Patch test costume makeup on your arm 24 to 48 hours before Halloween, and check that its colors are approved for cosmetic use, especially near your eyes. Skip colored contact lenses unless an eye care professional has prescribed and fitted them. For a Saturday, Oct 31 party, test by Thursday evening.
Your countdown (Halloween is Saturday, Oct 31)
The FDA checklist
| Check | What FDA says |
|---|---|
| Colors | Confirm they are approved for cosmetic use on FDA's color additives list; do not use unapproved colors, especially near the eyes. |
| Patch test | A small amount on your arm 24 to 48 hours before. Redness, swelling, rash or irritation means a possible allergy. |
| Costume contacts | Not without an eye exam, a prescription and instructions from an eye care professional. |
| First time with contacts | Do not make Halloween your first time. |
| Masks | Prefer makeup and hats over masks that block your vision. |
| Costume fabric | Choose costumes labeled flame resistant; add reflective tape for visibility; avoid trip-length hems. |
The one to skip: costume contact lenses
FDA is blunt about decorative lenses. They should be fitted by an eye care professional with instructions, and lenses sold without an exam and a prescription, including at costume stores, salons and online, are unapproved and risky. The listed harms are eye injuries, infections and permanent vision loss, including blindness. If you want a different eye color for a costume, ask an eye doctor now, not on Oct 30.
What this page cannot tell you
Everything above comes from one FDA page, "Halloween Safety Tips: Costumes, Candy, and Colored Contact Lenses", marked current as of October 19, 2023. We tried FDA's separate face paint page and it did not load. It does not name safe or unsafe brands, and it does not cover how to remove makeup. This is general information, not medical advice. For allergic reactions or eye symptoms, ask a doctor or an eye care professional.
Questions and answers
Is Halloween face paint safe to use?
It can be, if the colors are approved for cosmetic use and you do not react to them. FDA says to check its color additives list and to patch test first. Price or packaging alone does not tell you.
How do I patch test costume makeup?
Put a small amount on your arm 24 to 48 hours before you plan to wear it. Redness, swelling, a rash or irritation suggests a possible allergy, according to FDA.
When should I patch test if Halloween is Saturday, Oct 31?
Do it by Thursday evening, Oct 29, to get the full 48 hours. Friday evening at the latest gives you 24 hours. After that, skip the product.
What counts as a bad reaction?
FDA lists redness, swelling, rash or irritation after the patch test as signs of a possible allergy. If you react, do not use the product on your face.
Can I put any face paint near my eyes?
No. FDA says not to use colors that are not approved for cosmetic use, especially around the eyes. Check each color against FDA's color additives list.
Where do I check whether a color is approved?
FDA's color additives list. The agency tells shoppers to confirm that the colors in costume makeup are approved for cosmetic use before wearing them.
Are colored or costume contact lenses safe?
Only when an eye care professional has fitted them and given you instructions. FDA says not to wear decorative lenses that change how your eyes look without that.
Can I buy costume contacts at a costume store or online?
FDA says lenses sold without an eye exam and a prescription, including at costume stores, salons and online, are unapproved and risky.
What can go wrong with costume contacts?
FDA lists eye injuries, infections and permanent vision loss, including blindness.
Is Halloween a good time to try contacts for the first time?
No. FDA says that if you have never worn contacts, do not make Halloween your first time.
Does buying a known brand make costume lenses safe?
FDA advises choosing brand-name lenses from well-known manufacturers, but you still need an eye exam and a prescription.
Should I wear a mask or makeup?
FDA prefers makeup and hats over masks that block vision, which also helps you see traffic and stairs.
How do I remove costume makeup?
The FDA page we read does not cover removal, so follow the product's label. If your skin or eyes feel irritated, stop and ask a pharmacist or doctor.
Who can I contact with questions?
FDA lists 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) for general questions on its Halloween safety page. For eye symptoms, see an eye care professional promptly. This is general information, not medical advice.
Sources. FDA — Halloween Safety Tips: Costumes, Candy, and Colored Contact Lenses (content current as of 10/19/2023). Our own pages cannot replace a doctor. This article has no affiliate links.