Permanent makeup

Since it is for purposes of beautification and has no independent substance, permanent makeup is not considered a chatzitzah (barrier) to mikveh immersion.

However, there is debate about the halachic status of permanent makeup such as microblading and whether it technically falls under the prohibition of tattooing.

Rav Yehuda Henkin z”l, the founding rabbinic supervisor of this site, permitted the use of permanent makeup specifically when it would restore a woman’s natural features. (For example, if a woman suffers from a medical condition that causes her eyebrows to fall out, permanent makeup would be allowed to restore the look of her eyebrows.)  This approach would be based on viewing the potential prohibition here as rabbinic, and a restorative process as a matter of kevod haberiyot (preserving dignity) and relieving real distress.

But in a case of enhancing or adding on to one’s natural look, Rav Henkin would not permit use of permanent makeup, which at least could give the impression of tattooing; that impression is itself a halachic concern.

Our current rabbinic supervisor, Rav Kenneth Auman, agrees.

If your situation is more in the latter category, then you might wish to explore alternatives that do not raise halachic questions of tattooing, like eyebrow tinting (which is also not considered a chatzitzah).

You should feel free to discuss this question with your rabbi, or to contact the answer service of Eretz Hemdah for their perspective.

This response was updated on 16 November 2023.