. Because i don't feel like i am wearing costume lenses. They also are very comfortable.

solotica: I purchased hidrocharme mel, natural colors quartzo and natural colors cristal. The mel lenses do blend with your eye very well so you can look at your eyes close up and they look the most realistic out of any lens i have seen. This is due to the dot matrix system they use. The dots are small so you don't actually see the dots on the lens. I don't wear them because the color looks dark green on my eyes and they tend to have a glowing effect in certain lights. Dark green does not look good with my skin tone and i also think the dark outer iris ring is too bold. It looks weird on my eye. I also think the pupil hole is too large. They have the right idea with the blended pupil hole but they need to shrink it just a bit because if you have dark eyes it just looks like a very large pupil. If you have light eyes it would look great. But not very many people with light eyes wear colored contacts. So i think they need to adjust to their target customer. The quartzo lenses are a very pretty color. They are a mint green color with a bit of gray. However not very many people with dark hair have bright mint green eyes (yes they are a bright, bright color). So therefore they do not look realistic. They also have a weird pupil hole. I actually think the pupil hole is too small and defined. They need to feather out the hole a bit. It is a beautiful color but they are not everyday lenses unless you want people to say "oh what pretty colored contacts you have". I want people to say "omg you have beautiful eyes." the quartzo lenses would be great for going out or night time lenses but not for during the day, everyday lenses. The solotica lenses are thicker than any lens i have worn so they are not as comfortable. Mainly because they dry out quickly. If they are moist, you do not feel them in your eyes. But if they are dry you will definitely feel them and it will not be pleasant. I have to take them out and rinse them or put drops every 2-3 hours. But i can wear them for about 12 hours if i rehydrate them often. I have not received the cristal lenses yet. So i have my fingers crosses that they will be my everyday favorite lenses.

In conclusion, the most realistic lenses that i have worn are solotica hands down. I just have not found the right color for me yet. I have ordered them from 3 different companies and all have been great companies. Even though you hear a lot of bad things about ordering from out of the us, i have had not problems. They have been great companies. If the cristal lenses don't work out for me i will probably try the hidrocor ice or graphite lenses. I may also give the waicon or adore lenses a try. I refuse to give up on finding the perfect natural looking colored lens because i feel like i have spent so much money so far that i should not stop now. It would feel like failure. I hope you enjoyed my review and i will update you when my solotica cristal lenses come in.

Update

i received my solotica cristal lenses and my solotica hidrocor graphite lenses. The cristal lenses are a very light ice green color and is way too light for me. The color washes me out and is not flattering at all. The graphite lenses are suppose to be gray but they actually are very very blue on me (not a chance of gray at all). They remind me of durasoft lenses and the single tone color doesn't appeal to me. I just ordered the natural color graphite lenses thinking that the dark ring will look better and although i have not received them i should not have placed the order because i am almost 99% sure that they are not going to work for me. After purchasing 5 pair of solotica lenses and not finding a color that i like, i have decided that solotica is a lot of hype. They have not made a color that i am impressed with. I think you can find the same thing here in the states. After spending almost $700.00 on solotica lenses in my quest to find a more natural lens than my expression gray lenses, i have decided i should give it one last try. I just ordered the waicon trikolor gray lenses. This will be my last attempt to finding the perfect natural looking lens for me. If this does not work i will live with my expressions lenses and be content for the moment. I will update everyone once my grafites and trikolors come in.

to everyone, beware, i repeat, beware of wrlens.com. These ppl are so unprofessional, my dog could run their business better than them!!! They are rude, unprofessional, vulgar and try to bully you around. If you purchase lenses from them and receive a defective lens, they try to make out as though it's your fault. And yes, they request of you to try the defective lens on before replacing it, saying it's in their policy!!!! Who in their right mind would do this??? If you try resolve things with them, they get very nasty as though you've wronged them or try to act as though they do not comprehend things when u call!!! Then they claim to ensure defect-free lenses before shipping them out to you! Well, who's inspecting them, a blind dog!!!???? I don't know who wrlens.com think they are, i say run!!!!!! Run fast and do business elsewhere!!!!!

ftngirsh · #43 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX

I understand. There's no sense in adverting for the sponsor's competition.

Yes, exactly. We must be loyal to the sponsor.

lusox33 · #44 (**permalink**) 04-27-2011, 08:25 PM

Can anyone tell me if i made a mistake ordering the Hidrocharme ICE lenses? i was so skeptical at first, but i really liked the way it looked. i have hazel eyes. can i anyone help please

?

unclebuck · #45 (**permalink**) 04-28-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lusox33

Can anyone tell me if I made a mistake ordering the Hidrocharme ICE lenses? I was so skeptical at first, but I really liked the way it looked. I have hazel eyes. Can anyone help please

?

What about the price? Do you think you can afford to keep buying those lenses? Hidrocharme contact lenses can be rather expensive.

