Review: GEO Circle Lenses (Part 1) Honey Wing, Fresh Brown, Nudy, BC-101

Note 1: If my eye makeup and undereye concealer seem neither here nor there, try inserting and removing 5 pairs of lenses between running to the loo for best lighting. Nuff said.

Note 2: If I seem cross-eyed, I probably am. Try inserting and removing 5 pairs of lenses for the SECOND time between running to the loo for best lighting AGAIN because the genius in me forgot to take photos with FLASH! Nuff Nuff said.

Please read THIS if you wear or intend to wear circle lenses for more than 3 hours, especially the part on LENS BASE CURVE and ASTIGMATISM.

...You're blessed with ONLY one pair of eyes...

...Treasure Your Vision...

FYI, I wear these thrice a week at most, and never more than 5 hours (if that) at one time.

QUICKIE ON RETAILERS

I purchased/was sponsored these lenses from 2 retailers, Pinky Paradise ("Pinky") and Cara Mel Colors ("CaraMel"). The price point from these retailers are quite different, Pinky being a fair bit higher and CaraMel more economical. The reason being these online "shops" differ in concept.

(1) Pinky carries a lot of ready stock.
In other words, most popular models can be shipped out within 3 days of purchase (unless they're Out Of Stock).
{{ Ready Stock = More Overhead Expenses = Speedy Shipping = Pricier Lenses }}

Thus, if you want your lenses and you want them NOW (well, not NOW in the literal sense, but ASAP), Pinky is the way to go.

Plus you get cutesy lens cases and freebies when you key in discount codes from the super YouTube Gurus the company sponsors.

Personally, I'm not particularly keen on the lens cases, cute as they are (and "Patent-Pending" too! Bet you didn't know that! HA!). If you wear prescription lenses, you would need to feel around (akin to Braille :P) for the embossed "Patent Pending" at the bottom of the case to know which is Left/Right because the "clever" manufacturer printed the very important "R" inside the case, at the bottom of the compartment.

Also, storage is a pain-I can't stack them up.

Edited 22 November 2010 : I thought "Pinky Paradise" was a porno-site when I first heard of it. Just saying. 

(2) CaraMel runs on a spree/pre-order basis.
Which means, the owner would collect orders until a certain date, and then purchase them by bulk. Depending on when you place your order, you may have to twiddle your thumbs and just sit tight.

No freebies, just a basic lens case which I actually prefer.

However, it is much more budget-friendly than Pinky. I do have to say the website can be greatly improved. It's quite difficult choosing the lenses you want based on CaraMel's website alone.

All in all, it boils down to: Price, Speed & Freebies (website design & communication if you're finicky about that) because my GEOs from both retailers are authentic (GEO's Anti-Fake System).

After the jump, you'll be bombarded with creepy eyes (MINE! Not kawaii-neh girls ^_~) starring at you, so click "Read More" at your own risk!

NAKED EYES

Naked Eyes

I don't want to sound conceited, but after trying out numerous pairs of circle lenses, I have come to realise that my irises are of decent-size :P Maybe a tiny bit above average. If they came out with 13.5 mm lenses, I'd jump for joy ^_^

ALL lenses chosen are 14 mm in diameter, and that's as far I can go without looking overly freaky. As it is, I don't think I have much "white area" to work with.

And why mostly brown lenses? Because I'm approaching my mid-30s, and I have nowhere to wear rainbow lenses. It's a no-brainer when it comes to colour selection, really...

If you feel uncomfortable with the lenses fresh from the sealed glass jars, try soaking them in your usual lens solution for several days - it helps (Scouts honour - GEO Honey Wing was awful when "fresh"). If you STILL feel discomfort, something's wrong, ok? Common sense, yo!

- "Natural"
is very VeRy VERY subjective - what I deem as natural might not be for others, and vice-versa. Also, it depends on the size of your eye/iris. Of course I had to find out the hard way...Sigh...

- "Comfort/Thickness":
I don't believe there's a thickness measurement, but I can definitely tell the difference when I clean, insert and wear them.

- "Halo Effect":
An effect produced by a pair of lenses with the extended colouring, but without the dark limbal ring. At the bottom [and often, sides] of the lens, a light coloured crescent is visible. This is caused by the lens' colour going beyond the iris, and over the white of the eye. Over such a light colour (white), the lens' colour looks super light compared to the rest of it, which is over your darker iris.
However, not everyone gets the halo effect, even from the same lens of the same size. If the lens' colour doesn't go too far from your iris' edge, then you won't have one, or not a very big effect. The smaller your eye is, compared to the lens size, the bigger the halo. (Extracted from here)


GEO BC-101

GEO BC-101

This model is said to be among the most natural. I don't agree.

