Avoid an Allergic Reaction by Testing Your Halloween Makeup Now
Have you come up with the perfect Halloween costume idea? Besides getting to the store early to pick up supplies, we have another important advance notice hack: patch test anything you plan to put on your face—or your baby’s face.
Irritating or allergenic ingredients are common in cosmetics of all types, and everyone’s skin is different. The lipstick that doesn’t bother your girlfriend may make your lips feel rough and puffy. (You might want to test all your makeup, although many of us don’t bother.) Halloween makeup is a particular concern because you’ve typically never worn it before, and in many cases, you’re planning on spending the whole evening with stuff all over your face.
There are different ways to conduct a patch test, depending on what problem you are trying to solve. For example, you can perform a comprehensive patch test at your dermatologist’s office to try to narrow down the cause of the allergy or ongoing problem; that’s not what we do here. For skin care products you’ll use daily, you can follow these recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology , which suggest using the product over a period of several weeks. But for Halloween makeup, you just need to know how your skin can handle daytime contact with the product.
How to Test Halloween Makeup
Apply a small amount of makeup to the inside of your forearm or elbow, or other area where the skin is sensitive but not too noticeable. (Other options: on the side of the neck or behind the ear.) Leave there for 24 hours or as long as possible. Cover with a bandage if you are afraid of smearing. Check the area for redness, swelling, itching, or discomfort.
That’s all. If makeup irritates your skin, you should not wear it. If the makeup is intended for a child, be sure to test it on his skin: if something looks good on your elbow, this does not mean that everything is clear to someone else. Remember, people are different. You may also develop an allergy or sensitivity to something that you have worn without problems in the past.
For added confidence that your makeup won’t cause problems, check ingredients against the FDA’s list of approved color additives in cosmetics . Please note that there is an “Eye Area” column that indicates whether the product is considered safe for use around the eyes. Many ingredients approved for use on the face are not approved for use around the eyes, as the eyes may be more sensitive.
For more tips on protecting your eyes, the Optometrists Network also recommends carefully following package directions, looking for hypoallergenic products and avoiding eye glitter “at all costs.” Shimmer eyeshadows are their pick to add sparkle to your eyes and you might want to check it out too.