Is Performing Ablution Over Makeup Permissible

Answer:

Praise be to Allah , prayer and peace be upon His Messenger Facial cosmetics are of two types : 1.A type that forms a layer which stops water from reaching the skin ,thus renders wudu` and ghusul (purificatory bath) void and must be removed in order to make them otherwise. 2.A type that does not form a layer which stops water from reaching the skin ,and is made of colors which dye the skin as henna does. This is probably the case with most types of makeup ,so it neither invalidates wudu` nor ghusul . Alimam Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on his soul) said: "if some parts of the body(face, hands ,feet) had wax, dough, henna, or the like which stopped water from reaching the skin ,then that part is not of valid ritual purity regardless of the quantity of these substances. However ,if the trace or the color of henna or an oil like substance remained on the hand or any other part provided that the water reaches and slips over it smoothly ,then its purity is valid from the view point of Sharia.”{Al-Majmoo`(1/529)}. And Allah knows best.