Which Colored Contact Lens Brands Are Popular in the USA?

Your Beauty Guide to the Best-Selling Color Lens Brands Loved Coast to Coast

Whether you’re dialing up your daily glam or swapping your specs for something more stylish, colored contacts have become more than just a fleeting trend, they’re a lifestyle staple. And in the United States, the obsession is real. From everyday beauty enthusiasts to Hollywood’s elite, the colored lens game is stronger than ever.

A Global Beauty Essential: The Rise of Colored Contact Lenses

Colored contact lenses have transcended borders, becoming a staple in both fashion and functional eyewear markets. According to Statista, the global contact lens market was valued at $14.6 billion in 2022, with cosmetic and colored lenses accounting for over 12% of that figure. In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated that over 45 million people wear contact lenses, with a growing portion turning to colored options for both prescription and non-prescription use.

What was once reserved for Halloween or cosplay is now part of everyday glam. A recent Vision Council report noted that more than 30% of U.S. contact lens wearers choose lenses for both vision correction and aesthetic enhancement, proving that beauty and function no longer live in separate lanes.

Beyond Vanity: Colored Contacts as Daily Beauty + Vision Combo

For many Americans, especially millennials and Gen Z, colored contact lenses have become a beauty-meets-necessity hybrid. It’s the ultimate two-in-one: correcting your vision while subtly (or boldly) enhancing your natural eye color. This dual appeal has helped propel colored lenses into the daily beauty arsenal of people who want to skip the hassle of glasses while adding a unique pop to their look.

Whether it’s hazel eyes to match your makeup mood or a striking blue to amplify a minimal outfit, the colored lens culture is alive and thriving across the U.S., from New York runways to LA sidewalks.

1. FreshLook / Air Optix / Dailies Colors – The American Classics

When talking about colored contact lens royalty in the U.S., it’s impossible not to mention FreshLook. Manufactured by Alcon, FreshLook has been a mainstay since the early 2000s, often regarded as the first love of many American color lens wearers. Their ColorBlends and Colors collections became iconic for their three-in-one print technology, allowing the lens to blend with natural eye tones while providing a vivid yet believable color enhancement.

A survey by Contact Lens Spectrum in 2020 listed FreshLook ColorBlends among the top three most prescribed colored contact lenses in the U.S. among eye care professionals, especially in urban states like California, Texas, and Illinois.

But even legends evolve. In recent years, Alcon has shifted focus to its more advanced color lens offerings:

Air Optix Colors - Monthly lenses made with SmartShield® Technology for better breathability and hydration.

Dailies Colors - A fresher, more convenient daily option that offers the same vibrant shades with a more comfortable fit.

The announcement of FreshLook ColorBlends’ discontinuation of certain shades and styles was bittersweet, but fans didn’t have to look far: Air Optix Colors and Dailies Colors were crowned the natural successors, bringing in newer tech, improved comfort, and color depth that feels like a filter for your eyes.

Quick Stat: As of 2023, Air Optix Colors ranked in the top 5 best-selling colored lenses in the United States according to data from major retailers and optical clinics.

2. Solotica – The Luxe Obsession

If FreshLook is the classic, Solotica is the couture. Hailing from Brazil, Solotica is one of the most searched colored contact lens brands in the U.S., with a reputation built on ultra-natural aesthetics and celebrity endorsements.

Its rise in the U.S. began in the mid-2000s, thanks to viral makeup videos and shoutouts from beauty creators like Bretman Rock, who famously wore Solotica lenses in his early Instagram beauty videos, calling them “next-level eye candy.” Since then, Solotica has been spotted on the red carpet, from the GRAMMYs to the Met Gala, worn by makeup artists, stylists, and celebrities looking for a natural yet statement-making gaze.

Publications like Allure, Insider Beauty, and NYLON have praised Solotica as “the world’s most natural-looking colored lenses,” and it’s easy to see why. Their lenses, especially the Hidrocor and Aquarella collections, are engineered with no limbal ring, giving an authentic and seamless transition between iris and sclera.

Solotica has carved a niche as a luxury eye fashion brand, particularly popular in states like:

California (celebrity-heavy, glam culture)

New York (editorial and high fashion)

Florida and Texas (vibrant aesthetics)

Washington and New Jersey (urban, diverse beauty markets)

Even Hawaii, where island beauty meets tropical glam

Whether it’s Hidrocor Ocre for that golden hazel shimmer or Aquarella Bahia Green for a vacation-in-a-lens look, Solotica continues to dominate the scene as the go-to for premium color with performance comfort, available in both prescription and plano formats.

3. Acuvue – The Subtle Glow-Up

When it comes to vision correction, Acuvue is a household name across the United States. Known for its exceptional comfort, UV protection, and high oxygen permeability, it’s no surprise that Acuvue dominates the clear lens market. But what many may not know is that Acuvue also brings a refined touch to the world of colored lenses.

Enter: Acuvue Define- this collection of daily disposable lenses doesn’t aim to transform your eye color, it’s here to enhance your natural beauty. Using iris-enhancing technology, Define lenses create a soft outline around the iris, adding subtle contrast, depth, and a touch of shimmer that makes your eyes appear naturally brighter and more defined.

Ideal for those who prefer “no makeup-makeup” for the eyes, Acuvue Define is especially popular among professionals, students, and everyday wearers who want an elevated look without going bold. Think of it as the mascara of contact lenses, simple, elegant, and quietly impactful.