Shamrocker · #46 (**permalink**) 10-16-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ftngirsh

Yes, exactly. We must be loyal to the sponsor.

I understand what you're saying about sponsor loyalty, and I am extremely grateful to lens.com for making this forum available to us. It's been unbelievably helpful to me in making my decision about which lenses to switch to now that the vial lenses I've worn for years have been discontinued. There's no substitute for the honest opinions of others who have tried the different colored lenses (like Troy's awesome review above) and especially the real-life photos people have been kind enough to post (not photo-shopped like on the manufacturer's sites).

However, that said, as much as I'd like to give my business to the sponsor, they simply do not sell a realistic looking colored lens that gives a dramatic color change on darker eyes (in my opinion). It's totally not their fault - there just aren't any available on the US market right now. Since so many perfectly good colored lenses have been discontinued recently, for many of us, these offshore lenses (not approved by the FDA for sale in the US) are the only ones that fit the bill. I wish that weren't so, and I'm hoping this situation will change. If Waicons or Soloticas ever do receive FDA approval (doubtful) or if any of the US manufacturers comes out with a lens that is comparable, I will definitely be ordering from lens.com, for two reasons:
1) any company that sponsors a fabulous forum like this for the benefit of it's customers (and lurkers like me) definitely deserves my patronage, and
2) the fact that posts about (and photos of) Waicons, Soloticas, Magic Tops, etc. are not deleted and people are still permitted to talk about lenses purchased elsewhere speaks volumes, and clearly shows that this forum is indeed about helping people and not just selling lenses.

Goliath2001 · #47 (**permalink**) 10-17-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamrocker

I understand what you're saying about sponsor loyalty, and I am extremely grateful to lens.com for making this forum available to us. It's been unbelievably helpful to me in making my decision about which lenses to switch to now that the vial lenses I've worn for years have been discontinued. There's no substitute for the honest opinions of others who have tried the different colored lenses (like Troy's awesome review above) and especially the real-life photos people have been kind enough to post (not photo-shopped like on the manufacturer's sites).

However, that said, as much as I'd like to give my business to the sponsor, they simply do not sell a realistic looking colored lens that gives a dramatic color change on darker eyes (in my opinion). It's totally not their fault - there just aren't any available on the US market right now. Since so many perfectly good colored lenses have been discontinued recently, for many of us, these offshore lenses (not approved by the FDA for sale in the US) are the only ones that fit the bill. I wish that weren't so, and I'm hoping this situation will change. If Waicons or Soloticas ever do receive FDA approval (doubtful) or if any of the US manufacturers comes out with a lens that is comparable, I will definitely be ordering from lens.com, for two reasons:
1) any company that sponsors a fabulous forum like this for the benefit of it's customers (and lurkers like me) definitely deserves my patronage, and
2) the fact that posts about (and photos of) Waicons, Soloticas, Magic Tops, etc. are not deleted and people are still permitted to talk about lenses purchased elsewhere speaks volumes, and clearly shows that this forum is indeed about helping people and not just selling lenses.

Hi Shamrocker. I agree with what you said about ordering contact lenses on line. You can't order Solotica lenses from a website that doesn't sell them, and those lenses are beautiful. I'm glad you like this forum so much though. I like it too. I'm sure the people that own and operate Lens 101 will appreciate your kind words.

RacerX · #48 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ftngirsh

Yes, exactly. We must be loyal to the sponsor.

See, you understand what I mean.

UNIT · #49 (**permalink**) 10-21-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamrocker

I understand what you're saying about sponsor loyalty, and I am extremely grateful to lens.com for making this forum available to us. It's been unbelievably helpful to me in making my decision about which lenses to switch to now that the vial lenses I've worn for years have been discontinued. There's no substitute for the honest opinions of others who have tried the different colored lenses (like Troy's awesome review above) and especially the real-life photos people have been kind enough to post (not photo-shopped like on the manufacturer's sites).

However, that said, as much as I'd like to give my business to the sponsor, they simply do not sell a realistic looking colored lens that gives a dramatic color change on darker eyes (in my opinion). It's totally not their fault - there just aren't any available on the US market right now. Since so many perfectly good colored lenses have been discontinued recently, for many of us, these offshore lenses (not approved by the FDA for sale in the US) are the only ones that fit the bill. I wish that weren't so, and I'm hoping this situation will change. If Waicons or Soloticas ever do receive FDA approval (doubtful) or if any of the US manufacturers comes out with a lens that is comparable, I will definitely be ordering from lens.com, for two reasons:
1) any company that sponsors a fabulous forum like this for the benefit of it's customers (and lurkers like me) definitely deserves my patronage, and
2) the fact that posts about (and photos of) Waicons, Soloticas, Magic Tops, etc. are not deleted and people are still permitted to talk about lenses purchased elsewhere speaks volumes, and clearly shows that this forum is indeed about helping people and not just selling lenses.

