Is Costume Makeup Safe? What Parents Should Know This Purim

She stepped out of the kitchen with her hands still wet when a strange noise, followed by a small shriek from the bedroom, made her freeze. The fear turned out to be justified. Two year old Naama was standing in front of an overstuffed dresser and enthusiastically putting on makeup.

“It burns my eye,” Naama complained in a whiny voice, yet she kept smearing lipstick up and down her face without stopping.

Miri hesitated, unsure how to respond to the small but unsettling scene. She approached Naama and gently but firmly took her by the arm. “This can be dangerous,” she said calmly. “You see, it’s already burning your eye.” The lesson continued even as Naama rubbed her eyes harder, her face turning an alarming mix of colors. The bath that followed was longer than usual.

A Common Trend With Hidden Risks
“The use of makeup by very young girls is quite common today,” explains Tehila, director of a spa and beauty institute in Jerusalem. “Around Purim, when children rush to costume shops and buy makeup freely, parents often treat it as harmless holiday fun. But we have to remember that this trend can put children at risk, girls and boys alike.”

She emphasizes that parents often see festive makeup as part of the joy of the holiday and give it an automatic approval. “That approval carries responsibility,” she says. “You need to check whether the makeup is truly suitable for the body and especially for the face.”

Why Regulation Is Not Always Enough
What many parents do not realize is that makeup regulation has significant gaps. Some products enter the market labeled as toys rather than cosmetics, which allows them to bypass stricter oversight.

“Parents are often unaware that unapproved makeup can contain ingredients that trigger severe allergic reactions,” Tehila warns. “Some of these substances are restricted or banned in parts of Europe. This is just one example of the dangers hidden in unregulated products.”

She advises parents to look carefully for proper approval and labeling and to be cautious with products that seem cheap, flashy, or designed only to attract children.

Applying the Same Standards to Children
“Think about it this way,” Tehila adds. “An adult would never walk into a beauty salon that uses untested products or apply creams and makeup that have not been professionally evaluated. That same standard must apply to children.”

Even on Purim, when makeup feels playful and temporary, supervision matters. Products should be safe, approved, and used carefully. “This is not a place for compromise,” she says. “Children’s health comes before everything else.”

A Joyful and Safe Purim
Purim is meant to be happy, colorful, and full of laughter. With a bit of awareness and care, it can also remain healthy and safe. Choosing the right products and staying attentive can ensure that the joy of the holiday never turns into a preventable scare.