Is Makeup Permitted on Shabbat?

Question: Is it permissible for a woman to apply makeup on Shabbat?

Answer: The Jerusalem Talmud explains that a person who applies rouge on Shabbat transgresses the prohibition of "dyeing." This means they violate a Torah prohibition due to the forbidden labor of coloring on Shabbat.

The Prohibition of Coloring the Face on Shabbat

However, according to the Rambam, this is not a Torah prohibition but rather a rabbinic one. The accepted ruling follows the Rambam, that a woman who colors her face or lips with color on Shabbat, as women typically do, violates the rabbinic prohibition of coloring. If she uses a cream, there are situations where she may also violate the labor of 'smoothing' (memareiach). Therefore, one should be careful about this and apply makeup only in permitted ways, as we will explain.

In Tractate Shabbat (95a), we learn in a baraita: "Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: A woman should not apply rouge to her face on Shabbat because she is coloring." Rashi explains that rouge is a red color designed to redden the face. It is clear that since there is a prohibition against coloring on Shabbat, it is likewise forbidden for a woman to color her face on Shabbat. This is the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch (303:25): it is forbidden for a woman to apply rouge to her face on Shabbat due to the prohibition of coloring, and for this reason, she is also forbidden to put kohl on her eyes on Shabbat. According to the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch, it is also clearly forbidden to use lipstick on Shabbat, due to the prohibition of coloring. Similarly, it would seem that applying face powder on Shabbat should also be prohibited, as it resembles the prohibited application of rouge on the face.

Applying Dry Powder to the Skin

Our later authorities have extensively discussed this matter, with differing opinions. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef wrote (Responsa Yabia Omer 6:37) that regarding face powder, there is room for leniency because the rouge mentioned in the Gemara that is forbidden on Shabbat refers to actual coloring on the face, but face powder does not truly adhere to the skin and is not considered coloring at all, therefore it is permissible to use on Shabbat.

Powder Mixed with Cream

However, it is clear that this applies only to face powder that is just dry powder alone, but if it is mixed with cream or lotion, it is forbidden to use on Shabbat as it is considered coloring.From this, we can discuss dry powders such as dry face powder, cocoa powder, eyeshadows that are only powder (if such exist), blush, and similar products. However, lipstick, mascara, and the like are absolutely forbidden for use on Shabbat.

Applying Powder Over Foundation Makeup

It is also clear that it is forbidden to apply foundation makeup on the face on Shabbat, as this is exactly like applying rouge to the face on Shabbat. Therefore, it is also forbidden to apply face powder over foundation makeup even if the foundation was applied before Shabbat, because the foundation helps the face powder adhere to the face, making it similar to powder mixed with cream, which we said is forbidden to use on Shabbat. It should be noted that many types of eyeshadows, powders, and blushes sold today are mixed with cream or lotion, and as stated, one should only be lenient on Shabbat with completely dry powders, which are also available for purchase.

Rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef courtesy of "Daily Halacha" website

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