So the forum is good, and the sponsor is probably pretty good also, but you don't know for a fact since they don't sell any lenses that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and that's the case with the contact lenses you want, right?

JayDub · #50 (**permalink**) 10-23-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebuck

What about the price? Do you think you can afford to keep buying those lenses? Hidrocharme contact lenses can be rather expensive.

That's kind of a personal question don't you think? Besides, didn't he say he bought them already...

Railfan · #51 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayDub

That's kind of a personal question don't you think? Besides, didn't he say he bought them already...

Yes, unclebuck is responding to lusox33, who seems to be having "buyer's remorse."

Still, contact lenses are the kind of thing that you buy over and over again, and sometimes you make a purchase like that and think "What have I done? I got away with it this time, but can I afford to make this purchase again next time?" I suppose it was kind of a personal question, though.

JayDub · #52 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railfan

Yes, unclebuck is responding to lusox33, who seems to be having "buyer's remorse."

Still, contact lenses are the kind of thing that you buy over and over again, and sometimes you make a purchase like that and think "What have I done? I got away with it this time, but can I afford to make this purchase again next time?" I suppose it was kind of a personal question, though.

I know what the context was. I was just pointing that out. Sometimes I tend to make comments/questions that can be quite personal as well. I was just helping another notice an uncomfortable position he may be putting someone in.

Besides, people tend to hit that reply button before finishing the read. I know I am a culprit of that as well! More often than not, the answer to your reply is in the OP. You just have to fight good 'ol ADD. :P

Nevertheless, you know what they say. "A person will usually talk about his sex life before engaging in conversation about his financial situation."

Tonythetiger · #53 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayDub

I know what the context was. I was just pointing that out. Sometimes I tend to make comments/questions that can be quite personal as well. I was just helping another notice an uncomfortable position he may be putting someone in.

Besides, people tend to hit that reply button before finishing the read. I know I am a culprit of that as well! More often than not, the answer to your reply is in the OP. You just have to fight good 'ol ADD. :P

Nevertheless, you know what they say. "A person will usually talk about his sex life before engaging in conversation about his financial situation."

I'm the type of person who will read my post five times before I click "Submit Reply" and still regret the things I posted.

It's good of you to point out that someone may have crossed the line. Is it too personal to ask if you think that Hidrocharme contact lenses are too expensive?

JayDub · #54 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonythetiger

I'm the type of person who will read my post five times before I click "Submit Reply" and still regret the things I posted.

It's good of you to point out that someone may have crossed the line. Is it too personal to ask if you think that Hidrocharme contact lenses are too expensive?

Nah. Asking if someone feels as if something is too expensive is not as bad as asking someone if they can 'afford' them. :P

JayDub · #55 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 02:14 PM

Troy, you seem to have the EXACT same eye color as me. Besides color, because I am going for something different (I want light bluish-green eyes), which brand do you feel looks the MOST natural. Meaning, people cannot tell you are wearing contacts.

Taking it a step further, if it is Solotica, which type would be best to give the REAL look? Hidrocor, Hidrocharme or NC? Again, my eye color is almost IDENTICAL to yours.

Jawa · #56 (**permalink**) 10-24-2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayDub

Nah. Asking if someone feels as if something is too expensive is not as bad as asking someone if they can 'afford' them. :P

I'm glad you explained that, JayDub. I can remember a woman telling about how she went to the store and asked about an item and she was led to the discount department. Apparently the salesperson decided that she looked "poor."
We try not to judge here at Lens 101. We're all equal here.

chalibu24 · #57 (**permalink**) 10-31-2011, 11:40 AM

Wow! that's a great review. Are you the author of the blog I was posting about? I love this blog and the author's eye color is the same as yours. But she says she likes Magic Tops. And it's a she, while you are a he. You should check it out!

bestcolorcontacts.blogspot.com

JayDub · #58 (**permalink**) 10-31-2011, 12:37 PM

I posted my review as promised. Check it out.

LeeRoberts · #59 (**permalink**) 10-31-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jawa

I'm glad you explained that, JayDub. I can remember a woman telling about how she went to the store and asked about an item and she was led to the discount department. Apparently the salesperson decided that she looked "poor."
We try not to judge here at Lens 101. We're all equal here.

Yeah, I would say in general that Lens 101 is a pretty friendly site. I've learned a lot here, too.

Railfan · #60 (**permalink**) 11-01-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayDub

I posted my review as promised. Check it out.

Where did you post your review? I couldn't find where you'd made your promise.

unclebuck · #61 (**permalink**) 02-02-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayDub

That's kind of a personal question don't you think? Besides, didn't he say he bought them already...

Lusox33 doesn't think I was getting too personal by asking if they could afford those lenses. It's good that you asked though. I may have to be more careful about my questions in the future.