Should Christian Women Wear Lipstick and Jewelry?
A woman on my YouTube video asked why I wore lipstick and jewelry. She told me this was a vain thing to do and women who wore these things did it to draw attention to themselves. Are Christian women not to wear these things?
Let’s look as some verses on this topic. “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands….Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:1-4). Then we are told that the “in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands…” (1 Peter 3:5).
Are these verses telling women that they should not adorn themselves with makeup and jewelry? No. If this were the case, then these verses are telling women to not put on apparel (not wear clothes). This could not be the case since God wants women to dress modestly and wear clothing.
God wants women’s focus to be on their inner man. He wants our main adorning coming from our behavior and how we treat and love others. He wants us to adorn ourselves with meek and quiet spirits, and with submission to our husbands. These are the things that matter to God, not how we adorn our outer man.
Can we wear lipstick and jewelry? Yes. These are not sin issues but if women are only focused upon adorning their outer man without paying any attention to their inner man, they are in sin.
Most husbands want their wives to look pretty. God made men visual so women should look as good as they can within their husbands’ income. If their husbands love the natural look with no makeup and jewelry, then their wives should adorn themselves this way since God cares more that wives submit to their husbands than whether or not they wear makeup or jewelry.
“In like many also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9,10)
God absolutely does not want us spending a lot of money on adoring ourselves. He doesn’t want us to dress in a way that draws attention to our wealth or our bodies. We are to be modest in the money we spend on adorning ourselves (unlike most women these days) and modest in covering our bodies. We should not look nor act like the world. Others should be able to tell by the way that we dress and act that we are believers in Jesus Christ and He is the One we live to glorify, not ourselves.
Ask your husband how much money you can spend on clothes. Most of us have WAY more clothing than we need. The same goes for makeup, jewelry, and shoes. These should not consume our money or time. Find feminine clothing that your husband likes and be content with what you have. Wear a little bit of makeup if your husband likes it, and do what you can to look your best but the way that you treat others and the good works that you do for them is a far higher priority to God than anything that you could wear.
Our culture worships fashion. We do not. We worship God Almighty. Godliness with contentment is great gain. We don’t need the newest fashions. We don’t need to be in style. We don’t go with the flow of culture. God has given us guidelines, women, so spend your time being transformed by His Word and becoming the woman that He has created you to be. Beauty is only skin deep and people don’t remember what you wore or even what you looked like. They remember whether you loved them or not.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in the time to come.
Proverbs 31:25
35 thoughts on “Should Christian Women Wear Lipstick and Jewelry?”
Nice article. I actually like wearing a little bit of makeup (Usually just eyeliner and mascara… Definitely not a beauty guru over here) and think I look prettier with it but very rarely wear it these days since my husband prefers a bare face.
There is nothing wrong with wearing it. Inner beauty is way more important but wearing lipstick and jewelry is fine. Like you mentioned what does your husband think. Some husbands prefer it some don’t. I’m personally a fan of the natural look or light makeup.
What if your husband wants you to wear immodest clothes?
Great Post! The only makeup I wear is lipstick, and, as I’m aging, eyebrow liner to define my disappearing brows. I stopped wearing lipstick when face coverings were required months ago. My mother never wore makeup, she had beautiful skin. She used to tell me “why wear makeup to give you a natural glow/hue, just don’t wear any, that’s as natural as you’re gonna get”. True words even to this day.
There´s nothing wrong with us, women, loving beauty. We are made that way. We beautify homes, dishes, gardens and, of course, ourselves. We can do that humbly, sweetly, modestly, in any stage of our lives we´re in, from little girls wearing pink bows in their braids to old sweet grannies wearing their Sunday best to church, maybe even their lace veils too, as a way to show their love for the Lord and for the community.
As far as clothes are concerned, I´ve found incredibly useful and practical the Ten Item Wardrobe method. It really liberates you from anxiety, frees your mind and gives you peace every day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3CLRL32Mcw
Jennifer L. Scott is a Christian lady who gives an example of her Ten Item Wardrobe every season in her Youtube channel The Daily Connoisseur. Many other Christian ladies have adopted this method as a way to simple, modest, comfortable and elegant dressing. You only give it one minute in the morning to think about your appearance, and then you can devote yourself to the really important tasks in your life, so you´re also free from vain thoughts, insecurities and looking for inapropriate and unnecessary clothes. I definitely recommend it.
Nice post. I really needed to read this today. My husband has forbidden me from wearing make up. I spend most clothing allowance money on our children. I wear mostly hand downs or I wear clothes I purchased years ago. It only matters to me that I look good for my husband only and I submit to what he asks of me.
Great topic! I’ve been hoping you might do an article about jewelry and makeup! I think both are perfectly fine as long as one doesn’t overdo it. I don’t wear makeup unless it’s for special occasion but I will admit to loving my jewelry! And wearing vintage jewelry or pearl necklaces is a great way to let people know you appreciate old fashioned values.
