Contact Lens Wearers Guide to Lash Extensions | Étoile Lash

Can You Wear Contact Lenses with Lash Extensions in Saskatoon?

Here’s the good news: yes, you can absolutely wear contact lenses with lash extensions! I work with contact lens wearers every single week here at Étoile Lash Studio in Saskatoon, and it’s one of the most common questions I get during consultations.

Whether you wear daily disposables, monthly lenses, or even colored contacts, lash extensions are totally compatible with your lifestyle. The key is knowing how to safely manage both during your appointment and in your daily routine.

After five years as a certified lash technician, I’ve learned exactly what contact wearers need to know to keep their eyes comfortable, their lashes gorgeous, and their vision crystal clear. Let me walk you through everything.

What to Do with Your Contacts During Your Lash Appointment

Your lash extension appointment will take about 90-120 minutes, and your eyes will be closed the entire time. Here’s what you need to know about managing your contact lenses:

Remove Your Contacts Before Your Appointment

Always remove your contact lenses before I start applying your lash extensions. Wearing contacts with your eyes closed for that long can cause:

• Dry, irritated eyes
• Uncomfortable lens shifting
• Increased risk of infection
• Difficulty keeping your eyes fully relaxed and closed

I have a clean, private area where you can safely remove and store your contact lenses. Just bring your lens case and contact solution with you.

The Easiest Option: Wear Your Glasses

If you have glasses, wearing them to your appointment is honestly the simplest solution. You can just take them off when you arrive, have your lash appointment, and put them back on when we’re done. Many of my Stonebridge clients keep a backup pair of glasses specifically for lash days!

When Can You Put Your Contacts Back In?

After your lash appointment, wait at least 4-6 hours before inserting your contact lenses. Here’s why:

The lash adhesive needs time to fully cure. While the initial bond happens quickly, the adhesive continues to set for several hours. Inserting contacts too soon could:

• Expose your eyes to residual adhesive fumes
• Cause irritation or watering
• Potentially weaken the lash bond

Pro tip from experience: I recommend scheduling your lash appointments in the late afternoon or evening. That way, you can wear your glasses home and won’t need to worry about contacts until the next morning. During Saskatchewan winters, this also means you’re not dealing with fogged-up glasses AND new lashes at the same time!

Daily Contact Lens Routine with Lash Extensions

Once your lash extensions are fully set, wearing contacts daily is completely safe. Here’s how to protect both your lashes and your eye health:

Inserting Your Contact Lenses

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or lashes
2. Insert contacts gently without pulling or tugging on your lash line
3. Look down into a mirror instead of pulling your upper lid (this protects your lashes)
4. Use oil-free contact lens solution only (oil breaks down lash adhesive)

Removing Your Contact Lenses

1. Use oil-free saline or solution to wet the lens first
2. Look up and gently pinch the lens out without touching your lashes
3. Never rub your eyes to adjust your contacts—use solution to lubricate instead
4. Remove contacts before cleansing your lashes at night

Just last week, a client who works at the University of Saskatchewan told me she was worried about managing her daily contacts with lashes. After I showed her this gentle technique, she said it’s actually easier than she thought—and she loves not needing mascara anymore!

Best Contact Lens Types for Lash Extension Wearers

All contact lens types work with lash extensions, but some are easier to manage than others:

Daily Disposable Contacts (Easiest!)

Why they’re ideal:

• Fresh, clean lens every day means less buildup near lashes
• No overnight cleaning routine to worry about
• Less risk of protein deposits that can irritate eyes
• Simply toss and replace if you accidentally touch them with lash adhesive residue

Monthly or Bi-Weekly Contacts

What to keep in mind:

• Use oil-free cleaning solutions only
• Store in a clean case away from your lash cleansing area
• Replace your lenses on schedule to avoid buildup
• Consider switching to daily disposables during lash refill weeks for convenience

Hard/RGP Contacts

These work perfectly with lash extensions! Since you insert and remove them differently than soft lenses, there’s often less contact with your lash line anyway.

Oil-Free Products: Your New Best Friend

Here’s the most important rule for contact wearers with lash extensions: avoid oil-based products near your eyes.

Oil breaks down lash adhesive, causing your extensions to fall out prematurely. This means:

✅ Use oil-free contact lens solution (check the ingredients!) ✅ Oil-free eye drops if you need moisture ✅ Oil-free makeup remover for any eye makeup ✅ Water-based or gel-based skincare around your eyes

❌ Avoid:

• Oil-based contact rewetting drops
• Micellar water with oils
• Coconut oil or any cleansing oils near eyes
• Makeup wipes with mineral oil

I always recommend clients check their contact lens solution labels. Most saline solutions are oil-free, but some multipurpose solutions contain oils or moisturizers. When in doubt, look for solutions labeled “oil-free” or “compatible with eyelash extensions.”

What If You Have Dry Eyes from Contact Wear?

Many contact lens wearers deal with dry, irritated eyes—especially here in Saskatoon’s dry climate. Good news: lash extensions can actually help!

Here’s why contact wearers often love getting lash extensions:

• No more mascara means no more harsh makeup remover irritating your eyes
• Less eye rubbing because you’re not removing stubborn makeup
• Fewer products near your eyes reduces allergen exposure
• Medical-grade adhesive is often gentler than traditional mascara formulas

One of my regular clients who works long hours at Midtown Plaza told me her eyes actually feel less dry since getting lashes. She realized she was constantly touching her eyes to fix her mascara throughout the day—something she doesn’t need to do anymore!

