Want to look like your favourite K-pop star? Try coloured contact lenses

In the world of K-pop, it’s all about delivering high-octane visuals. Think a kaleidoscope of bold colours, glitter and glam. K-pop stars take this to the next level, often sporting larger-than-life looks to create a sense of otherworldly allure and enhance their personal brand and aesthetic. One way they do this is by wearing coloured contacts. While most South Koreans (or Asians in general) are born with black hair and dark eyes, K-pop idols choose to go platinum blonde and use contact lenses in striking shades of blue, purple and green.  

As K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK continue to rise in global popularity, their style has inspired more people to adopt similar looks. Thanks to K-pop, coloured contact lenses have experienced a resurgence. If you’re looking to experiment with this trend, here’s a guide from a Singapore optometrist on how you can get started with coloured contacts. 

Coloured contacts come in various types, each offering different effects to suit your personal style. Generally, there are two types of coloured contact lenses: enhancement tints and circle lenses. Enhancement tints can be further categorised by their intensity. Some options are more subtle and natural, often featuring shades similar to your existing eye colour, while others offer more vibrant and unique tints for a bolder look.  

If you’re totally new to coloured contacts, we recommend starting with natural-looking enhancement tints. For everyday wear, it’s best to go for those with a more realistic finish and earthy tones such as brown, hazel or grey contacts. These lenses don’t drastically alter your eye colour, but accentuate your features and add a touch of shine to your dark eyes.  

A well-loved brand to try is Acuvue Define. It features three translucent layers, and offers UV protection and prescription options for near and farsightedness. Available at Chew’s Optics, Acuvue Define comes in seven variants:  

• Radiant Chic (Dark brown limbal ring with light gold and bronze patterns) 

• Radiant Sweet (Brown limbal ring with a tan highlight) 

• Radiant Bright (Mocha limbal ring with brown and amber tones) 

• Radiant Charm (Dark grey limbal ring with honey highlights) 

• Accent Style (Translucent black limbal ring) 

• Vivid Style (Brown limbal ring with warm brown patterns) 

• Natural Shine (Dark grey limbal ring with a gold shimmer) 

Once you’re more comfortable with coloured contacts and feel ready to experiment with brighter hues, consider vivid tints in colours like pink, purple, blue or green. These are perfect for special events (like Halloween) or when you want to achieve a striking, K-pop-inspired look. Another brand available at Chew’s Optics, GEOLICA offers a range of fun shades.  

The Eyeniq series includes purple contact lenses for that signature K-pop bubblegum aesthetic, while the Blenz collection offers light blue and green-grey lenses that can instantly transform your style. The brand’s Princess Mimi line also features stunning dark green lenses, as well as a bright orange version offering one of the boldest and most dramatic colours you’ll ever find. 

Aside from enhancement tints, you can also try circle lenses. Also known as big eye lenses, they are designed to both enhance your eye colour and enlarge your eyes. Originated in South Korea in the mid-2000s and a popular choice among K-pop entertainers, they feature a darker outer ring that creates the illusion of bigger, doll-like eyes. 

When selecting coloured contact lenses, there are two main factors to consider: your skin tone and hair colour. For those with warm skin tones (characterised by peachy, yellow or golden undertones), warmer shades like brown and hazel work best. Cooler skin tones with a bluish or pinkish undertone pair well with colours like grey, green or blue. If you have a neutral skin tone, most colours should complement your complexion.  

As for hair colour, most of us in Singapore have dark brown or black hair. This is good news because they go well with all eye colours. If you’ve dyed your hair blonde however, you might want to accentuate it with more vibrant eye colours like light blue, green or purple. 

Other important considerations include whether you need a prescription for your coloured contacts, and, if you’re new to contact lenses, whether you’re suitable for wearing them at all. Unfortunately, some individuals are unable to wear contact lenses due to intolerance, recurrent dry eyes, eye allergies or eyelid inflammation. To ensure you’re making safe choices, visit a certified optometrist like Chew’s Optics, where you can get a comprehensive eye exam, as well as personalised advice on what’s best for you.

Prioritising safety is essential when purchasing coloured contact lenses. Always buy from reputable sources like Chew’s Optics and be diligent about following your optometrist’s eye care instructions. Ready to explore our range of coloured contacts? Visit our optical shop at 144 Teck Whye Lane, #01-211, Singapore. We are open every day except Mondays and Fridays. You can also drop us a line on WhatsApp at +65 8314 7093, if you have any questions.