When Sarah walked into her college reunion with stunning emerald eyes—when everyone remembered her boring brown ones—jaws dropped. Her secret? A box of colored contacts.
But not all colored contacts deliver on their promises. With so many options on the market, how do you know which are the best colored contacts? Today, we’re diving deep into Air OPTIX® COLORS to see how they stack up!
Alcon launched AIR OPTIX® COLORS in 2014 and set it up to be the game-changing colored contact lens. It was packaged as the perfect blend of lens technology and eye-catching aesthetics. They claim to be monthly disposable contacts that can transform your look naturally while giving you unbeatable visual clarity and comfort.
But do they actually achieve that? After analyzing hundreds of reviews, here’s what verified EZContacts customers have to say!
AIR OPTIX® COLORS are colored contact lenses designed to transform the color of your eyes naturally through subtly vibrant hues. They call this their 3-in-1 Color Technology, where each lens has three rings: the inner ring, outer ring, and primary color ring. The change in eye color is natural, not jarring like other colored contact lenses.
AIR OPTIX COLORS 3-in-1 Technology
And because this is AIR OPTIX®, you get lenses made from their proprietary silicone hydrogel material, which provides exceptional breathability and comfort.
AIR OPTIX® COLORS are available in packs of two or packs of six. They offer several contact options, including:
Decorative: Plano (no vision correction)
Prescription: +6.00D to -6.00D (0.25D steps) and -6.00D to -8.00D (0.50D steps)
The color options are:
Amethyst
Blue
Brilliant Blue
Brown
Gemstone Green
Gray
Green
Honey
Pure Hazel
Sterling Grey
True Sapphire
Turqoise
Air Optix Color Options
Some of the pros of AIR OPTIX® COLORS include:
Long-lasting contacts that offer superior breathability
12 vibrant color options
Monthly replacement schedule
However, some of the cons are:
Since they’re monthly contacts, you’ll have to clean, soak, and store them daily
Potential blurrier vision from the tint of the lenses
Lower light transmission due to the lenses’ tint
On EZContacts, these lenses currently enjoy a 4.5 out of 5 stars ranking from 720 verified purchasers, making them one of the top-rated colored contacts on the website. Of these, 78% gave AIR OPTIX® Colors 5 stars, while 8% gave them 1 star. Let’s see why!
AIR OPTIX COLORS® Reviews: The Aesthetics
The main reason to get AIR OPTIX® Colors is, of course, the aesthetics that you want for yourself. The brand’s distinct colors are what set them apart from other colored contact lenses. Honey, Amethyst, True Sapphire, Sterling Grey, Gemstone Green… you can’t find those colors elsewhere.
How each lens lends these hues to your eyes is also different, with triple rings to give your eyes the subtle or dramatic change that you want. You get what the brand calls a “natural-looking enhancement.”
But do they really work? Verified user Unique L. thinks so! She says:
100% Satisfied with the Air Optics Pure Hazel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I have worn these contacts for years and have always received compliments on how natural they look! They are very comfortable and I will continue to order them!”
Adriana S. feels the same way. She’s into the sterling grey color, and she says:
Sterling gray ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I love these contact lenses; the colors are amazing.”
Jose S. found his perfect match with Emerald Green. He gives EZContacts the thumbs up, too:
Emerald green on brown eyes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Emerald green on brown eyes. Excellent service. Quick and accurate. Emerald Green looks great in my brown eyes.”
While most customers rave about the aesthetics, not every color works for every eye color. Amanda J. warns:
Do not choose true Sapphire if you have brown eyes. ⭐️
“I purchased the color true sapphire and with having brown eyes. They look crazy weird. They do not look natural at all. The contacts only cover a little portion of my brown eyes, the very outer band. The whole middle is brown and a blue circle basically outlining my brown eye color. As for the contacts minus the color they fit well and the colored part did not interfere with my vision. First time ordering with EZ Contacts the experience was good. I ordered 7/31 & received on 08/05. I ordered color contacts from another company. The color fit over the color of my eye as I expected these to do. I would like to return/exchange the 4 contacts/2 boxes I have not opened for another color.”
With colored contacts, it’s important to try out the colors first if you don’t know what best suits you. Alcon offers a virtual try-on on their site.
Monty I. confirms this approach:
Deciding on colors ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I bought these because I want to see the different colors of green and blue to choose from. Once I decide the best for me, I’ll order more.”
Pro Tip: Dark brown eyes need opaque colors like Blue, Gemstone Green, or Sterling Grey. Honey and Pure Hazel work best on light brown or hazel eyes.
“Comfort in Mind”
Contact Lenses and Solution
AIR OPTIX® is one of the trusted brands when it comes to comfortable lenses. They even claim to have your “comfort in mind.” The brand boasts of superior moisture retention and oxygen permeability. You should be able to wear these monthly contacts comfortably with proper daily care.
Actual user experiences are mixed, however.
A few new and regular contact lens wearers agree that AIR OPTIX® COLORS contacts are great in terms of comfort.
Judith P. and Mitch T. both rave about the contacts:
New contacts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“They are great! They are comfortable and easy to wear!”
Air Optix Colors ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I love them. They are the most comfortable contact I’ve worn.”
It’s “fun for a change,” says Katherine M., although she didn’t find them as comfortable as some other lenses. She still gives AIR OPTIX® COLORS a 5-star rating and adds:
Fun for a change. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I have worn these on and off for years. They are not as comfortable as some other lenses. I would not keep them in continuously. If you take them out and clean them every couple days. They will probably feel fine. Very fun when you want a change. I like the Opti Free solution by Alcon.”
