FORT WORTH, Texas, April 7, 2015 – Alcon, the global leader in eye care and division of Novartis, announced its new "The Color Squad" to headline the promotion of its AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses this year. The team includes award-winning fashion stylist, Ilaria Urbinati, renowned hair stylist, Lacy Redway, and famed make-up artist, Scott Barnes. Making waves in the fashion and beauty industry since their launch last summer, AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses are monthly replacement, daily wear color lenses, available in nine colors ranging from subtle to vibrant. Formed with a bold ambition in mind, “The Color Squad” will inspire consumers around the globe to use AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses as a way to complement their make-up, hair and fashion choices in a way that enhances their natural beauty.

Launched in 2014, AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses are the first silicone hydrogel color contact lenses available in United States. From survey statistics and sales information from the previous year, Alcon knows consumers – Millennials in particular – want the ability to enhance their eye color in a natural, beautiful way. With AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses, Alcon can give them an option that’s not only stunning, but also consistently comfortable^1,2.

Bringing red carpet experience with Hollywood’s most trend-setting and beautiful stars, team members will lend their expertise and provide AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses fans with exclusive fashion and beauty tips as well as tutorials that relate to adding color through personal style. AIR OPTIX^® COLORS contact lenses allow consumers to enhance their eye color in a way that mimics the natural subtle color of the iris, gently blending with the wearer’s unique, natural eye color to create an attractive and natural-looking effect. By changing their eye color, consumers can experiment with entirely new make-up palettes and wear shades they’d never thought possible – and "The Color Squad" will show them how through a series of tips, images and videos to be released by Alcon in 2015.

Just like consumers, "The Color Squad" members have a unique vision story and reason to support the lenses. Barnes is no stranger to color lenses and requires “plus power” contact lenses meant for patients with hyperopia or long-sightedness. Redway has worn AIR OPTIX® AQUA clear contact lenses for years, but is so excited to showcase her eyes in a new and colorful way. Urbinati, who doesn’t wear lenses for corrective vision, was recently introduced to contact lenses through Alcon and has been using "plano" (non-corrective) AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses to complete many of her own looks.

"When I first tried on Alcon AIR OPTIX^® COLORS contact lenses, I was so excited. These lenses are a beauty innovation I could instantly relate to," said Urbinati. "Color is central to every look I create because it really showcases a person’s personality and mood. Every celebrity I style is unique, and color – whether it’s their wardrobe or their facial features – is a great way to bring their personality, their likes and dislikes and their mood to life."

“Nothing thrills me more than seeing my clients fall in love with the sense of confidence that make-up can give them - that’s the real beauty of my work," said Barnes. "Forming ‘The Color Squad’ to show how together, AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses and colorful make-up can serve as an empowering source for self-expression is what I’m most looking forward to."

As a medical device, AIR OPTIX^® COLORS contact lenses are available to consumers with a prescription from an eye care professional. Eye care professionals may prescribe the lenses to correct vision, but they also have the option to prescribe the lenses in “plano” (non-corrective) form for consumers who do not require vision correction, yet still want to enhance their eye color. Importantly, there is no refit required for current AIR OPTIX^®AQUA contact lens wearers.³

"Whether it’s your hair or your eyes, the right color can give you an instant confidence boost, enhance your mood and make you feel sexy" said Redway. "I love seeing my clients feel transformed when they get up from my chair, and I had the same experience myself when I tried on AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses for the first time. Seeing my brown eyes turn Brilliant Blue or Sterling Gray, I immediately felt re-energized - like I was seeing an exciting new version of me in the mirror."

Consumers interested in enhancing their eye color with AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses should visit their local eye care professional for a fitting, and check out the beauty and fashion tips and tutorials from “The Color Squad” on the AIR OPTIX® COLORS Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/airoptixcolors.

Important information for AIR OPTIX® AQUA (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses: For daily wear or extended wear up to 6 nights for near/far-sightedness. Risk of serious eye problems (i.e. corneal ulcer) is greater for extended wear. In rare cases, loss of vision may result. Side effects like discomfort, mild burning or stinging may occur.

Important information for AIR OPTIX® COLORS (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses: For daily wear only for near/far-sightedness. Contact lenses, even if worn for cosmetic reasons, are prescription medical devices that must only be worn under the prescription, direction and supervision of an eye care professional. Serious eye health problems may occur as a result of sharing contact lenses. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. Side effects like discomfort, mild burning or stinging may occur. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor.

Ask your eye care professional for complete wear, care, and safety information.