Lash Extension Styles for Contact Lens Wearers

You can wear any lash style you like with contacts! However, if you have sensitive eyes or dry eye issues from contact wear, I often recommend:

Classic Lash Extensions

Best for: Contact wearers with sensitive eyes or first-timers

• Lighter weight means less sensation on your lashes
• Natural look that won’t feel heavy
• Easier maintenance routine
• Learn more about classic lash extensions in Saskatoon

Hybrid Lash Extensions

Best for: Contact wearers who want more volume without heaviness

• Mix of classic and volume techniques
• Balanced, fluffy look
• Still lightweight and comfortable
• See if hybrid lash extensions are right for you

Volume Lash Extensions

Best for: Contact wearers with healthy eyes who want dramatic results

• Multiple ultra-light extensions per natural lash
• Fuller, more dramatic appearance
• Requires excellent lash hygiene (important for contact wearers!)
• Explore volume lash extensions in Saskatoon

Cleaning Your Lash Extensions as a Contact Wearer

Eye hygiene is extra important when you wear contact lenses. Here’s your daily lash care routine:

Morning Routine

1. Wash hands thoroughly
2. Gently brush through lashes with a clean spoolie
3. Insert contacts carefully using the technique I mentioned earlier
4. Apply eye drops if needed (oil-free only!)

Evening Routine

1. Remove contacts first before touching your lashes
2. Cleanse lashes with oil-free lash shampoo (I recommend this to all contact wearers)
3. Rinse thoroughly with water
4. Pat dry and brush through with a clean spoolie
5. Store contacts properly in fresh solution

Need more detailed aftercare instructions? Check out my complete guide on lash extension aftercare in Saskatoon.

Red Flags: When to Remove Your Contacts or Lashes

As a contact lens wearer, you should watch for these warning signs:

🚨 Contact your eye doctor if you experience:

• Persistent redness or irritation
• Unusual discharge from your eyes
• Vision changes
• Pain when wearing contacts
• Sensitivity to light

🚨 Contact me (your lash tech) if you notice:

• Excessive lash shedding
• Irritation specifically at the lash line
• Difficulty inserting contacts due to lash placement
• Uncomfortable tugging or pulling on your natural lashes

In five years, I’ve only had one client experience irritation from contacts and lashes together—and it turned out her contact lens solution had changed formulas and now contained oil. Once she switched back to an oil-free solution, problem solved!

Special Considerations for Saskatchewan’s Dry Climate

Living in Saskatoon means dealing with extremely dry air, especially in winter. This affects both contact lens wearers AND lash extension wearers:

Winter Contact & Lash Care Tips

• Use a humidifier at night to add moisture to the air
• Apply oil-free eye drops before and after wearing contacts
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated from the inside
• Cleanse lashes extra gently when your eyes are already dry
• Consider daily disposables in winter months if your eyes are extra sensitive

During our brutal Saskatchewan winters, I always remind my clients that taking extra care of their eyes benefits both their contacts and their lashes!

Real Client Story: From Worried to Confident

I recently worked with a bride-to-be from Nutana who wore contacts daily for work. She was nervous about getting lash extensions for her wedding because she’d heard they “don’t work with contacts.”

After her consultation, we created a plan:

• She wore her glasses to both her trial and wedding day appointments
• We chose hybrid lash extensions for a romantic, full look without excessive weight
• I showed her the proper contact insertion technique to protect her lashes
• She switched to daily disposable contacts for the week leading up to her wedding

Result? Stunning wedding photos, comfortable eyes all day, and she’s been a regular client ever since. She even convinced three of her bridesmaids to get lashes too!

Can You Get Lash Extensions If You’ve Had Eye Surgery?

If you’ve had LASIK, PRK, or other corrective eye surgery, you can typically get lash extensions! However:

• Wait until fully healed (usually 6-8 weeks minimum, but check with your eye doctor)
• Get clearance from your eye surgeon before booking
• Mention your surgery history during your consultation so I can take extra care

Many of my clients actually got lash extensions AFTER LASIK because they no longer needed glasses or contacts—and wanted to show off their eyes!

Your Lash Extension Consultation as a Contact Wearer

When you book your lash appointment at Étoile Lash Studio, here’s what to mention during your consultation:

• Type of contact lenses you wear (daily, weekly, monthly, hard, soft)
• Any eye sensitivity or dryness you experience
• Your contact lens solution brand (so I can verify it’s oil-free)
• Whether you prefer wearing contacts or glasses day-to-day
• Any eye conditions like dry eye syndrome, allergies, or past infections

This helps me customize your lash application and aftercare routine specifically for your eyes!

Bottom Line: Contacts and Lashes Work Beautifully Together

After working with hundreds of contact lens wearers here in Saskatoon, I can confidently say that lash extensions and contact lenses are a perfect match—as long as you follow the right care routine.

The key takeaways:

• ✅ Remove contacts during your lash appointment
• ✅ Wait 4-6 hours before reinserting contacts after application
• ✅ Use only oil-free contact lens solutions and eye products
• ✅ Be gentle when inserting and removing contacts
• ✅ Cleanse your lashes daily with oil-free lash shampoo
• ✅ Watch for any signs of irritation and address them quickly

Many of my contact-wearing clients tell me that lash extensions actually simplified their beauty routine. No more struggling with mascara, no more makeup smudges on their lenses, and no more irritated eyes from harsh removers.

Ready to Experience Beautiful Lashes in Saskatoon?

Whether you wear daily contacts, monthly lenses, or you’re fresh off LASIK surgery, I’d love to help you achieve the gorgeous lashes you deserve. At Étoile Lash Studio, I specialize in creating comfortable, safe, stunning lash extensions for contact lens wearers.

Book your lash extension appointment today, and don’t forget to bring your glasses or contact lens case!

Have questions about your specific contact lens situation? DM me on Instagram and I’ll help you figure out the best lash plan for your eyes.

Check out current lash extension pricing in Saskatoon to find the perfect set for your budget and lifestyle!