And true enough, eye sensitivities are different for each person. Roxy H. and Mirta V. were both not fans of these contacts at all:
Not for everyone ⭐️
“They are very uncomfortable, and move when I blink. In addition, I cannot see when I have them on. I ended up buying a different brand and they have been working great.”
Bad quality ⭐️
“Very bad nothing compared to air optix. Very bad quality. I can’t use them they hurt my eyes.”
Pro Tip: If you’re struggling with dry eyes while using AIR OPTIX® COLORS, try using rewetting drops. Talk to your eye doctor about which rewetting drops would work best for you.
The Overall Experience
Some EZContact customers offered insight into their overall experience with AIR OPTIX® COLORS. Many say they love the product.
Marielle W. rates AIR OPTIX® COLORS a 5 out of 5, saying that these are good replacements for Alcon’s discontinued FreshLook ColorBlends:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Although they took a while to get here they are perfect! They are an exact match to the Freshlook Colorblends (honey) which have been discontinued.”
Regular customer Michele E. says that they’re comfortable and pretty. She adds:
Comfortable and pretty ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Been wearing these for years. Very comfortable and true to life colors.”
Jenny C. and Tina P. both agree, giving another 5 out of 5 score.
Brown eyes. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Nice and comfy . Love the colors too.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I was amazed & happy with the quality of my air optix colors! I was expecting flimsy lenses because of the affordable price but these are very flexible & very durable! I definitely recommend and will be returning to purchase again!”
Sharon E., however, gives AIR OPTIX® COLORS a 3 out of 5. She reports:
Great color ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The fit was good. But after 2 days they irritate my eyes. They are not as comfortable anymore. The first 2 pairs were great but a year later and I’m not at all satisfied. I need to try a new brand.”
Jayjay is still looking for the discontinued FreshLook. Jayjay says:
Terrible Bring Back Freshlook colorblends! ⭐️
“I really hate that Alcon got rid of freshlook colorblends. I’ve worn them for many many years without any issues. To get rid of something and replace it with something that doesn’t work is crazy. Also, it seems as they prefer to cater to nearsighted people. I wore +5.50 in pure hazel, and there is no way these air optix are +5.50 as they are blurry. Like did they test these out before putting them on the market? Please bring back freshlooks for farsighted wearers.”
How AIR OPTIX® COLORS Compares to Other Colored Contacts
AIR OPTIX® COLORS vs. FreshLook ColorBlends
AIR OPTIX® COLORS are made of silicone hydrogel, which gives them a higher oxygen flow than FreshLook ColorBlends. FreshLook ColorBlends are a bit more affordable, though, so they’re good for those on a budget.
It’s important to note that FreshLook ColorBlends have been discontinued. However, they can still be found at some online retailers, including EZContacts.
AIR OPTIX® COLORS vs. DAILIES Colors
One of the main differences between these two contacts is that AIR OPTIX® COLORS are monthly contacts, whereas DAILIES Colors are daily lenses. Because of that, AIR OPTIX® COLORS are more affordable. However, they do require more maintenance than DAILIES Colors.
AIR OPTIX® COLORS vs. ACUVUE Define
Compared to AIR OPTIX® COLORS, ACUVUE Define offers less dramatic color change, and they provide more of an ‘enhancement’ to your natural eye color. ACUVUE Define contacts are daily disposables, which means they require less maintenance than AIR OPTIX® COLORS.
AIR OPTIX® COLORS FAQs
How long do AIR OPTIX® COLORS last?
AIR OPTIX® COLORS are monthly disposable contacts. They can be worn for up to 30 days with proper daily care, which includes cleaning and disinfecting them each night. They’re not approved for overnight wear.
What’s the best AIR OPTIX® color for brown eyes?
Opaque colors generally work best for brown eyes. This includes Sterling Gray, Blue, and Gemstone Green. Pure Hazel is also a good choice for a more subtle enhancement.
Are AIR OPTIX® COLORS comfortable?
AIR OPTIX COLORS are considered comfortable by most users. They’re made from silicone hydrogel, which allows a good amount of oxygen to reach the eye.
However, comfort levels can vary from person to person, and there are some users who have found the contacts to be dry. Since they’re monthly contacts, they must be properly cleaned and stored to remain comfortable throughout the month.
Should You Buy AIR OPTIX® COLORS?
AIR OPTIX® COLORS are a good idea to buy if:
You have light to medium brown eyes (best color transformation)
You want monthly reusables (more economical)
Comfort is a priority
You want subtle, natural-looking color
It might be best to skip AIR OPTIX® COLORS if:
You have very dark brown eyes (limited color options work well)
You want zero-maintenance (try daily colored contacts instead)
You want high oxygen transmission for extended overnight wear
Ready to try AIR OPTIX® COLORS? Try Alcon’s virtual try-on tool first, then consult your eye doctor about which shades will work best with your natural eye color.
TL;DR
AIR OPTIX® COLORS contacts are monthly colored contact lenses that were launched by Alcon in 2014.
The brand boasts of its 3-in-1 Color Technology, where the hues of each lens are designed around 3 rings (outer, inner, and primary).
AIR OPTIX® COLORS offers 12 unique colors. Many are pleased with the colors offered. However, there are a few who thought the colors were weird and didn’t match their expectations.
In general, AIR OPTIX® COLORS deliver on comfort. There are a few who feel uncomfortable because of dry eyes.
The overall verdict is generally positive. However, there are a few who are unhappy and want Alcon’s discontinued FreshLook brand back.
My life rotates through five lenses: distance and reading glasses, sunglasses, contacts, and my diving mask's lenses. If I'm not writing, I'm in the kitchen, gym, or under the sea.
