Lens review: Super Pinky Wine Red

Yo ho ho! and a bottle of rum

I'm back with another circle lens review! It's the Super Pinky Wine Red this time and it feels weird to think that all those years back the Super Pinky line was my first experience with circle lenses and here I am, again, reviewing another color. Almost feels a bit surreal, haha.

Let's do this!

Base curve: 8.6 mm
Diameter: 14.8 mm

Water content: 45%

Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)

I'm not sure how popular these lenses still are but I remember them being all the rage among cosplayers when I started using circle lenses in 2013. Oh god that's 5 years ago, I feel the gray hairs coming lol!

There is already a red lens in the Super Pinky lineup but why have one red lens when you can have two? Yep, this is one of the few lens series with two red lenses! It's pretty boss and these Wine Red ones are quite unique in what color they bring to the table – it's a dark, almost a bit brownish red and it's great!

One lens in.

The color is interesting, it's very different from the other red lenses in the market. It's notably darker and more, err, sophisticated I guess? It's not a pushover by any means, it's not creepy looking but it's still very obviously red and lowkey still in your face. Red lenses will always be attention-grabbing purely because it's freaking red and as we all know it's really not a natural eye color. :D But seriously, this is a pretty whack color and I dig it, just see for yourself on the photos below!

The Super Pinky lenses are fairly big but since they lack any kind of defined limbal ring it's not really dolly looking. It's still a very enlarging lens, don't get me wrong.

Lens photos below!

All photos taken by me during a July evening with a mostly clear sky. There's no color filters or such on the close-up photos and that's so that the colors would be as true to real life as possible.

 

Natural room light indoors.

Yellow room light indoors.

Flash photo.

Very poor natural room light. Next to an unlit corridor.

Facing window. (not sun side)

Outdoors, back against sun. (facing wall)

Outdoors, facing the light/sky while being under the roof's shadow.

Outdoors, facing the sun directly.

Color coverage is good and somehow these actually blend surprisingly well with my light blue-gray eyes! I was pretty surprised but once I looked closer I saw that there's a bunch of transparent areas between the colored streaks which makes the color appear so, umm, can I say natural?? The way the color is printed is quite soft in appearance, it avoids any kind of abrupt 'clashing' effect completely and this is a very good thing. I honestly like these lenses and wish I would have had more time with them.

Regarding comfort I had no issues whatsoever during my run with these, but as with many other reviews lately I will mention that I reviewed these past their expiry date (cuz I have such a backlog and didn't have time earlier) so I only took the photos and then discarded the lenses and yes, this means that my comfort grades are solely based on first impressions and thus likely not 100% accurate. But with that said these lenses were still immensely comfortable, super thin and I literally didn't even feel that I had lenses on! I would say that they are comfy, if anything negative they might start drying a bit fast but that could just as well be my naturally ultra dry eyes acting up. Can't say for sure but I estimate wearing time to be 3-5 hours, which is good in my standards. Remember I have very very dry eyes so my rough estimates are probably more like 5-8 hours to "normal eyes", lol.

I would recommend these lenses, in particular if you need this kind of dark red color as it's quite unique. It's like a ruby or a wine red pretty much, just as the name implies. It's a red lens that actually doesn't look creepy or scary in any way – so if you always wanted to rock red eyes without instantly being labelled as that weird vampire goth person then these might be it. xD A great lens for costuming and fashion alike!

Distance photo!

Want to see the Super Pinky lenses in other colors?
Check out these reviews: Violet, Red, Green, Black

 

Short summary:

Color: 8/10 
It's a dark, aged red. Different from other red lenses and really pleasant.
Design: 6/10 
Simple but it does it's job and looks lovely in its own way.
Opacity: 8/10
I have no complaints, my eye color definitely changed.
Enlargement: 7/10 
Big but I don't feel like they look all that big, lack of a black rim does a lot to the illusion.
Comfort: 7/10 
Appears to be great. Really thin and I don't even feel that I have lenses on, which is great as my eyes are really dry and sensitive. These lenses might dry a bit faster than some others, not sure?
Naturalness: 3/10 
For being red it's among the best you can get but... uhh, still red.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to drop a comment if you have any questions.

Shiro Samurai out.

Lens review: Vassen Bambi Blue

Hello gentlefolks!

It is time to continue my seemingly never-ending supply of circle lens reviews, this time the Vassen Bambi Blue. Sometimes these lenses might also be known as Vassen Bambi Queen Blue. They are also very likely the same pair as the Kimchi Bambi Blue as well, since as far as I know Vassen is the company that manufactures the lenses that both Kimchi and I.Fairy sell.

Base curve: 8.6 mm
Diameter: 14.5 mm

Water content: 42%

Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)

These lenses have an extremely similar design to the incredibly popular GEO Princess Mimi series, so if you recognize the print from somewhere then that's why. No wonder that design gets copied though, it's super cute and really versatile!

