The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church, does not have any official doctrines prohibiting its members from wearing makeup. However, some Mormons choose not to wear makeup based on personal beliefs and interpretations of church standards.
Church Standards on Appearance
The Mormon church emphasizes modesty in dress and appearance. Members are counseled to have a clean and well-groomed appearance. However, the church does not have any specific rules about wearing makeup or dictate how much makeup is appropriate.
In its official handbook, the church instructs: “Latter-day Saints who choose to use cosmetics should use caution to avoid extremes in application or color of cosmetics. Women should exercise moderation in their use of cosmetics.”
This guidance gives members freedom to interpret the counsel individually. Some Mormons take this as permission to wear makeup in moderation, while others see it as discouragement from using cosmetics at all.
Cultural Influences
Within Mormon culture, attitudes toward makeup vary greatly. Some common factors that influence members’ decisions include:
- Age – Older Mormons are more likely to go without makeup or use it sparingly. Younger Mormons often follow makeup trends more closely.
- Geography – Mormons in urban areas tend to wear more makeup than those in suburban or rural areas.
- Family upbringing – Members raised with more conservative interpretations are less likely to wear makeup.
- Personal standards – Individual members prayerfully choose how to apply church standards based on their own relationship with God.
As a result, Mormon women run the gamut from never wearing makeup to extensive use of cosmetics. Most use makeup moderately as a personal form of expression.
Reasons Some Mormon Women Do Not Wear Makeup
Here are some common reasons why some Mormon women choose not to wear makeup:
- Focus on inner beauty – They believe true beauty comes from within and focus less on outward appearances.
- Avoid worldly influences – They want to be separate from what they see as worldly standards of beauty and vanity.
- Personal revelation – They feel God has guided them personally to go without makeup.
- Family standards – They maintain traditions they were raised with of not using cosmetics.
Mormon women who eschew makeup emphasize developing inner attributes like kindness, integrity, and spirituality. They avoid pursuits they feel detract from those goals.
Reasons Other Mormon Women Wear Makeup
On the other hand, many Mormon women choose to wear makeup for reasons like:
- Enjoyment – They simply enjoy using cosmetics as a creative outlet.
- Cultural norms – They want to fit in with broader societal expectations for women’s grooming.
- Professional settings – They wear makeup in careers where maintaining a polished appearance is valued.
- Special occasions – They use makeup for events like dates, weddings, parties, etc.
These women see makeup in moderation as an acceptable way to care for their appearance. They balance their use of cosmetics with emphasizing inner beauty.
Church Leaders’ Perspectives
Modern Mormon church leaders have acknowledged the personal nature of decisions about wearing makeup. Their guidance recognizes room for individual choice based on each woman’s understanding.
For example, former church president Gordon B. Hinckley said in a 1987 speech addressing women: “I hope … you will not paint yourselves up and look like parrots, for I think there is always more … beauty in natural loveliness than in artificial comeliness.”
Rather than establish a firm policy, President Hinckley appealed to women’s sense of discretion in applying makeup. Other leaders have similarly discouraged overuse of cosmetics while declining to mandate no makeup.
Scriptural References
There are no definitive scriptural passages about wearing makeup. Some Mormon women reference these verses when deciding whether to wear cosmetics:
- 1 Samuel 16:7 – “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
- 1 Timothy 2:9 – “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array”
- 1 Peter 3:3-4 – “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart”
These verses emphasize developing inner godly attributes over outward beauty. Some Mormons see wearing cosmetics as contradicting this priority.
However, these scriptures do not expressly mention makeup. They leave room for individual interpretations of what constitutes proper adornment and modesty.
Ward and Stake Culture
Local Mormon congregations, called wards, and regional groups of wards, called stakes, develop distinct cultures around makeup. This often influences members’ choices.
In some areas, not wearing makeup is the norm. Women who do wear it may feel pressure to avoid cosmetics or minimize use. In other wards and stakes, wearing makeup is more widely accepted.
As members interact with the broader community, local member attitudes tend to align more closely with regional norms. Urban wards are generally more accepting of makeup use than rural wards with more traditional members.
Policies at Church Schools
BYU, Church-owned Brigham Young University, and other Church Education System (CES) schools have dress and grooming standards for students. These standards address makeup use on campus.
BYU’s Honor Code states: “Makeup, if worn, should be natural looking and modest, not drawing inappropriate attention to the wearer.” Other CES schools have similar guidelines emphasizing tasteful, moderate makeup.
These policies aim to teach students principles of modesty and professionalism in their appearance. Students can exercise their own judgment within broad guidelines.
Cultural Changes Over Time
Approaches to wearing makeup in Mormon culture have evolved over the years. In the early pioneer days, makeup use was rare. Only 16% of Mormon women surveyed in 1925 said they wore cosmetics, compared to 75% of American women overall.
As the taboo against makeup relaxed through the mid-1900s, use gradually increased. A 1976 study found 65% of Mormon women wore makeup often or occasionally.
Today, most Mormon women likely use cosmetics in line with national trends. One study estimated over 90% of young Mormon women wear makeup.
While some conservative groups maintain traditional reservations about makeup, most Mormons have adapted to wearing appropriate cosmetics.
Family Culture and Upbringing
Individual family values significantly shape many Mormon women’s perspectives on wearing makeup. Those raised with parents who frowned on cosmetics are more likely to avoid using them.
However, these family standards do not always withstand shifting cultural tides. As societal norms evolve, younger generations of Mormon women often depart from practices their mothers were raised with.
This frequently causes tensions around makeup between Mormon mothers and daughters. Mothers may disapprove of their daughters adopting more liberal norms about cosmetics.
Modesty Standards in Youth Programs
Mormon youth programs for girls ages 12-18 provide guidance about wearing makeup as part of maintaining a modest, youthful appearance. These programs include:
- Young Women program
- Girls Camp
- Youth Conferences
Adult leaders generally discourage heavy makeup looks. Girls participating in these activities are counseled to avoid cosmetics or wear only minimal, natural-looking makeup.
The emphasis is on helping young women focus on inner development rather than outward appearance. This approach aims to counteract societal pressures on youth to mature too quickly.
Makeup and Temple Worship
Mormon temples are considered the most sacred places of worship. Members who attend the temple are encouraged to show reverence through modest, respectful dress.
Many Mormon women thus avoid bold makeup looks when going to the temple. However, the church does not dictate rules about cosmetics use in temples.
Some women wear no makeup in the temple as a personal choice, while others wear subtle makeup they consider appropriate for a reverent spiritual setting.
Male Attitudes Within Mormon Culture
In the predominantly patriarchal Mormon culture, men’s preferences and opinions carry weight in shaping women’s decisions about their appearance.
Some Mormon men express valid concerns about ostentatious makeup detracting from women’s inner spirituality and natural beauty. However, others perpetuate double standards by policing women’s choices.
As Mormon women navigate cultural pressures about makeup, they increasingly push back against unreasonable male judgement and control over their appearance.
Conclusion
The Mormon church takes a flexible stance on wearing makeup, teaching broad principles but allowing personal choice. While some Mormons spurn cosmetics, many wear makeup moderately as a form of self-expression aligned with their faith.
Cultural influences like age, geography, family upbringing, and ward attitudes shape members’ perspectives. Standards have gradually relaxed over time, but more conservative strains remain.
As young Mormons form their values amid conflicting messages, they thoughtfully define standards of modesty and beauty for themselves. Mormon women ultimately have individual latitude in deciding whether to wear makeup based on their own conscience and faith.