PALM BAY, Fla., Oct. 25, 2026 —
Halloween is Saturday, and for a lot of Floridians the costume is the main event. Glowing eyes, "cat eye" pupils and bold face paint are big parts of many looks. Federal regulators have clear guidance on each, and following it doesn't have to cost you style points.
The lenses: fashion accessory or medical device?
Under federal law, it's a medical device. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says decorative contact lenses are prescription devices by federal law, even if they don't correct your vision. The FDA notes these lenses are often worn as costume accessories to make the wearer's eyes appear to glow in the dark, create the illusion of vertical "cat eyes," or change eye color.
The agency says it is aware that some places illegally sell decorative contact lenses without valid prescriptions for as little as $20. It advises never buying lenses from street vendors, beauty supply stores, flea markets, novelty stores, Halloween stores, beach shops or websites that don't require a prescription.
The FDA's checklist for wearing them safely:
- Get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor, even if your vision is perfect.
- Get a prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements and an expiration date.
- Buy from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription.
- See your eye doctor right away for redness, eye pain that doesn't go away or a decrease in vision.
The FDA also says that if you have never worn contacts before, Halloween should not be the first time.
Makeup and face paint
The FDA's Halloween tips suggest choosing makeup and hats rather than masks that can block your vision. Its advice for testing makeup:
- Put a small amount on the wearer's arm 24 to 48 hours in advance. Rash, redness or swelling can signal an allergy.
- Check the FDA's list of approved color additives, which the agency says is especially important for colored makeup near the eyes.
The costume itself
The same FDA guidance suggests:
- Look for costumes labeled "flame resistant". If you're sewing your own, polyester or nylon are the fabrics it names.
- Add bright colors or reflective tape so drivers can see you, which matters on Florida's many unlit neighborhood streets.
- Keep hems short enough that you won't trip.
The bottom line
A great Halloween look can still be safe. If you want glowing eyes, a visit to the eye doctor first is the path federal regulators recommend. If not, reflective trim and face paint you've tested can still steal the show.
Sources
- FDA, "Halloween Safety Tips: Costumes, Candy, and Colored Contact Lenses": https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/halloween-safety-tips-costumes-candy-and-colored-contact-lenses
- FDA, "Decorative Contact Lenses for Halloween and More": https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/decorative-contact-lenses-halloween-and-more
- FDA, "Colored and Decorative Contact Lenses: A Prescription Is A Must": https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/colored-and-decorative-contact-lenses-prescription-must
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