Always put your lenses to soak at least over the night before wearing them for the first time! The solution that the lenses are stored in while in their small little glass bottles is not the same kind as ordinary lens solution that you buy from the pharmacy etc.

One lens in.

This is a big lens, no doubt about that part. The blue color also shows up very nicely and is of a fresh, youthful tone. It's kind of a light blue but it's a really pretty color and I personally like it a lot! The random orangeish yellow dots towards the center actually help with the color transition in my case, I actually thought that it would make the blending worse but it does help. xD Could be though because I actually have a goldenish ring closest to my pupil...?

The limbal ring is a bold black and the rim itself is rather thick, thus creating a very dolly appearance. The black streaks have the effect of pulling the viewer's gaze in and also make the lenses have some "life" to them and not look soulless.

Lens photos below!
 All photos taken by me during a July evening with a mostly clear sky. There's no color filters or such on the close-up photos and that's so that the colors would be as true to real life as possible.

Natural room light indoors.

Yellow room light indoors.

Flash photo.

Poor natural room light. Standing close to a dark corridor.

Facing window. (not sun side)

Outdoors, back against the sun. (facing the wall)

Outdoors, facing the light/sky while standing under the roof's shadow.

Outdoors, facing the sun directly.

Comfort was a bit conflicting for me. I can't grade comfort properly though as I sadly got around to do this review only after the lenses had expired (I literally just took the photos and discarded the lenses immediately after that) so my comfort grading is based on first impressions only. With that said it's also worth noting that I have immensely dry eyes naturally. But yeah, the comfort – these lenses are thin and otherwise great and invisible to wear except that, for some reason, the other lens was scratchy and slightly blurred my vision; possibly a defect or that dirt somehow got under the lens but I can't be sure. In whatever the case I'd estimate comfort around the 3-5 hours range, which is like above average considering how dry my eyes are. I guess for someone with "normal eyes" it's anything between 5-8 hours, likely?

This is honestly a super pretty lens that works for almost anything – be it cosplay, fashion or just a fancy day out. The design is simple and what many probably see in their minds when they think of circle lenses. It's an adorable lens with a good color payoff that doesn't look too unrealistic while still maintaining that kind of cutesy fairytale aesthetic. Definitely worth trying this staple design if you like the bigger kinds!

Distance photo!

Wanna see more Vassen Bambi lenses?

I got you covered: Green, Pink

Short summary:

Color: 8/10
Lovely medium lightish blue. A very youthful and fresh shade!
Design: 8/10
Beautiful design that makes your eyes look alive and young. Simple but brilliant.
Opacity: 8/10 
Color coverage is better than what I initially expected. Looks great.
Enlargement: 8/10
Definitely on the dolly scale but will work for most styles.
Comfort: 6/10 
Above average I think. I don't feel them and they are thin, the other lens was weirdly a bit scratchy? 3-5 hours of wear on ultra dry eyes.
Naturalness: 2/10

The color is a bit too strong, not to mention the size and highly noticeable black rim.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Shiro Samurai says bye.

Lens review: ICK Garnet Red

You there, hi!

And here I am again, chugging out another lens review. It's the ICK Garnet Red today and after the letdown of their green counterparts I lowered my expectations a bit. But I still had high hopes as I had checked up other reviews on these red ones ages ago and been really impressed by how good they looked even on dark eyes. So here's to hoping!

Let's do this!

Base curve: 8.6 mm
Diameter: 15.0 mm

Water content: 42%

Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)

My main reason to get these was cosplay. Red lenses that have at least a semi-realistic design aren't that common and so I really had to try these! The design makes me think it's a really versatile lens as this kind of 'burst' design often can be used for costuming as well as almost anything else.

One lens in.

The red color is beautiful! It's a medium deep red, really lovely and surprisingly natural for being a red lens. Of course red lenses will never be natural but these give me that "if red was a natural color this could be it" feeling. I really like them, all my fears of these being too dark instantly vanished into thin air! It's such a rich color and the streaks of the design really draws the gaze in.

This is definitely a big lens, it gives quite a dolly appearance but without overdoing it. Because of being red it of course doesn't blend all that well but there is some slight fading towards the center at least, so it's not a super blunt and clashing edge where the lens meets your iris at the pupil hole.

Lens photos below!

All photos taken by yours truly during a July evening with a mostly clear sky. There's no color filters or such on the close-up photos and that's so that the colors would be as true to real life as possible.

Indoors natural room light.

Indoors yellow room light.

Flash photo.

Unlit corridor, really shitty natural light in the distance.

Facing a window, not sun side.

Outdoors, back against the light. (facing the wall)

Outdoors, facing the light while standing under a shadow.

Outdoors, facing the sun.

Comfort is nice, I have no complaints except that perhaps they might be a bit drying? Otherwise really thin, comfy and invisible to wear. I don't feel that I'm wearing lenses and that's always a good thing as I have rather sensitive eyes. Estimated wearing time I'd say is around the 4-5 hour mark for me, which is above average considering how very dry my eyes are naturally. 