In fact, this model showcases the whole reason I stopped wearing black circle lenses in the first place! Instead of Ju-On-like solid, glossy black orbs, my irises look like (almost)-solid, glossy BROWN orbs :(

Did I mention that the colour is a little "cooler" than my natural irises? My irises are of a warmer brown.

The limbal ring is too solid in terms of colour and non-pixelated; thus my irises look un-naturally defined and GINORMOUS.

There's no pixelation to speak of in the entire lens; instead, an odd spiral-like design which is barely visible in natural light.

IMO, this is the most un-natural compared to GEO Honey Wing & GEO Fresh Brown.

Enlargement : 9/10
Comfort/Thickness : 7/10
(Quite thick and can be drying after 3 hours)
Shifting :
None
Halo Effect :
None

GEO HONEY WING

GEO Honey Wing

I was VERY surprised considering this (and GEO Ash Wing) is designed for Tsubasa Masuwaka (Yes, I made a YouTube tutorial for her. Doesn't mean I want to look like her!). I expected to look like a Wannabe-Gyaru-Minus-Everything-Gyaru-Except-Circle-Lenses, BUT I was pleasantly surprised.

This pair actually turns out to be my go-to lens if I want to sneak into office with extra oooomphh in my eyes on casual Fridays/Saturdays. Even on weekdays if I feel a little risque :P

The enlargement is not creepily inhuman because the limbal ring is relatively subtle. It looks just a tad bigger than my natural irises. Also, the colour is quite close to my natural irises.

Although the pixelation seems obvious in the photos, it's not so in real life (unless you're 6 inches away from my eyes and NOBODY except The Hubs gets that close ^_~)

Enlargement : 8/10
Comfort/Thickness : 7/10
(Quite thick and can be drying after 3 hours)
Shifting :
None
Halo Effect :
None

GEO FRESH BROWN

GEO Fresh Brown

My 2-nd go-to pair, if I want a little more drama than GEO Honey Wing.

This is quite natural looking, but the enlargement effect is more pronounced than GEO Honey Wing due to the stronger limbal ring. Also, the colour is darker than my natural irises.

Fortunately, the mild pixelation makes it more natural than the GEO BC-101. Pixelation isn't always bad...

I would say this is a nice compromise between GEO Honey Wing and GEO BC-101.

Enlargement : 8.5/10
Comfort/Thickness : 8/10
(Thinner than GEO BC-101 and GEO Honey Wing; thicker than GEO Nudy)
Shifting :
Slight shifting
Halo Effect :
None

GEO NUDY BROWN

GEO Nudy Brown

"I Look Reptilian" - I swear that's what came to mind when I first put them on.

They DO NOT come close to a brown on me at all. In fact, if they weren't brown whilst floating languidly in the lens case, I would have thought I was wearing gray lenses.

Which brings me to the next question: How would the GEO Nudy Gray look on me? O_o

To be honest, I have yet to wear these out of the house, which is such a shame, since GEO Nudys are the comfiest in my stash - super thin, easy to pop in, I can barely feel anything on.

Another important factor is the Halo Effect. Apparently, GEO Nudys are infamous for their Halo Effect (see above for definition). On my eyes, 14 mm GEO Nudys are not sufficiently large to produce the Halo Effect CONSISTENTLY at all angles, which I don't particularly like in the first place anyway.

The problem is they shift around too easily, and slivers of my eyes' "white area" play peek-a-boo (see the white crescent at the bottom of my iris)? EEWWWW! You don't need to see pics when I shift my eyes to the extreme right, left, up, down. SUPER ICKY!

Enlargement : 9/10
Comfort/Thickness : 9/10
(Super comfy - the thinnest of the lot)
Shifting :
Yes
Halo Effect :
Only when I move my eyes to the extreme right, left, up, down.


GEO NUDY PINK

GEO Nudy Pink

IDENTICAL as the GEO Nudy Browns above, except for the fact that I actually prefer these!

If I want to look weird, might as well go all the way, no!?!? ~_~

Enlargement : 9/10
Comfort/Thickness : 9/10
(Super comfy - the thinnest of the lot)
Shifting :
Yes
Halo Effect :
Only when I move my eyes to the extreme right, left, up, down.


Part 2 on Duebas! Keep an eye out! *pun intended* ^_^ I'm so lame, I know...



FTC Disclaimer: Lenses from CaraMel Colors (GEO BC-101 & GEO Fresh Brown) were sponsored. Lenses from Pinky Paradose (GEO Honey Wing, GEO Nudy Brown & GEO Nudy Pink) were self-purchased. I was NOT paid to write this post, I am not affiliated in any way with the company, my opinions are my own and always honest.