Claire’s History of Asbestos Use
Claire’s® is a global makeup and accessories brand with more than 2,000 stores. The company made certain products with talcum powder. Some, including eye shadow and compact powder, contained talc contaminated with asbestos.
The company has operated in one form or another for over 50 years. Its chain of stores really took off in the early 1980s. Claire’s continued to be a fixture of American malls through the first decade of the 21st century. It is popular among kids and teens between the ages of 3 and 18.
In March 2018, Claire’s filed for bankruptcy after struggling with debt taken on from a leveraged buyout. Essentially, a private equity firm had used borrowed money to buy Claire’s and then saddled it with the debt.
A year before the bankruptcy filing, Claire’s issued a product recall after an independent investigation found asbestos in 17 makeup products. This set off a series of recalls due to asbestos contamination, the most recent one having occurred in 2019.
In August 2025, Claire’s filed for bankruptcy as a result of changing market conditions due to tariffs. The company had previously emerged from bankruptcy in 2018 and in an attempt to rebuild, secured partnerships with large brands including Walgreens and Walmart.
Bankruptcy proceedings may continue for months or longer. In the meantime, asbestos victims can still file lawsuits against the company.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Claire’s Asbestos Products
Claire’s has run into trouble with several of its products testing positive for asbestos. Asbestos can sometimes contaminate other minerals that naturally develop next to it, like talc. Asbestos is not listed as an ingredient in any of Claire’s makeup. But any product with talc listed on it may contain the mineral.
Makeup products Claire’s has recalled because of asbestos contamination include:
- Bedazzled Rainbow Heart Makeup Set, code 11767 (recalled December 23, 2017)
- Compact Powder, UPC #888711839153, SKU #83915, Lot No. 07/15 (recalled March 11, 2019)
- Contour Palette, UPC #888711401947, SKU #40194, Lot No. 04/17 (recalled March 11, 2019)
- Eye Shadows – Batch No/Lot No: 08/17 (recalled March 11, 2019)
- JoJo Siwa Makeup Set, SKU #888711136337, Batch/Lot No. S180109 (recalled May 30, 2019)
- Metallic Hot Pink Glitter 48 Piece Makeup Set, code 76094 (recalled December 23, 2017)
- Mint Glitter Make Up Set, code 74769 (recalled December 23, 2017)
- Pink Glitter Cellphone Makeup Compact, code 26556 (recalled December 23, 2017)
- Pink Glitter Palette with Eyeshadow & Lip Gloss, code 97276 (recalled December 23, 2017)
- Rainbow Bedazzled Star Make Up Set, code 20926 (recalled December 23, 2017)
- Rainbow Glitter Heart Shaped Makeup Set, code 97275 (recalled December 23, 2017)
- Ultimate Mega Make Up Set, code 71844 (recalled December 23, 2017)
Anyone who still has recalled items should stop using them immediately.
Claire’s and Asbestos Exposure
The primary people at risk for asbestos exposure from Claire’s products are young girls. They are the main audience for Claire’s marketing. Other people who face exposure risks from Claire’s makeup products are parents, store employees and factory workers.
Claire’s has not indicated that it is testing products for asbestos before they go to market. It is also unclear whether Jojo Siwa’s company, the brand behind the recalled makeup kit, is testing products for asbestos.
If you or your children have used a Claire’s talc product, it may be safer to assume it contained asbestos. You can tell your doctor about suspected or known exposures. Asbestos diseases like mesothelioma can take years to develop. A doctor can watch for any potential signs and symptoms. Early mesothelioma diagnosis is associated with better outcomes in patients.
Some occupations that have been impacted by Claire’s asbestos use are:
- Cosmetic manufacturers
- Cosmetic store personnel
- Cosmetologists
- Drilling engineers
- Equipment operators
- Excavators
- Factory workers
- Independent sales representatives
- Makeup artists
- Mine workers
- Mining engineers
- Models
Asbestos Lawsuits Against Claire’s
Asbestos lawsuits against Claire’s are still in progress. Currently, documented asbestos contamination in Claire’s makeup products dates back to 2017. It is unclear whether anyone has yet filed a lawsuit against the company for developing mesothelioma from using their products.
Asbestos diseases have long latency periods. It may take years or even decades after exposure for mesothelioma, lung cancer or other cancers to present symptoms. The company may begin to face personal injury lawsuits if consumers develop asbestos diseases.
At least one class action lawsuit has been filed against Claire’s. Individual asbestos lawsuits usually seek compensation for costs associated with having mesothelioma. This may include costs of treatment and lost wages. The purpose of the class action lawsuit is to force Claire’s to:
- Disclose its supply chain — presumably to discover if suppliers get talc mined from areas with natural asbestos deposits
- Implement better safety and monitoring of products
- Issue a full refund
- Tell those who bought contaminated products that diagnostic screenings are available
Anyone who develops an asbestos disease after using Claire’s talc products can reach out to a mesothelioma lawyer. Law firms specializing in mesothelioma cases have years of experience getting compensation for asbestos victims.