I would recommend these, in particular if you enjoy red lenses. They show up well enough even from a distance so I'd say that they are worth considering if you need slightly darker red lenses for costuming purposes! Of course these are a rad addition to any bolder and more bold fashion styles like anything gothic, dark or even punk and some j-fashion styles. There's a lot of versatility to these because of how the red shade is not a crazy, villain red but more of a sophisticated red. Me like.

Distance photo~

Want to see the ICK Garnet lenses in other colors?
I have done some more: Violet, Green

Short summary:

Color: 8/10
Deep, medium dark red with a lot of potential.

Design: 7/10

Lovely, semi-realistic design that is full of depth and allure.

Opacity: 7/10

Really nice color coverage, my eyes are clearly red but it looks alive and not "painted over".

Enlargement: 8/10

Definitely on the bigger side but not gonna break anything.

Comfort: 7/10

Looks to be really thin and comfy. Estimated 4-5 hours of wear on super dry eyes.

Naturalness: 2/10

Size and color raises red flags. But for a red it's not the most unrealistic red, at least?

Thank for reading my blog, cheers!

Shiro Samurai out.

Lens review: ICK Garnet Green

Booyah, hi there!

And here I am again with another circle lens review to share. I will show the ICK Garnet Green today and I must admit that I had really high expectations for these, do you think they held up?

Let's get to it!

Base curve: 8.6 mm
Diameter: 15.0 mm

Water content: 42%

Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)

I had dubbed the Garnet series the "bishounen lenses" in my head before I even bought them, fun fact. :'D I'm a sucker for green lenses in general and I was really hoping that these would give this kind of mesmerizing depth and have a really eye-catching green color...do they?

One lens in.

My first impression was honestly... a bit torn. I feel like the design is pretty and certainly has depth, but that the darkness of the green makes the finer details get lost. Yes, I don't really like dark lenses too much, at least not when I'm specifically looking for cosplay lenses and that's exactly why I bought these. It's of course not a bad lens but these are absurdly dark when compared to how light and bright the Garnet Violets were, almost as if from a different series. :S I guess the green is just more prone to blend with my real eye color or something...? I honestly don't know.

It's a big lens and totally dolly, it's good if you are looking for these big doll eyes that you can drown in. It's like dark gems in a way!

Lens photos below!

All photos taken by yours truly during a July evening with a mostly clear sky. There's no color filters or such on the close-up photos and that's so that the colors would be as true to real life as possible.

Natural room light indoors.

Yellow room light indoors.

Flash photo.

Standing in a corridor, natural light from the side.

Unlit corridor, really poor natural light in the far distance.

Facing a window. (not sun side)

Outdoors, back against sun. (facing wall)

Outdoors, facing the direction of the light while standing under a shadow.

Outdoors, facing the sun.

Okay, I will admit that most of my photos above are darker than what I commonly have as this review was done late on the evening (the sun was to the side instead of in front of my kitchen window, which does make a difference). The color is like a darker emerald or forest green shade or such, I guess it's a nice color if you like dark lenses. They blend a bit towards the center, which means that the color doesn't end super abruptly but is phased out to get replaced by your actual eye color towards the center – this is always a good thing as I think that the 'clashing' look can really disrupt the illusion many times.

I had a weird experience with the comfort. The first two tries I tried putting on one of the lenses in my right eye it was insanely scratchy and impossible to wear! I cleaned and checked the lens twice but saw no visible defects and so I started wondering if I had gotten a Monday example, but the third time I tried putting it on the left eye and then suddenly it was perfect? No idea, maybe there was dirt, it was just weird. The other lens was fine.

But yeah, the actual comfort – these felt really thin, comfortable and I did not feel them in my eyes much at all, so basically invisible to wear. I think that I could wear these for around the 4-5 hour range, which is above average for my super dry and sensitive eyes.

So yeah, summa summarum is that while these didn't live up to my personal expectations it's still a good lens overall and I can't take that away. My main disappointment is simply because the design is really nice for the "pretty boy" type characters but the dark color makes it so that they just look black, or almost black, from a distance and that just won't do on cosplay photos as colors need to be really vibrant. I will admit though that up close the color is really beautiful.
But yeah, this would be a nice lens for j-fashion, many lolita styles and such. No idea how it would perform on other eye colors though as I have light blue-gray eyes.

Distance photo.

Want to see the ICK Garnet lenses in other colors?
I have done some more: Violet, Red

Short summary:

Color: 6/10
Darker than expected, a dark forest or perhaps emerald green color.

Design: 7/10

Has a notable depth and the 'burst' style design overall is really appealing.

Opacity: 7/10

Solid color coverage, changes my eye color.

Enlargement: 8/10

Gives the illusion of really big eyes. Feels even bigger because of the blackness too.

Comfort: 7/10

Appears to be really thin and comfortable. Estimated 4-5 hours on very dry eyes, which is good.

Naturalness: 3/10

Can't really claim these to be natural, size is the main thing that looks off.

Thank for reading this far, ciao!

Shiro Samurai out.