Why is birthing makeup so popular?

It's practically a "time-honoured" rite of passage for most celebrity mums giving birth: Having their post birthing photos splashed across social media (and tabloids), looking all fresh-faced and rejuvenated from the delivery room.

These days, you might be surprised to know that "birthing makeup" or applying full faces of makeup in the delivery room has become a big social media trend – not just among celebs, but with mummy influencers and real women too. Just check out the hashtag #birthingmakeup on TikTok, and you’ll see tons of videos of women sharing their take on the trend. A single TikTok titled “I did my makeup before birthing my baby” has garnered over 12 million views.

“If I’m going to look bloated and miserable after shoving a human being out, I can at least have pretty lashes for the photos I know my relatives will be taking,” chuckles TikToker Francesca Tanmizi (@workingwithmonolids), who wore false lashes when she gave birth to her daughter Eve in 2019.

Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, shares that he’s definitely seen more women coming in with makeup during D-day (what he dubs “Delivery Day”), and he’s extremely supportive of it. In fact, he even says that seeing them looking and feeling good perks him up and gives him positive energy too.

“Makeup wearing is a powerful empowerment for ladies to be in control of their body, which allows them to feel positive and in turn, to remember this precious D-day even more.”

Influencer and founder of Trium Fitness, Dawn Sim (@thatmomoffour), who had eyelash extensions and a bit of concealer to conceal her eyebags during the birth of her fourth and youngest child echoes his views, “I think there’s nothing wrong with it, and if it helps mummy feel her best whilst welcoming her newborn, I think that’s amazing. But more importantly, it should really be up to your personal preference.”

She also added that even though her makeup was minimal (no lipstick to kiss her newborn) but it was enough to help her “feel my best when I was welcoming my baby,” she shared.

Prepping for your birthing makeup

However, not everything will go according to your birth plan sometimes, and there may be instances when surgical intervention, such as a caesarean, could be needed during emergencies.

Mount Elizabeth Hospital's Prof Tan highlights while birthing makeup is allowed in the delivery room, mums-to-be need to be aware that when required, “they will have to be prepared to remove their makeup in double quick time, as makeup, nail polish and jewellery are not allowed in the operating theatre due to safety concerns”.

Despite the obvious caveats, local influencer Ripple Sim (@ripplesim) admits that she would have worn makeup if social media was as big as it is now back when she had her daughter 12 years ago.

“I think it’s natural to want to look good for your baby’s arrival. Back then, social media platforms were just gaining traction, so wearing makeup [in the delivery room] wasn’t as common. Looking back, I’d at least have lash extensions so I won't appear so tired in my photos.”

Thinking about incorporating a bit of glam into your birthing plan? Here are five things to know before diving into the trend.

#1 Avoid nail polish and acrylic nails

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Unless you know for sure that you’re heading in for surgery to deliver your baby beforehand, your doctor would probably have mentioned that you should keep your nails in their natural state. In times of unexpected emergencies, anaesthesia may be required, which is why nail polish and acrylic nails should be avoided.

Explains Dr Huang Zhongwei, consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital: “These can affect the use of the pulse oximeter on the nails to help the medical staff monitor the labouring mother’s oxygen levels.”

#2 Reconsider your contact lens and eyelash extensions

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While many women, including mums-to-be, are fans of eyelash extensions, Dr Huang advises keeping your lashes bare when you go in for delivery. “These can cause eye injuries if the mother is under general anesthesia and do not have the blink reflex.”

#3 Keep your makeup light

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Avoid going full glam during your delivery. “Makeup on the face should not be excessive that it masks the natural skin tone of the labouring mother. Medical staff do observe changes in skin colour during labour and delivery, especially as there is always the risk of heavy bleeding. And one of the physical signs that we look out for is skin pallor, which can be seen clearly if she starts to bleed profusely," says Dr Huang

#4 Opt for gentle makeup products

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For mums-to-be who wish to wear makeup during their delivery, Dr Huang recommends choosing makeup that is “non-toxic and non-inflammable”, such as a light eye liner, lip balm or gloss, “which are safe when the mother kisses her newborn baby’s sensitive skin”.

This is important as “some newborn babies may have sensitive skin, which could trigger a rash or other skin conditions when the skin comes in contact with [your makeup],” adds Prof Tan.

#5 Consider doing your makeup after delivery instead

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While light makeup is generally fine during delivery, say both doctors, why not doll yourself up after baby is born instead? Dr Huang adds that he is more than happy to have the mother “freshen up and put on makeup for an after-birth photo together to commemorate her bravery in delivering her baby”.