Crayola: Don’t Use Colored Pencils as Makeup

Crayola has responded to an internet hint which suggests that colored pencils can be used as eyeliner.

YouTube Video

A video posted to YouTube in early May 2015 – which amassed over 1.5 million views in only two weeks – suggested that colored pencils could be used in lieu of eyeliner.

“Colored pencils are safe to use on your skin, on your face, because it’s nontoxic,” the video claims. “Companies literally make it so little kids can eat it and be fine.”

The video continues to “prove” the safety of colored pencils in a call to Crayola in which a representative is asked if it is safe for the product to touch skin.

The video suggests soaking a colored pencil in warm water for 5 minutes, which will then allow the color to be applied to skin in the same manner as makeup.

Crayola Responds

A section was added to Crayola’s FAQ which answers the question, “Is it safe to use Crayola Crayons to make lipstick, eyeliner and other makeup?”

The official answer states, “As the manufacturer of children’s products, safety is our top priority at Crayola. Although our products are nontoxic, we do not recommend using them to make lipstick, eyeliner or other make-up and strongly discourage their use in this manner. They are not designed, tested or approved for this purpose.”

Bottom Line

A popular YouTube instructional video claims that colored pencils can be used as eyeliner, but Crayola has issued a response strongly discouraging consumers from following this advice.

This is reminiscent of a helpful hint which continues to circulate online, which states you can burn crayons in place of candles. Crayola also discouraged that practice as well.