In a study published by Johnson & Johnson Vision, over 75% of Acuvue Define users reported feeling more confident and attractive while wearing them, especially in daily social settings and professional environments. While Acuvue may not be the go-to for high-drama looks, its focus on eye health, hydration, and subtle glow makes it a top pick for many Americans who are new to colored lenses or looking for something understated yet fresh.

4. Bella – From Middle Eastern Glam to American Obsession

The Middle East gave the world many beauty icons, but in the realm of colored contacts, Bella is a game-changer.

When Kim Kardashian was spotted wearing Bella lenses in the mid-2010s, the brand catapulted into global stardom. And in the U.S., it was love at first blink. Known for its expansive color library, natural iris-enlarging effects, and high-comfort technology, Bella quickly became a favorite for American lens lovers who wanted both sophistication and standout beauty.

And if you’ve been following beauty influencers from the early 2010s, you’ll remember Huda Kattan raving about Bella Natural Cool Gray, a soft, silvery-gray lens that perfectly paired with her bold lashes and nude glam, back when Huda Beauty was just starting to take over the internet.

Today, Bella colored contacts continue to trend on social media and rank among the most purchased international lens brands in the U.S., especially in beauty-forward cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami. From warm caramels to icy grays, Bella offers a curated palette that suits every skin tone and eye shape.

Insider Tip: Bella’s more recent launches, like Diamond Jade Green and One-Day Ocean Blue, have quickly climbed the charts in the U.S. for their ability to mimic the natural complexity of the human iris while maintaining a soft, glamorous look.

5. Anesthesia – The Instagram-Approved Blue Beauty

If you're on the hunt for that viral "wow" blue lens, you’ve likely already stumbled across Anesthesia. Founded in the Middle East, Anesthesia made waves when they dropped Addict Blue, a now-legendary lens that broke the internet with its icy tone and natural iris texture.

Within months, American YouTubers and beauty influencers were hooked, hailing Anesthesia for creating lenses that were bold, breathable, and photogenic. Addict Blue quickly became the “it” lens for makeup tutorials, before-and-after transformations, and high-impact glam looks.

But Anesthesia isn’t just about drama, they’ve mastered the balance between vivid color and wearable design. With collections like Anesthetic, Dream, and Addict, the brand delivers comfortable wearability backed by CE certification and U.S. FDA registration, offering both daily and quarterly options.

States like California and Texas have become strongholds for Anesthesia fans, with a particularly strong presence among Latinx, Middle Eastern, and beauty-savvy Gen Z communities who value high-impact aesthetics and luxury styling.

Ask any American colored lens lover and chances are, she’s either wearing Anesthesia or dreaming about it.

Rising Star: Onya – The Future of Daily Color Lenses

Every now and then, a new brand enters the scene and shakes up the status quo. Meet Onya, a daily disposable colored lens brand launched in late 2024 and already making serious waves in the U.S. lens community.

What makes Onya stand out? It’s their PrismOverlay™ iris technology, a meticulously designed pattern that mimics the depth, nuance, and radiance of a real human iris, resulting in lenses that look born-with-it natural yet undeniably transformative.

Their debut collection, Onya Prismatica One, features six curated shades, each with its moment of fam- Axis Gray leads one month, then Edit Blue takes over the next, followed by Reset Brown as the surprise bestseller.

This ever-changing popularity proves one thing: Americans are not only wearing Onya, they’re loving every color rotation.

While Onya is currently exclusive to daily disposables, there’s already buzz across social platforms and online retailers with customers asking: Will there be monthly or yearly versions soon? The demand is loud, but the answer remains with the brand.

Trend Watch: Onya is especially loved in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and San Diego, where younger demographics are exploring affordable luxury, clean beauty aesthetics, and comfort-first wearability.

The Power of Choice: Eyes That Reflect You

In today’s beauty landscape, self-expression reigns supreme, and colored contact lenses are right at the heart of that movement. Whether you're going for subtle elegance or dramatic flair, the lens brands we've explored offer more than just cosmetic appeal; they provide a means to align your outer look with your inner identity. For Americans across every state and background, the ability to enhance eye color while correcting vision has transformed colored contacts from a seasonal accessory into a daily beauty essential. From FreshLook’s nostalgic legacy and Acuvue’s barely-there glow, to Solotica’s red-carpet glam and Bella’s viral appeal, each brand caters to unique preferences, comfort levels, and lifestyle demands. And let’s not forget how brands like Anesthesia and Onya are pushing innovation further, showing that technology, artistry, and wearability can coexist beautifully in a tiny lens no larger than a coin.

What this tells us is clear: Americans don't just follow global trends in eye fashion, it’s helping define them. With consumers now more informed, expressive, and selective, the demand for high-quality, versatile colored contacts continues to grow. We’re living in a time where changing your eye color can be as routine as switching your lipstick or updating your skincare, a small but powerful beauty ritual that enhances not only how you look, but how you feel. As technology evolves and new players enter the scene, one thing remains constant: Americans want color, comfort, and customization, and these lenses deliver on all fronts. Whether you're experimenting with a new persona, fine-tuning your signature style, or simply looking for a fresh perspective, there’s a colored contact lens out there that’s made just for you.