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.