Each summer, the festival grounds become a canvas for self-expression, and this year neon and holographic makeup are the brushes of choice. Yet the same online marketplaces that make bold looks accessible also carry products laced with chemicals banned from cosmetic use — substances capable of causing rashes, allergic reactions, and eye injuries. Experts and professional artists are reminding revellers that the most enduring festival tradition is not the look itself, but the wisdom to know what we put on our skin.
Festival Season Safety: How to Rock Neon Make-up Without Toxic Chemicals
Toxic makeup chemicals can cause skin rashes, allergic reactions, and corneal scratches if glitter is applied near eyes.
The 'no makeup look' is gone. Clean girl is out.
Mark
Why does neon makeup specifically carry more risk than regular makeup?
Mimi
It's not the neon itself—it's how it's made and sold. Neon and glow-in-the-dark effects often require chemical dyes and additives that aren't approved for cosmetics. Some manufacturers deliberately label these as "non-cosmetic paint" to avoid safety regulations, which means they're not tested or regulated the way actual makeup is. Third-party sellers on platforms like TikTok Shop are selling these unregulated products cheaply, and most buyers don't know what they're putting on their skin.
Mark
What's the actual harm? Is it just irritation?
Mimi
It can be worse than irritation. The banned dyes can cause severe allergic reactions and rashes that might not show up immediately. Some people end up with chemical burns. The risk is real enough that trading standards organizations are actively warning about it.
Mark
So the white pencil trick—that's just about making colors brighter?
Mimi
It's about intensity, yes, but it's also practical. The white base makes the pigment stick better and last longer through sweat and movement. It's a professional technique that also happens to be safer because you're using fewer layers of product.
Mark
Why is glitter near the eyes such a specific danger?
Mimi
Craft glitter has sharp, irregular edges. If it gets into your eye or scratches the cornea, you're looking at real injury. Biodegradable glitter is softer and rounder. The difference is physical—one can cut, one can't.
Mark
The lip-sharing thing seems obvious, but do people really not know?
Mimi
You'd be surprised. People share lipstick at festivals all the time without thinking. Cold sores, herpes, other infections—they spread through saliva and mucous membranes. It's why makeup artists sanitize between every single client.
Mark
What's the sunscreen reapplication really about?
Mimi
Festivals are hours in the sun, often with sweat, water, dancing. Your sunscreen wears off. Every two hours is the baseline, but realistically, you need it more often if you're moving around. Most people apply it once and forget, which is why Wedgeworth emphasizes it—you can have perfect makeup and still get a serious burn.
The Pulse
- Third-party sellers on platforms like TikTok Shop are flooding the market with neon and glow-in-the-dark products containing banned toxic chemicals such as Solvent Yellow 172 and Basic Red 1:1, raising urgent safety flags from trading standards authorities.
- Cheap, unrecognised brands are deliberately labelling harmful products as 'non-cosmetic paint' to sidestep regulations, leaving festival-goers unknowingly exposed to severe skin rashes and allergic reactions.
- Craft glitter applied near the eyes poses a distinct physical danger — its sharp edges can scratch the cornea — while shared lip products silently pass on cold sores and infections through the crowd.
- Professional makeup artists and dermatologists are stepping in with practical alternatives: white pencil bases to intensify colour, biodegradable glitter secured with lash glue, and liquid lip products that outlast the night.
- Sunscreen remains the most overlooked layer — experts insist on SPF 30 or higher applied before makeup, reapplied every two hours, and extended to the hairline and scalp, where burns are most commonly forgotten.
Each summer, the festival grounds become a canvas for self-expression, and this year neon and holographic makeup are the brushes of choice. Yet the same online marketplaces that make bold looks accessible also carry products laced with chemicals banned from cosmetic use — substances capable of causing rashes, allergic reactions, and eye injuries. Experts and professional artists are reminding revellers that the most enduring festival tradition is not the look itself, but the wisdom to know what we put on our skin.
Festival season has arrived with neon eyeliner, holographic highlighter, and vampy lips leading the charge — but behind the sparkle, a quieter concern is growing. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has flagged that third-party sellers on platforms like TikTok Shop are offering neon and glow-in-the-dark products containing chemicals banned from cosmetic use. Ingredients such as Solvent Yellow 172 and Basic Violet 11:1 can cause severe rashes and allergic reactions, and some manufacturers deliberately label their products as 'non-cosmetic paint' to avoid regulation. The advice from professionals is simple: be sceptical of bargain neon makeup from sellers you don't recognise.
Makeup artist Dominic Skinner, a judge on BBC's Glow Up, shared the fundamentals of doing festival colour safely. For vivid eyeshadow that lasts through a night of dancing, a white eye pencil applied first intensifies pigment dramatically. Glitter and gems are everywhere this season — Skinner embraces the fairycore aesthetic fully — but Dr. Emma Wedgeworth of the British Skin Foundation draws a firm line at applying glitter near the eyes, where craft glitter's sharp edges can scratch the cornea. Biodegradable, eco-friendly glitter secured with lash glue is the safer path.
