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Halloween contacts can add a lot of impact to your Halloween costume. People who wear corrective contact lenses often experiment with costume lenses as well. But if you dont wear contacts on an everyday basis, would Halloween costume lenses be safe and comfortable for you?

What are Halloween contacts lenses?

Halloween lenses, also called costume or theatrical lenses, are soft contact lenses with a layer of color embedded in them. Top quality costume lenses are produced by the companies that also manufacture ordinary (corrective) contact lenses. To ensure that painted special effect lenses are safe, manufacturers use special paints that dont irritate the delicate surface of your eye.

There are hundreds of different designs: cats eyes, snake eyes, spirals, white-out and black-out lenses, banshee, vampire red, and many more besides.

Most costume lenses are completely opaque, to hide your real eye color, with a clear center so you can see. A few designs, like white-out, which creates an effect of blind eyes, are completely opaque, though, so it is recommended to that you wear them only one at a time.

The majority of theatrical contact lenses are round in shape (like corrective lenses) and cover only your iris. However, there is also a type of lens, called scleral, that covers the entire visible surface of your eye. Scleral lenses are used only for special effects (not for correction) and usually cost a bit more than round ones. Sclerals are also more difficult to put in.

Are costume contact lenses comfortable?

Yes, if you select the lenses that are right for you. To make sure that your lenses are safe and comfortable, you should only go for quality brand name special effect lenses. Currently the most popular costume lenses on the market are Wild Eyes, manufactured by Ciba Vision, and Crazy lenses, from Cooper vision. Both brands are made from top quality materials, feel comfortable in your eyes, and come in variety of exciting designs.

Quality special effect contacts are comfortable for most people. In fact, if the lens is properly fitted, you shouldnt feel it at all. Soft contact lenses dont have any adjustment period and generally feel comfortable in your eyes straight away. However, if you dont wear contact lenses every day, you might want to order your costume contacts in advance and wear them for a few hours each day, several days before the party.

Costume lenses might get a bit less comfortable as the day goes on. The reason is that they cant be as thin as clear corrective lenses - the opaque color layer adds extra thickness - so the lens doesnt let enough oxygen get to your eyes. It is recommended not to wear them for longer than 8 hours. And you should always take them out before going to bed.

Do I need doctors prescription to get special effect lenses?

It might sound silly, but you do. Corrective or not, costume lenses are medical devices, and even though most people can wear them without problems, you should consult your eye doctor and get a prescription. Also ask the doctor how to put your costume lenses in and take them out. All brand name special effect contacts come with clear instructions, about putting them in and taking them out, but it takes a bit of practice.

Where can I get Halloween costume contact lenses?

After getting your prescription comes the time to buy your lenses. You can order them through the doctors office, but this is the most expensive option. You would save a lot if you purchased your Halloween lenses from an online contact lens retailer instead. Just make sure that the shop is reputable and specializes on contact lenses, not just Halloween costumes.

If you are wondering if it is all too much trouble, I would say go for it. Without eyes to match, a costume just doesnt look complete. And the care isnt at all difficult - all it takes is a couple of minutes. Just follow the doctors instructions.

Tanya Turner is a color contact lens expert and a founder of Contact Lenses Consumer Guide which provides you with information about all types of contact lenses including Halloween costume contacts, and colored contacts reviews and pictures.

If you are planning to organise a trade show, seminar, or convention, and trying to look for the best promotional item that can be handed out at end of the event, think about umbrellas. Many companies go for pens, mugs, and caps, but only a few intelligent ones go for promotional umbrellas. Promotional umbrellas are munificent and caring corporate gifts and can become a good statement for your business. Umbrellas are far more popular and useful than the normal clich promotional items. If you are in UK, calculate the number of rainy days appearing in a year. You will understand the value of umbrellas in every household.

The best way to liven up the wet, damp and dreary rainy months is to gift umbrellas. Everyone uses umbrellas during rainy seasons and most people have umbrellas with plain or striped designs, save for the occasional print or flower pattern. Why not replace them with your promotional umbrellas imprinted with your business name, logo, message, slogan, or website URL. This will not only serve the purpose of gift but spread your company name amidst a large section of the society thereby creating brand awareness.

People think that it is very easy to design promotional umbrellas, which is not always true, as designing umbrellas involve planning, thought process, and colour combination.

Many companies who have selected promotional umbrellas as their promotional items often get confused about the design aspect and don't know how to proceed. If you are into this situation, look for an expert rather than giving up and selecting a plain umbrella without any design. Despite being useful, you have to remember that promotional umbrellas are left idle for a few months in a year, when your advertising usefulness gets reduced. But the same can be said for other promotional items too. The major advantage of promotional golf umbrellas is that the product is bound to be taken outdoors in public places.

Whenever potential customers are on the verge of taking a decision on whom to call for a particular service, they will certainly remember the company name they saw on their way from the streets that morning. Promotional umbrellas are capable enough to generate not just customer satisfaction but also advertising your company name to countless others. Hence, the bottom-line is, it is worth considering promotional umbrellas as a business gift.

With a leading supplier you can find a wide range of promotional umbrellas available in varied colours, makes, and designs. With expansive stores these suppliers sell a variety of promotional items and products and exclusive umbrellas for the purpose of promotion. Their expert designers and assistants can help you out with aspects of product design and aesthetics. To buy promotional umbrellas, printed umbrellas, promotional gifts, and promotional items check out the internet today.

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet.com, the UK's leading online promotional umbrellas and printed umbrellas supplier based in the north of England. Ideasbynet was established in 2001 and has taken the UK promotional gift market by storm.