Circle lens review: GEO Magic Circle Black (CM-836)

Hello everyone!

This time I will be reviewing a new circle lens color for me: black. I have worn black circle lenses for one costume almost ten years ago but back then I wasn't writing circle lens reviews yet - besides, I'm not too sure if I ever want to review a pair bought from a store that has previously lied about the life span of some lenses and probably would have went on with their lies had I not complained about misleading information... Maybe in the future, just for comparison. However, the lenses for this review were bought from a good shop (likely PinkyParadise or HoneyColor) and go under the name GEO Magic Circle Black (CM-836).
This is one of the reviews I should have published years ago but procrastinated with writing it because I didn't want to procrastinate with studying, so let's finally get to it! 

Photos for this review were taken by Shiro Samurai, thank you very much!

Important note: I got these lenses from someone who totally lost interest in wearing and reviewing circle lenses. These lenses had a wrong prescription for me and I think that these were close to their expiration date/already expired so I can not grade the comfort. However, I will say a few words about the comfort in general - pretty much my first impression of these. Remember: wearing lenses that are past their expiration date/broken/have the wrong prescription for you is a dangerous thing to do and it can damage your eyes for good so seriously, don't do it. I wore these lenses for half an hour and then threw them away so I had these on only for this review. Thank you.

Like all my previous reviews, this circle lens review is also non-sponsored.

The vials of the lenses.

The lenses in their vials.

Base curve: 8,6 mm
Diameter: 14,2 mm
Water content: ~40 %
Life span: 3 months

(NOTE: I didn't officially find the life span for these exact lenses since they're seemingly not available anymore on any websites. However, the other GEO Magic Circle Black lenses that are in stock right now (CK-105, XCK-105 and CK-108) have a three months life span so I assume these have had the same. However, if I'm wrong these have likely been yearly lenses.)

Inserting these was pretty average; not easier or harder than with most lenses I've worn. I recall a memory of these curling a bit around my finger but nothing too bad. Pretty average experience I'd say. These were also fairly comfortable to wear (despite being expired and having the wrong prescription) so I think I could've worn these for at least 4-5 hours had these been otherwise fine. 

One lens in to show the enlargement.

As you can see the enlargement game isn't too strong with these ones - the effect is there but it's not too notable. That's not that big of a surprise though considering that their diameter was pretty average, 14,2 mm. What surprised me was the color. When I saw these in vials my first thought was "You call THESE black? You've got to be kidding me!" - I mean, in their vials they look gray and VERY transparent! I was prepared for a disappointment but instead of that I got positively surprised; these lenses actually looked black in my eyes. They also made my gaze look quite intense. The gray part blends perfectly with my natural eye color (I have light-colored eyes) - I mean, even I can't really tell (in most light conditions) where the lens stops and the real color starts! The thick, black outer rim is seemingly the most opaque part of these lenses and I think it's actually it that builds the illusion of black eyes even though most of the lens appears light gray.

I loved the design. At first it seemed quite simple but when I saw its actual effect I was sold (and thus pretty sad I can't buy these anymore). I can think of a few cosplays I could wear these to - for example Yumi Ishiyama from Code Lyoko - but to me these look more like alt style lenses. For example, I could easily imagine myself wearing these to a gothic/gothic lolita look; these kind of remind me of a creepy doll to be honest.

To the lens photos! 

These pictures were taken on a rather cloudy day in June 2021. These aren't filtered in any way; they've only been re-sized.
(Note: we took pictures of quite many lenses on the same day so the light conditions are going to be the same in the next few reviews too.)

Natural roomlight.

Yellow roomlight.

Bathroom light.

Flash photo.

Facing window.

Back against the sun.

Facing the sun.

From the distance.

• The color is 8/10. They indeed do deliver what their name promises, however I feel like these still show up a bit gray-ish instead of being pitch black.
  
  
• The design is 7/10. A bit on a simple side but still give your eyes a mesmerizing effect.
  
  
• The opacity is 6/10. The outer rim is indeed very opaque but otherwise the lens is not very pigmented; it's likely designed to enhance the gaze, not totally change the eye color.
  
  
• The naturalness is 3/10. These are on a small side and black eyes do exist but I really can't imagine seeing eyes that look like this by nature.
  
  
• The enlargement is 5/10. You can see the effect but it's not exactly "in your face".

Well, that's one more off the list! Slowly but surely, at this rate the backlog is nothing but a memory in a few months. Continuing with these for a while now so if you find circle lenses and reviewing them interesting, stick around!

Until next time.

-Firith