Halloween Make Up Safety

    Let's face it - Halloween will be no fun at all if you're suffering a burning rash or swollen eyelids from the costume paint. Before we tackle the tips on how to make yourself look as much unlike you as possible, let's look at a few basic safety precautions.

1. Read the Labels - Definitely follow the directions on the label, because some Halloween makeup isn't as common-sense as you'd think. If the label says not to use near the eyes, believe it. Even if the packaging shows people wearing the makup near their eyes, it can cause huge problems.
2. Use as Intended - Never decorate your face with things that aren't made for your skin. This is a common problem when people use face decals like crystals or bindis. Only use glues that are made for the skin - not acrylic nail glue or craft glue.
  3. Skin Test - If you're using a costume paint you've never used before, perform a skin test a couple of days before Halloween. To do a skin test, just dab a bit of the paint on the inside of your arm and leave it alone. If you don't have an allergic reaction within an hour or two, you're probably safe.
4. No Flame - Never use Halloween makeup or any powders (baby powder is great for costume paint) around open flame. It will ignite.
5. Don't mix - Never mix different types of makeup. If you need layers, do layers. Don't try to blend the paints before placing them on your face.
6. Clean Up - Don't wear your costume paint to bed. After the party's over, carefully wash your skin with a mild soap and warm water until all traces of the makeup are gone. Leaving it on for an extended period of time can cause nasty side-effects.

      If you follow all these steps and still have a reaction to the costume paint you chose, please report it to the FDA. They keep track of which makeup causes reactions so that if a number of people are suffering the same problems the product can be recalled. Call FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS) by phone at 301-436-2405 or by email at CAERS@cfsan.fda.gov.