Biblical Encouragement, Christian Living

12 Biblical Perspectives on Wearing Makeup (and Whether It is Discouraged)

Does God approve of makeup? To answer that, the Bible certainly does not comment on makeup in any context similar to how we use it today, but it does speak somewhat to beauty, modesty, and how one should dress. 

This article explores 12 biblical principles that can guide us in understanding whether makeup is acceptable from a faith perspective and how our heart and intentions play such a big role in how we approach it.

Inner Beauty Over Outward Appearance

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“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4

1 Peter 3:3-4 tells us to care more about inner beauty than how we look on the outside. Putting on makeup isn’t bad, but it shouldn’t define who we are. God values the beauty of our spirit most—how kind and loving we are and how much we love Him. This verse reminds us that our actions and how we live our lives matter more than our appearance.

Modesty is Key

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“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” – 1 Timothy 2:9

1 Timothy 2:9 tells us to dress not to grab attention but to honor God. This applies to makeup, too. The amount doesn’t matter as much as how we use it to show modesty and respect for ourselves and others. We can express ourselves through makeup, but we shouldn’t use it to seek others’ approval or validation.

Don’t Get Caught Up in Vanity

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“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30

Proverbs 31:30 tells us that “charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting.” Makeup can boost your looks, but you shouldn’t let it define your self-worth. When we become too wrapped up in our appearance, it can take our attention away from what counts in life such as being kind, having faith, and staying humble.

God Looks at the Heart

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But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that people judge by outward looks, but God sees the heart. Take comfort in knowing God cares about our inner selves. Our makeup choices don’t matter as much as the state of our hearts—our character, motives, and how we treat others.

Don’t Get Too Hung Up or Obsessive On Looks

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Isaiah 3:16-24 cautions against being too concerned with outer beauty and decorations. This doesn’t mean makeup is bad, but rather that obsessing over it can distract us from what matters—our connection with God and other people. The key is to find a balance. It’s fine to care about how you look as long as it doesn’t turn into an unhealthy fixation.

Celebrating God’s Creation

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“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female, He created them.” – Genesis 1:27

Genesis 1:27 tells us God created us in His image. Makeup allows us to express and honor the unique beauty God gave each of us. Yet, we should keep in mind that we look beautiful without it, too. We don’t need makeup to feel sure of ourselves or to honor our God-given identity. It’s just an option.

Using Makeup for the Right Reasons

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“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31 teaches us to do everything to glorify God. People wear makeup to express themselves, boost confidence, or have fun. When you use makeup for positive reasons, not to get approval or compete with others, it can fit with your faith.

Makeup in the Bible

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“Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window.” – 2 Kings 9:30

Makeup has been around for ages. The Bible mentions it in 2 Kings 9:30 where Jezebel “painted her eyes” to make herself look better. While Jezebel’s tale doesn’t focus on makeup, it shows that people back then used beauty products too. The real issue wasn’t the makeup itself, but what was in someone’s heart and why they wore it. This teaches us that our reasons for wearing makeup matter more than the act of putting it on to begin with.

Avoiding Idolization of Beauty

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“You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3

Exodus 20:3 cautions us about putting anything above God. We can appreciate beauty, but it shouldn’t become our main focus. If makeup turns into our primary source of self-esteem or identity, we need to take a step back and shift our attention to what’s important: our connection with God.

Confidence from God, Not Makeup

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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14

Psalm 139:14 tells us God made us “fearfully and wonderfully.” Makeup can make you feel more confident, but real confidence comes from knowing your worth to God. You’re valuable whether you wear makeup or not. God loves you as you are, with or without makeup.

Beauty Isn’t Bad, But It Isn’t Everything

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Proverbs 31:10-31 talks about a woman’s good qualities giving more praise to her character than her looks. There’s nothing wrong with makeup, but we should keep in mind that it’s just one piece of who we are. In God’s eyes, what matters is our inner beauty, how kind we are, and our faith.

Your Intentions Matter Most

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“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” – Matthew 23:27-28

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus calls out the Pharisees for looking good on the outside but being rotten on the inside. While this isn’t about makeup, it shows us that our inner selves are what matter. If putting on makeup helps you feel confident and true to yourself without taking away from your faith or beliefs, then it can be a good thing!

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

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The Bible has nothing to say about the use of makeup in itself, but it does challenge us to look at our motivations. Makeup may well be a very positive, creative, and confidence-boosting outlet for ourselves, but is it something we want to change our sense of self-worth? 

Remember, God looks far more deeply into our hearts than to the faces we paint daily. However, if we put on makeup with pure motives–not out of pride or adoration of vanity–we can be sure He loves the person we are presenting.

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Jannah is a dedicated Christian content writer with growing experience, driven by her love for sharing the message of faith. She brings dedication and passion to every piece she writes, drawing from her background as a former lector. Jannah is committed to creating meaningful and inspiring content that reflects her Christian values.

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