Is it permissible for women to wear makeup?

It is permissible for women and girls to beautify themselves and wear makeup within the boundaries of Shariah [1]. Allah says in the Qur'an:

قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ

"(O Prophet!) Say, 'Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good things of provision?'" [2].

This verse is evidence that all adornment is basically permissible (mubah) [3].

In a hadith narrated from Jabir: "When Ali returned from Yemen with the Prophet’s camel, he saw that Fatimah had come out of ihram, was wearing dyed clothes, and had applied kohl to her eyes" [4].

Therefore, just as women are allowed to use kohl, they may also use makeup and other cosmetic products. However, the following conditions must be met:

• She should wear makeup in front of her husband and mahrams [5]; it is not allowed to wear makeup, whether light or heavy, in front of non-mahram men.

• It should not be harmful;

• The woman should not be in her waiting period ('iddah) after her husband's death; during 'iddah, it is not permissible for a woman to use kohl, wear makeup, or use perfume [6].

• It should not go beyond the bounds of modesty or contradict established customs and etiquette;

• There should be no extravagance;

• The cosmetic products must not contain impure, haram, or waterproof substances. Scholars unanimously agree that water must reach the parts of the body that are washed in wudu and the whole body in ghusl [7].

Shariah and Fatwa Department of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan

[1] Kamal ibn Humam, "Fath al-Qadir", 2/347. Az-Zayla'i, "Tabyin al-Haqa'iq", 1/331. Al-Khattab, "Mawahib al-Jalil", 4/230. Ash-Shibini, "Mughni al-Muhtaj", 3/400. Al-Buhuti, "Sharh Muntaha al-Iradat", 2/114. Samiya Hayasha, "Nawazil Zinat al-Mar'ah fi al-Fiqh al-Islami", 26.

[2] Surah Al-A'raf, verse 32.

[3] Al-Qasimi, "Mahasin at-Tawil", 5/46.

[4] Muslim, No. 1218.

[5] Mahrams are a woman's husband and male relatives whom she can never marry. These include her father, grandfather, sons, brothers, nephews (sons of brothers and sisters), paternal uncles, maternal uncles, father-in-law, husband's grandfather, stepsons from other wives of her husband, foster mother's husband and sons. Also, the foster mother's father, husband, brothers, sons, and other boys who nursed from her. According to Shariah, two people who nursed from the same woman are also forbidden to marry each other.

[6] "Fath al-Qadir", 4/340. "Al-Inayah", 4/336.

[7] "Al-Mawsu'ah al-Muyassarah fi Fiqh al-Qadaya al-Mu'asirah", 58.