Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Makeup on Shabbat

13 November, 2009
Question:

Are you allowed to put makeup on before shabbos and then remove it befoe going to the mikvah friday night?


Answer:

It is customary to prepare oneself for immersion prior to Shabbat, including make-up removal. 

However, wiping off makeup is permissible on Shabbat.  Water can be used, but it would be best to apply the water directly to the face and then remove with a dry tissue, so as to avoid issues of squeezing water from a wet cloth (s'chitah).  Thus, it would be permissible to apply light, easy to remove makeup before Shabbat and wipe it off prior to mikveh.  We would suggest doing a trial run a different day of the week to work out any kinks in advance.

Please get back to us with any further questions.

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