Purpose: This article was to study the optical and surface properties of soft contact lenses (SCL) exposed to eye make-ups. Methods: Rates of the light transmission of etafilcon A (HEMA based hydrogel lens) and lotrafilcon B (silicone based hydrogel lens) exposed to four different cosmetics over time were investigated. After cleansed with multi-purpose solution (MPS), rates of the light transmission and surface change of lens that were exposed to the cosmetics for 7 consecutive days were analyzed. Results: Visible light transmissions of all lenses exposed to cosmetics decreased to 93.35% (HEMA based hydrogel lens) and 90% (silicone based hydrogel lens) compared with those of the fresh SCLs, such as 97.8% and 96.4%, respectively. It was found that cosmetic residues from powder eye shadow and mascara attached to the lenses were not removed completely when cleansed with MPS. Especially with silicone based hydrogel lens, we found a decrease in visible light transmission of the lens and noticeable particles on lens surface imaged by SEM. Conclusions: Depending on types of eye make-ups and contact lens materials, make-ups were not completely eliminated with current cleansing methods and that caused a decrease in optical property and a change in surface property of the lenses.