Q&A: Women's Makeup
Women's Makeup
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Is there any basis to prohibit women wearing makeup? (Perhaps as deception?) In the past I asked a rabbi in the yeshiva, and he answered that there is room for prohibition, but that it is a decree the public could not endure.
To those who claim that there is no falsehood here because people see the makeup and know it is there, I have a novelty for you. Makeup makes a serious difference, and for most of the population it is impossible to know whether the woman is wearing makeup or whether it is natural. I do not want to stir up conflict and create new problems, but in my opinion this is equivalent to deception, and I would be interested in an honest halakhic opinion on the matter.
Thank you
Answer
The concept of deception is not falsehood. Deception means stealing information that belongs to someone else (see my article on copyright, where I discussed this at length). Nobody is entitled to know what this woman looks like. However, if we are talking about a spouse or prospective spouse, that is something else. There one certainly must make sure that the fellow knows what she looks like before closing the deal. The initial connection can indeed be made with makeup, but afterward, before making a commitment, it is proper that he know.
All this refers to makeup that is not noticeable. If it is visible, we have no issue with it.
And Molière already wrote: "Beautiful women should be examined at dawn."
Think carefully about it.