Are Christian Women Allowed to Wear Makeup, Earrings or Jewelry?
1) Direct Answer
Christian women should avoid makeup and ornamental jewelry, including earrings. Dress should be modest, simple, and shamefaced. A plain wedding band as a token of covenant—not as decoration—can be acceptable.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- The Bible says, “Women adorn themselves in modest apparel… not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9–10). That is a clear call away from outward show.
- “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold… but let it be the hidden man of the heart… a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:3–4). God points us to inner beauty, not external display.
- When pride and show took over, God reproved it: the tinkling ornaments, chains, rings, nose jewels (Isaiah 3:16–24). He took them away as a judgment.
- Jezebel “painted her face” to present herself (2 Kings 9:30). Scripture never commends face paint; it ties it to a worldly, seductive spirit.
- Jacob called his house to put away strange gods—and they handed over their earrings (Genesis 35:2–4). Earrings in Scripture are often linked with idolatry and worldliness.
- Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost; we are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). We present ourselves a living sacrifice, not conformed to the world (Romans 12:1–2).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- Now notice, the apostles didn’t point women to decorate the outside, but to adorn the inside with holiness. Outward glitter draws eyes to the flesh; the Spirit draws hearts to Christ.
- If Peter says “not with… wearing of gold,” why argue for gold and glitter? If Paul says “not with… pearls,” why defend them? Show me one Scripture where God praises painted faces or flashy ornaments.
- A plain wedding band can serve as a simple token of a vow, not as adornment. But earrings and showy jewelry exist to ornament the body—exactly what the Word says not to pursue.
- You see, this isn’t harsh law; it’s love. When Christ lives within, a woman gladly chooses modesty, simplicity, and separation from the spirit of the world.
4) Reinforcing Statement
Choose the hidden beauty of a meek and quiet spirit. Lay aside makeup, earrings, and ornamental jewelry, and let your life shine with holiness. That’s the kind of adornment God honors.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Forsaking all
62-0123 §107
Now, some of you people here... You women, you---maybe Pentecostal women---has been guilty of wearing immoral clothes, cutting your hair, doing things... I notice here in California, there's not too many of them ... or, here in Arizona, rather ... not too many of them are wearing make-up. That was fought against too. Well, there's nothing in the Bible to say for you not to wear make-up. We just know it's wrong 'cause it's of the world. But there is a commandment in the Bible that a woman cuts her hair is a dishonor...
Questions and Answers, Part 2
64-0823E §86
QUESTION: Brother Branham, how should women (oh, my!) wear their hair? Again, just any way you want to. I Timothy 2:9. See? "Let the women adorn themselves in modest apparel." I want to wear mine pleasing to God. (God bless you, sister dear.) Thank you. May God bless you. Pray for us. And the person signs her name. Sharon, sure, Sis! God bless you. Wear it just long as it's long, sister. It's a little girl. God bless you, Honey. It's okay. You go right ahead.
Life
58-0512 §28
And you Pentecostal women wouldn't let your girls put on them little old vulgar-looking clothes and get out on the street. Then talk about juvenile delinquency. Not only do they do it, but mammy, you do too. "Oh," you say, "I don't wear them shorts (I believe they call it) and halternecks. I don't wear them; I wear slacks." The Bible said that a woman that'll put on a garment that pertains to a man, it's an abomination in the sight of God. That's what the Bible says. And today, you take women come down the street w...
Questions and Answers, Part 4
64-0830E §75
So then, if it was something I wanted to do it, and felt to do it, I'd do it. Yes, sir! There's not a thing says not to do it. Not a thing says, Sister, that you can't wear a rat, or switch of hair, or something or another in your... That's perfectly all right, but let your hair stay long. And men, you cut yours off. What you got, keep it cut. See? Then, that settles that. And woman, you dress like a woman. And men, you dress like a man; don't try to be a sissy and wear womens' clothes. And women, don't you try to...
Souls that are in prison now
63-1110M §92
Somebody's got to do it! The river's got to be crossed. The skin's got to be shucked off. I don't want to do it; God knows I don't want to do it! Many of them women feed my children, and they'd lay their life down for me almost. You think in the grace of God shed abroad by the Holy Ghost, you think I could stand still and see that poor person go plunge out yonder into eternity without hope if I don't scream out against it? Not to be a smart-aleck, but the spirit of this nation, the spirit of the church---not the Sp...