On lips, 2026 is a year of texture and drama — juicy blurred finishes and deep reds are both having a moment. Liquid lip products are recommended for their staying power, and one counterintuitive tip stands out: apply lip liner after the colour, not before, to avoid emphasising an unsteady hand. More importantly, never share lip balm or lipstick — cold sores and infections spread easily, which is why professional artists sanitise everything between clients.
Sunscreen is non-negotiable. At least SPF 30 should go on as a base layer before any makeup, with reapplication every two hours — including the hairline and scalp, the spots most people forget. Spray sunscreen can top up a finished look but is difficult to apply thickly enough on its own, so shade breaks and wide-brimmed hats matter. For anyone considering temporary hair colour, a 24-to-48-hour patch test behind the ear is essential. Skinner's parting thought is perhaps the most liberating: most people already own everything they need to create a festival look — the real skill is in seeing it.
Festival season is here, and the makeup counters are glowing. Neon eyeliner, dark vampy lips, holographic highlighter—the looks are bold and everywhere. But beneath the sparkle lies a genuine concern: some of the neon and glow-in-the-dark products flooding online marketplaces, particularly through third-party sellers on platforms like TikTok Shop, contain chemicals that have no business near your skin. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has flagged the problem, and makeup professionals are urging festival-goers to read labels carefully before they paint their faces.
Dominic Skinner, a makeup artist and judge on the BBC show Glow Up, walked through the fundamentals of festival makeup safety in the BBC's London offices. The technique for making colors truly pop is straightforward: apply a white eye pencil to the skin first, then press bright eyeshadows directly on top. The white base intensifies the pigment and helps it survive the night of dancing and sweat. But here's where caution enters. Banned ingredients—substances like Solvent Yellow 172, CI 45161 (Basic Red 1:1), and CI 45174 (Basic Violet 11:1)—can trigger severe rashes and allergic reactions. Products labeled "not for cosmetic use" should be avoided entirely, even if they claim to be skin-safe. Some manufacturers deliberately market neon or glow-in-the-dark items as "non-cosmetic paint" to skirt regulations. Cheap products from unfamiliar sellers carry the highest risk. Skinner's advice is blunt: be skeptical of bargain-basement neon makeup from sellers you don't recognize.
Glitter and gems are having a moment—the fairycore aesthetic demands sparkle, and Skinner embraces it fully. "The 'no makeup look' is gone," he says. "Clean girl is out." The playful, almost childlike quality of festival makeup means you should lean into color and crystals without restraint. Gems work better than loose glitter because they're larger, more visually striking, and crucially, you can peel them off and reuse them. But Dr. Emma Wedgeworth from the British Skin Foundation draws a hard line: never apply glitter near the eyes. Craft glitter, with its sharp edges, can scratch the cornea badly. Instead, use biodegradable, eco-friendly glitter products that are gentler on skin and better for the environment. Secure everything with safe adhesives like lash glue.
Lips are having a texture moment in 2026. Vogue is championing juicy, blurred lips that play with finish rather than color—think "your-lips-but-better" using stains and glosses. InStyle is pushing dramatic dark red as a break from the summer pinks and peaches. Skinner recommends liquid lip products because they won't budge through drinking or kissing. One counterintuitive tip: apply the lip liner last, not first. Drawing the outline after the color is down prevents you from highlighting your own shaky hand. And here's a health note that matters: never share your lip balm or lipstick. Cold sores and other infections spread through cross-contamination. Professional makeup artists sanitize everything between clients for exactly this reason.
Sunscreen is not optional. Wedgeworth recommends at least SPF 30 as a base layer before any makeup goes on, applied like a primer and given time to absorb. Skinner suggests matte or sweat-proof formulations to help makeup last longer in the heat. The critical detail is reapplication: every two hours, minimum. Most people forget their hairline and scalp partings, which burn easily. Spray sunscreen can layer over finished makeup, but it's hard to apply thickly enough to be effective, so take shade breaks and bring a wide-brimmed hat. Hair accessories—scarves, crochet beanies, clips, charms, cuffs—can anchor a look while protecting your scalp.
If you're considering a temporary hair color change with spray or dye, patch-test first. Apply a small amount behind your ear or on your arm and wait 24 to 48 hours to check for allergic reaction. Skinner offers a final thought that cuts through the pressure to buy new products: you probably already own everything you need to create a festival look. The skill is in thinking creatively about what you have.
Notable Quotes
Some items that are UV reflective, glow-in-the-dark or neon are made by cosmetics brands but are quietly labelled as a 'non-cosmetic paint.'— Dominic Skinner, makeup artist
Never apply glitter near the eyes to avoid scratches on the cornea, and never use craft glitter.— Dr. Emma Wedgeworth, British Skin Foundation
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Crime & Justice