It’s important for wives to look good for their husbands and single women need to put effort into their appearance and look feminine. Women my age don’t understand that there’s a perfect middle to strive for. You can’t just wear sweaters with jeans and have messy hair and still expect to be treated like a lady! However you can’t plaster your face with makeup and wear short skirts and expect a man to think of you as wife material.
I kind of wish dressing tips was still taught in school today. Like all those old videos on YouTube from the 1940s where girls are taught how to dress respectfully and how to properly accessorize.
I love Jennifer’s channel!
In public? I would say most men don’t want their wives dressing immodest in public but if a few do then I would seriously talk to him about it. Maybe dress as modest as possible while still pleasing him. If he wants you wearing leggings try to wear a long shirt or jacket tied around your waist, short dress can be worn with tights underneath, etc. Tough spot to be in because you you don’t want to tempt other brothers in Christ but you also don’t want to be a rebellious wife. Modesty is so subjective as well. You are glorifying God by submitting to your husband.
I loved the video! Thank you for sharing!!!!! I’m moving to a ten item wardrobe …. tomorrow.
Thanks again
What about Singles? My dad doesn’t let me wear ornaments or any for of makeup…and we are Indian . Our culture is colorful…then there is our bare faced faces …Also my dad won’t let me remove my facial hair . He doesn’t let me do anything to my face . I have a visible moustache above my face and its embarrassing…
Personally, 99% of the time, I do not wear it. But unless you’re aim is to look like a clown. I won’t judge those who choose to wear it. It’s a secondary issue. Not a primary one, thus not indicative of salvation. And if not careful, can cause you to be distracted from primary matters. The only thing achieved by scolding those who do wear makeup. Is showcasing a pious attitude. I know women that don’t wear makeup, don’t wear jewellery, and dress like the Amish in an effort to reach some greater state of holiness and they stick out like a sore thumb and draw attention to themselves and look like they’ve sucked on a bag of sour lemons. All which can be just as sinful. There must be a BALANCE.
Marie – I, too LOVE vintage jewelry, it’s so unique! I’ve never seen the YouTube videos you mentioned in your comment, I need to check them out. I love old movies, the fashion they wore and their manners were so in check, we need that trend to come back around.
Love The Daily Connesuier❤
My humble opinion:
A man can work out to stroke his own ego.
He can also work out to look his best for his wife.
He can also work out to stay in shape and maintain his stamina and range of motion, and to minimize pain from his back problems.
A man can also comb his hair to look good for himself or to look good for his wife.
Ditto for wearing a suit.
God looks on the heart. A woman can wear makeup to stroke her ego, to establish dominance over other women, or to look her best for her husband.
Ditto for wearing nice clothes, styling her hair, or going to the gym.
If a woman spends ridiculous amounts of time and/or money on her hair, makeup and clothes, then it’s probably not for the right reasons. If her clothes are too tight and/or revealing, it’s probably not for the right reasons.
In the end, I don’t see a lot of difference between styling hair, wearing jewelry, organizing a wardrobe, going to the gym, and wearing makeup. It’s all just a woman trying to look her best. What’s in her heart is between her and God. But she should make an effort to know her own heart, to do things for the right reasons, and to not invest an inordinate amount of her resources into her looks, the same as a man shouldn’t.
My two cents.
As someone who has been there, I would encourage a sister going through this to pray for your husband. In my husband’s case, this was a symptom of a serious pornography addiction. It will take some suffering on the wife’s part in my experience—God asks you to submit, but not sin, just as you should refuse to watch pornography with or for him. God will strengthen you as you hold to His ways and He will send help to your husband too. There is hope and redemption for us all! ?
@Lakelie
I agree vintage jewelry is so unique! My favourite decade for jewelry is the 1940s. You don’t find creativity and attention to detail like that anymore.
I completely agree! People were just raised differently back then! Dignity and elegance were valued so much more back then. Last week my mother was telling me about how my great grandmother NEVER wore shorts in public. She’d wear dresses in the spring/summer and pants in the fall/winter but she thought shorts were classless and unflattering. Even in the late 50s/early 60s when they were becoming more acceptable she thought they were unladylike.
I love Jennifer’s channel! Everything there is so beautiful and elegant! Such a breath of fresh air.
