Makeup and personal grooming have been topics of discussion among Christians for many years. While the Bible doesn’t directly address the modern use of makeup, it does offer principles on modesty, inner beauty, and how we present ourselves to others. Let’s explore some relevant Bible verses to gain a better understanding of what God’s Word says about this subject.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Woman’s Beauty
Emphasizing Inner Beauty Over Outer Appearance
The Bible encourages believers to focus on inner beauty rather than merely external looks. These verses remind us that God values a kind and gentle spirit more than outward adornments.
1 Peter 3:3-4
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”
2 Corinthians 4:16
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”
Matthew 23:27
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.”
Modesty and Self-Control
Modesty is a virtue that extends beyond clothing and makeup. It involves being humble and not drawing unnecessary attention to oneself. Here are some verses that emphasize modesty.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
“And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
Romans 12:1-2
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
1 Peter 5:5
“In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Colossians 3:12
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
The Temporary Nature of Physical Beauty
The Bible points out that physical beauty fades, but spiritual beauty is eternal. These verses highlight the importance of investing in what lasts.
Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
James 1:11
“The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.”
1 Corinthians 7:31
“Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.”
Proverbs 20:29
“The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.”
Psalm 103:15-16
“Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.”
God Looks at the Heart
While people may focus on outward appearances, God cares more about the state of our hearts. These verses encourage us to prioritize our spiritual life over how we look.
Matthew 6:28-29
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.”
1 Chronicles 28:9
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him.”
Romans 8:6
“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
Matthew 5:8
“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Avoiding Excess and Vanity
The Bible teaches us to avoid vanity and excessive focus on outward beauty. Here are some verses that caution against overindulgence and pride.
Proverbs 11:2
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Isaiah 3:16
“The Lord says, ‘Beautiful Zion is haughty: craning her elegant neck, flirting with her eyes, walking with dainty steps, tinkling her ankle bracelets.'”
Galatians 5:19-21
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“‘Everything is meaningless,’ says the Teacher, ‘completely meaningless!'”
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Makeup in the Context of Self-Expression
Some people view makeup as a form of self-expression, but the Bible reminds us to align our actions with our faith. These verses encourage us to be thoughtful about how we express ourselves.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
“But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”
Finding Balance in All Things
Moderation and balance are key principles in Christian living. These verses help us understand how to find balance when it comes to beauty and makeup.
Proverbs 25:16
“Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!”
Philippians 4:5
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.”
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
God’s Creation is Beautiful
Finally, God has created each of us beautifully and wonderfully. These verses remind us to appreciate our God-given beauty and to honor Him in everything we do.
Psalm 139:14
“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
Genesis 1:27
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Song of Solomon 4:7
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
Matthew 10:30-31
“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Nature Beauty
What Does the Bible Say About Makeup
When we think about makeup, it’s important to first remember that our beauty comes from God. He made us in His image, and that means we are already beautiful. The Bible doesn’t specifically mention makeup in a way that says it’s right or wrong. However, there are a few stories in the Bible where makeup is talked about, and those stories give us some lessons to think about.
In the book of 2 Kings, there is a woman named Jezebel who is known for being evil. It mentions that she painted her face with makeup before meeting her end. Some people think this means makeup is bad, but the real issue wasn’t the makeup. The problem was Jezebel’s heart and how she lived her life. She wasn’t using makeup to honor God but to focus on herself. This story reminds us that it’s not about what we put on the outside, but what’s inside our hearts that truly matters.
On the other hand, makeup can be a form of expressing ourselves, just like the clothes we wear. In the book of Esther, we see how Esther went through beauty treatments before meeting the king. This doesn’t mean she was wrong to do so; it was part of the culture, and God still used her to save His people.
The Bible also teaches us to care more about our inner beauty than what’s on the outside. 1 Peter 3:3-4 tells women not to focus only on outward beauty, like fancy hairstyles or jewelry, but to have a gentle and quiet spirit, which is beautiful to God. This doesn’t say we can’t wear makeup or nice clothes, but it does remind us that what God values most is our character and our heart.
In the end, makeup is a personal choice. What matters most is that we use it in a way that reflects our faith and honors God.