Which should you buy? Both stores sell Korean-made colored contact lenses, and both carry toric lenses for astigmatism. They're built for different shoppers. - Pick EyeCandys, our overall pick, for everyday and natural-looking color, daily disposables, a name-brand option from Bausch & Lomb, and the widest choice of shades and diameters. - Pick Misaki Cosmetics for Halloween and cosplay lenses, faster free shipping inside the US, and a more forgiving return window on full-price items. - If you have astigmatism and a deadline, EyeCandys' toric lenses are likely the quicker route, since Misaki says its toric lenses are made to order and take 21 to 35 business days. Before you buy from either: in the US, all contact lenses, including purely cosmetic ones with no correction, are regulated medical devices. Get an eye exam and fitting first, and match the base curve, diameter and power on the product page to your prescription. ## EyeCandys vs Misaki at a glance
| | EyeCandys | Misaki Cosmetics |
|---|---|---|
| Our take | Overall pick: widest range, strictest returns | Best for costumes and fast US delivery |
| Catalog | 874 products (lenses, press-on nails, frames) | About 140 products (about 100 lenses, 13 lash items) |
| Lens brands | Own Desire series, i-Sha, Lensvery, Gemhour, Bausch & Lomb Lacelle | Misaki's own lenses |
| Typical pair price | $17 (i-Sha monthly) | $17.50 to $25 (Halloween series) |
| Dailies | Yes, 10-packs and 30-packs | Not in the lineup we reviewed |
| Toric pair price | $53.55 (Desire Lush Green), $68 (Lensvery Velvety) | $65 (Cotton Brown, 3 Tone Aqua) |
| Regular shipping | 15 to 20 working days, free over $75 | Free worldwide; 3 to 9 business days in the US |
| Express shipping | 4 to 7 working days (free over $190, but not to the US) | $15, 2 to 5 business days in the US |
| Returns | Unopened only, contact within 10 working days, $8 restocking fee, partial refund | 30 days for unused items in original packaging |
| Sale items | Final sale, as are coupon orders | Not refundable |
| Contact | Form only in the data we reviewed | Toll-free phone, email, BC address |
Selection: EyeCandys has far more range
EyeCandys is a lens department store. Its 874 listings include single pairs, 10-lens and 30-lens boxes of dailies, and toric pairs, across its own Desire series and several Korean brands. Practical examples: the i-Sha Reborn Hue Peanut Latte Brown monthly pair is $17 with a 13.3mm graphic diameter and powers down to -10.00, a 10-lens box of i-Sha Milk Soda Blue dailies is $29 and the Bausch & Lomb Lacelle Iconic 30-pack is $45.49. The store also sells about 123 press-on nail sets, mostly at $22.10, and a Costume Kit that bundles lenses with nails for 15% off. Misaki's catalog is much narrower and leans dramatic. A large share is the Halloween series, with designs like White Eye Zombie, Yellow Cat Eye and anime-inspired patterns such as Itachi's Mangekyou, at $17.50 on sale or $25 at list. Its listings do something useful: nearly every one shows base curve (mostly 8.6mm), diameter (14.2 to 14.5mm), water content (40 to 42%) and the 30-day replacement schedule. Most of these Halloween lenses are plano (0.00) only, so they won't correct your vision. Winner for everyday color: EyeCandys. Winner for costumes: Misaki, with EyeCandys' Costume Kit as a close alternative if you want nails too. ## Astigmatism: both carry toric lenses, with different tradeoffs
Colored toric lenses are hard to find, so this matters. EyeCandys' Desire Lush Green Toric is $53.55 a pair, but the listing tags show powers only from -1.00 to -4.50, and it doesn't display cylinder or axis options, so confirm your full prescription can be filled before ordering. Misaki's Cotton Series Brown and 3 Tone Aqua toric lenses are $65 a pair. Misaki's shipping policy says toric lenses are custom-made and take 21 to 35 business days, though the Cotton Brown listing is labeled ready stock for express, so ask which applies to your order. Misaki's FAQ also offers 20% off a second box and 40% off at four, which helps if your eyes need different prescriptions, since one box holds one pair. ## Shipping: Misaki is faster to the US
Misaki ships North American orders from a US warehouse, with free regular delivery in 3 to 9 business days and $15 express in 2 to 5. EyeCandys lists regular shipping at 15 to 20 working days after a 2 to 4 day processing window. Its free express offer over $190 doesn't apply to US addresses, and ordering items stored in different warehouses can trigger duplicate shipping fees even above the free threshold. One Misaki caveat: its shipping page says it isn't responsible for losses or breakage in transit, and it sells optional package protection for $2.35. ## Returns: both are strict, Misaki less so
Contact lenses are hard to return anywhere for hygiene reasons, and both stores reflect that. EyeCandys is the tougher of the two: items must be unopened with seals intact, you must contact the store within 10 working days of delivery, you pay return shipping, an $8 restocking fee applies, and refunds are described as partial. Sale items and anything bought with a coupon are final. That matters because 503 of its 874 products were on sale when we checked. Misaki gives 30 days for unused items in original packaging. Sale items still can't be refunded, and exchanges are only for defective or damaged items. Its contact page and refund policy list different addresses, so confirm where to send a return first. ## How to choose colored contacts safely
- Get a prescription and fitting, even for plano lenses. Base curve and diameter need to suit your eye. 2. Match the specs, not the photo. Graphic diameter changes how large your iris looks: EyeCandys' 13.3mm i-Sha lenses give mild enlargement, while Misaki's 14.5mm Halloween lenses cover more of the eye. 3. Know the replacement schedule. Dailies (EyeCandys' 10 and 30 packs) avoid cleaning and storage. Monthlies need solution and a case, which Misaki doesn't include. 4. Opaque costume lenses can affect vision. Misaki's White Eye Zombie listing doesn't describe pupil size, so expect some tint or reduced vision through the lens. 5. Remove lenses if you notice pain, redness or blurred vision, and never share them. ## The bottom line
EyeCandys wins on choice and is the better pick for everyday, natural or brand-name colored lenses, especially dailies. Misaki wins on speed to US addresses, clear specs on every listing, and returns, and it's the more focused shop for Halloween and cosplay. For astigmatism, compare the power range EyeCandys offers against Misaki's longer made-to-order wait.