Yeah, this is not a sin issue. There is no explicit verse forbidding makeup. And if your husband wants you to wear it, you definitely should. That being said, a lot of women do not wear it to either please their husbands or because they enjoy it for artistic expression. They wear it because they think they are not beautiful without it. Some think they will never find a man without it. This is so sad. If this is you reading this comment, you are beautiful. Period. You don’t need makeup or lots of skin products to be beautiful. You just don’t. God did not make a mistake when He made you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. This stuff is marketed to you by these companies to make you feel bad about yourself. This, by the way is coming from someone whose skin is far from perfect. I am trying to overcome adult acne right now. I use jojoba oil, raw honey, and a homemade toner with apple cider vinegar. That’s all. I have been seeing really positive results. I used to cover my blemishes with makeup, but now, I just embrace it. God gave me the skin He wanted to for a reason. I do still wear a very little eye makeup (most people don’t even know that I wear makeup at all because it is so unobtrusive). I like the way it makes me look. I don’t look painted or masked in any way. Plus, makeup has a ton of toxic chemicals in it, as do most skin care products. You really don’t want all that going into your skin. Mineral makeup is better for you, and some have sun protection from the minerals used. God bless.
Hi Sarah, I know you said the apple cider vinegar toner is helping and you’ve decided to embrace it, but wanted to tell you the one thing that has greatly helped my adult cystic acne is plexus joyome. I never would have bought the stuff except my sister sells a little bit of it and she tried some for her adult acne and it worked wonders. I can usually get a set for around $100 on eBay… And it lasts a very long time! That, and eliminating sugar from my diet, has helped so much.
Thank you for this comment! Funny enough when I stopped wearing makeup is when I met my husband…and he prefers me bare faced! All my time and money wasted on lipstick and eyelash extensions and learning how to properly apply makeup because I thought I needed it attract a man…listening to society’s narrative about what defines beauty didn’t work for me, although I do know most men like seeing a woman in simple makeup. Good skincare is so important too!
Thanks Isadora! I have never heard of plexus joyome. It looks pretty interesting.
I feel for you dear! Single women are under their fathers authority from my understanding. My father forbid any and I mean any effort to improve women’s appearance saying that it is vanity. As I a result I go around looking let’s say less than feminine and attractive. I t really hurt my self esteem and absolutely no man would notice me. Unlike indian culture I don’t live in an arranged marriage system to overcome this. What’s a single woman to do? Honestly I think my father is very fearful of the power of feminine beauty just like so many Muslims are. That’s why they walk around with sacks over their body. But at least they have arranged marriage.
Hi Casey, that is so wonderful! Praise God that you and your husband realized your beauty without makeup! I too have noticed a lot of men prefer the natural look. I was never good at makeup either. I agree, a good skin care routine made of simple nourishing ingredients is so important. Blessings.
Hi Priscilla and Rachel Leigh, I am sorry y’all are struggling with this area. I absolutely agree with y’all that you should obey what your fathers wish for you. But there are still some things that you could do that your fathers might be ok with that might help you feel more beautiful and confident. First, try wearing colors that are flattering on you. For example, I have cool undertones in my complexion, and therefore I look terrible in most yellows and oranges. Blues and greens suit my complexion best, so that is what I wear, and I feel beautiful in them. There are a lot of Youtube videos that talk about finding your “color season” as it is called. Some look good in cool, brilliant colors, others in warm, rich colors, etc. It sounds a lot harder than it actually is. This will also save you money, as you will no longer by clothes in colors that don’t look right on you. This particular concept revolutionized dressing for me. Second, understand what looks good on your body type. A line skirts are universally flattering on just about any body type. Learn to deemphasize your larger half (whether you are bigger on the top or bottom, unless you are about symmetrical there) rather than emphasizing it because you will look more symmetrical, which is pleasant to the eye. That’s why you may hear people say to either go with a loose top and tight bottoms or the other way around. It creates balance (obviously, keep modesty in mind here). Learning to be comfortable with your shape and coloring rather than ashamed of them (as so many people are) will ensure that you create looks that work with what you have rather than against it. Natural is always beautiful. Third, think about hairstyle/head coverings if you wear them (I use head coverings that cover my head and sometimes also my hair). Make sure the styles you use are flattering to your face shape. For example, if you have a strong or pointy chin, wearing hairstyles higher on your head like a top knot than lower will balance that out. If you have a weak chin, wear hairstyles lower on your head or at the nape of your neck. Head covering wise, I for example prefer to have some hair covering a good deal of my forehead because it looks better than the bald look on me. Some ladies look amazing with the hair line completely covered. And lastly, have fun with this. Experiment until you find what works for you. I hope this will help you ladies. You are both beautiful, and I hope you can see that. God bless y’all.
You’re welcome, Sarah! You may also not have heard of it because it’s more marketed as an anti-aging product but if I remember correctly, the way it works is it helps balance out your skin’s microbiome, which apparently helps acne too. ??
I think wearing make-up is fine. One important thing to remember though, no one is flawless in their physical body. No woman is physically flawless like the filtered and airbrushed images of women on tv and in magazines. I see so many women, young and old that are trying with way to much make-up to look like these fake images. Makes me sad that so many believe that those women in the tv and magazine images are really that flawless in their physical bodies.
