Influencers are using food dye as fake lipstick — but is it safe?

TikTok is a dumping ground for endless beauty tips and hacks — and the latest one has raised some doubt over how safe it is.

Users can create their own lip-stain using food dye. They can also mix different colors together.

TikTokers are adamant that the food coloring — usually used for zhuzhing up baked goods — is just like regular store-bought lip coloring and are praising its longevity,

“This literally just feels like a normal lip stain. I’m not even kidding,” popular TikTok creator Kirsty Belle told her 1.1 million viewers as she tried the food dye.

The beauty trick has gained attention from more beauty TikToker — including via user Sarah Wolak‘s experiments with various tints for which she garners more than 200,000 views each — spurring a trend of DIY lip stains. And, yes, it can get messy quickly if you’re not careful.

Food coloring is safe to consume. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to put on your skin. The dye is likely to stain your flesh for a few days, although it shouldn’t do so permanently.

TikTok is a haven for DIY hacks, with users often touting tips and tricks — some amazing and some absurd.

TikTokers put a few drops in their lip gloss, and then applied it generously to their lips.

TikTok users were also using Q-tips with castor oils and applying it daily to their brows.