I am all about moisturizing and skin care. We live at the beach next door to my parents, and they also have a pool, so we keep great tans all year. I wear no makeup at all. Never have really, but I do invest in great lotion and skin care products to keep my skin healthy. I got talked into getting “a makeover” at a store in a mall once several years ago and I hated it. I looked like a pumpkin painted up like a clown (or that’s what I thought anyway). My mom wanted me to show my husband and he didn’t like it (knew he wouldn’t) so I got all cleaned off and fresh faced and have never used a drop of makeup since. My husband said “I want to wake up every morning to the same girl I went to bed with the night before! LOL” He loves me fresh faced and I do too, so I don’t bother fooling with it! The only special jewelry I wear other than earrings and a cross necklace is a gold anklet and a few toe rings. I am short with fat little feet and I literally live my life in bare feet so my husband thinks it’s cute and I think it’s comfortable! I think it’s nice for Christian women to wear some makeup and have some jewelry, within reason, but it really is all about how pretty your heart is and that you present yourself well before the Lord, and your husband.
Anon thank you for your response I currently struggle in this area! I want to dress modestly and please the Lord, however my husband ALWAYS looking at other women! And I pray and try to ignore it but it bothers me so much I Hate going places with him. I literally get an anxiety attack every time. I constantly tell him how I feel and it seems he gets angry and says he isn’t looking. I am soooo tired of it and I am tired of crying from disappointment. But your comment really encouraged me to keep praying because my husband struggled with porn as well.
kevin,
believe me, there are husband who change so much after marriage that once they see your naked body (we were virgins when we married) they want you to dress immodest because they would rather look at their wife in public versus all the other women. im a women only 90lbs and i hate going to the store & see what you see. my husband says he would rather see me dressed like the other women in public & have something good to look at versus what he sees in public. he has also gotten way worse since I had the baby. he will actually purchase me expensive immodest clothes to wear, versus my frugal modest clothes I wear. i guess its a male visual thing. I have talked to male pastor about it, they said men are either like my hubby or total opposite with their wives clothes.
I love to wear make-up but I am finding more and more sincere verses against it. This is a more complete verse there are 8 more verses about dressing up, face pant and being compared to a Jezebel.
It is looked upon as sin even if not intentional this is one of many verses I have found. I am actually speechless. I hope it is Ok to do at home in privacy for your husband. Women cannot get through heavens gates with pants on or make-up. I am not an expert I am trying to learn this as we go through trying times on Earth. I am trying to prepare my self heart and soul for anything to happen.
16: Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
21 The rings, and nose jewels,
22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.
26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.
I hope it would be Ok to wear it very light with a modest dress. I think white is an approved color to wear. I know many women will not feel comfortable. Please let me know if there is other colors OK to wear out in public according to the bible?
I think the question of this post points us directly to legalism. And that bothers me. We, who have been freed in Christ, are free. We who are freed in Christ want more than anything to love and honor Him and to follow his commandments and teachings. If we do that, then so many other silly questions are not necessary. God never said we can’t love fashion. I love fashion. As a 66 year old, young in heart and body woman, I love make-up and getting my nails done, and still wearing heels. I love beauty. In my home, in my garden, in the clothes I buy for myself and my grandchildren, in Paris, in the mountains, in the ocean. I am fully alive in Him. I would like to start a Christian lifestyle blog, not because I want to be like the world, but because I want to share a lifestyle that honors Him, and that does include how I look. I represent Him. I spend money on botox, not because I am sinful, nor because I want to look 20, but because I want to look as fresh and pretty as I can at 66. The world responds to beauty, and if I groom myself appropriately, exercise my body, eat health food, keep my hair styled and clean and shinny, I guarantee more women will look at me and then perhaps take the time to read what I have to say, then, say, if I am overweight, unkempt and wearing old out of fashion clothes. The woman of the Song of Songs did all she could to be beautiful for her husband—-she did use rich oils and perfumes, and took care of her hair and body, and I guarantee she wore a dress that was stylish in her day……..We as women need to encourage each other to look our best and to take care of our bodies and to spend what is acceptable in our own budgets. Please let’s not get bogged down in a legalistic question like, should I wear jewelry or lipstick. We all look better with moist smooth lips with a color that accentuates our skin coloring. And God Never said lipstick is forbidden, either in Word or implied. I do all of this for me. I do all of this for my husband. I do all of this to glorify our Lord who made us in His image, and who gave women femininity. Let’s celebrate that and all of the unique looks that can celebrate godly womanhood, for we are His representatives to a lost and dying world. Offered in love, Cate
If your husband loves that you do this, Cate, then great! But many men don’t notice all of the frivolous things women are doing to themselves. They notice more the joy, kindness, and meek and quiet spirit than anything else. I have no desire to spend a lot of time and money on my hair, clothing, or makeup. I love simplicity, but I have an older friend that loves doing all of these things!